Well, for lack of a better title.

I haven't played Oblivion in a few years, but after my computer died I had to use an old one until I can get a new. Oblivion should run ok though on the one I have.

So, I want to play a peddlar/merchant type of PC and am looking for a variety of mods. All suggestions welcome.

1, Disable or ignore the MQ.

2, Basic needs (hunger, sleep etc)

3, Economy overhaul (looking at Enhanced Economy)

4, I seem to remember a shop mod, are there more out there?

5, crafting enhancements/overhaul

If you like traveling and conveying packages from one point to another, http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/33191/? is the best I know. Note that this is the stand-alone version. It is also built into Better Cities.

The sales shoppe mod is very likely http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/39255/?.

A peddler / merchant needs some way to transport bulk goods. I recommend http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/36966/? by Emma and CDCooley.

Yes, Enhanced Economy is these days considered the best at what it does.

Can't help with the rest.

Addendum: I'll assume that as a merchant / peddler your avatar will actually travel to his or her destinations on foot (or mounted) rather than fast-travel? If that's the case consider http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/20218/?. Heck, consider it regardless.

Very nice suggestions, Decrepit. Thank you. I'd completely forgotten about the packmules

As long as you don't visit that one temple, you will not start the events of the MQ in motion, so it can be ignored. However, if you stumble upon the MQ, then the mod I would suggest is the one that removes the Oblivion Gates from the game, as those are the only real impact that the MQ has on the land of Cyrodill.

For basic needs you should look at Maskers mods Basic Primary Needs, Basic Physical Activities and Basic Personal Hygene. Better Cities and COBL work well with these, adding usable water wells throughout the land.

Ah, so together with Alternate Beginnings I just need to stay away from there. And with something to remove those annyoing gates as well the game may actually be playable

I'd already found Basic Primary Needs, but will check out the others as well.

Thanks both of you

I'd go with Decrepit's recommendations. Also, if you'd like to add other travelling merchants to the game, http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/4387/? is the way to go.

As for crafting, I think craftybits is the only really extensive thing out there, but I've never used it. When I did a merchant rp, I used http://tesalliance.org/forums/index.php?/files/file/1283-martigens-monster-mod/, which has a decent crafting add-on, to make items - unique armor mostly - to add to my (trade & commerce) store. Be aware that if you go that way, you also get all the extra creatures and spawns that go with it. I also added some http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/2055/? to the already packed shop to display my more unique items.