1. I think that the best name for it would be something that gives a small, rustic kind of feel.  This is more of a medieval era after all, so obviously it's not going to have any kind of corporate name.  Hum hrom.  Perhaps...  the X Merchant's Guild?  In which X could be the name of the town or perhaps the founder of it?  Guilds were essentially the early form of corporations/unions.<br/><br/>2. Heh.  What about the "Antique Trade"?  Numenera are antiques from a while back after all.  Not to mention that they could deal in legitimate antiques as well, rather blurring the issue.<br/><br/>3. I think the trade doesn't necessarily exist within every single trade organization, and that there might also be a legitimate Numenera trade.  But there's a lot of greedy tradesmen/merchants and a lot of people with money who might not necessarily be able to go through the legitimate channels to obtain Numenera.<br/><br/>4. Probably a mix of both.  Public allows for a wider section of businesses to dip one's fingers into, whilst the private allows for deeper pots of more niche businesses (more coin attached with more risk)<br/><br/>5. Guilds and unions should own the public.  The fledgling middle class should be making a name for themselves.<br/><br/>6. I'd say that this should be the realm of more discrete, wealthy patrons and a few rare yeoman types.<br/><br/>7. In my character's case, it's a job.  And an opportunity to accrue wealth, comfort, as well as a means to get more higher education.<br/><br/>8. Took me a few reads before I understood what the question was.  XD  I think this might be something more in the realm of roleplay to establish, as I'm not quite sure where exactly there are established chapter houses in the Steadfast.<br/><br/>9. See the above answer<br/><br/>10. At this point, I'd say that they have a reputation of promise.  They're relatively skilled but haven't had enough time to make a big name for themselves.  So they might be known within a town that they operate in a lot, but otherwise I think they should be something of unknowns.<br/><br/>11. I think at this point, it might be a bit early to establish rivals.  Although I'm certainly not opposed to the idea of them earning some rivals as they make their way into the business world!<br/><br/>12. Hmmm.  My character could have some tuition or loans that need to be paid yet...  Can't quite speak for the other two of course.<br/><br/>13. The kind that can be sold for a high price.  XD  But I'm sure that any Numenera could be put to use.<br/><br/>14. Probably anything that isn't quite valuable enough to sell...  But anything big they'd definitely want.<br/><br/>15. Contacts, legitimacy to their businesses, a good name that they can operate under the aegis of, and the chapter houses/specialists of the organization.<br/><br/>16. At worst, probably prison.  At best, they might be blacklisted by more legitimate businesses.<br/><br/>17. CAn't think of anything at the moment.  I'll put down more should it occur to me.<br/><br/>13.