Basic Fantasy RPG Forums

Here's a question that just occurred to me. When the PCs find treasure do you as DM tell them what its worth right away or do you make them wait and get it appraised by a merchant/shopkeeper when they try to sell it?

When I am playing with my kids (under 9 years) I just tell the amount. When playing with more experienced players, I will have them judge, ability check, npc appraisals, etc. to determine value (and they may not be right).

I usually just tell them.. although in selling it they may or may not get that depending on the merchant.. I think too much 'role playing' can bog down the game...

Especially is such role playing is boring back and forth between the PC's and the local pawn broker.

Hah. I NEVER tell the players the "book value" of an item. I make a roll to determine what the appraiser thinks it's worth, then he makes an offer which is usually lowball. If they have more than one NPC appraise it, they get multiple answers. But I NEVER tell them what it says in the module, except by accident (appraiser thinks it's worth more, lowballs the price to exactly what the adventure says).

I always RP it.

People who buy such things tend to be rich or well connected people, so the mundane process can be a good platform for new rumours, other NPC interactions and new adventure hooks.

Besides, you can never cheat on a pc who knows an item cost value before he even attempt to sell it...

Dimirag wrote:Besides, you can never cheat on a pc who knows an item cost value before he even attempt to sell it...

True, but for me, it's more than that. In the "real" world, the values of things are always in flux. Why would it be different in the game world?

Solo, what sort of table/method do you use for your rolls?

"It's worth whatever someone will pay for it."

If we get out of the modern mindset of "fixed" value, it's less of an issue. Treat every price as a rough median - art, gem, equipment, or poultry, and go from there. What will be offered for something will rather depend on the market.

Getting a good price for something can be an adventure hook all by itself.

(And they say reality TV rots the brain...)