Trading and broker skill

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

I am a little confused by the comment in the rules
"Local brokers gain DM+2 on negotiations, since their local knowledge helps them find the best deal and avoid the pitfalls of dealing with outsiders."

They know all the regular buyers/sellers and have them on speed dial and can take them to their favourite restaurants/bars/brothel or whatever and avoid things that annoy them. They also know who needs it NOW and who is just stock piling. They know all the regular ships that "run the route" and can be trusted from those who can't. Outsiders there for a week just don't know those things as it takes years. Then again there may well be a prejudice against Travellers who always seem to be causing trouble, except when they need you of course.

They are like the small town lawyer at home going against the big city import. One of them knows the judge, jury and witnesses the other does not.

Or like the small town politician who goes to Washington as a lobbyist but doesn't know anyone and doesn't know WHO to lobby due to the power they hold behind the scenes that an outsider wouldn't know. You just waste your time and money.

 

[CordwainerFish]

They know all the regular buyers/sellers and have them on speed dial and can take them to their favourite restaurants/bars/brothel or whatever and avoid things that annoy them.

A well-stocked Farley file is worth at least two platoons.

 

[MasterGwydion]

They know all the regular buyers/sellers and have them on speed dial and can take them to their favourite restaurants/bars/brothel or whatever and avoid things that annoy them. They also know who needs it NOW and who is just stock piling. They know all the regular ships that "run the route" and can be trusted from those who can't. Outsiders there for a week just don't know those things as it takes years. Then again there may well be a prejudice against Travellers who always seem to be causing trouble, except when they need you of course.

They are like the small town lawyer at home going against the big city import. One of them knows the judge, jury and witnesses the other does not.

Or like the small town politician who goes to Washington as a lobbyist but doesn't know anyone and doesn't know WHO to lobby due to the power they hold behind the scenes that an outsider wouldn't know. You just waste your time and money.

So, this would mean that Advocate should also get the bonus, yes? As well as, Admin, Streetwise, etc...

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

So, this would mean that Advocate should also get the bonus, yes? As well as, Admin, Streetwise, etc...

vs someone not a local? Why not? The off world advocate doesn't know all the local laws and protocols and what really annoys local judges. Same for the others. You may be streetwise but you may not know the local gang colors, symbols or territories.

 

[MasterGwydion]

vs someone not a local? Why not? The off world advocate doesn't know all the local laws and protocols and what really annoys local judges. Same for the others. You may be streetwise but you may not know the local gang colors, symbols or territories.

That is exactly My point, but I have not seen anywhere that gives that same bonus that local Brokers receive.

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

So do it anyway. Suggest it to Mongoose for the next update.

 

[Shadowblayde99]

Q. Do you use Streetwise instead of Broker when doing speculative trading for illegal goods?

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

Q. Do you use Streetwise instead of Broker when doing speculative trading for illegal goods?

Or do you use Streetwise to find the illicit dealer and Broker to do the deal?

 

[ColinD]

I have the Travellers find , "a Black Market Supplier or Broker of Illegal Goods: Average (8+) Streetwise check (1D days, EDU or SOC)." (2022 Rulebook) and then ask the players to rollplay the negotiating. I check in with them if they would like to roll more Broker checks or higher level (10+) If the players want they can have the Broker they get roll for the transaction.

 

[Condottiere]

Local knowledge application of a specific area could be a specialization.

 

[NOLATrav]

Local knowledge application of a specific area could be a specialization.

Back in the early-mid 5e days I would give PCs their Proficiency bonus in their homelands, and they could gain it in other areas they spent a lot of time in. If they could give a good reason for the use of it (or roleplay it) they could take the bonus for pretty much any check they wanted, within reason.

I’ve toyed with it in Traveller (you have Regina (subsector) 0 and Regina (world) 1) but it gets fiddly fast and presumably Travellers are worldly and have travelled quite a bit anyway and have a Library so actually the Unskilled -3DM in new/unknown areas is a better fit IMO. But now we’re getting into roll-play.

 

[Geir]

Local knowledge application of a specific area could be a specialization.

T5 has a thing for that... not saying it's useful, but there is a thing.

 

[CordwainerFish]

T5 has a thing for that... not saying it's useful, but there is a thing.

Well, you can always say that.

And it won't be on the page the index says it is.

 

[Condottiere]

If you grew up there, you could get it for free.

Anywhere else, cost could be spread to cover how intensive you study, and/or explore the area