You can thank J. R. R. Tolkien and the Legend that was Gary Gygax for that rest their souls. However Khajiit and Argonians are probably based on creatures from D&D It just wouldn't be a fantasy RPG if you didn't have these races its almost a shame there are no halflings or Nomes in Oblivion. I went for imperial because they remind me of being British, They built a hugh empire and now its falling down around them. They are also well rounded individuals who can be planted in any profession and excel. I remember picking up Morrowind (Game of the year ed with all the expansions) in my local GAME store getting it home and installing it. After about half an hour trying to decide what race to play I picked the Imperial because they fit my gaming style like a glove (Knight/Paladin). I spent days playing that one character, I refused to travel by ship at first and ran everywhere the excitement never got old. I also have a love of the exotic and for me the Dunmer are just that so the are my second, followed by Nords. I don't like the Altmer or Bosmer it may be because one is to tall and the other is to small. I'v never played as a Redguard or a Breton so I can't comment on them.