Plibb on 14/9/2025 at 00:02

---

Hello, this is my first Thief Fan Mission, I hope you enjoy it. Please read the readme for the briefing and general information. This is a fan mission for Thief Gold, and I'd love to hear your thoughts!


UPDATE:15/09/25:
Hello everyone, I took some time to update the FM to version 1.2. This update was made via NewDark 1.28, so it'll be incompatible for you if you're on an older installation of the game, 1.1 is in a good state, but there was some minor issues (a spelling mistake, and some wrong textures being applied, etc) I'll keep 1.1 up for compatibility for now as I'm sure there's many players who are still on 1.27.

DOWNLOAD 1.2:
(https://github.com/user-attachments/files/22348786/EasyLiving1.2.zip)


DOWNLOAD 1.1:
(https://github.com/user-attachments/files/22319823/EasyLiving1.1.zip)

THIEFGUILD PAGE:
(https://www.thiefguild.com/fanmissions/96267/)

THIEVERY CUSTOMS PAGE:
(https://thievery-customs.com/downloads/thief-1/maps/10606-the-hardest-way-to-make-an-easy-living) (1.2)

(https://thievery-customs.com/downloads/thief-1/maps/10605-the-hardest-way-to-make-an-easy-living) (1.1)
* Thank you Brody for the mirror!


README:
==================================================================================================
* Briefing *
My new fence mentioned he's got an informant inside Lord Thornvale's lucrative estate. Rumour has it that Thornvale owns a peculiar sceptre, one that holds great power. More importantly for me, though, is that it's valuable... Rent's due, and my landlord is running out of patience, so I don't have the luxury of ignoring gossip like this.

Lord Thornvale is an interesting guy. Bit of a recluse, and I've heard his manor is... strange on the inside, and he keeps stranger company.

I've shacked up at a nearby inn for tonight and thrown the landlady some coin to turn a blind eye, the guards outside wont take too kindly to me though, I'll have to be careful. If I'm lucky, the surrounding area will have a trinket or two for me to steal. Tonight's the night.

==================================================================================================
* NOTES *

- This mission has texture filtering disabled by default. If you would prefer to have this enabled, open up FM.CFG in this FM's folder and delete the line "tex_filter_mode 0"

- Your gear is in your room. Don't forget to pick up your equipment!

- Red roof tiling is unmantleable

- This is my love letter to Thief Gold/The Dark Project, a game that I hold very dear to me

- Thank you for playing!

==================================================================================================
* Construction *

Base : From Scratch
Map Size : Small
Build Time : Three years of learning DromEd - Started 16th of August 2025 - DromEd Time: 192 hours

==================================================================================================
* Loading Information *

Tested in AngelLoader, I assume this will work fine in FMSel and perhaps NewDarkLoader.

==================================================================================================
* Special Thanks *
Everyone in the DromEd and Thief discord servers helping me create this mission

The helpful souls over at TTLG providing information

The sacrosanct Dromesday Book which made it possible for me to implement certain objectives


BETA TESTERS:
Just Some Mushroomhead Dork
Figknight
Greenman
Funbun

==================================================================================================
* Copyright Information *

Distribution of this level is allowed as long as the archive and this file are kept intact.

This level was not made and is not supported by Looking Glass Studios or Eidos Interactive.

This level is © 2025 by Plibb

==================================================================================================

Unkillable Cat on 14/9/2025 at 06:03

---

Can confirm, door appears in Garrett's hands as a large-sized item rather than just open. It can then be dropped afterwards, leaving the doorway a black space.

Personally I think this is the author giving back to the Thief-community. "Here, have a door." :)

Aemanyl on 14/9/2025 at 08:38

---

This mission feels like the perfect choice for a cozy Sunday afternoon or evening, when you are up for something relaxing, familiar, and not overly challenging. In "The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living", our adventure begins in a tavern with some friendly AI (a typical early era FM trope). Then, we head out into the streets to loot various shops and apartments along the way. The journey eventually leads to the mansion, our main objective, which is highly reminiscent of The Sword in both structure and mood.

It is clear to me that a lot of effort went into creating a classic and nostalgic Thief 1 atmosphere. This is most notably visible in brushwork and general attention to details - these are probably the strongest aspects of the FM. You will not find here empty rooms without purpose or decoration. There are also some very interesting surreal areas. The readables and plaques are well-written, sometimes even funny (with a British tint - lovely!).

However, the map feels way too easy, even if you try to ghost it on Expert. There are not many guards to avoid, carpets and dark spots abound, and the player can find a very large number of water and moss arrows throughout the mission. Moreover, in my view, the total amount of loot could have been reduced as well. Lastly, given the setting of the mansion, I would gladly see a few simple traps to make sneaking around a bit more challenging.

These issues I mentioned do not take away from the overall experience. I still had a good time playing and I think that Plibb's FM is a strong and promising debut. Thank you.

noni on 14/9/2025 at 18:07

---

Is it just me that the textures look bad?

MrMunkeepants on 15/9/2025 at 07:17

---

this was quite fun, and made me remember the Old Days of FMS!
playing on Expert, I found 7 of 9 masks and had to take closer look on the way down, only to realize I didn't look under the platform in the library on my first visit.
somehow I missed about 1000g of loot?! where else did I miss entirely?