If a spell is prepared with metamagic feats, then you will get the metamagic'd version when you steal it (assuming you're able to steal spells of the appropriate modified level). If you, the spelltheif, have metamagic feats, you can apply them to your stolen spells, but doing so might increase the casting time (as Sorcerers; so spells that normally take a standard action to cast now need a full-round, etc.). If a sorcerer tries to gift you a spell with a metamagic feat applied to it, they will lose their move action for their next turn, and they'll lose a higher-level spell slot. (plus you'll need to be able to steal spells of the adjusted level)
Actually, about metamagic, It specifies in the spellthief section about that...
A spellthief can't apply metamagic feats or other effects to the stolen spell unless the specific spell stolen was prepared with such an effect. For example, a spellthief of 6th level or higher could steal a wizard's empowered magic missile, but only if he specifically chose to steal empowered magic missile. If he chose to steal an unmodified magic missile, he couldn't steal an empowered magic missile, a silent magic missile, or any other metamagic form of the spell. A spellthief couldn't steal an empowered magic missile from a sorcerer, since the sorcerer applies metamagic effects upon casting and thus has no prepared empowered magic missile spell.
I'm just curious if Eschew Materials counts as metamagic, and if a Sorcerer can deliberately gift a spell with metamagic (which you answered{although if they gift with Metamagic, does their base spell become disabled for the 2 rounds, or just the spell with metamagic?})
So according to this, I can't take their stolen spell and add Metamagic unless I could cast it as a Spellthief spell. Even then I'd have to steal something of a higher level to absorb enough energy to empower it, unless you want to houserule it to how you said. I don't think that would be a good idea, and this is why: I can already use stolen spells to power my spellthief spells. This effectively "recharges" my battery. I can apply my Metamagic to those spells as normal. When you also allow me to apply metamagic to stolen spells also, you allow me to effectively raise their level by 1+ by just adding an extra round to it. So not only do they lose their spell, but it also becomes more powerful. I can already think of several ways I could abuse this, so it would probably be a bad idea. Remember that I cast their spells at their spell level, so I could take Maelrigar's Level 1 Electricity Orb and slap it with Empowerment and Maximization, and suddenly you got a effectively level 5 Spell from a level of 6 sorcerer and a few rounds from me. This is just what I can do at level 3 with that. Really the limit becomes how many feats I spend on Metamagic, and you can bet if this were allowed, I'd focus on becoming a spell enhancement system
That would definitely be interesting, but it'd go beyond OP quite quickly, especially in a party with so much magic used. So, best not go with that houserule. After all, cat's grace generally isn't cast in combat...
The Handy Haversack as starting equipment is what I am considering. If it's alright, I'm gonna make it the Halfling version. Since it's all halfling items going in it, it doesn't matter it's size.
I've also decided that I want to take
Hauntings of the Past as a flaw, if it's acceptable. One thing about it, I'm not sure if the +2 racial bonus against fear should apply to it.
With this, my character should be complete. Now I need to find me a good image to use as a Pog.
I do need to know about Eschew Materials though, because if it counts as Metamagic that is inside the spell, I will need to worry about spell components. That will change some of the choices I made. I don't think it counts as Metamagic because it isn't in the Metamagic section, and it doesn't add levels to your spells, but I am not sure.
The Thief Stihe Clearwater