Appraisal
(Buying and Selling, Bartering, Specific Objects)
The Appraisal skill allows a character to accurately assess the value of goods, whether for the purpose of buying, selling, or trading. This knowledge can provide a significant advantage in negotiations, ensuring that the character gets the best possible deal or avoids being swindled. Additionally, Appraisal is used to evaluate the worth of items, artifacts, and other objects, helping the character gauge their true market value.
Buying and Selling
When engaging in transactions, the Appraisal skill can be used to shift the price in the character’s favor. This involves evaluating the item’s value and negotiating a better price.
| Item Rarity | Transaction Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Common Items (food, basic tools) | Easy (9+) |
| Uncommon Items (weapons, armor, specialized tools) | Average (12+) |
| Rare Items (magical items, rare materials) | Hard (15+) |
| Unique or Exotic Items (one-of-a-kind artifacts, highly sought-after collectibles) | Very Hard (18+) |
Some modifiers are:
| Consideration | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Opponent is eager to sell or in need of money | (shift+1) |
| Opponent knows or suspects the item’s true value | (shift-1) |
| Relevant Persuasion skills are used during negotiations | (flip+1) |
| The character has a reputation as a fair trader | (flip+1) |
On a success, the character can negotiate a price within 10% of the item’s true value. On failure, the character might pay up to 25% more or sell for 25% less than the item’s true value. Failing by a DTN equal to the next easier level indicates a gross miscalculation, potentially leading to a very poor deal.
Bartering
Bartering involves trading goods or services instead of using currency. This can be more challenging than buying and selling, as it requires a keen understanding of the other party’s desires and the relative value of what each person is offering.
| Item Rarity | Transaction Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Even Trade (both parties have similar goods) | Average (12+) |
| Uneven Trade (one party has superior goods) | Hard (15+) |
| Complex Trade (multiple items, services, or ongoing agreements) | Very Hard (18+) |
Some modifiers are:
| Consideration | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Opponent values the item you are offering highly | (shift+1) |
| The item you are offering is common or easily replaceable | (shift-1) |
| The character is bartering with something the opponent desperately needs | (flip+1) |
| The character is unfamiliar with the local market | (flip-1) |
On a success, the character can secure a favorable trade, possibly getting more value than what they are offering. On failure, the trade may be lopsided, with the character receiving goods of lesser value or the opponent backing out entirely.
Specific Objects
This specialization allows a character to choose certain types of objects that he specializes in. The category can be as specific or vague as the GM desires. Same categories would be things like cars, jewelry, weapons, and rare books.