Are Nord citizen big or skinny?

[tomomi1922]

This is of course a matter of opinion. And I want to hear what people have to say.

Nordic people is a race of hardy people. They are thick and strong, taller than other peoples. They make for good warriors. Think of Vikings raiders. These warriors have natural advantage in their physical strength and savagery. Although I don't reckon they should look like Conan, aka body builder look. But without doubt they are with big frame and towering figures.

On the other hand, the atmosphere of Skyrim feels like the dark age of Europe. Skyrim's people care so little about fashion. The lack of having finer things in life suggest how much priority they put into having enough to eat and surviving the cold. It feels like an ongoing struggle. The civil war certainly makes it much worse. So big frame and being taller don't help out too much against lack of body development due to malnutrition and disease. Sure, unlike the real world, they have magic and potions. But magic is so rare (like 1-2 mage per hold), and I imagine not everyone can afford medicine from the alchemists either. They are not without fine warriors. But just look at people like the couriers, they look like the wind can blow them away.