[Discuss] Traders?

[Karl Greenley]

On 8/20/07, Tom <tom at lemuria.org> wrote:
> I've got a provocative question:
> Do we really need the trader class?

  I like the basic idea. It definitely needs a bit of improvement,
though, if not a redesign.

> I'm thinking about replacing them with NPCs. A better trading system for
> regional lords to use, and the removal of the class. Besides, it's an
> un-noble activity anyways, and mostly boring. Plus whole parts of it
> were never finished.

  Now that my trader has a regular route, it's not as frustrating, but
finding people willing to sell is tricky, and having the black market
as the only other option doesn't seem to fit well.

  Given the current system, I'd like to see food as something that a
noble can request in their fealty oath. And, instead of the current
flow system, allow region lords to allocate a certain share of food to
their duchy and realm, just like tax gold. (Or even in place of tax
gold in the case of very poor realms) NPC traders could be used, for a
certain fee, to move food from city to city or out to underfed realms.

  It would attract nobles to those rural estates and establish a
better baseline economy, where small regions generate income based of
actual sale of food.

  It would be handy to allow traders to dedicate wagons to "goods".
Instead of having it happen as a result of food sales, let traders
actively barter with the locals based on their trade skill, making
money or losing it on the deals- there's more profit for longer trips
abroad, and maybe region morale bonuses for good trading and the
possibility for skillful traders to actively con the locals, getting
extra money at the expense of region production.

  At that point though, it would almost make more sense to move trade
functions off to a separate group, like adventures. A wide ranging
support class focused on generating money by traveling. Less offensive
than adventurers to associate with, but carrying the stigma of having
bought their way into higher circles and, ultimately, only being as
secure as they are able to keep a few noble sponsors happy.

-- 
-Karl


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