Is there any way to id items without having to go back to town and pay someone to do it everytime? I know that the Warlock picks up the id skill, but is that the only way? It is very frustrating to always have to run back to town to id EVERYTHING I pick up. Thanks for the help.

My Priestess has the skill. It's the only way that I know of. You need to have both the Ancient Lore trait and the Artifacts skill. The higher you pump your Artifacts skill the more you can ID. I have mine at 3 or 4 now (I forget) and I can ID most weapons/armor and minor magic stuff like potions, powders, and +1 weapons.

How did she get the skill? Is it something that you can choose from as you level up? Thanks again.

You can train at it in the Priest's guild. It all depends on your Priest Guild level. I think it has to be 3, or maybe 4 to get that available. That seems to be the way with all training, btw. It is based on your guild level. Now that my Warrior guild level is 5, I get the neat things like Double Strike and 2nd Weapon to train in, among others. So complete those guild quests!