EK_LimitedItems.esp:

new in v0.97:
recompiled for OBSE0017a
now handles lockpicks, too

A small mod (one quest, global and script per type of item handled) for
limiting the amount of
- arrows
- potions
- lockpicks

the player can carry:

* any item over the maximum will be unceremoniously dropped to the ground
(messy :-)
* division between different types of arrows/potions is random, so you'd be
wise to keep only high quality arrows/potions

Version history:

v0.95: initial release
v0.96: Thanks to Tekuromoto now with ini-file for defining the maximum number
of arrows/potions the player can carry
v0.97: recompiled for OBSE0017a
added lockpicks

Requirements:
The mod needs the new OBSE 0017 because it uses array variables

Caveat:
The mod only makes limited sense when used without Duke Patrick's SCA Combat
Archery. Bow/arrow damage without DP is so meager that you need to pincushion
a mere bandit, so here arrow limitation is not feasible.
However, you might want to use the potion part of the mod.

Adaptability:
edit the configuration file (thanks to Tekuromoto for the code!):

; ---------------------------------------->
; $OBLIVIONDIR/data/EK_LimitedItems.ini
; default values for maximum carrying capacities

; maximum amount of arrows
set EKGlobMaxNumArrows to 40

; maximum amount of potions
set EKGlobMaxNumPotions to 30

; maximum amount of lockpicks
set EKGlobMaxNumLockpicks to 25
; ----------------------------------------

The why:

I'm an enthusiastic user of Duke Patrick's SCA Combat Mods. I like playing a
stealthy archer best, and really like the sudden-deathness of his SCA Archery
where one or two arrows are enough to drop a strong enemy (or to be dropped).
Using his mods the weapon mechanics are as they imo should be but even he
cannot overcome the basic idiocy of the enemies' AI. So, after a while and with
better equipment and skills even OOO's/FCOM's bosses got as challenging as
sitting ducks.
That is, they were, until I started limiting myself to a given amount of 40
arrows to carry when starting a dungeon. This tremendously helped with
suspense!
But - having to impose a restriction on self is not immersive, so I needed
something that would help whipping myself....

The potion part I did
* because it was simple to do (both scripts only differ in the definition of
ItemID and MaxNum
* thinking about it, it suddenly felt ridiculous to carry 100s of potions with
you, look at the items, these are rather big flasks, how would you carry
such an amount of glassware?

I would have included lockpicks, too, but did not find an approprate OBSE
typecode (arrows is 34, potions 40)...if anyone knows how to do this, don't be
shy to share your knowledge!

Legal:
Released as is, if you find any bugs, you might drop me a note, I may choose
to fix it
Released as modder's resource, do what you want with it, I couldn't stop you,
anyway ;-)

Thanks:
* the usual to TES for making a game, I still play years after it's come out
* heartfelt thanks to the OBSE creators, having made scripting language much
more similar to something even I recognize as a programming language
* to the modders and community members from whose scripts and explanations I
could learn my meager script knowledge; in particular Tekuromoto for sending
me the configuration file code
* finally and especially to Duke Patrick/spookyfx: without your mods I'd have
stopped playing Oblivion 2 years ago