UESP Forums

I'm sure players have noticed that as you do quests for people you have the option to take their possessions without actually stealing them.

In my last game this happened as soon as I did the quests for the three apprentices in the College of Winterhold, but this time I finished a quest for Brelyna and for some reason I still can't take her items without it being counted as stealing...

Can someone explain this or link me to a page that does?

There's a value called 'Relationship'.

This gets modified when you conduct quests. Obtain a high enough relationship, they'll give you items or even accept a marriage proposal.

Well, I had gotten that doing quests for them improves it but is there anything else? With my last character I could freely help myself to their goods, but after completing the same quest I can't take things without stealing them as is.

Have you done anything to wrong them? Because that could lower your relationship value and henceforth make so you can't take their things. Also, keep in mind that you can only take their less-expensive items. They won't allow you to take things like armour, most weapons, and so forth.

Well it won't let me take anything from them and I'm reasonably sure I haven't done anything wrong.

I've been careful not to steal or attack anyone who isn't already hostile.

I imagine there is a tipping point on the relationship level. I think any improvement in the relationship is awarded via a randomly generated amount.

If this is true then doing a quest may not guarantee a high enough relationship since your "relationship" reward was too low.