Traders

Lore & Background

The relationship between colonists and traders is often transactional but can be deeply symbiotic. While traders carry high-value items that colonies cannot produce themselves, such as advanced medical bays or rare components, they also act as a conduit for cultural exchange. A trader's caravan might bring news of distant wars, new fashion trends from the core worlds, or warnings about approaching raiders. However, this neutrality is fragile; if a colony attempts to rob them or if guards are killed in an ambush, traders will turn hostile, proving that profit and survival are their only true masters.

In Their Own Story

The dust of the red planet swirled around the boots of the caravan leader as he signaled his team to halt. The drop-pod had just touched down, its heat shields still glowing faintly against the twilight. Inside the colony's courtyard, a group of colonists stared with wide eyes at the crates being unloaded: stacks of medical packs and shiny component boxes that looked like treasures from a forgotten age. The leader extended a hand, not in greeting, but to hold up a tablet displaying prices. 'No credit here?' he asked, his voice rough from the journey. 'Then we trade for what you have.' In that moment, the isolation of the frontier felt just a little less absolute.

Reader's Guide

Traders are essential for colony survival, providing access to goods that cannot be crafted locally, such as high-tier medicine and specific industrial components. Their primary goal is profit; they will not engage in combat unless attacked or if their trade offer is rejected after a long wait. When managing interactions, prioritize trading surplus raw materials like wood, ore, or crops for essential imports. Be aware that traders have limited inventory space and will leave once their trade quota is filled or after a set duration. Ambushing them yields loot but destroys future relations and triggers potential retaliation from other factions. Ideologically, traders are neutral ground. They do not care about your colony's beliefs unless those beliefs dictate how you treat guests. However, some trader types may refuse to deal with colonies that openly practice slavery or extreme violence, reflecting the varying moral compasses of the wider galaxy.

Did You Know?

• Traders can be summoned instantly using an orbital ship controller if the colony has a functional radio and enough money.
• If a trader is attacked, they will flee immediately unless their guards are killed or they are overwhelmed.
• Different trader types carry different goods; some specialize in luxury items while others focus on raw materials and food.
• Traders often bring news of other factions, providing players with information about nearby threats or opportunities.