Hello

I was wondering if it is counted as stealing when you walk around picking things up from inns, houses and barrels.

It sort of feels like stealing, but I don't know if the game classes it that way and I've been unable to find out.

Thanks.

Rob.

Barrels outside, no. Inside, at inns, I don't believe it matters unless it's a locked chest.

In houses, you can usually look at book cases without any problems. Containers (chests and barrels) in homes, as well as night tables and cabinets, if you take things from them and are seen by the occupants, it's considered stealing.

Thanks for your reply, I'll follow the advice.

Rob.

Also note that if you pickpocket an item from someone, it isn't considered a "stolen" item. However, if you steal it through the shop interface instead of paying for it, it WILL be considered stolen, and most shopkeepers won't buy it. You'll need to find a fence. This is true for BG2, not sure for BG1.

Even inside someone's house, opening a container isn't necessarily considered stealing, even if the house's occupant is standing right next to you. What determines whether it's stealing or not is actually a trap on the container, which is undetectable and unremovable. In BG1, when you open the trapped container guards will be summoned. In BG2, when you open it anyone nearby who can see you will turn hostile, and guards might also be summoned, but not always. It doesn't actually matter if you take anything out of the chest or not, simply opening it is enough to get you in trouble. Note that if you DO take something out of the container, the items aren't actually considered "stolen" for the purposes of re-selling it.

Your best bet is to just save before opening anything. If someone objects, reload.