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Appraise (Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition)

Skills

Definition

Appraise represents your ability to evaluate the worth, age, and authenticity of objects. From antique furniture to rare Mythos artifacts, this skill lets you determine what something is worth and whether it's genuine. In the world of Call of Cthulhu, investigators frequently encounter unusual objects—strange idols, ancient manuscripts, peculiar jewelry, and artifacts of unknown origin. Appraise helps you determine whether that dusty statuette is a worthless curio or a priceless relic with sinister significance. In the 1920s antiques market, knowing what something is worth can also help you finance your investigations or recognize when someone is trying to cheat you.

How it works

**Base Value**: 5% **Key Uses**: - Estimating monetary value of items - Determining age and origin of objects - Detecting forgeries and fakes - Evaluating quality and craftsmanship **Special Rules**: Appraise gives value and authenticity, not identification of magical properties. A successful roll might tell you a statue is genuine pre-Columbian and very valuable, but not that it's a conduit for Nyarlathotep.

Tips

**Build Advice**: Useful for investigators who deal with antiques, art, or unusual objects. Not essential for every character but invaluable when relevant. **Occupation Synergies**: Pairs well with Art/Craft for understanding artistic merit, Archaeology for dating artifacts, and Accounting for understanding estate values. **Character Concepts**: Antiques dealer, art collector, auctioneer, museum curator.

Frequently asked questions

Can Appraise identify Mythos artifacts?

Appraise can tell you an item is old, valuable, and genuine, but it won't identify magical properties. You might recognize it as an unusual artifact but would need Cthulhu Mythos or Occult to understand its true nature.

How precise is the value estimate?

A regular success gives a ballpark value. A Hard success gives a more precise estimate. An Extreme success might also reveal provenance or historical significance.