I'm thinking about rolling a lock pick specialist to do some exploring. I have some questions that I can't get direct (or non-conflicting) answers on forum searches, if anyone can shed some light.

* How are lock picks valued? Is there some variable visible in appraise/lore/identify like level or something? I can compare rusty picks with titanium picks, and see that the titanium are better.. but what is actually being measured? Both are level 1.

The way I've seen it laid out, is that there's two outcomes to picking a lock: You fail, or its beyond your comprehension. The helpfiles, and a lot of the forum posts, don't seem to distinguish between the two, but there does seem to be a difference.

* How does this 'level" of the lock pick affect lock picking? -- Does it increase your comprehension or your success at picking within your comprehension?

* Does failing a lock picking mean its within your comprehension, you just need a better pick to succeed?
* When its beyond your comprehension, is that based on character level as well, or just pick lock skill %? Does advanced picklock skill % matter as well for doors that are flagged to require it?

* Does the locksmith skill enable you to pick higher level locks (i.e., does it "raise" your comprehension)? Does the locksmith edge? Does completing the locksmith path?

If anyone can take the time to answer any of these questions, I appreciate you.