Empty trader attack

[Jinx]

there is the difference between pirating and taxing. - the common practice here is taxing. - however, taxing an empty trader is about as good manners as it is for a BHG to attack a pirate without having a contract on him. - the pirate may be hostile, but there is nothing in it for the BHG.
the trader may be trespassing - but all the pirate is doing is putting himself into danger without any prosect of gain.

usually - an empty trader is left alone. - however there are pirate factions out that wouldn t care much about it ( for example gaians, xenos, dragons etc ) that are more interested in keeping certain traders away in general than "only" asking them for a share.

it depends much on the situation, reputation and the traders behaviour. - if the trader shows no sign of acting hostile to the pirate - or has no reputation of giving the faction of the pirate away ( like calling the cops ) - then, it would be detrimental for the pirate to tax the trader - as the result is that the trader will make sure that he ll act hostile the next time he passes the pirates place instead of behaving neutral, or as neutral as is possible.

so its the pirates choice. - he must weigh the consequences and the gain against each other. - when its about the rules, - an empty trader is as much a target as one with a full cargo. factions that do piracy in order to get goods should not pirate an empty trader though ( like rogues, corsairs etc. ) - cause they ll gain nothing at all from them.

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