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Hey, you, look that way! **psst, you're clear, Imoen! **

This may be old hat to folks, but I found a new way to engage in petty thievery today, and I thought I'd share.

When ever so politely acquiring the belongings from homes across the Sword Coast, simply opening a cabinet when in the view of the occupant usually results in an unwanted visit from the Flaming Fist or other assorted guards. One solution, of course, is to grab the belongings, and before the guards show up, hide in shadows, then waltz merrily from the building. Simply running out often won't work, as the guards may follow you into the streets.

However, there's another way, made easier when you have a full party. If a home has a floor plan with separate rooms or even some barrier of some sort of another, then you can wait until the occupant wanders into an area where they can't see the cabinet or chest with their precious belongings. At that point, all you need to do is swoop in with everybody in your party that isn't a thief, and block off the occupants exit from their present position. In order to engage them in lively conversation, of course.

Meanwhile, your erstwhile thief is now free to rifle through the occupants' belongings at leisure. Once every good has been obtained, simply leave the building, with no guards to trouble you on the way.

There are a few catches with this technique. If the occupant happens to see the pilfered chest on your way, if you tarry too long, then the guards might be called.

The strangest catch to this was when I was in the Hall of Wonders at night. Imoen had raided the Hall's wares, as we... uhhh... kept watch... for Alora. Afterwards, Alora asked to join our merry band. We acquiesced, just to humor her for the moment, and removed Imoen from the party. Once we did, all the alarms in the Hall went off, because our pilfering had been spotted. Apparently Imoen, no longer in our party, was now somebody who could view our stealing, and thus the guards were alerted.

Anyhow, it takes a bit longer to wait for the occupants to move into the proper spots, and some home layouts don't have a spot they can move, or the occupants don't move at all. But otherwise, this works out pretty well. Enjoy!

Comments

  • CaptRoryCaptRory Member Posts: 1,660
    I've done that before. It can be really tricky. So its something I only trot out if the old standbys aren't working.
  • AlexisisinneedAlexisisinneed Member Posts: 470
    That's a good idea, but random houses in bg aren't worth pillaging in my opinion, I do of course pillage that wand of lighting though. Besides I can't let my lovely little sister get thrown into a cell...yet.
  • Maelora69Maelora69 Member Posts: 75
    Pretty mean of Immy to call the guards on you! :)
  • DreadKhanDreadKhan Member Posts: 3,857
    Maybe he used to be a Paladins horse in 3.0, but with 3.5 having the whole summoned celestial thing, yeah, the poor guy was laid off.

    Outsourcing is ruining Faerun's economy!
  • lunarlunar Member Posts: 3,460
    I always have Immy dart for the exit if guards are summoned. They never follow if you don't initiate dialogue with them.
    If caught in a big manor, guards will spawn at level entrance, but can't see you yet. I hide in shadows until succesful and then waltz right through them.
  • GrakkelGrakkel Member Posts: 55
    lunar said:

    I always have Immy dart for the exit if guards are summoned. They never follow if you don't initiate dialogue with them. If caught in a big manor, guards will spawn at level entrance, but can't see you yet. I hide in shadows until succesful and then waltz right through them.

    Hiding in shadows definitely works too. My understanding is that guards will linger there even after you leave (not sure how long, but I thought I had read indefinitely somewhere). So if you don't care about ever returning to a location (probably true for most homes), then hiding in shadows should work just fine. If you think you want to return, however (probably true for chests in some taverns and inns), then the block-off special may come in handy as a technique from time to time.

  • the_spyderthe_spyder Member Posts: 5,018
    Grakkel said:

    The strangest catch to this was when I was in the Hall of Wonders at night. Imoen had raided the Hall's wares, as we... uhhh... kept watch... for Alora. Afterwards, Alora asked to join our merry band. We acquiesced, just to humor her for the moment, and removed Imoen from the party. Once we did, all the alarms in the Hall went off, because our pilfering had been spotted. Apparently Imoen, no longer in our party, was now somebody who could view our stealing, and thus the guards were alerted.

    never underestimate the wrath of a jilted ex female companion.

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