Name: Pickpocketing
Overview
Pickpocketing is the skill of stealing an item being worn, held by, or kept on the person of a target. This is done by achieving a level of fine muscle control and dexterity with one’s hands so that the user can quickly and gently purloin items without the target detecting them. It is a skill that almost entirely lends itself to criminal activity, and as such practitioners are most often thieves, beggars and those who live in poverty. However if one looks carefully they can also find it being employed by unscrupulous nobles, entertainers, and even the odd hero for reasons other than the immediate acquisition of wealth. Pickpocketing is a difficult skill to learn at lower levels and will often get a novice into trouble, however with perseverance and a bit of luck a pickpocket will soon become a very tricky person to cross paths with. With enough practice or talent a pickpocket can achieve such finesse with their hands that they can swipe necklaces from the necks of noble, steal knight’s sword right out of their sheaths, or even pinch the crowns of kings right off of their heads without them realising.
How It Works
Pickpocketing is a difficult skill to learn at novice levels. It is not taught openly due to its close association with crime, and so unless one is able to afford a private tutor to practice their skills with before using in public one has to learn through acts of petty crime. Very few beginners have the natural talent to steal items completely undetected, and so begin by using crude tactics or teamwork that allow them to use other skills to make up for their lack of dexterity. However it just takes one slip up to be caught by guards or angry targets, and so novice pickpockets run a high risk of being arrested, beaten up or in extreme cases killed while trying to refine their craft.
There are three main style of pickpocketing that most practitioners gradually progress through as they refine their skills:
Hit-and-Run
The beginner’s style, and the one seen all across the world being used by gangs of orphans and small-time thieves. Since they do not have the experience to take the target’s items without them noticing, the pickpocket simply forgoes all attempts at subtly for sheer speed. They rush the target, snatch the item as quickly as possible, and run away; making use of cunning tricks or just sheer physical skills to escape. This style is risky in that law enforcement will often increase their presence in an area if they hear about an increase in pickpocketing occurring, and disgruntled targets will sometimes hire mercenaries or other crooks to find pickpockets who become a consistent bother and punish them.
Most people who learn to pickpocket are driven to it by poverty. A lot of pickpockets started as orphans or runaways who were too young to learn the skills of honest trades, but found that they did not have the physical strength to escape from adult targets on their own. These streets kids soon learnt how to use teamwork to make up for their shortcomings in strength and skill, and from this pickpocketing gangs were formed. You can find at least one pickpocketing gang in every major city on Idalos, and joining one of them is the most common method for learning the basics of pickpocketing. They usually work by having one member distract the target, while a second rushes them from behind and snatches an item from them. If the target gives chase the second member passes the item on to a third, who then passes it to a forth, and so the item is passes on and on until the target gives up the chase. By passing the stolen item on like a relay each member is able to sprint as quickly as they can and then pass the item on before they run out of stamina, whilst the target is unable to do the same. They can also throw the stolen item to each other over walls or across large distances, creating obstacles that the target must waste time crossing.
Usually the target will be so focused on pursuing their stolen item that they will not follow a gang member once they have passed the item on, unless the item becomes so far out of reach that they realise their chances of getting it back are near impossible. For this reason the gangs often pace their escapes; keeping the target a set distance behind them until they are either so worn out that the current holder of the item can outrun them, or by setting traps in pre-prepared areas that allow them to quickly extract the holder from the chase in a way that the target cannot follow. For example gangs consisting solely of children like to dive through holes in walls that adult are too big to fit through.
Hit-and-Run style pickpocketing is supported by physical skills such as running, acrobatics and endurance.
Distraction
Once they become competent a pickpocket is skilled enough to begin stealing an item without being detected, commonly called “lifting.” However it is still tricky to lift an item without alerting the target’s sense of touch at all, and so the pickpocket must learn to employ deception in order to manipulate their target in such a way as to disguise their lifts behind innocent looking acts, such as a handshake, or by directing their attention elsewhere so that the target does not notice. Some courtesans are skilled enough to discreetly slip a few extra coins out of a target’s pocket in the midst of a service, and clever conmen like to use acting to inspire feelings of panic or guilt to trick a target into lowering their guard.
Distraction style pickpocketing is supported by social skills such as acting, deception and seduction.
Pure Skill
It is only when they reach expert level that a pickpocket is dexterous enough to steal items off a target’s person without alerting them at all. They still frequently use minor distractions in their practice, but are now light fingered enough to slip their hands into other people’s pockets so carefully that the target need not necessarily be aware of their presence at all.
Pure Skill style pickpocketing is supported by the stealth skill.
Tricks of the Trade
Cutpurse
It takes a great deal of skill to take things out of other people’s pockets, bags and purses quickly or discretely enough to escape afterwards. To make things easier for themselves, many pickpockets use small knives to cut holes in their target’s clothing and remove the items through them, or cut the strings and straps of purses and bags and simply run off with the whole thing rather than fiddle about with trying to open them.
Shoplifting
Merchant stalls and shops have valuable goods on display, which should make stealing from them easier right? Wrong. Traders who don't stay on the lookout for thieves don't last very long, and so the moment you step near their wares you can almost guarantee that they'll be keeping an eye on you (particularly if you look dirty or dangerous.) A wise merchant keeps their wares in their line of sight at all times, and will set up shop somewhere near to some kind of law enforcement. To prevail at shoplifting one needs to learn to use teammates or other customers to break the trader's line of sight, or else be confident they can outrun any trouble that might come after them.
Double Bluff
In order to steal an item from a target it is important to first know which pocket they are keeping their valuable items in. Some cunning pickpockets have discovered that shouting out words like “thief” in the middle of a large crowd causes many people to instinctively reach for the pockets they keep valuables in to check that they haven’t been stolen. While this does put the target’s guard up for a short while it prevents the pickpocket from pilfering an empty pocket by accident.
Planting
Once one has learnt to take items out of a target’s pocket undetected, is it a simple matter to reverse the trick and start placing objects within it instead. This is a great way to frame other people for crimes, or switch out messages for fakes without alerting the courier.
Sleight-of-Hand
Pickpocketing is a handy skill for magicians and card cheats. It is all about sleight-of-hand, and by learning this skill one will also find themselves able to use misdirection and dexterity to do things like subtly switch out playing cards with hidden ones, control the way a deck is cut, or fool onlookers into thinking objects and appeared or disappeared from your hands.
Detection
If you want to guard yourself against pickpocketing then detection is the skill to train in. Sharper detection allow you to react faster to hit-and-run style pickpocketing, see through sleight-of-hand, and feel even the lightest touch of fingers against your skin. While preparation, circumstances and other relevant skills play a major part in determining the outcome, as a general rule a player must have a higher level in their pickpocketing skill than their target has in their detection skill in order to be successful in stealing from them.
Novice: 0-25
A novice does not yet have the finesse to steal an item undetected, and so mostly resorts to hit-and-run tactics. They are likely to be learning from a mentor or gang who can protect them, for the best experience they can get is through committing petty crimes that are likely to attract the notice of guards or other dangerous characters. If they want to try their hand at more subtle tactics they are best off targeting drunkards or other people who are less aware of their surroundings than average. They are only good enough to snatch items like bags or the odd purse.
Competent: 26-75
At this level the pickpocket is skilled enough to strike out alone. They tend to make heavy use of distraction tactics to disguise their lifts, and are capable of picking coins, purses or other small items directly out of pockets. They can lift items from the average citizen, and probably know at least one trick of the trade.
Expert: 76-150
At this level the pickpocket has developed quite the set of sticky fingers, and is skilled enough to lift items from a target without being noticed at all. They can slip bits of jewellery right off their target’s skin if they’re clever enough about it, and sneak objects like keys right off a jailer’s belt without making a sound. They are experienced enough to lift from wealthy merchants and nobles right in front of their bodyguards, and could even perhaps pick two pockets simultaneously if they’re lucky. They probably know two or three tricks of the trade.
Master: 151-250
Keep a close eye on any rogue who masters the art of pickpocketing, for their skill at theft is so great you could almost swear that they have the hands of ghosts. A master pickpocket is able to steal a hat right off your head without even touching a hair, nab items as big as swords from a warriors belt without them noticing, and can lift pocket-sized items so quickly and subtly that they can even do so right in the middle of intense combat. They know all the tricks of the trade, and at this point have probably developed a few of their own.
Credit: Tio Silver
Overview
Pickpocketing is the skill of stealing an item being worn, held by, or kept on the person of a target. This is done by achieving a level of fine muscle control and dexterity with one’s hands so that the user can quickly and gently purloin items without the target detecting them. It is a skill that almost entirely lends itself to criminal activity, and as such practitioners are most often thieves, beggars and those who live in poverty. However if one looks carefully they can also find it being employed by unscrupulous nobles, entertainers, and even the odd hero for reasons other than the immediate acquisition of wealth. Pickpocketing is a difficult skill to learn at lower levels and will often get a novice into trouble, however with perseverance and a bit of luck a pickpocket will soon become a very tricky person to cross paths with. With enough practice or talent a pickpocket can achieve such finesse with their hands that they can swipe necklaces from the necks of noble, steal knight’s sword right out of their sheaths, or even pinch the crowns of kings right off of their heads without them realising.
How It Works
Pickpocketing is a difficult skill to learn at novice levels. It is not taught openly due to its close association with crime, and so unless one is able to afford a private tutor to practice their skills with before using in public one has to learn through acts of petty crime. Very few beginners have the natural talent to steal items completely undetected, and so begin by using crude tactics or teamwork that allow them to use other skills to make up for their lack of dexterity. However it just takes one slip up to be caught by guards or angry targets, and so novice pickpockets run a high risk of being arrested, beaten up or in extreme cases killed while trying to refine their craft.
There are three main style of pickpocketing that most practitioners gradually progress through as they refine their skills:
Hit-and-Run
The beginner’s style, and the one seen all across the world being used by gangs of orphans and small-time thieves. Since they do not have the experience to take the target’s items without them noticing, the pickpocket simply forgoes all attempts at subtly for sheer speed. They rush the target, snatch the item as quickly as possible, and run away; making use of cunning tricks or just sheer physical skills to escape. This style is risky in that law enforcement will often increase their presence in an area if they hear about an increase in pickpocketing occurring, and disgruntled targets will sometimes hire mercenaries or other crooks to find pickpockets who become a consistent bother and punish them.
Most people who learn to pickpocket are driven to it by poverty. A lot of pickpockets started as orphans or runaways who were too young to learn the skills of honest trades, but found that they did not have the physical strength to escape from adult targets on their own. These streets kids soon learnt how to use teamwork to make up for their shortcomings in strength and skill, and from this pickpocketing gangs were formed. You can find at least one pickpocketing gang in every major city on Idalos, and joining one of them is the most common method for learning the basics of pickpocketing. They usually work by having one member distract the target, while a second rushes them from behind and snatches an item from them. If the target gives chase the second member passes the item on to a third, who then passes it to a forth, and so the item is passes on and on until the target gives up the chase. By passing the stolen item on like a relay each member is able to sprint as quickly as they can and then pass the item on before they run out of stamina, whilst the target is unable to do the same. They can also throw the stolen item to each other over walls or across large distances, creating obstacles that the target must waste time crossing.
Usually the target will be so focused on pursuing their stolen item that they will not follow a gang member once they have passed the item on, unless the item becomes so far out of reach that they realise their chances of getting it back are near impossible. For this reason the gangs often pace their escapes; keeping the target a set distance behind them until they are either so worn out that the current holder of the item can outrun them, or by setting traps in pre-prepared areas that allow them to quickly extract the holder from the chase in a way that the target cannot follow. For example gangs consisting solely of children like to dive through holes in walls that adult are too big to fit through.
Hit-and-Run style pickpocketing is supported by physical skills such as running, acrobatics and endurance.
Distraction
Once they become competent a pickpocket is skilled enough to begin stealing an item without being detected, commonly called “lifting.” However it is still tricky to lift an item without alerting the target’s sense of touch at all, and so the pickpocket must learn to employ deception in order to manipulate their target in such a way as to disguise their lifts behind innocent looking acts, such as a handshake, or by directing their attention elsewhere so that the target does not notice. Some courtesans are skilled enough to discreetly slip a few extra coins out of a target’s pocket in the midst of a service, and clever conmen like to use acting to inspire feelings of panic or guilt to trick a target into lowering their guard.
Distraction style pickpocketing is supported by social skills such as acting, deception and seduction.
Pure Skill
It is only when they reach expert level that a pickpocket is dexterous enough to steal items off a target’s person without alerting them at all. They still frequently use minor distractions in their practice, but are now light fingered enough to slip their hands into other people’s pockets so carefully that the target need not necessarily be aware of their presence at all.
Pure Skill style pickpocketing is supported by the stealth skill.
Tricks of the Trade
Cutpurse
It takes a great deal of skill to take things out of other people’s pockets, bags and purses quickly or discretely enough to escape afterwards. To make things easier for themselves, many pickpockets use small knives to cut holes in their target’s clothing and remove the items through them, or cut the strings and straps of purses and bags and simply run off with the whole thing rather than fiddle about with trying to open them.
Shoplifting
Merchant stalls and shops have valuable goods on display, which should make stealing from them easier right? Wrong. Traders who don't stay on the lookout for thieves don't last very long, and so the moment you step near their wares you can almost guarantee that they'll be keeping an eye on you (particularly if you look dirty or dangerous.) A wise merchant keeps their wares in their line of sight at all times, and will set up shop somewhere near to some kind of law enforcement. To prevail at shoplifting one needs to learn to use teammates or other customers to break the trader's line of sight, or else be confident they can outrun any trouble that might come after them.
Double Bluff
In order to steal an item from a target it is important to first know which pocket they are keeping their valuable items in. Some cunning pickpockets have discovered that shouting out words like “thief” in the middle of a large crowd causes many people to instinctively reach for the pockets they keep valuables in to check that they haven’t been stolen. While this does put the target’s guard up for a short while it prevents the pickpocket from pilfering an empty pocket by accident.
Planting
Once one has learnt to take items out of a target’s pocket undetected, is it a simple matter to reverse the trick and start placing objects within it instead. This is a great way to frame other people for crimes, or switch out messages for fakes without alerting the courier.
Sleight-of-Hand
Pickpocketing is a handy skill for magicians and card cheats. It is all about sleight-of-hand, and by learning this skill one will also find themselves able to use misdirection and dexterity to do things like subtly switch out playing cards with hidden ones, control the way a deck is cut, or fool onlookers into thinking objects and appeared or disappeared from your hands.
Detection
If you want to guard yourself against pickpocketing then detection is the skill to train in. Sharper detection allow you to react faster to hit-and-run style pickpocketing, see through sleight-of-hand, and feel even the lightest touch of fingers against your skin. While preparation, circumstances and other relevant skills play a major part in determining the outcome, as a general rule a player must have a higher level in their pickpocketing skill than their target has in their detection skill in order to be successful in stealing from them.
Novice: 0-25
A novice does not yet have the finesse to steal an item undetected, and so mostly resorts to hit-and-run tactics. They are likely to be learning from a mentor or gang who can protect them, for the best experience they can get is through committing petty crimes that are likely to attract the notice of guards or other dangerous characters. If they want to try their hand at more subtle tactics they are best off targeting drunkards or other people who are less aware of their surroundings than average. They are only good enough to snatch items like bags or the odd purse.
Competent: 26-75
At this level the pickpocket is skilled enough to strike out alone. They tend to make heavy use of distraction tactics to disguise their lifts, and are capable of picking coins, purses or other small items directly out of pockets. They can lift items from the average citizen, and probably know at least one trick of the trade.
Expert: 76-150
At this level the pickpocket has developed quite the set of sticky fingers, and is skilled enough to lift items from a target without being noticed at all. They can slip bits of jewellery right off their target’s skin if they’re clever enough about it, and sneak objects like keys right off a jailer’s belt without making a sound. They are experienced enough to lift from wealthy merchants and nobles right in front of their bodyguards, and could even perhaps pick two pockets simultaneously if they’re lucky. They probably know two or three tricks of the trade.
Master: 151-250
Keep a close eye on any rogue who masters the art of pickpocketing, for their skill at theft is so great you could almost swear that they have the hands of ghosts. A master pickpocket is able to steal a hat right off your head without even touching a hair, nab items as big as swords from a warriors belt without them noticing, and can lift pocket-sized items so quickly and subtly that they can even do so right in the middle of intense combat. They know all the tricks of the trade, and at this point have probably developed a few of their own.
Credit: Tio Silver
