We all know that thieves steal...
...But how do they do it?
The game Shadows of Isildur is in no way affiliated with the making of this guide. Though this guide is fully compatible with it, the game makes no claim on this guide, nor does this guide make any that would otherwise infringe on Tolkien Enterprises.
Stealing 101 -
The definition of “Steal” is a well known one. Everyone has been accused of it at some point in their life. Merriam-Webster defines it as
- To take the property of another wrongfully and especially as a habitual or regular practice.
- To come or go secretly, unobtrusively, gradually, or unexpectedly.
- To steal or attempt to steal a base.
Of course, the definition we are referring to is at the lead. To take the property of another wrongfully. To role-play a good thief, and be successful at it in the long run, we are going to need to forget the second part of this definition. “...and especially as a habitual or regular practice.”
What defines a good thief in a role-playing game, however? Is it how much you you have stolen? Your potential ability to steal? Or is it your knowledge about how to get around the system so that you may steal freely and make a true, legendary name for yourself?
The answer is hard to say, but I can assure you that it is none of these. When you are role-playing, it is not usually the goal of the character to be the best of the best, but to succeed and be prosperous. Thieves, in real life, do not take everything they can lay their eyes on or put into their pockets - Not the good ones, anyway.
How does one become a good thief, then? This is one of the most difficult questions to answer in depth, but the summary is extremely simple.
Patience -
More important than the rolls of your stats and than the rank of your skills is one that you possess out-of-character. The ability to sit back and do other things that may do nothing to further you along, or even set you back. More importantly, the ability to sit back and do these things for a long period of time.
The time-line for most roguish characters' time spent in game in most medieval role-playing games (RPG's) is typically extremely short, and mostly caused by the difficulty such a role presents. Most players want to run to the nearest non-player character(NPC) and get their first stolen item as soon as possible, and are soon caught as they get carried away. Only so many people can have their pockets pilfered before they realize who has been doing it.
This results in jail-time or worse punishments (most extreme being body parts being removed or execution), which is often just as much punishment in-character (IC) as it is out-of-character (OOC). This is where patience wears thin very quickly and causes players to log out and never return, or to create a new character. You must remember though, IC actions come with IC consequences. People will not just let you slide by punishment so that you can easily fulfill the concept for your character.
If you take the time to create alibis, make friends IC that will defend you against your crimes (whether they're knowledgeable that you did them or not), and create a name for yourself as a law-abiding citizen, then your success rate as a thief will sky-rocket.
What this means is, if you grow bored of waiting for something to happen, instead of running to the nearest NPC to try and nick a few coins, perhaps you can shuffle over to the nearest tavern for a drink and sing songs all night. Why would anyone instinctively want to accuse the merry-maker who cant even walk correctly two-thirds of the time?
Occupation -
“Alright, so I've decided I want to be a thief. Now what?”
The first step of creating a good thief is to create a thief. The first question you should ask yourself is, "How is it that my character is going to make his living off of others hard work?"
The thing to remember, however, is that there are other ways to steal other than using the code. Pick-pocketing is risky business. One bad move and you can be discovered and, from there, it could mean the end of your career as a thief. It also isn't the most profitable means. A few coins, here or there. Maybe a ring that slipped off, if you're lucky. A thief should be the last person to rely on luck, however.
There are many other occupations out there, though, that almost redefine the definition of stealing. Lets start at the most lowly of the jobs, and work our way up a bit.
