Very few people bully. If they do they'll get marked socially eventually, but that said not making the changes that did happen would have left the door open for any situation the might have flipped the switch in the rogue's thieving desire. Kudos to doing that, but it went too far.

Anyway, let's be clear, were not talking items here, were talking gems, herbs wands, perhaps a gold ring in the day, but nothing truly valuable. Items were only stolen from merchant shelves.

I'm glad to see others echo the justice system issue. Again, one change alone would help make its use non pvp, and yes it is very possible to pvp someone by arresting them today, and this change is to remove item loss. There's a lot more that can be done obviously, but if someone knew they'd get arrested foe thieving they might think twice. Or for that matter sleeping someone casting at them, whatever. I don't like abusive coasters, nobody does.

That brings the level issue into focus. If arresting people weren't taboo, and equal level people could spot a thief and arrest them, then aren't lower level protected by this umbrella? At least in town...

Sorry but you whiners about thieving are sadly lacking in the spirit of role playing, you cried so much the gods cried with you, but it's OK to make a rogue hunt for a year of their real life to afford to get their sword ensorcelled.