Playing with mods has yielded so much stuff to wear. It's gotten to the point where I've seen so much of it unused that now I wish I could open up some npc's inventories and give them what I want them to wear. This includes tiaras, hats, personality idles medallions, circlets, weapons, etc. I don't necessarily agree with OWC ND's pilgrim costumes when they could be wearing something else I downloaded.

Is there an easy way to get access to the inventories of npc's?

Reverse pickpocketing, but you can only put zero-weight things in their inventory. At least with no mods

Hmm... Some time back someone turned me on to a mod that might provide the access you seek. I never got around to trying it. What was the name???? "Active Inventory" maybe? Yeah, I've a mod by that name in my Oblivion download directory. Can't be certain, the zip houses no readme. That's prolly while I never tried it. I'm uncomfortable with a mod that doesn't provide adequate documentation. Use at your own risk.

-Decrepit-

Decrepit, thank you for mentioning Active Inventory Spell. Opening it in the construction set shows me that the spell does the following:

1. Spell hits actor, which references the npc and enables a persistent box. xAccess short variable is set to 1.
2. All items are moved from the npc to the box and the box then activates the player, opening a menu. xAccess set to 2.
3. The player does what they want to and then closes the menu
4. After the menu is closed then the box moves what is inside it back to the npc, and the box is disabled. xAccess set to 3.
5. An unscripted ring is added to the npc, equipped, and removed ( I don't understand what this step is for, probably for testing and was never removed ). xAccess is set to 4.
6. xAccess is set back to 1 when the spell is used again.

Then I assume the npc will proceed like normal and choose to equip whatever clothing is more expensive, whichever armor is more protective, and the weapon that is deadlier.

I wonder if this mod can be further improved. Since it references the actor it hits then equipitem can be used in the script, if there is a way to get the base object of the item in the box you want them to equip.

Here's another mod to take a look at: The Talkie Toaster's http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=3066 "Recruit any NPC in the land to follow you, give them orders and access their inventories."

I have both Active Inventory Spell and Companion Share & Recruit. Both are fabulous mods. For simply getting into and out of an NPC's inventory, Active Inventory Spell is small and perfect. It is very handy for simply repairing the gear of some Legion soldier that has helped you. You can even access the inventory of your horse to effectively add a second set of saddlebags. Or provide some wardrobe assistance to some of the fashion disasters walking around Tamriel (Schlera Sestius of Pells Gate I'm lookin' at you!).