Well-defined criminal system. So nobody saw you kill that guy. No need to stop, criminal scum!
But when townspeople find strongest man Wodjek with longsword wounds dead behind barn, and in a village of 47 only one-eyed blacksmith, twin brother hunters and a mysterious stranger that rented a room at tavern few days ago owns a sword… something’s bound to happen. Rumors, general attitude drop from everyone, local lord sending guards to investigate, some braves trying to settle the murder by their own by confronting the stranger, etc.
Would be really cool, realism-wise. Probably not going to make into this game, though.
Also, well-defined economy. Make gold really matter.
There’s always something cool to buy and much work to do to be able to afford it. Killing enemies or stealing risky enough that you couldn’t abuse killing and looting to get rich. And whatever you buy, so it would be really worth it. Nice clothes really make someone like you or boost your stats so well or whatever.
In-depth thinking of the society in the period. Perhaps dressing as a troubadour will make everyone like you? And as a merchant, give bad ideas to some nearby road-robbers? Perhaps dressing as a beggar monk makes people careless around you and you can overhear a conversation they wouldn’t definitely have around Henry, son of blacksmith and an envoy of a lord? Even offer you a meal and a bed and few coins to ease your holy journey?
When you travel around world, people will always wonder who are you? What about being able to manipulate what they think? Lie straight to face, dress differently, etc and get different outcomes?