Those in possession of the 'Runes' skill are able, if they are sufficiently competent, to make a hook-rune. The hook shaped rune can be attached to items and thence the item can be tracked using the HOOKS command, wheresoever it is in the land. It can also be retrieved from somebody else's inventory by typing HOOK followed by the specific item you wish to have returned to your possession. Most often used when equiping youngsters, the hook-rune is a guarantee for generous guildmembers that their items will not fall to disuse.
Most items can benefit from a hook-rune, noteworthy exceptions being CCCs, ungettable items, cursed items and items covered by certain runic combinations (e..g. items alrady possessing an anchor rune). Additionally, intolerant folks cannot attach hook-runes to their possessions and the item being hook-runed must be in your inventory (rather than on the ground or on a steed, etc) for the maneuvre to be completed. There are ways to rid an item of the touch of a hook-rune, known generally to those skilled in the subterfugal arts and seldom taught outside this traditionally private, closed circle.