Sorry, this is more of a FAQ issue, but I couldn't find an answer anywhere.

To identify items, does the engine just compare lore of NPC to lore of item, OR does it create a probability it checks against?

That is, if the char with the highest lore rating can't identify an item, is there a chance that someone else in the party might?

And how on earth did a bounty hunter end up having the highest lore in a party full of mages, clerics and druids?

The engine just compares the lore needed to identify the item with your lore rating. If the char with the highest lore rating can't ID it, no one will.

Well that a bounty hunter would have the highest lore does sound a bit unbelievable... Especially becuse the only stats that contribute to lore bonus are wisdom and intelligence, not something a bounty hunter would excel in. ;)
Since a bounty hunter is a thief kit, he only gets the standard +3 lore rating rating per level, unless he has exceptional wisdom and/or intelligence.
In any case, mages and clerics should have a much higher lore than a bounty hunter, that's for certain.

[This message has been edited by Taluntain (edited December 26, 2000).]

Thanks very much for the info!

Lore:

Yoshimo 51
Aerie 46
Nalia 36
Jaheira 12

Obviously, there are some differences as to the level they have attained, but still...

Actually, I would expect a Bounty Hunter to have an extreme lore value. I mean, mages dont necessarily HAVE to read and know about powerful or expensive items, whereas to a Bounty Hunter (Bounty being any form of treasures, not just the misconception of rewards placed on peoples heads) must know as it is his/her livelihood.

Amon-Ra

Joshi comes into the game very early and at high level, so I guess they gave him an extra bit of lore so you have somebody to identify std items after Imoen is gone.