i too like the idea of starting as a prisoner, it feels more epic starting with nothing and working your way up, even if you roleplay a wealthy character it is pretty easy to put a clause in, to have him start with nothing.

Although as HeavyMetalArchmage said, I dont think you really have to start in a Gaol or dungeon. I always thought a good start would be the player starting in a fenced off pen, in the middle of a military camp, as a "vollunteer" in some expeditionary force. Maybe after a small skirmish you are distinguished for killing a pile of rats or whatever and they let you loose as a agent for powers from above. It would give a bow to the tradition of starting as a prisoner, and would set the player up with a quest giver NPC from the getgo (your CO or general).

Getting rid of the anonymous beginings is a bad idea imo, but they can still be creative without rethinking the traditions or hampering the players rp.

TES 1:
TES 2:
TES 3: On a boat, in custody, not really prison. You were born on a certain date in the prophecy.
TES 4: Prison

Someone give me details for TES 1and 2, didn't play them.

TES I: Prison(Imperial dungeons, just like in Oblivion)
TES II: completing an errand for the emperor, ships gets wrecked in a storm, you enter a cave, you get caved in, and you begin the game in Privateer's Hold

1) prison
2) oblication -> "custody"
3) custody
4) prison

5) space station

[edit] but seriously some form of custody works the best. What would be better, for re-play value, is if "custody" took place in varied ie random cities each play through. And if "custody" could be ambiguous as giving an official statement to a guard over an incident you previously observed or being pardoned for mass murder for some reason or another.