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T
his was not an easy interview to arrange.
Rumors of skilled Thieves practicing their trade have
circulated throughout the City for some time. Yet, finding one
was difficult in the extreme. Public authorities and underworld
figures each live within their respective codes of silence; and
they each, inevitably, have reason for deception. This interview
is thus the outcome of many hours of painstaking detective work
within the City's shadowy criminal underworld; and cannot be said
to provide definitive answers to all questions. You should note
that the Thief was well-paid for his time; and that, unsurprisingly,
he refused to be identified by name.
Occam:
When did you become a Thief?
Thief:
I apprenticed myself several TC-months ago.
Occam:
Where did you go to apprentice yourself?
Thief:
I won't tell you that.
Occam:
What Thief Skills have you learned?
Thief:
Hide, Lockpick, Peek, Sneak, and Steal.
Occam:
Let's discuss each of those Skills. What is Hide, and why would you
use it?
Thief:
Hide allows me to make myself difficult to see, while remaining
in one place. If I succeed in Hiding, you might not see me when
you arrive at my location. For example, if I Hide inside the Temple
of the King, you might see the statue there, and the scribe, and
other characters; but maybe not me. This gives me several advantages
when working, including the ability to eavesdrop on otherwise
private conversations, witness private actions, and so on. It also
seems to provide advantages when using the Steal Skill to pick
pockets.
Occam:
So, if you're Hidden, no-one can see you?
Thief:
I'm not sure. I suspect that depends on each individual's ability
to see, that is their mastery of the See Skill. And perhaps on
attributes such as Wisdom and even Dexterity. I haven't figured it
out yet.
Occam:
What is Lockpick?
Thief:
As it's name suggests, Lockpick allows me to pick locks when no key
is available. I can pick mechanical and electronic (card key) locks,
but, at least so far, not bioscan locks. Tools are required which
I don't wish to discuss in detail. Suffice to say, mechanical tools
are required for mechanical locks, while electronic tools are
required for electronic locks.
Occam:
Peek?
Thief:
Peek allows me to catch a glimpse of what items a character has in
their inventory.
Occam:
Players and NPCs?
Thief:
Yes.
Occam:
Sneak?
Thief:
Sneak allows me to move from one location to another without being
seen. Used in conjunction with Hide, it can make me almost
invisible, at least to many characters. Again, I believe that my
ability to Sneak depends on the perceptive abilities
and other attributes of each percipient. But, I don't yet know this
for sure.
Occam:
Steal?
Thief:
Steal allows me to pick the pockets of selected victims.
Occam:
What do you Steal?
Thief:
Dinars and other items of interest.
Occam:
From whom?
Thief:
It seems "the laws of physics", as I've heard it
put, prevent me from Stealing from players. You, for instance.
Thus I steal only from NPCs, and, it's my preference to steal
primarily from NorthEasterners.
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Occam:
In order to steal, must you commit acts of violence?
Thief:
No. That would make me a mugger. I'm not. I'm a Thief.
I practice a skilled trade, just like a jeweler or a herbalist
or, dare I say, a reporter.
Occam:
But there are violent Skills belonging to the Thief Role, aren't
there?
Thief:
Yes, there's a Skill called "Backstab". I have not learned
that Skill, and at this time I do not intend to.
Occam:
And you receive experience for use of each of these Skills?
Thief:
Yes.
Occam:
Some readers may be surprised to learn that your alignment
is Good. Aren't all criminals Evil?
Thief:
I commit "crimes" against property, not people.
Historically, many upright and moral people have suggested
that private property is itself criminal, robbing the
community of resources which might otherwise advance the
common good. If this is the case, my "crimes"
merely redistribute goods which have already been stolen.
Occam:
Can you name any examples of historically Good thieves?
Thief:
Prometheus. Robin Hood. Rosa Parks.
Occam:
You mentioned that you choose to steal primarily from
NorthEasterners. Is your Good alignment the reason?
Thief:
Yes.
Occam:
It almost seems as though you have a "political"
rationale for your choice of profession.
Thief:
I wouldn't use the word "political", although I
understand why you do. I prefer to say "ethical".
Like many Good-aligned NorthWesterners I do not accept the
argument that private property, that is acquisitiveness, is
the motor of progress. Indeed I believe that in many
respects acquisitiveness is a brake on the community. Yet,
as we all do, I require some quantity of funds in order to
provide myself with shelter and other necessities. Thus I
prefer to liberate those funds from those whose
acquisitiveness, that is to say, selfishness, stands in the
way of community development.
Occam:
So, you don't view your victims as, that is, victims?
Thief:
I view them as criminals. Just like me. The only difference
is that their crimes aren't against the law. Mine are.
That makes them more respectable than me, and it makes me
more honest than them.
Occam:
Rumor has it there will one day be an advanced Thief Role
called "Liberator". From what you say, it seems
this will interest you?
Thief:
Yes. My understanding is that Liberators will be Thieves
who specialize in freeing slaves from bondage in NorthEast.
Thoroughly illegal, of course. I can't wait.
Occam:
Would you be willing to use violence to free slaves?
Thief:
Yes, but I don't see why that would be necessary.
Occam:
Do you know when the Liberator Role will be available?
Thief:
No.
Occam:
Is the Thief Role officially available?
Thief:
I'm not sure. I don't think so. I haven't seen an
announcement. My original involvement with the Role has
been as volunteer tester for the powers that be. It'll be
up to them to decide when it's ready, and make some kind of
public statement. Probably in the MOTD, I'd guess.
Occam:
Any final comments?
Thief:
That's a nice PDA you're using to store your notes.
The author thanks you for your reward. Please
login, then use the controls at left.
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