[jason taylor]

Arklord: A gradation of master merchant found in many merchant's guilds. The curious word is borrowed from the term "shiplord" (used in ancient Bruges for owner) and "ark" (a anachronistic word for box and hence container). Arklord is used in preference to Shiplord in reference to the fact that many planetary merchants and DFD specialists use aerial or overland media as well as or even in preference to space or even water transport. The grade above is often Taipan.

Taipan is an extremely high status in merchant's guilds and on some planets is considered in precedence equal to nobility or even royalty. On other worlds high nobles will have honor rank as Taipans. This of course depends on the esteem in which the professsion of merchanter is held. On at least one planet venturers (import exporters and transporters) take precedence over local retailers and a Taipan who is not filling an honorary position must have considerable investment in those facets. The term Taipan is derived from an ancient Asian address through the convoluted path of a noted novel, and a primitive electronic game that pioneered the Terran computer industry.