(not really ready to start this up, but just an idea for discussion...)

The title is a bit misleading; the character would not actually beg, but just live a very simple life as a wanderer. Here's the idea:

Only rags for armor and no crafted or purchased weapons. I haven't yet decided if the character would use weapons that are found. The character wanders freely around the world, from city to city, makes no political alliances, and lives on whatever can be found or hunted. Stealing is at the player's discretion. The character may choose to not keep a lot of money, or maybe avoid vendors altogether. By allying with certain friendly NPCs (such as Mjoll the Lioness, who does not charge a fee), the character can gain battle support and a lifelong friend. Use of magic is undecided, but could be worked into the story somehow.

I figure that with enough player skill and learning how to avoid being hit, it might be possible to play with little to no armor. Certainly, it would be a huge challenge and would mean lots of save file reloads. The bigger problem is the inability to do adequate damage with poor quality weapons, so maybe the character could rely on the companion for damage support, too. Question is; is it doable? Would it inevitably turn into a sneak-thief?

I role-play this in real life.

I assume that a beggar would use an Iron Dagger, if found. And anything he can pickpocket ofcourse. A beggar is unnoticed by most pf the population. This doesn't really enhance his burglary skills, but this should tremendous;y help his pickpocketing skill.

Possible? Yes.
Feasible? Sure.
Fun? Maybe.
Challenging? Yes.

So... a sneak-thief.

This is what I am afraid such a character could easily devolve into without some careful planning.

You wouldn't necessarily need sneak, pickpocketing or speechcraft.

The key to this build for me would be careful selection of skills used, shouts acquired and quests undertaken.

Its totally viable, and I must admit grabs my interest. Here's a little plan, no spoilers, on how to feasibly do this... even in rags.

1. Do certain quests to get weapon/staff rewards.

2. This really seems like a minimalist approach, so you may wish to only use 1 or 2 shouts.

3. Be very careful with the skills/spells you use and keep your level low, and you should have no problems.

I'm thinking about doing it like this :

Skills :

Sword/Dagger and magic in the other hand. Choose a Daedra to fill this slot for a weapon.

Magic would seem to be most likely Restoration, Alteration or Illusion.

Shouts that fit would probably be (Unrelenting would be default and not count necessarily) Become Ethereal, Throw Voice, Marked for Death, Ice Form, Slow Time. Basically defensive shouts.

I'm probably going to shoot for no more than a level of 20 or so, making those perk points invaluable. I'll probably dump most of my attribute points into magicka but I'm not so sure on that one.
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Give me a few days and I'll tell you how this goes!

( Or try it yourself and beat me to it.)

I kinda like the idea of the dragonborn being a beggar. It could lend to some good gameplay if you use the voice wisely. It reminds me of some beggars in larger cities that are fairly wealthy but beg anyway cuz they make a decent amount of cash. In your case, you could've been born an orphan or something and it's the lifestyle you know and now just exploit it. OR you're just a greedy bastard xD

I'm gonna need another harddrive for all of these character ideas

Begger don't go adventuring do they? If they did wouldn't you have to purposely gimp yourself by not looting and selling stuff sicne your playing a begger that has no money? Plus as soon as you get rich your not a begger anymore right?

hmm I could see this being done using magic, destruction to some extent, but more so rely on conjuration (atronachs and zombies), illusions (mainly for fear, calm, and frenzy spells), from there sneak would be good if you want to stay away from thievery don't do pick pocket nor pick any locks, alchemy could be good to have for the rest rp wise i would not gather wealth save for spells the rest you could just drop on the ground or give to other beggers.

Potentially, yes. You'd have to make some rules and stick to them.

1. no selling items (or sell them, but give the gold away)
2. give away quest reward money, or simply don't do those quests.
3. no buying items (should be impossible anyway if you follow rules 1 & 2)

Optionally the character could use items picked up as loot, because technically they were not bought. When done using them, they can be dropped or given away.

I'd prefer the minimalist approach of not even using looted items and just trying to work through the game with an iron dagger.

oh yes also remember to always defend chickens with your life no matter what. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K8KQlZJcv8