What race and should I be in Skyrim?

Sounds to me that the best options for your specifications would be either a Breton or a Dark Elf. During gameplay, Bretons make excellent warriors, as well as mages. Though they start focused heavily on magic, switching them to a combat style is incredibly effective. This is somewhat tedious at higher difficulties, due to their lower starting combat skills and the power of enemies on the Master difficulty. The Dunmer is a versatile race, that can almost fill any role due to the racial powers and skill bonuses, but they also fits= perfectly the offensive mage playstyle. With an improved resistance against fire, one could rely upon the Dunmer's superior Destruction skill bonus to deal damage and develop a strong Alteration for the purpose of protection. Restoration spells might also be useful, while Lockpicking and Sneak would remain as supporting skills. Wood Elves, Argonians and Khajiit make excellent thief, sneakers, and archers, Orcs, Nord, and Redguards make excellent warriors, while High Elfs and Bretons are specially effective magic wise. Dark Elves and Imperials make for a more jack of all trades characters.

Like the others have said, no race is better than the others, only that some start at Level 1 with higher skills than others. Based on what you're asking for so far, I'd recommend either of these.

Dark Elf - Starts off at Destruction Level 25, and, if I remember right, starts off with good one handed weapon skills. Also resistant to fire.

Breton - Destruction and weapon skills both start off at 15, however, Bretons have a high resistance to magic, and have the racial ability Dragonskin that can prove helpful in the long run by absorbing hostile magic thrown at you.

High Elf - Destruction starts off at 20 and weapons skills at 15 ( correct me if I'm wrong ). They have the most magicka starting off, so if you want to toss more fireballs and such in a fight, this race may be what you're looking for. Also, their racial ability Highborn regenerates magicka really fast for 60 seconds a day.

For your birthsign, if you want to focus more on melee than magic I suggest the Atronach Stone, as it occasionally causes hostile magic to be absorbed instead of doing damage to you. This one again being personal preference.

So, in a nutshell, it would depend on how much magic you intend to do compared to using melee in combat. Hope this gave you a little insight...and have fun!!

T2S - KotoniSan

I think that a Breton may be good for you, if you want to be human. If that doesn't matter, then maybe an Altmer.

Overall, though, if you focus on one thing with any type of character, like Destruction Magic, then you'll be good at it no matter what.

Choose whatever you like. Race in Skyrim doesn't affect what archetype you wish to play as at all - other than of course starting bonuses (which at the very maximum is a +10 increase in ONE skill).

So choose whatever appeals to you.

It doesn't really matter what race you are, man. You can be a freakin' cat man(the stealthy types), and be a hard *** wizard, at the same time, dude!