Can You Keep Stolen Items in ESO? A Deep Dive into Tamriel’s Shadier Side

Yes, you absolutely can keep stolen items in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), but with a few crucial caveats. Think of it less as hoarding treasure and more as navigating a delicate dance with the law, the Outlaws Refuges, and your own inventory management skills. You can wear stolen armor, use stolen weapons, and even decorate your house with ill-gotten gains. However, holding onto stolen goods requires understanding the game’s mechanics, the risks involved, and the available options for managing your contraband. This article will guide you through the world of theft in ESO, detailing how to keep your pilfered prizes and avoid the long arm of the law.

Mastering the Art of Theft in ESO

Successfully keeping stolen items in ESO revolves around several key factors:

• Inventory Management: Stolen items are flagged as “Stolen” in your inventory. Guards can confiscate these items if they catch you, which we’ll cover later. Efficient management is vital to avoid getting caught.
• Outlaws Refuges: These are your safe havens. Found in most major cities behind hidden doors marked with a trident icon, these refuges provide services to help you deal with your stolen goods.
• Fences: Fences are special vendors within Outlaws Refuges who buy stolen items.
• Laundering: You can launder stolen items at a Fence. This removes the “Stolen” tag, making them safe to use, sell to regular merchants, or trade with other players.
• Legerdemain Skill Line: Invest points in this skill line (found under the World skill lines) to increase the number of items you can launder per day, improve your pickpocketing chances, and decrease your visibility to guards.

Without a solid understanding of these aspects, your foray into thievery will be short-lived.

Risks and Rewards of Keeping Stolen Items

While the allure of acquiring valuable items through less-than-legal means is strong, there are risks involved:

• Guards: Guards will attempt to confiscate all stolen items from your inventory if they catch you. This typically happens if you are witnessed stealing or assaulting someone and they call for a guard.
• Bounty: Committing crimes like stealing and pickpocketing increases your bounty. A high bounty makes you a target for guards, who will actively pursue you.
• Confiscation: If caught, all stolen items are lost forever. There is no way to retrieve items once they have been confiscated.
• Limited Laundering: You can only launder a limited number of items per day, which is determined by your Legerdemain skill.

However, the rewards can be substantial:

• Profit: Selling stolen goods to Fences can be a lucrative way to earn gold, especially if you target high-value items.
• Crafting Materials: Deconstructing stolen armor and weapons yields crafting materials and inspiration.
• Achievements: Certain achievements are tied to stealing and laundering items, adding to your character’s progression.
• Rare Items: You might stumble upon valuable recipes, motifs, or even rare furniture blueprints while stealing.

The Laundering Process: Turning Stolen Goods Legit

Laundering is the key to keeping stolen items permanently. This process essentially “cleans” the item, removing the “Stolen” flag and allowing you to use it freely. Here’s how it works:

1. Visit a Fence: Locate a Fence within an Outlaws Refuge.
2. Select “Launder”: Interact with the Fence and choose the “Launder” option.
3. Choose Items: Select the stolen items you want to launder.
4. Pay the Fee: Laundering costs a fee based on the item’s value.
5. Enjoy Your Clean Goods: The item is now no longer considered stolen and can be used, sold, or traded without risk.

Remember that you are limited to a certain number of laundering transactions per day. Improving your Legerdemain skill will increase this limit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about stolen items in ESO, covering various aspects of thievery and its consequences:

1. What happens if I get caught stealing?

If a guard catches you stealing, they will attempt to arrest you. You have a few options: pay your bounty, flee, or fight. If you pay, your bounty is cleared, and any stolen items remain with you. Fleeing successfully allows you to escape but your bounty remains. Fighting the guard can lead to death and the loss of your stolen goods, as well as an increased bounty.

2. How do I find Outlaws Refuges?

Outlaws Refuges are located in most major cities. Look for a hidden door marked with a trident icon on the city map. They’re often tucked away in alleyways or behind other buildings. Zooming in on the map will reveal their locations.

3. What is the Legerdemain skill line, and why is it important?

The Legerdemain skill line is a World skill line that focuses on thievery-related abilities. It increases your pickpocketing success rate, reduces your visibility to guards, and increases the number of items you can launder per day. It’s essential for any aspiring thief.

4. Can I sell stolen items to regular merchants?

No, regular merchants will not buy stolen items. You can only sell them to Fences within Outlaws Refuges.

5. What’s the difference between selling and laundering stolen items?

Selling stolen items to a Fence gives you immediate gold but permanently removes the item from your possession. Laundering removes the “Stolen” tag, allowing you to keep the item and use it freely but costs gold.

6. How many items can I launder per day?

The number of items you can launder per day is determined by your Legerdemain skill level. Investing points in the Trafficker skill within the Legerdemain skill line increases your daily laundering limit.

7. Can I use stolen items for crafting?

Yes, you can deconstruct stolen armor and weapons at crafting stations. This yields crafting materials and inspiration, just like deconstructing non-stolen items.

8. Do all NPCs have valuable items to steal?

No, the quality and value of items you can steal vary depending on the NPC. Nobles and wealthy citizens often have more valuable items than commoners.

9. How do I lower my bounty?

Your bounty decreases over time. You can also pay it off at a guard post or use a Legerdemain skill called “Evasion” to instantly clear a small bounty. Some guilds also offer benefits that reduce bounty accumulation.

10. Can other players see that I’m carrying stolen items?

No, other players cannot see that you are carrying stolen items. The “Stolen” tag is only visible to you.

11. Are there any penalties for using stolen items?

There are no penalties for using stolen items after they have been laundered. However, using stolen items before laundering them carries the risk of confiscation if you are caught by a guard.

12. Can I decorate my house with stolen items?

Yes, you can place stolen items in your house. However, they will still be flagged as “Stolen” until laundered, meaning guards can confiscate them if you somehow manage to get guards inside your home (which isn’t possible under normal circumstances). This adds a certain “rebel” flair to your decorating style.

13. What are some good items to steal for profit?

Valuable recipes, motifs, and furniture blueprints are excellent targets for profit. Also, high-value items like jewelry, paintings, and expensive silverware can fetch a good price at a Fence.

14. Does my race affect my ability to steal?

While no race has a direct bonus to stealing success, some races have skill bonuses that indirectly help. For example, Khajiit have bonuses to stealth and pickpocketing, making them excellent thieves.

15. Is stealing worth it?

Whether stealing is “worth it” depends on your playstyle and goals. It can be a lucrative way to earn gold and acquire rare items, but it also carries risks and requires investment in the Legerdemain skill line. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference. The Games Learning Society studies game mechanics such as these, and how players engage with them, to understand the broader implications of gaming. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

By understanding the nuances of stealing in ESO, you can embrace the life of a thief and amass a fortune in ill-gotten gains. Just remember to stay one step ahead of the guards and always have a plan for your stolen loot. Good luck, and happy thieving!