Ranqhaq (ran-kick)

Career

Qualifications

Those looking to brave becoming a ranqhaq must possess a level of endurance necessary to live away from community comforts, fight and protect their cargo.

Their greatest strengths are in infiltrating, looting and scavenging resources from elsewhere.

— zaque Michuá

Payment & Reimbursement

There is little chance for most ranqhaqs to become rich.
Bartering, or getting permission to barter, from nobles is very tricky: as they believe all surplus goods are theirs anyway; in the form of gifts. Only traders who are absolutely brilliant at negotiations for a license, can be granted such permission, though not on any large scale.

Other Benefits

Depending on the strength of imperial presence, smuggling can be such a common practice that even a tokoyrikoq would make use of them. In this case, ranqhaqs can expect some protection, if not representation, in the Sun Court that can possibly indicate the extent of the Sapa's interest.
So long as Panakas operated outside direct imperial control, their smudging could be made useful to circumvent rivials. Yet, those same rival may have their own secret arrangements with their own ranqhaqs.

Perception

Purpose

Ranqhaq are an alternate channel for trade and transport within the empire outside the political mandate.

Social Status

Ranqhaq are considered criminal tax dodgers by the higher caste and lifesavers by everyone else.

— Qillqana Isku

The smugglers are said to have a unique capacity to infiltrate their opponents' villages, profiting from their infrastructure and increasing their reach. Ranqhaqs are specialists in optimizing their economic outcome.

Demographics

Nearly every demographic population has some tiny portion, whose memebers are shrewd and opportunistic enough to carve a necessary niche for themselves. While not recognized in any official capacity, ranqhaq are able to exert considerable power on communities and minor panaqas.
Because of the dangers inherent in this profession, enlisting enough capable recruits is a continual challenge. These enterprising rogues are especially savvy and perceptive to the changing political tides. They adapt their enterprises accordingly to take advantage of periods of political upheaval; as they are rare opportunities for their business.

History

10 9 8 7 6	Excess High Demand, Low Cost Reduce Supply Anticipate Scarcity Eliminate Competition	Volatile High Demand, High Cost Compete in Prices Speculate a decrease in demand Contract a Monopoly
5 4 3 2 1	Subsidiary Low Demand, Low Cost Advertise Speculate a rise in demand Lessen further expenses	Scarce Low Demand, High Cost Secure Goods Provide Services Eliminate Competitors
2d10	1 2 3 4 5	6 7 8 9 10

Projected earnings is determined by a DC 20 INT, WIS or CHA check. Every point you fail that DC, reduces income by 5%. For every point you exceed your check, adds 5%. The following modifiers come about when:

PC has:

Appropriate Profession Skill: +1

Two appropriate Profession skills: +2

Membership in associated group: +1

Less than 8 hours per week in business: -8

More than 40 hours per week assisting business: +1

Circumstantial:

Monopoly Business: ±10

Oligarchy Business: ±4

Specialists on staff: ±2

Business Partner during the term: ±2

Previous "fails": -1 per consecutive check below 15

Operations

Workplace

Chicharias

A chicharia is not a place in and of itself. Rather it is a designation temporarily given over to a commoner's home along the Qhapaq Ñan.
From there, a traveler in-the-know, like local pastoralists and chasquis, can get their fix on an illicit alcoholic beverage. Familiar ranqhaqs often utilize the shifting chicharias as distribution and storage warehouses for their stocks.

Provided Services

Transportation

They import and export all manner of contraband; that include weapons and people between quadrants.

Reconnaissance

A limited number of traders are tolerated for their intelligence value across the land.

Charity

Ranqhaqs are sometimes the only source of certain foods and medicinal herbs.

Dangers & Hazards

Arrest

So long as smugglers do not endanger the tribute system, their 'contract' will remain. If a valuable good is discovered to have been sourced from some commoner or other unauthorized group; the trader and the group(s) involved would all be killed.
Different regions also require different tactics in how they conduct themselves; ranging from covert measures to direct diplomatic ties.

Alternative Names

Smuggler

Rouge Merchant

Type

Illicit

Demand

Medium - High

Legality

Ranqhaq use the roads without license

Related Locations

• Canna
• Gates To Hell
• Hawkaypata
• Qhapaq Ñan
• Reed Town
• Tampu Wasi

Used By

• First Quadrant
• Snake Panaqa
• Third Quadrant
• Xiuhxoxoauhqui