Water Merchants

The Water Merchants is the biggest caravan company in the Hub in 2161.

Background
The Water Merchants control the water tower and, by extension, water distribution in the area. Their control over the oasis was the root of the Great Merchant Wars and remained a point of controversy among the Hubbers for years to come as rival companies were forced to buy water to sell from the WM. As such, this company became very wealthy, very fast, at the cost of developing some serious enemies, among them Decker of the Hub underground.

Interactions with the player character
The head of the Water Merchants in 2161, Daren Hightower, is marked for termination by Decker, likely as part of his campaign to take over the water monopoly and rule the Hub abusing control of the water tower.

Compared to other companies, the caravan guards get the worst pay (only 200 caps each way) although they are less likely to run into fierce opposition, and leave often every five days. Additionally, a shipment of water can be bought and sent to Vault 13, extending the time limit for finding the water chip by 100 days. In the Vault Dweller's memoirs he mentions organizing water to be sent back to Vault 13, admitting in hindsight it was probably a mistake but put his mind at ease. In the unpatched version, this also lowered the Vault 13 invasion time limit by 100 days.

Relations with the outside
Due to their control of all Hub water and being a competing caravan house, the Water Merchants are rivals with the other Hub caravan houses, such as the Crimson Caravan and Far Go Traders, and have made enemies with the criminal Underground of the Hub.

The Water Merchants also had some less than above-board dealings with the Brotherhood of Steel. They attempted to exchange a large volume of water for a stockpile of weapons held by the reclusive faction. When the Brotherhood declined the offer, the Merchants sent thieves to take the weapons anyway. Their involvement came to light when the raiding party was caught. The Elders downvoted the proposal of a reprisal action.

Appearances
The Water Merchants appear only in Fallout.