Is there self-defence?

I am a cowardly, sneaky thief I am..

For the sake of role-playing purposes, I plan to max out on Speech, Sneak and Illusion.

This is a smooth-talker character that likes to watch people bash each other's head out in a fight he himself kindled.

It's mostly fine against people that are always hostile, but what I wonder is, how do I make the little peaceful ones to attack me first, so that I can slay them without being penalized?

In short, is there such a thing as self-defence in the world of Skyrim?

Solution 1:

If you have the poisoned perk from the Pickpocket skill tree, you can reverse pickpocket frenzy poisons in the NPC's inventory which will cause them to attack others nearby.

I haven't personally tested this so I am not sure if this gets you a bounty.