So I give this information as both a guide, and as a warning. Playing the mage char is pretty tough. You get killed pretty easily. So I found a way (without cheating) to not get killed. But be warned! this makes the game REALLY easy, even on hardest difficulty. Choose a Breton, with sign of the mage (or atronach) Specialize in conjuration, illusion, destruction, and sneak. And play through the mages guild to become archmage (I actually became immortal about 1/2 - 3/4 through the mages guild). Becoming...