I'd like a concrete set of rules on when it is or is not allowed to steal an item, in any way whatsoever.

If you're going to say something along the lines of 'good RP justification', please clarify when this justification is good.

Thanks.

Stealing that we frown on:

*Beating down low levels and taking their things

*Beating down anyone and dry looting for no reason (other than to get rich becasue you know your powerbuild is mighty)

*Ninja looting when obviously inappropriate by in game actions (examples of: PCs in the middle of combat, one falls, you run into combat (or stop combating) to loot.

*Getting to the end of any quest (especially a DM run one) fast by running in and grabbing as much cool crap as you can. (because obviously no one will think you didn’t pick up a sweet fullplate or big cloak or a new sword because they can’t see it on your character if you already have it in inventory, right?)

*Getting to the end of a quest first and gimping people on the gold (because they were not there to end the quest with you—because you ran ahead. And they can’t ask the NPC how much was given, now can they.)

Note that all the above examples either lack RP, lack low level player courtesy, are metagaming the NPCs, abusing the game engine, or just being a complete retard in a game. Other than that some good examples of stealing:

*Holding someone for ransom *Holding someone at knifepoint after subdual and demanding some of their gold (all if the situation warrants it) *Demanding “tolls” from people trying to cross your area, at the threat of a beat down and taking more than the toll amount for your trouble.

In all things, just think about how you would feel if you got FD killed and all your stuff taken. Not very happy, I can assure you. Now, if there was some RP, a beatdown, gold taken, and you ended up with your life (albeit a bit poorer) chances are you would still be peeved at not drinking that invis potion faster but happy that there was some decent RP in it all. And everyone ends up happy.