View source for Post:New Trader Appraisal system - 10/13/2011 - 10:51

{{Post
|a=DR-ARNIMAS
|t=New Trader Appraisal system
|d=10/13/2011 10:51 AM CDT
|n=274
|f=The Traders \ Game Master and Official Announcements
|c=m
|p=Greetings everyone, 

Today, I have released a new version of {{PRel|Trader}} {{PRel|Appraisal skill|Appraisal}}. The old one still exists; it has to for your current items to continue functioning. However, the new system has a lot more flexibility. I'll see if I can explain it without going into too many of the 'behind the scenes' details.

The original system has about 10 quality levels (crudely, simply, etc). We had 10 types of workmanship (polished, embellished, etc). We also only had 57 substances and they were all gems or metals. Adding a new one involved A LOT of time so we rarely considered doing that. Lastly, the system only worked on specific objects due to reasons I can't get into. This meant that you couldn't put special appraisals on things like weapons and armor, to name a few. The pricing was also not very flexible due to another issue. This often meant that platinum earrings that looked relatively nice would have a minimum value of 12 or more plat.

So what is different with the new system? Well, we have 21 quality levels and over 70 types of workmanship, which add more variety and flexibility to design. We have moved from 57 substances to over 350 substances and adding a new one takes only a few moments. In the future, you'll see items with metals and gems but you'll also see fabrics, woods and even skinnable materials on the items. Pricing is very simple and can be set from 1 copper to thousands of plats. My favorite, is that the system can be used on almost anything now. Weapons, armor, verbed items like cloaks and many more are now possible targets. The only thing not currently supported is musical instruments, but I have plans to add it there soon if all goes well. Lastly, you won't always see just a crafter's name like before. It's very possible that you can recognize that a weapon was done by a master forger, even if the forger may not be one easily recognized. However, crafter names do still exist, so that hasn't been removed.

Hopefully, Traders won't have to carry a jewelry box with jewelry and statues in it anymore. It should someday be possible to appraise the very items you wear to continue learning appraisal.

As far as skill levels, this system is almost identical on when you can start seeing multi-appraisals. For most Traders, this will be in the 80-100 rank range. Teaching will be very similar as well, though I reserve the right to make some minor adjustments as needed. The system remains Trader-only, with non-Traders getting regular appraisals. You will still get the 'obviously a specially made item' when shopping and appraising one of these items in a merchant.

Our only problem is that the system is new and it will take time before you start seeing some of these items. I know that there will be some at the upcoming Hollow Eve festival but I didn't want everyone to have to wait until then. So, if you happen to be near one of the Trader shops, I have put 1-2 items non-rotating for sale in each shop for anyone wishing to check things out. These may not be the best teachers, as they are meant as samples but they will teach if within your range.

Crossing shop - look on the ledge<br />
Muspar'i shop - look on th ledge <br />
Ratha shop - look on the ledge and the peg

Best Regards,<br />
~GM Arnimas
|sub=Trader Jewelry
}}