Freedom of choice is the order of the day and Bethesda offers a large selection of characters with whom to begin the game. There are ten playable races: the Argonians (aristocrats), the Khajiits (cat-like thieves), the Redguard (warriors), the Nords (warriors that live in arctic environments), the Bretons (sorcerers), the Imperial, the Orcs and Elves (Dark Elves are warriors, High Elves use magic, and Wood Elves are the thieves and archers). You have the option of playing as the male or female of each of these races, and the difference is not merely cosmetic. Your choice of gender has an effect on how the character is treated in the game.