Ashen Reach: Wayfarer Class Freighter

WAYFARER-CLASS UTILITY TRADER
Armed Frontier Transport — SWADE / Expanse-Style Traveller Hybrid

The Wayfarer-class Utility Trader is a rugged long-range civilian transport built for the harsh realities of frontier space. Though originally designed as a modular cargo hauler, most ships of the class have been heavily modified over decades of hard service into hybrid freighters, salvage platforms, escort ships, and semi-legal frontier traders. Wayfarers are common along unstable trade routes where reliability matters more than elegance, and crews expect to spend months operating far from major ports or naval protection. Among Belters and frontier spacers, the class has earned a reputation as a stubborn survivor: a ship that can absorb punishment, limp home on improvised repairs, and continue flying long after more sophisticated vessels would be dead in space. Many carry upgraded weapons, reinforced hull plating, expanded workshops, and patched-together systems accumulated across generations of ownership. No two Wayfarers are exactly alike for long.

SHIP STATISTICS

• Size: Huge
• Toughness: 18 (4)
• Hull: 30 Wounds
• Handling: +0
• Top Speed: 12
• Acceleration: 3
• Crew: 4–10
• Passengers: 6
• Cargo Capacity: 100 tons
• Tech Level: Advanced TL10

DRIVES
Fusion Torch Drive: An Epstein-style fusion drive capable of sustained high-acceleration burns for long-duration in-system travel.
Jump Drive (Jump-2): Capable of interstellar jumps up to 2 parsecs.

ARMOR
Composite Hull Plating: Reinforced civilian hull construction with layered composite armor.
Armor: +4

WEAPONS
Triple Point Defense Cannons (3)
Primary anti-fighter and anti-missile defense system.
Range: 20/40/80, Damage: 4d8, AP: 6 Notes: Heavy Weapon, Autofire

Forward Torpedo Launcher
Torpedo Magazine: Internal armored storage for up to 15 torpedoes.

Range: 50/100/200,     Damage: 6d10, AP: 20 Notes: Heavy Weapon, Slow Reload, Blast Template

Spinal Mount Light Railgun
Heavy anti-ship weapon mounted along the forward spine.
Range:  30/60/120       Damage:  4d10, AP: 12  Notes Forward Firing

SMALL CRAFT
Lifeboat - Compact emergency shuttle designed for evacuation and short-range survival operations.
Two Workpods - Utility craft used for EVA repair, salvage recovery, cargo handling, and external maintenance.

DECK LAYOUT

Level A — Crew Deck

1. Airlock

   1a. Inner Airlock Door

   1b. Outer Airlock Door

2. Lifeboat 1

   2a. Lifeboat Seat Area

   2b. Lifeboat Machinery

   2c. Lifeboat Access Hatch

3. Recreation Room / Lounge

   3a. Machine Gun Mount

   3b. Hidden Gun Compartment

   3c. Holovid Projector

   3d. Trader’s Office

4. Head (Bathroom/Shower)

5. Galley

6. Passenger Cabin A

7. Small Crew Cabin A

8. Small Crew Cabin B

Level B — Bridge Deck

9. Pilot’s Chair / Main Pilot Station

10. Computer Access Console

11. Laser Battery Station

12. Astrogator’s Station

13. Elevator / Central Access

14. Passenger Viewscreen Lounge

Level C — Passenger Deck

13. Passenger Cabins

14. Passenger Lounge / Seating Area

    16a. Additional Passenger Facilities

15. Passenger Cabin / Suite

16. Passenger Area Access

Level D — Maintenance Deck

20. Power Relay Station

21. Life Support System

22. Backup Life Support

23. Bot Closet

24. Storage Locker

25. Freight Handler Stations

26. Fuel Pellet Storage

27. Drill Press / Workshop

28. Foundry

    28a. Foundry Control Area

    28b. Materials Storage

    28c. Machine Space

Level E — Cargo Hold

29. Cargo Hold

30. Cargo Arms

31. Cargo Hatch / Cargo Tube

32. Cargo Arm Mechanism

33. Rocket Battery Access

34. Parabatteries

35. Engine Access Tube

External / Ship Features

* Dual Lifeboats

* Docking Collar

* Elevator Spine

* Cargo Arms

* Laser Battery

* Machine Gun Turret

* Cargo Loading Hatch

* Reflective Hull

* Fusion Drives

SPECIAL RULES
Reliable Workhorse: The ship is designed for rugged frontier service and constant field repairs. +2 to Repair rolls aboard ship. Maintenance costs reduced by 25%

Civilian Hull: Though heavily upgraded, the underlying frame remains civilian-origin. −1 to Piloting during extreme evasive maneuvers. Engineering critical hits gain +1 damage

REPUTATION

• Among Belters and frontier crews, Wayfarers are often known as:
• Armed traders
• Salvage wolves
• “Legal enough” freighters
• Ships that survive because they refuse to die

Most naval officers view the class with suspicion, port authorities inspect them constantly, and pirates learn quickly that attacking one is often far more dangerous than it first appears.