Sylvan

*This page relates to the Traveling Merchant. To see the stats of the unique crew Sylvan, click here.*

## About

Sylvan the Traveling Merchant is a slug NPC that you meet throughout a run. He is a friendly but mysterious merchant that can give you scrap for resources and sell you equipment, which can sometimes be extremely rare equipment. On lower difficulties, he will gift the player items and scrap for free.

## Locations

Whenever Sylvan is in a sector, his beacon will be visible from any location on the map, just like the Exit beacon. A purple MERCHANT tag signals his location. Sylvan will also run from the Rebel Fleet if they overtake his current location, and he will reappear in another beacon in the same sector where possible. The only exception to this behaviour is in Spoiler sector, where his tag is still visible but he will not run from the fleet (His beacon is fleet immune in this instance however).

Sylvan will always spawn in the following sectors:
(coincidentially, Sylvan will offer quests in most of these sectors)

* Multiverse Drop Point
* Zoltan Capital
* Shell Science District
* Kleptocracy Capital
* Brood Stronghold
* Federation Capital (Node 17)

Sylvan has a 50% chance of spawning in the following sectors:

* Free Mantis Controlled Sector
* Outcast Controlled Sector
* Eargen Controlled Sector
* Slug Controlled Nebulae (Sale!)
* Civilian Coreworlds
* Separatist Sector (Unique)
* Federation Controlled Sector
* Theocracy Badlands (Outcast Unique)
* Central Shell Nebulae

Note: Sylvan may not spawn even when he's supposed to due to an issue regarding nebulas.

*The encounter in Spoiler sector is different from the standard Traveling Merchant encounter, so it is excluded from the list above. Do note that he will always spawn in that sector.*

## Sylvan's Gift

In Casual and Normal difficulty settings, Sylvan can gift the player a Medium Scrap + Item reward when the player arrives at his beacon. Sylvan does not provide you with any gifts in Challenge or Extreme difficulty. This gift will always be granted whenever you visit Sylvan on Casual difficulty, but it will only appear on Normal difficulty in sectors 1 and 8.

## Trading Resources

Sylvan will buy either Fuel, Missiles or Drone Parts from you in return for Scrap. You can only sell one type of resource to him each encounter, and you can sell either 5, 10 or 15 of the chosen resource. If you accidentally chose the wrong resource, you can back out to select another resource, but once you have selected the trade quantity and received the scrap, you will automatically be redirected to Sylvan's trades. The conversion rate only changes in Extreme difficulty setting.

### List of Resource Trades

The prices for Extreme difficulty are highlighted in red and outlined in parenthesis

* Fuel
	1. Sell 5  for 10  (7 )
	2. Sell 10  for 20  (15 )
	3. Sell 15  for 30  (22 )
* Missiles
	1. Sell 5  for 15  (11 )
	2. Sell 10  for 30  (22 )
	3. Sell 15  for 45  (33 )
* Drone Parts
	1. Sell 5  for 25  (20 )
	2. Sell 10  for 50  (40 )
	3. Sell 15  for 75  (60 )

## Sylvan's Trades (WIP)

Sylvan offers a unique set of trades each time you meet him. There are up to 14 possible types of trades he can present, depending on which sector you're in. Difficulty setting does not affect the chance of any particular trade appearing.

* Beams
* Ions
* Missiles
* Trash Weapons
* Attribute Weapons
* Status Weapons
* Minelaunchers
* Drones
* Hektar Equipment
 Sector 8Federation Capital (Node 17)

### Types of Trades

**Unless otherwise specified, Sylvan will sell items with prices ranging from 80% to 110% of the item's original price**

#### Lasers

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, any ssself ressspecting Renegade knowssss they need sssome gear if they're going to ssssurvive."*

You can purchase up to **2** items from this trade.

#### Beams

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, any ssself ressspecting Renegade knowssss they need sssome gear if they're going to ssssurvive."*

You can purchase up to **2** items from this trade.

#### Ions

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, any ssself ressspecting Renegade knowssss they need sssome gear if they're going to ssssurvive."*

You can purchase up to **2** items from this trade.

#### Missiles

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, any ssself ressspecting Renegade knowssss they need sssome gear if they're going to ssssurvive."*

Sylvan will sell 2 to 5 ammunition for 6  each.

You can purchase up to **2** items from this trade.

#### Trash Weapons

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, asss a Renegade yourssself, you sssurely know jussst how ussseful garbage isss on your own ssship! Yesss, I'm ssselling you garbage. Don't be mad."*

You can purchase up to **2** items from this trade.

#### Attribute Weapons

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, any ssself ressspecting Renegade knowssss they need sssome gear if they're going to ssssurvive."*

You can purchase up to **2** items from this trade.

#### Status Weapons

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, what'sss a little warcrime to who during war, eh? I've got my tentaclesss on sssome new tech, come and look!"*

You can purchase up to **2** items from this trade.

#### Utility Items

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, not every weapon has to be about killing. I know you probably don't agree, but ohhhh ssstranger I've got my hand on ssssome sssupport weapons you might be interesssted in."*

Pro-Hull Beam is 10 scrap cheaper than its standard purchase price, Prices of 2nd to 5th utility weapon are at 80% of its standard purchase price, 6th utility weapon is at 100% price, Price of Emergency Manual is between 80% to 90% of its standard purchase price.

You can purchase up to **3** items from this trade.

#### Special Race Weapons

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, wasss to a few assorted sssectorsss reccently, picked up ssssome rare weaponssss that might interessst ya'."*

You can purchase up to **2** items from this trade. As a single table for the entire trade would be too long, it was broken up in its three sections, all three of these will show up every time this trade is generated.

Kernel section:

Crystal section

Spore Launcher section

#### Minelaunchers

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, wasss to a few assorted sssectorsss reccently, picked up ssssome rare weaponssss that might interessst ya'."*

Sylvan will sell 2 to 5 ammunition for 6  each.

5th minelauncher is sold at 140% of its standard purchase price, Onslaught is sold at 120% of its standard purchase price.

You can purchase up to **2** items from this trade.

The category containing slots 4, 5, and 6 only has a 75% chance to appear.

#### Drones

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, I might normally sssell gunssss, but I've gathered quite the ssstock of dronesss lately. Maybe you could ussse one?"*

Amp Combat Drones, Special Combat Drones, Guardian Drones and Crew Drones are between 80% to 90% of their standard purchase price.

You can purchase up to **2** items from this trade (Drone Control counts as one item).

Drone Control costs anywhere between 52  and 82 .

#### Hektar Equipment

*"Trussst me sssstranger, I'm not ssssponsssored by Hektar Indusssstries. Neverthelesssss, ssshady asss they are, they make some fine weaponry. I have ssssome extra gunsss and modulesss in my ssstorage, come take a look!"*

Prices of Base Modular Weapons are between 90% to 110% of their standard purchase price, Prices of Modules are between 90% to 100% of their standard purchase price.

You can purchase up to **3** items from this trade

#### Rare Items

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, got sssome rare thingsss on sssale, ssstranger!"*

Prices of items are between 100% to 120% of their standard purchase price.

You can purchase up to **1** item from this trade

As a single table would prove too big, it was divided in 4, all of these sections will appear on this trade

1. Almost every Renegade Loot (except slotgun and big suck bomb as of 5.3.1):

2. A few event-exclusive weapons:

 Slot 2

3. Almost every Transport Loot weapon (except chain flak as of 5.3.1):

4. Renegade loot, transport loot and event-exclusive drones, respectively. Spanning slots 4-5-6:

SPOILER CONTENT

#### Aether Tech

*"Aaaaah. Ssstranger ssstranger, found this ssspooky ruin a while ago, and inssside found tech like you or I've never sssseen! Come, take a look."*

Prices of items are between 110% to 130% of their standard purchase price.

You can purchase up to **1** item from this trade

## Sylvan's Loadout and Related Ship Unlocks (WIP)

Sylvan sports one of the strongest ships across the entire mod game: Armed with an array of 6 random modular lasers, impressive defense and a dangerous all-slug crew. Fortunately, with the exception of one event, he never confronts you with his arsenal, though it isn't impossible to beat him.

## Sylvan's Quests (WIP)

Sylvan has a special quest awaiting the player if they meet him in any of these sectors:

* Zoltan Capital
* Shell Science District
* Kleptocracy Capital

Upon meeting him in one of the above sectors, there will be an additional option labelled "Sylvan has a story he wants to tell." which will initiate the quest if you accept Sylvan's offer.

### Ministry Capital Quest

*"Alright ssstranger! Have you ever heard the tale... of the furry, one-eyed tree lizard thingssss? Ssstupid, I know, but it'sss all true I promissse. I've ssseen them with my own eyesssstalksss!"*

*Sylvan chuckles. "But in all ssseriousssnesss, there'sss a colony of friendly yet primitive creaturesss nearby. However, they've been through tough timesss lately. Hektar Indussstriesss, perhapsss you've heard of them, have been taking advantage of them for ssseveral yearsss, ssstealing them away for lessss-than-willing labor." You take note at the particular emphasis of disdain when Sylvan mentions 'Hektar'.*

*"When I caught word of thisss, I ssstepped in. I can't watch over them forever, ssso I had a friend of mine, a Zoltan monk named Anurak, ssstand guard. However, I haven't heard from him in weeksss. I'm getting worried, but I'm kind of held up with thisss merchant busssinesss. Could you be a friend, sssstranger, and take a quick look? It would mean a lot."*

1. Sure.
	* *"Many thankssss, ssstranger!"*
		+ You gain a quest marker and return to the original menu.
2. Decline.
	* "That'ssss alright, ssstranger. No hard feelingssss."
		+ You return to the original menu.

#### Tree Lizard Colony

*You've arrived at the coordinates Sylvan gave. You can see a large populated planet in the distance with several massive wooden and concrete structures spanning across the trees on the surface. If these lizards really are against advanced modern technology as Sylvan claims, this is quite an impressive accomplishment. As you land on the planet, you can see the citizens are in total disarray and hardly even notice your ship. Unsure of how to communicate, you let out a loud shout to draw their attention. It startles most of the nearby inhabitants, who turn to face your ship.*

1. Er, hello. Has anyone seen Anurak?
	* *The lizards murmur to each other, and you're barely able to pick up their language with your translator. Fortunately, one lizard steps forward who introduces themselves as Guntput, the tribe's shaman who's able to speak, albeit shakily, traditional Zoltan dialect which your translator can pick up. "Anurak has been missing for weeks after mysterious and unprovoked Rebel attack; we have presumed him dead. In his absence, our species is facing disastrous ends. We have no communication with Ministry or strange Slug merchant man any longer. Hektar approaches: left unchecked, they seek to further grow their labor force into slave armada. If you are any person of good morals, you will stand by us and defend us from Hektar."*
		1. Stay to defend the lizards from Hektar.
			+ A Hektar ship arrives.
		2. Sorry but uh... what's Hektar?
			+ *"You... haven't heard of Hektar? Fine, Guntput will explain it to you. But quickly, we do not have much time. Hektar is prosperous Slug company founded by Hektar family and run by corrupt tycoon Billy Hektar. Years ago, Hektar made deal with queen-chief Thek and weasel Metyunt to trade weapons for labor. I warn species against this transaction, but the queen would not listen! Hmph. NOW they listen to Guntput, once Metyunt never return and weapons stop coming. Now the queen-chief and council has left us behind to go on luxury Ministry cruise! What is world coming to?! You must help us, we will not stand a chance without the assistance of a vessel like yours."*
				1. Stay to defend the lizards from Hektar.
					- A Hektar ship arrives.
				2. Refuse and leave.
					- The lizard grumbles and says something likely offensive in his native language and returns back to the crowd. The lizards all scurry off as they were and you figure it's a good idea to leave.
						1. Do something aboard the ship.
						2. Do nothing.
		3. Refuse and leave.
			+ The lizard grumbles and says something likely offensive in his native language and returns back to the crowd. The lizards all scurry off as they were and you figure it's a good idea to leave.
				1. Do something aboard the ship.
				2. Do nothing.

#### A Hektar ship arrives

*You rush around helping the lizards arm their defenses when a blue and yellow Slug vessel appears in the sky and decends to the planet's surface. When they see you however, they seem startled. "Oh... You aren't ssssupposssed to be here! Thissss planet isss under ownerssship of Hektar Indussstriesss(tm)! Ssshoo! Get out! Renegadesss aren't welcome!"*

1. This is a Zoltan sector. You're Slugs.
	* *"Uhm... ssshit. Okay, fine. Uh... How much I gotta pay you so you buzz off? Thesssse lizardsss aren't worth your damn time."*
		1. Accept their bribe.
			+ Undoubtedly, you have damned these lizards to life in the Hektar sweatshops. But who cares? Money!
				- You receive a **medium** standard reward and a random Modular Weapon Base.
		2. Refuse the bribe.
			+ You aren't some corrupt Zoltan politician looking to be bought off with some scrap. You have morals (probably) and you'll do all you can to defend these lizards! "Ugh, what isss it with you Renegadesss and sssuddenly getting a conssscience!? I ssswear a year ago none of you cared..."
				- Fight the Hektar ship.
					* (**After defeating the enemy ship by any means**) You receive a **high** standard reward and you search for Guntput.

#### Search for Guntput

*The Hektar ship comes careening down, getting caught in several trees and bringing down a structure or two. As some lizards rush to assess the damage, you find Guntput surveying the sky. "One down, but many more to come. Inevitable full enslavement of our people... we are in dark days. You have saved us, but only temporarily. How am I meant to protect my people?"*

1. Offer to take as many of the Lizards you can with you.
	* *Guntput seems hesitant at your offer. "Technology is dangerous to our ways of life. Technology leads to warring, to violence. We must not taint our culture with your sins. How could we be certain you are not the next Hektar, coming swoop us up and exploit for money?"*
		1. You're right, technology is dangerous. That's why you want to be on the winning side.
			+ *Guntput glares at you with his singular eye. "You are as bad as Hektar, or Rebels! We not come with you!" You're shocked by this sudden resistance, but the Lizards refuse to join you. You have no choice but to leave them behind.*
				- Nothing happens.
		2. We're no threat. We'll drop your people off at the nearest station.
			+ *The lizards quickly gather to discuss, but when another Hektar ship jumps in behind them and sends an entire neighborhood plummeting off of its tree, they quickly scurry aboard your vessel. You fly away, unnoticed by the approaching Hektar fleet.*
				- *It doesn't take too long until you encounter a Zoltan trading hub willing to take the refugees. It's only a small subset of their people, but it's enough to keep their species alive for now. All but Guntput remains, who lingers on your ship.*
					* *"Federation. You have done good service for my people. I do not foresee... good future for them. But still better than in Hektar labor camp for rest of days. I will not go with them. I have failed them. I will serve you instead, in efforts to save reality and someday free rest of my people." As Guntput steps aboard your ship, he raises his spear and shakes it twice, chanting a strange song while dancing around in circles. "Tunt parra parra, kaethlu parra parra, spaekith parra parra, taklu parra parra! Parra maku!" After finishing, he pauses and looks at you.*
						+ (insert Door Open Song options)
2. We've done what we can, but we must leave.
	* *"You have done what I have asked, yes. We are too disorganized to offer a reward, and what we could give we will need in times ahead. I apologize, but can only offer my thanks."*
		+ Nothing happens.