Does "Stealing" the Horse named Frost decrease our Reputation with the Guards/increase our Bounty?
I'm trying to play a nice character who does not Steal anything from anyone. Hopefully, there won't be any Main Quest which requires me to Steal?

It is possible to acquire Frost without it counting as stealing, although you're not exactly being nice about it.

It is also possible to complete the main quest without stealing. There is one point where you can pursue additional information and it requires aiding a thief, but this is entirely optional.

If a main quest requires you to technically steal, even if it shows up in your Crime Log, I wouldn't consider it a crime. If you had to steal an item necessary for defeating Alduin, would you go "but my character's a good guy? D:"

Sorry. e.e Just seen a lot of people complain about a particular quest where you DO have to steal, but for a good cause.

I'm such a dork I actually went to Maven and told her and she told me to do it and she'd take care of it. She didn't, a wild mob did, or so it would seem. Maybe she's just THAT connected?

anyway... it's not in my log and I never got busted for it. I literally sacked that entire house for anything of value and killed everyone on site for their gear golds and other funness before I took Frost.

go... be free to pillage and loot to your heart's content. Just don't take Lydia. OMG... "You're not supposed to be here." "You're not supposed to do that." "What are you doing?" "Put that back." I've never been so nagged about misbehavior in my life! I was only bringing her because she seemed so huffy and puffy every time I went back to drop stuff off and didn't bring her with me. Jeeze. LOL I learned my lesson.

actually, if you're trying to go the nice route, take her. she'll keep you honest. or try.

How do I achieve this method?
I'm up for any method that does not increase my Bounty. If there is one please let me know.



What did the "wild mob" do?

You mean no Bounty were added to your Crime Log?
Did Red Text (Steal) appear when you were about to get on Frost & loot items in the house?

You can coerce Letrush into giving you Frost. It's far from a "nice character" option, but you will get the horse without a bounty.

Oh, alright.
Well, that's better than right out stealing from them I guess. After all, to hurt someone verbally is always better than to do it physically, right? I mean, you go to jail for that sort of thing.

Thank you, Hungry Donner.

You can convince Letrush to give you the horse only after you already stole it from the Black-Briar house, unfortunately. You have to steal Frost first before this option shows up, but if nobody sees you steal him, you don't get a bounty. However, I did have some Hired Thugs after me after doing this quest (sent by the Black-Briar Mercenaries), so... Up to you really.

So is it possible to fully complete Promises to Keep without getting any Bounty then?

Yes, it's possible. You have to either be sneaky or willing to kill the mercenaries guarding the place, though.

Alrighty, thank you, Vermilion Sparrow.

I've done it twice with no bounty. Kill the mercenaries at the house - they will attack you on sight so you can just say it's self-defense and that Maven told you to. In order to steal frost, go into stealth mode and mount it when no one sees you. No bounty, you're good.