Traveller 5th introduced us to the concept of a "Maker", a combination
of 3D printer and CNC machine capable of producing any number of
parts. Like most magic boxes in Traveller, it's introduced without
much thought about the impact on society and then rectonned into not
destroying the whole of the setting (i.e. people still need to go out
into the wilds and get stuff).

So instead of bringing along a hold full of spare parts, you're
bringing along a Maker (or three) and a few tons of specialized raw
materials.

In agreeing with the other points in the thread, I think you won't
have merchants going out into the wilds, it will be scouts going out
into the wild to find potential markets for goods. And/or raiders
looking to steal whatever isn't nailed down. I'm very sure the
traditional Traveller merchant isn't heading off into the unknown
wilds.

On Sat, Feb 7, 2026 at 4:38 PM ewan at quibell.org.uk (via tml list)
<xxxxxx@simplelists.com> wrote:
>
> Ok so how does your average merchant ship survive in the wilds without access to spares, parts and repair facilities?
>
>
>
> --
>
> For the fallen in the cause of the free:
>
> "When I go home I will tell of them and say,
>
> For our tomorrow, They gave their today."
>
>  My spelling is entirerly due to dyslexia, typos, and poetic license
>
>
>
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Thomas Jones-Low
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