So... I just got caught stealing...
Heindrich
Member, Moderator Posts: 2,959
My party has finally reached the great city of Baldur's Gate, and along the way I have been careful to keep common thievery to a minimum, primarily for RP purposes, given that Imoen is a 'good thief'. So somehow, I have never been caught... until now.
I had always assumed that if items were not in a locked container of some sort, it was 'there for the taking', and taking it would not be a crime. So when Imoen innocently picked up some gold lying around, I was mightily surprised that the nearest commoner called the guards! The -1 reputation penalty was not significant, given my do-gooders party was already at 20 for some time, and with the Boots of Speed, Imoen easily got away.
However, I had not fully explored the institution that Imoen had offended, and noticed that the guards were still there when I returned shortly... I don't wish to kill the guards (presumably I'd take a much larger rep hit if I did) So my question is... how long do the guards hang around after a crime or do they stay there indefinitely?
I had always assumed that if items were not in a locked container of some sort, it was 'there for the taking', and taking it would not be a crime. So when Imoen innocently picked up some gold lying around, I was mightily surprised that the nearest commoner called the guards! The -1 reputation penalty was not significant, given my do-gooders party was already at 20 for some time, and with the Boots of Speed, Imoen easily got away.
However, I had not fully explored the institution that Imoen had offended, and noticed that the guards were still there when I returned shortly... I don't wish to kill the guards (presumably I'd take a much larger rep hit if I did) So my question is... how long do the guards hang around after a crime or do they stay there indefinitely?
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When you rob someone then just run out of the house when the guards come, rest and you can re-enter again and take whatever is left.
2. if guards appear, *"fake talk" them.
*"fake talk" - click dialog initiation button on a neutral guard (neutral yet, right after appearance), BUT do not let your character to reach him and start a dialog. Target will stop and begin waiting for you to approach. Do whatever you want then.
Just once I would like to see a real-life person randomly walk into a private house, after finally finding one that's unlocked, walk around stealing everything not nailed down, and then become honestly surprised when the people he's stealing from call the police.
Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if that happens daily. People are idiots.
I think this video explains it better than I did.
It's not about realism, it's about balance.
Balance, for example, is having people call the guards if you are caught stealing, but make them forget about you if you stay out of the streets for enough time.
Realism would be guards that look out for you after you steal in more than a couple of houses for weeks.
Bullshit is resting just out of the house.
I hate little exploits like that and the *fake talk*, but I don't really care as they are not forcing me to do it. I don't understand why would you do that, but meh, your game, your fun.
But please don't say "Duh, BG is an RPG, you are supposed to kill and steal in an RPG!" as it's just not right at all.
There are Hack'n'Slash games for that. Like Skyrim.
"Follow the big arrow on your head, enter dungeon, kill the fuck out of every moving thing, take everything, head to next cave".
Talk about cart before the horse.
I've replayed Temple of Elemental Evil recently and though the voice acting is a bit shaky and dialogue hammy, the options opened up by alignment or social skills are huge. If you don't have Diplomacy, Sense Motive and Intimidate you miss so much. Still mostly about killing/looting, but meh.