Difference between revisions of "Tramp Vessel"

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#REDIRECT [[Type A Trader]]
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[[Tramp Vessel|A-class Tramp Vessel]]s are [[merchant vessel]]s well suited to unscheduled, speculative interstellar trade. They are small-scale trade vessels and include the well known [[free trader]]s and [[far trader]]s. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}
 
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* They strongly tend to be the smallest of the [[merchant vessel]]s, who ply the [[space lane]]s in an unscheduled fashion, speculating under [[Merchant Prince|private captain]]s. [[merchant prince]]s, and tiny, desperate [[crew]]s rather than sizable trading houses and [[corporation]]s. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }} 
 
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* A-class vessels are most associated with [[free trader]]s, [[freelancer]]s, and [[tramp liner]]s.
 
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* Tramps typically focus on opportunities within just a few clusters or traces before small scale trade dries up or they get in trouble with the law and are forced to run.
 
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* A relatively high number of tramps reject legal [[postal union]] [[X-mail]] runs in favor of [[smuggling]], [[black market]]s, and illicit trade. Some authorities rigorously inspect all tramp vessels as often as possible.
 
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* The [[Supraclass]] designation is also known as [[Ship Mission]], [[Ship Mission Code]], Mission, or [[Ship Hull Designation]].
 
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* It is a [[starship]] [[supraclass]].
 
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[[File: Technical Data.jpg|right]]
 
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=== Library Data Referral Tree ===
 
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Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information: <br>
 
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'''[[Starship]]:'''
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Starship-User-Types}}
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Advanced-Ship-Classifications}}
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Basic-Ship-Classifications}}
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Ships-by-Function}}
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Speed-of-Travel}}
 
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== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
 
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A-class Tramps are low [[ton]]nage [[vessel]]s in the [[ACS]] category that cover the tramp market, which is to say unscheduled, high speculation [[trade route]]s that entail the possibility of great risks... and great profit. As soon as a tramp establishes a new route, the trail-broken [[trade route]] is likely to be snatched up by [[Liner|R-class subsidized liner]]s or [[Freighter|M-class freighter vessel]]s with greater economic efficiencies. And the process begins anew... {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}
 
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=== Image Repository ===
 
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'''[[Free Trader|Type A1 Free Trader / Free Lancer]]:'''
 
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# A top down [[schematic]] of a [[Beowulf class Free Trader|''Beowulf'']] with a typical [[shuttle]].  <br> [[File: Free-Trader-T5-Core-Rules-Pg-358 25-July-2018a.jpg]]
 
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# A simple crew[[sophont]] sketch of a [[tail-sitter]] [[Tequila class Free Trader]]. <br> [[File: Tequila-class-Subsidized Trader-THUMB-CT-01b-Leo-Knight 17-Aug-2019c.jpg]]
 
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# The [[flattened spheroid]] [[Tachyon class Light Trader|''Tachyon'' class Light Trader]], a rarely encountered design. <br> [[File:J-1 100dT Tachyon class Light Trader (updated).jpg|300px]]
 
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# An image of a variant [[Type A class Free Trader]]. <br> [[File: Type A Free Trader Alt.png|300px]]
 
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# An early model [[Beowulf class Free Trader|''Beowulf'']] under [[spaceflight]]. <br> [[File: Free-Trader-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-36 03-July-2018a.jpg|300px]]
 
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'''[[Far Trader|Type A2 Far Trader]]:'''
 
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# A contemporary trade vessel, a [[Jayhawk class Far Trader]], which is also known as a [[Marava II class Far Trader]]. <br> [[File: Far-Trader-T5-Core-Rules-Pg-358 25-July-2018a.jpg]]
 
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# The venerable [[Wulf class Free Trader|''Wulf'' class Free Trader]]. <br> [[File:J2 200dT Trader.jpg|400px]]
 
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# The A1 is externally identical to the [[Garu class Far Trader|Early model A2, a Garu]]. <br> [[File: Far-Trader-WH-Keith-MT-Imp-Encyclo-Pg-81 03-July-2018a.jpg|300px]]
 
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# A [[Salamander class Far Trader|''Salamander-class'']] coming into a [[starport]] to trade. <br> [[File: Salamander-class-Far-Trader-D20 30-May-2019a.jpg|400px]]
 
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# A very [[merchant prince]]-customized [[Jayhawk class Far Trader]]. <br> [[File: Jayhawk-class-Pink-Image-Deitrick-Path-of-Tears-Cover 12-Aguust-2019b.jpg]]
 
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'''[[Deep Trader|Type A3 Deep Trader / Fast Trader]]:'''
 
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# [[TBD]]
 
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'''[[Armored Trader|Type AA Armored Trader / Frontier Trader]]:'''
 
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# A [[Star class Armored Merchant]] on a trade mission to a potentially hostile [[rich world]]. <br> [[file: Star-Class-CT-RESIZE-High-Passage-3-WH-Keith-FASA-Cover 23-Oct-2019b.jpg|400px]]
 
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'''[[Heavy Trader|Type AH Heavy Trader]]:'''
 
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# A [[Type TJ class Merchant]]. The vessel could actually be a misidentified [[Type TI class Merchant]]: The two classes of vessel are externally virtually identical. <br> [[File:Type-TJ-W-H-Keith CT-The-Traveller-Adventure 28-Sept-2019.png|400px]]
 
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'''[[Light Trader|Type AL Light Trader]]:'''
 
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# [[TBD]]
 
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'''[[Medium Trader|Type AM Medium Trader]]:'''
 
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# [[TBD]]
 
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=== Spectrum of Civil Shipping in Charted Space ===
 
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{{:Referral-Table-Spectrum-of-Civil-Shipping}}
 
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=== Strategy & Tactics (Doctrine) ===
 
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Due to the risks, such A-class [[vessel]]s often carry [[Naval Weapon|light naval armament]], but can't honestly hope to fend off more than small [[corsair vessel]]s. They stand almost no chance against military marauders and their only viable strategy must be to run against such opponents. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}
 
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=== Supraclass Roles ===
 
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''Tramp Vessel''s typically serve the following roles: <br>
 
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''[[Largecraft]] & [[Bigcraft]]:''
 
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{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
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!colspan="4"| A-class Tramp Supraclass Archetypes
 
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|-
 
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! Archetype
 
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! Type Code
 
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|-
 
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| [[Armed Cargo Ship]]
 
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| (AA)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Armed Junker]]
 
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| (AA)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Armed Trader]]
 
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| (AA)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Armored Merchant]]
 
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| (AA)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Armored Trader]]
 
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| (AA)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Armoured Fast Trader]]
 
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| (AA) or (AAF)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Caravel]]
 
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| (A)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Deep Trader]]
 
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| (A3) or (A22)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Far Trader]]
 
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| (A2)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Fast Trader]]
 
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| (A3)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Freelancer]]
 
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| (A)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Free Trader]]
 
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| (A1)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Frontier Trader]]
 
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| (AA) or (AF)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Independent Merchant]]
 
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| (A)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Heavy Trader]]
 
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| (AH)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Light Trader]]
 
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| (AL)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Long Trader]]
 
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| (A3)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Medium Trader]]
 
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| (AM)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Merchant Schooner]]
 
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| (A)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Merchant Vessel]]
 
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| (A)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Modular Systems Vessel]]
 
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| (A)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Private Merchant]]
 
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| (A)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Protected Merchant]]
 
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| (AA)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Provincial Merchant]]
 
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| (A2)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Provincial Trader]]
 
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| (A2)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Small Merchant]]
 
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| (AL)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Space Tramp]]
 
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| (A)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Trade Boat]]
 
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| (A)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Tramp Liner]]
 
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| (A1)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Tramp Ship]]
 
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| (A)
 
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|-
 
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| [[Tramp Vessel]]
 
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| (A) (Namesake)
 
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|-
 
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|}
 
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==== Size-Class Roles for Tramp Vessels ====
 
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# [[Utility Craft]] (U) (1 to 99 [[ton]]s)
 
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# [[Light Trader]] (AL) (100 to 999 [[ton]]s)
 
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# [[Medium Trader]] (AM) (1,000 to 1,499 [[ton]]s)
 
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# [[Heavy Trader]] (AH) (1,500 to 2,499 [[ton]]s)
 
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# [[Freighter]] or [[Transport]] (M or T) (2,500 or larger [[ton]]s)
 
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==== Civilian Subcraft ====
 
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Civilian [[subcraft]] (...both [[smallcraft]] and [[bigcraft]]) are carried by some of these [[vessel]]s:
 
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# [[Barge]] (WB)
 
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# [[Utility Craft]] (U)
 
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=== Supraclass Archetypal Roles ===
 
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These vessels typically serve the following archetypal roles:
 
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{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
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!colspan="4"| A-class Tramp Supraclass Archetypes
 
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|-
 
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! Archetype
 
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! Type Code
 
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! Exemplar
 
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! Remarks
 
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|-
 
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| [[Tramp Vessel]]
 
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| A (Namesake)
 
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| [[Beowulf class Free Trader]]
 
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| Tramp Vessels are the ships of high adventure and high risk. They maximize the concept of buying low and selling high, often skirting or bypassing the limitations of local system legalities and regulations. They almost never follow set patterns or prearranged schedules... for long.
 
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* A = tr'''A'''mp vessel
 
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|-
 
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| [[Free Trader]] / [[Free Lancer]]
 
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| A1
 
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| [[Alexandria class Free Trader]]
 
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| (J-1): They are typically light, free-spirited J-1 [[trader craft]], built to speculate on primary [[main]]s. Incredibly numerous and common craft speculating almost everywhere throughout [[Charted Space]].
 
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* A = tr'''A'''mp vessel
 
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* A-1 = Parsec range distance of jump drive.
 
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|-
 
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| [[Far Trader]]
 
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| A2
 
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| [[Empress Marava class Far Trader]]
 
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| (J-2): They are typically a speculative trader with a J-2 [[drive]] built to travel off primary [[main]]s. Hardy, common craft going where [[free trader]]s can't...
 
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* A = tr'''A'''mp vessel
 
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* A-2 = Parsec range distance of jump drive.
 
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|-
 
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| [[Deep Trader]] /<br>
 
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[[Long Trader]] /<br>
 
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[[Fast Trader]]
 
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| A3
 
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| [[Fat Cat class Far Trader]]
 
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| (J-3+): They are typically a ranged trader with a J-3 or greater jump-range for extended operations. Long or Deep Traders either employ a more powerful jump drive with greater range (J-3+), or a lesser jump drive (J-2+) with fuel for multiple jumps. Those employing a faster jump drive which can reach their destination in a single jump are often known as a ''Fast Trader''. Uncommon and built to serve isolated [[system]]s in [[rift zone]]s or [[Stellar Density|low star density area]]s.
 
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* A = tr'''A'''mp vessel
 
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* A-3 = Parsec range distance of jump drive.
 
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|-
 
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| [[Armored Trader]] / <br>
 
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[[Frontier Trader]] / <br>
 
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[[Fast Trader]]
 
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| AA
 
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| [[Star class Armored Merchant]]
 
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| (Armed & Armored): They typically employ an [[armor]]ed [[hull]] and some defensive armament for dangerous trade in seedy, potentially hostile regions such as an [[Imperial Fringe]]. Uncommon, yet hardy and greatly valued where [[pirate]]s and strangers dwell...
 
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* A = tr'''A'''mp vessel
 
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* A = Armored, Armed, [[etc.]]
 
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* Those employing a faster maneuver drive are also known as a ''Fast Trader''.
 
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|-
 
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| [[Heavy Trader]]
 
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| AH
 
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| [[Leviathan class Merchant Cruiser]]
 
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| (1,500 to 2,499 tons): ''Heavy Trader''s push the limits of what an A-class vessel can do... They have higher operating costs and larger crews than smaller vessels and thus take larger risks when speculating along unknown [[trade route]]s. Almost all carry [[mail vault]]s and have at least a few [[stateroom]]s for impromptu travellers able to afford the passage fees. They tend to better excel at subsidized work and most take a combination of tramp and scheduled workloads.
 
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* A = tr'''A'''mp vessel
 
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* H = Heavy
 
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|-
 
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| [[Light Trader]]
 
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| AL
 
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| [[Aoa'iw class Light Trader]]
 
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| (100 to 999 tons): ''Light Trader''s excel at light scheduled or unscheduled speculative trade. They are light and nimble with low operating costs and small crews. 
 
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* A = tr'''A'''mp vessel
 
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* L = Light
 
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|-
 
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| [[Medium Trader]]
 
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| AM
 
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| [[Bloodwell class Merchant]]
 
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| (1,000 to 1,499 tons): ''Medium Trader''s are a compromise between the nimble trade abilities of lighter craft and the heavier cargo loads of larger craft. They have higher operating costs and crew requirements compared to the typical free, far, fast, deep... or other traders. But, they have their niche in the interstellar socioeconomic trade system.
 
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* A = tr'''A'''mp vessel
 
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* M = Medium
 
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|-
 
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!colspan="4"| ''NOTES:'' There is semantic overlap between many of the classes and codes. Some codes organize by mission or capability, others by size and [[ton]]nage, and yet others by other characteristics.
 
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|-
 
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|}
 
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== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
 
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As soon as [[civilization]]s reach beyond their [[homeworld]] and its [[star system]], a market for tramp vessels begins to develop... As colonies are established and new races encountered, the opportunity for interstellar trade and profitable speculation follows. There will always be adventurers, [[merchant prince]]s, [[gentlesophont]]s, [[Traveller Gene|Traveller]]s, and even a few scalliwags ready to explore and make a quick [[crimp]]. {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }}
 
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Within [[Charted Space]], most acknowledge that the [[Vilani]] were the first to the [[star]]s who still remain within the current order. Their tramp vessels first created and manufactured by the mighty [[Bureaux]], the [[Vilani]] [[megacorporation]]s, have been borrowed, purchased, stolen, and widely copied by nearly every sophont species with an [[FTL]] [[Jump Drive]] and a little hope. Some Type-A designs are literally over a thousand years old... They have seen empires rise and fall, a [[Long Night]], mass conquest, and whatever other drama the reaches of [[Charted Space]] can provide. Desperate little [[crew]]s still patch these vessels together with bailing wire and scrap metal, often cobbling together [[Ship Equipment|parts]] and [[technologies]] from very different sources. The original [[Vilani]] designs have been copied, cloned, further developed, modified, edited, mangled, and mutilated into a variety of mercantile mutt traders. Yes, they're glorious! Long live the venerable Type-A Tramps in their many guises! {{Unpublished cite|author= [[Maksim-Smelchak]] }} 
 
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=== Selected Variant Types & Classes ===
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Type-A1-Free-Trader}}
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Type-A2-Far-Trader}}
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Type-A3-Deep-Trader}}
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Type-AA-Armored-Merchant}}
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Type-AH-Heavy-Tramp}}
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Type-AL-Light-Merchant}}
 
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{{:Referral-Tree-Type-AM-Medium-Merchant}}
 
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=== Ship Summary List ===
 
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Some of the most commonly used [[vessel]]s in this role or these roles include:
 
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{{Ship summary list|name= Free Trader / Tramp Vessel |tdes= A}}
 
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{{Ship summary list|name= Free Trader / Tramp Vessel |tdes= A1}}
 
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{{Ship summary list|name= Far Trader / Tramp Vessel |tdes= A2}}
 
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{{Ship summary list|name= Deep Trader / Fast Trader / Tramp Vessel |tdes= A3}}
 
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{{Ship summary list|name= Armored Trader / Frontier Trader / Tramp Vessel |tdes= AA}}
 
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{{Ship summary list|name= Heavy Tramp Vessel |tdes= AH}}
 
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{{Ship summary list|name= Light Tramp Vessel |tdes= AL}}
 
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{{Ship summary list|name= Medium Tramp Vessel |tdes= AM}}
 
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== References & Contributors ([[Sources]]) ==
 
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{{Advanced}}
 
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{{Sources
 
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|S1= This article is an amalgamation of many different materials published since 1977.
 
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|S2= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
 
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|S3= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
 
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}}
 
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[[Category: Ship Organization]]
 
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[[Category: Ship type definitions]]
 
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[[Category: Supraclass]]
 
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{{LE|Charted Space}}
 
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{{LEN|}}
 

Latest revision as of 17:32, 21 May 2022

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