Yeah, I was also considering the falkreath hearth fire home solely for the fish area to get tons of river betty

I figure companions will end up getting me to riften without me seeking it out as much, and if I'm picking up bounties to go clear out someone's house of wild animals, I can clear them out of valuables as well since nobody's in the home but the animal, but I'll probably abandon the companions once I've got a leg to stand on in the thieves guild Serpent stone along with silence perk could also be a good potential way to disarm an enemy I'm approaching

thieves guild for sure, maybe companions for altruistic reasons. wait can you own mercer's house or does it just become like anise's cabin?

i've been sort of looking towards skypothesis ideas for intermingled outfits that look more interesting than just a standard full set, and i just really dont care for the thieves guild attire, aside from enchantments
yes, sneak will go hand in hand with pickpocket so most assuredly, maybe some illusion for muffle/invis, or just a muffle enchantment with invis potions
maybe i'll get bound bow, for use on enemies i can only feasibly reach with a bow, so i dont just end up stealth archer
for standing stone i was thinking maybe either lord stone or shadow stone, maybe tower stone, but i feel like that would be a waste if im going to be any good at picking locks anyway

and would shadowfoot sanctum work as a home base, or is there a more interesting home to choose instead?