Appraiser

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v50.14 · v0.47.05 This article is about the current version of DF. Note that some content may still need to be updated. More Info · V

Skill: Appraiser

Association
Profession	Administrator
Job Title	Trader
Labor	Admin/Noble
Tasks
Value items at Depot Value items in the fortress Track wealth and trade info
Workshop
None
Attributes
Analytical Ability Memory Intuition

The appraiser skill relates to trading and item value estimation and zone value estimation. In order to see your fortress' monetary value estimates in the z-status menu, as well as any individual item values from your stockpile records, your broker must be at least a Novice (level 1) appraiser. (Note that this is not necessary for the display of item quality, which can always be seen via the indicators bracketing the item names.)

The trade depot's current operator gains experience in the appraiser skill the first time the trading screen is opened for each caravan visit, but the item valuations in the trade depot are determined by your broker's appraiser skill, not the current trade depot operator's. (You can, however, reassign the position of broker to your fortress representative to display item values at the depot.) Appraiser has no associated assignable labors. Graphically, they wear all black clothing.

A good way to train another dwarf is to assign them as broker, make them go to the trade depot and trade, then exit and assign the "main" broker again and make them do the actual trading. This is a very effective way of training the skill, as simply opening the trade interface will instantly turn a completely inexperienced dwarf into a Skilled appraiser (level 4), in the case of dwarf merchants. Don't expect the same gain when trading with elves, as they bring far fewer goods.

(Note: Each of your broker's successes/failures is recorded in the world log and on the dwarf thoughts and preferences screen, and can be reflected in any later engravings in your fortress. To avoid this, use a special burrow for your depot and broker to isolate it.)

The Appraiser skill also impacts the precision of your value estimations, even outside of trading; with only middling Appraisers (or worse), the listed value of your items will be rounded to one significant figure, and the rounding will be rather erratic depending on the type of item. For better or for worse, this tends to round the value of items up, sometimes to an insane degree. Of course, since you host all trades you engage in, the merchants will have no choice but to accept that your 140-dwarfbuck gems are actually 1000 dwarfbucks apiece, for example. On the other hand, megabeasts will accept your marked-up valuations as well.

A Broker must be assigned in the Nobles (menu) for Zones to have a value. Like items, the accuracy of the zone's value depends on the Appraiser skill. This is particularly relevant to Temples and Guildhalls:

Temple (default value thresholds):

• 0–2,000☼ → Shrine
• 2,000–10,000☼ → Temple
• +10,000☼ → Temple Complex

Guildhall (default value thresholds):

• 0–2,000☼ → Meeting Place
• 2,000–10,000☼ → Guildhall
• +10,000☼ → Grand Guildhall

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