THIEVES
-or
- You'll learn to hate 'em. How to piss 'em off and keep yer backpack.
Some
simple steps to make yourself as difficult a target as possible to thieves:
#
1 - Wear a sagum.
Sagums
are available in several shops, Waike's Legionarie Supply is one. Buy one,
it's worth the denarii. While sagums are nothing more than thick leather
raincoats they have the ability to hide everything worn under them from
the sight of other players. Make sure you put your sagum on LAST, over
all your other gear. Some gear, such as lower-worn pieces of armor, will
still show through but things like pouches, sack and backpacks (when worn
underneath) won't. Most thieves can't steal something they can't see so
there is no better protection from your average thief. (They even offer
a small amount of protection in battle!)
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2 - Wear multiple containers.
When
you get enough money buy a few containers. I would suggest pouch, sack,
and backpack. As you go through life in the city you'll come across other
items such as "a small bronze box on a chain", neckpouches, etc. When you
find something like this you might want to get it and wear it. You'll find
that the more containers you have the less likely that a thief will steal
the one with your denarii in it. Also, buy a scabbard (for your gladius),
sheath (for your dagger or kinfe) or quiver (for arrows, quarterstave
or spear) for your weapon and keep a spare weapon in your sack. If they
steal your sack they won't get your preferred weapon, and if they steal
your preferred weapon you've got a back-up to whack 'em with.
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3 - Get vengeance.
If
a thief steals from you just point them out to a constable. Type show
<thief> to constable. If you are lucky a constable will see them
and warrant them for theft and maybe even arrest them. If you have gained
a few ranks in your weapon and have even a little bit of armor I would
highly recommend kicking their butt. Thieves are notorious for being weak
fighters. There are exceptions to the rule but if you are a fair fighter
take a chance and kick their butt anyway. Once they are unconscious call
a player-constable over think-net to come and arrest them. The player-constable
will get your stuff back for you. If the cowardly thief sleeps (leaves
the game) after you have knocked them out, then you should @report
it immediately. This is very much OOC and against the rules.
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4 - Keep your money in the bank.
Obvious.
Don't walk around with three or four talents in your sack. You usually
won't need that kind of money unless you are going shopping. Money in the
bank can't be stolen. Be careful in banks, though. When you get that pile
of coins from the clerk a thief can approach and grab it from you. (And,
for that matter, anyone can snatch it off the counter if they are quicker
than you.) Note: The bank in Iridine has been granted a pair of constables
as a permanent guard. Keep the "show <thief> to constable" command in
mind!
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5 - Beware of hoods and masks.
No
matter what people tell you, it is safe to assume that anyone wearing a
mask or hooded cloak is a thief. Masks and hoods hide a player's identity
and are the favorite of thieves, for obvious reasons. Some people will
tell you that not all hoods and masks are bad, that they are just people
who want a little privacy. That's a bunch of crap and most of the
people who tell you that are thieves trying to lull you into a false sense
of security concerning hoods and masks.
If
you are in the area with a masked or hooded player, leave.
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6 - Wield inhand weapons.
Grabbing
a wielded weapon is nearly impossible for thieves. So, if you must keep
your weapon inhand, keep it wielded. Also, pay attention what you keep
in your hands. The thieve's grabbing skill focuses on items that you have
inhand, so don't carry around something you don't want to take a chance
losing. If you can't afford to lose your lantern, then stick to the cheaper
torch until you start earning the kind of income that makes replacing a
lantern of little concern.
*
Thanks to Antaeus for tip # 6, one I have no excuse for overlooking
it!
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