I currently always use the "alternate start: arrive by ship" mod. I like that it not only allows multiple different start options, but it seems to make the main quest less "immediate" so I don't feel i'm breaking character or story by not responding to it right away. But I have a great idea that I haven't seen done yet. What if we had a mod similar to the alternate start, but you can start the main quest whenever you want by getting sent to jail! Imagine, you spend several character months working up the thieves guild, for example, then you get arrested in the Imperial City and the Emperor breaks you out and the main quest begins. I know nothing about modding or i'd do it myself. Of course, you'd have to get rid of the tutorial and character portion of the beginning dungeon.

One problem is the emperor dies on a specific day. If you start out before that day, there'd be a deadline on when you'd have to start the main quest.

I believe there are a couple of alt start mods that do just that as a matter of fact. Will post links when nexus is back up.

I used that one as well, but moved on to Alternate Start Revamped. It lets you start in a ship -and- in any of the buyable houses. Even as a homeless person, though I haven't tried that one yet.

http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=OblivionMods.Detail&id=822

There's the link, if for nothing else other than information.

http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=23757

I thought there was at least one other that had the same feature, but I can't find it at the moment.

I myself was doing some research on alt-start mods because I am making one of my own. I believe you are looking mods that let you start the MQ by getting arrested, right?

I suggest these two:
http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=19949

http://tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=25591


(shameless plug time! )
Oblivion Prelude: Kvatch is the alt-start mod I'm developing. It will also allow the start of the MQ by going to the IC jail but also allow other ways to start the MQ as well. Check my sig for the link to my thread.

Those are exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much!