Trader Interactions

Trader Personalities

Bartering is an integral part of everyday life, but that doesn’t ensure that every barter goes smoothly. Maybe you come across an ill-tempered trader who was recently swindled, or a shop owner feeling generous after reaping the benefits a life-changing trade. Either way, reactions from traders should be varied to keep players on their toes.

This section provides four trader archetypes to offer an array of personalities and situations found throughout the wastelands: desperate, dramatic, jovial, and shrewd. These archetypes are meant to give you the bit of characterization you might need to create a memorable bartering scene on the fly.

When a player proposes a barter with an NPC, decide which type of trader they encounter, then roll 2d6 and check the relevant Trader Reactions table to determine the trader’s initial response.

Desperate Traders

Desperate traders are down on their luck. Perhaps they were recently robbed or are otherwise unable to trust. They put no stock in promises and halt negotiations at the mere whiff of trouble. They don’t just want this trade to go well for them, they need it to.

Dramatic Traders

Dramatic traders are prone to outbursts of rage or joy in equal measure. They are known far and wide by reputation and thrive on the attention. Whether or not a deal with a dramatic trader goes through, it should be an experience the characters never forget.

Jovial Traders

Jovial traders are always happy to trade, but this doesn’t mean there won’t be hoops to jump through. Being affable has its perks, but there can be more with these traders than meets the eye.

Shrewd Traders

Shrewd traders are people of their word and give every deal an astute assessment. They size up the person offering a trade as much as the trade being offered.

Trade Goods

Occasionally, characters may encounter a trader who wants a specific type of good or carries a limited selection of items. If you need inspiration for specific goods a trader is looking to buy, doesn’t want, or is currently carrying, roll on the Trade Goods table.