Just as a general question, -how- would someone know how many charges <insert random magic item here> has remaining?

Knowing this would make selling people over-priced junk sssoooo much easier. Thanks.

it says it when you look at the item i believe the number of charges left..

I mean in-characer >.>

If someone asked my opinion on this, I'd say that only characters with sufficient training can do that. Wizards of course, or anyone with enough points in Use Magic Device skill. Or maybe even sorcerers, somehow 'feeling' the power that particular item still contains. Or something.

This would also apply to identify items in general, actually...

I did witness (few) arguments between one person identifying an item then saying "i never told you what it does" in order to bluff someone out of a good item.

Just RP along, it's fun and can create situations for RP... I mean either you can id yourself, or you can't. If you want the safe way, find someone you trust, or ask Sugriam... If you ask a stranger, blame yourself. This is Underdark...

Whatesmore, in town, most mages id stuff for anyone around for free, so risk is little anyways.

Once it's identified you know (see/feel/accurately estimate) the charges left on the item. "I never told you what it does" doesn't really go, because I doubt anyone would know 'that's Tim's sock which he wore on his seventeenth birthday, enchanted to turn you into a Troll once per day' by simply looking at it. When someone decides to examine an item, whether unidentified or identified, he or she spends a considerable amount of time trying to figure out its' potential purpose. When an item is not unidentified, you pretty much know it inside out and outside in.

The Knowledge: Lore check is stupid in any case. Clarification: The famous curved Scimitar, affectionatly called Dark's Agony, wielded by the all-known hero Raznek Oathsworn. He battled off hordes upon hordes of Zhentarim soldiers during the attack on Suzail, eventually bringing the army's commander and his dark, demonic advisors to their death. The sword is beautifully inlaid by a deepblack onyx-gem in its pommel, and the grip of the sword has bloodred leather wrapped around it, which ensnares the wielder's hand and tests this person's morale. If the person is of good intent, the wrappings provide such a sturdy grip that it is nigh-impossible to disarm. However, be this person of evil intent, the leather gripping will ensnare your hand with such ferocity that it will crush the hand. The detailing on the sword's edge is one of an angelic angel, grasping towards the distant sun, whilst the sun's rays strike down demonic figures beside this angel. Upon touching the sword, a bright, white light start shining brightly with the holy fire to smite culprits. Who can not gaze upon this sword and know it to be the legendary Dark's Agony? [Only Usable By: Good. +4 Enhancement Bonus, +2d6 Divine Damage, +10 Discipline, Immunity: Death Magic] [Lore Check: 41]

No one will ever be able to identify sword, whilst everyone has have heard of it, and will easely be able to distinguish its markings and properties.

The magical toeslipper has been enchanted in times long flown past by a jealous lover, who denied his elder brother to marry his timelong love, Esmeralda. Time upon time again, his plans to twart this marriage were foiled, and dreadful did he look upon the day the pair would bond in the eyes of the Gods. This day eventually came, but the man was not about to give up the fight until the bitter end. He gave his brother's fiancée a pair of enchanted slipper as wedding gift. It would weaken her resolve against his charms, and speedily bring her into his arms. However, he did not anticipate the wedding-crashers, who not only flirt with women, but also tend to liberate some of these unattended gifts. So it came that these slippers were lost from memory. [-2 Will Saving Throws, Use: Expeditious Retreat (5) Single Use] [Lore Check: 4]

Everyone and their dead mother-in-law would be able to identify this item, while the history is very specific, and only really ever known to one individual, thousands of years ago.

The morale? Lore-identification is bullshit.

And I apolagize for this bullshit story as well. Once you know me, you'll learn that I'm hot on talking, and can't really ever stop uttering nonsense. I'll stop now. Kthx.

Look! It's flying, huge, and breathes fire!

[Roll Lore check DC40]

"lol k don't worry is just bird rofl shoot it"