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Old 11-01-2020, 08:13 PM   #1
phiwum
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Boston area
Default Recognize value

Bit puzzled how to make this a useful skill. One issue I have is that most valuable things are recognizably valuable. An exception would be a nondescript magic item, but that raises the question: does a non-wizard with recognize value twig onto something special when he sees a magic sword, key, etc?

I've thought about minor finds worth $40 to $100, little things like letter openers and such. First, it's hard to imagine a valuable letter opener that isn't obviously valuable. I suppose I could make it a bit rusty and tarnished. But then, these are supposed to be heroes, not scroungers, for God's sake. Heading to town with sacks full of knickknacks gathered while battling the undead just kinda cheapens things, don't it?

Does this skill come up much in your games? Do the heroes come home toting a fireplace set worth $150?
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Old 11-01-2020, 09:18 PM   #2
hcobb
 
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Default Re: Recognize value

I'm tempted to use this for murder mystery games for finding motives by NPCs
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Old 11-02-2020, 08:01 PM   #3
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Default Re: Recognize value

Supposedly this is what record producers used to have back in the day. Out of all the songs available, they were able to say "This one's the hit."

Oxford Dictionary says of value - The regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something. "your support is of great value"

Most people consider RecValue just for money value on an object. And the Recognize Value talent is used for that.

But this talent can be broadened a bit beyond 'objects' to things (concepts).
A person might get "Recognize Value" of the non-objects kind in relations to their particular Job. This might be combined with other talents to clarify a choice or knowledge.
  • A cook might be able to recognize the value of one herb over the three others presented.
  • In the music comment above, a bard might recognize that a tune and lyrics sung by that lousy minstrel actually has worth.
  • As commented already, it could be that an item solely has value because it was owned by a famous person. Scholars might recognize this type of thing.

As such, Recognize Value can sometimes come with a Talent if it is used in conjunction with that talent.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hcobb View Post
I'm tempted to use this for murder mystery games for finding motives by NPCs
A sleuth might recognize the value of one researched data over several others. Used this way, its more like a hunch. The sleuth should have some talents to back this up though, and in TFT that might be tough to create.
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Old 11-01-2020, 09:34 PM   #4
Axly Suregrip
 
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Default Re: Recognize value

It is just as it says. Whenever your group finds potential treasure other than coins, is it really of value or just shiny?

You find bottles of beverage. Is it fine whiskey at $400 a bottle or cheap swill that no one would be interested in taking off your hands. Now Recon Value won't tell you it is worth $400, but you will know this should go for more than standard going rate for a bottle of wine. Without Assess Value you don't know if it is x2 or x10 the going rate.

Or you can just drink it.

Too often in games the valuable are coins, gems, magic items and fine weapons. But even gems can go from being worthless glass to a high quality diamond. Also some GMs will just tell you the values and give the cash without having to figure out how to unload it. Just depends on how streamlined a game they want to run.

Most commonly this skill's use is when selling the item or even when deciding what to take while on a raid. Maybe the GM won't even tell about the bottles of fine whiskey if you do not have the talent to notice it.

Another example: Your group acquires a ring with a gem on it. You go to sell it as you assume it has value. The merchant says it is worth $40 and he'll give you $20. You lucked out since it turns out it is valuable and you don't have Recon Value. Maybe that is true. Or maybe he is lying to you and it is worth $400. And in this case it was lacking Assess Value that cost you.
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Old 11-02-2020, 02:55 AM   #5
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Default Re: Recognize value

Like physicker this is another talent for which there is no spell replacement. Most likely because value is a social construct and wizards are nerds.
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Old 11-02-2020, 06:17 AM   #6
Shostak
 
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Default Re: Recognize value

What's the difference between some old dimestore novel and a first edition of The Hobbit? Or some random landscape painting and one that looks virtually identical to nearly anyone but is by Marsden Hartley? Value. Not everyone can recognize it,, even when they hold it in their hands.
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Old 11-02-2020, 07:51 AM   #7
larsdangly
 
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Default Re: Recognize value

Gems. Jewelry. Old coins in an unrecognized denomination. Furnishings. Rugs. Candelabras. Religious icons. And on and on. You could argue that most of the treasure out there in the world waiting to be pilfered by murder hobos is in some form that is tough to evaluate.
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Old 11-02-2020, 08:54 AM   #8
Kieddicus
 
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Default Re: Recognize value

Recognize value can also be used to not be scammed. Is the merchant selling you a valuable relic for $1,000 or some useless hunk of metal that is really only worth $5?
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Old 11-02-2020, 09:44 AM   #9
phiwum
 
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Default Re: Recognize value

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shostak View Post
What's the difference between some old dimestore novel and a first edition of The Hobbit? Or some random landscape painting and one that looks virtually identical to nearly anyone but is by Marsden Hartley? Value. Not everyone can recognize it,, even when they hold it in their hands.
Ah, now the painting example is exactly one that I have used. So is the book.

Good to see I'm on the right track.
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Old 11-02-2020, 11:55 AM   #10
Axly Suregrip
 
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Default Re: Recognize value

Quote:
Originally Posted by hcobb View Post
Like physicker this is another talent for which there is no spell replacement. Most likely because value is a social construct and wizards are nerds.
This was perfect. Hilarious!
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