Trader captains for hire

[mikawa]

Implement a "hire trader captain" button that allows you to send a trade ship of your choice to a designated destination together with a time plan. This ship will leave port at the chosen time & then sail automatically to the destination. Then it will pretty much behave like a standard NPC ship (means: run away if attacked) , but you have the choice to accompany your trader ship with your frigate, for example - or not, als you like - or just half the way ... or take the risk and let them sail alone. Give this option also after a ship capture so fleet perk should be obsolete then I guess ....

[Archaos]

I think this idea does have merits. It would create a lot more NPC traders with worthwhile loot and get rid of a lot of the boring AFK sailing which is basically the same thing. There may be issues that most will choose to time their runs for the quietest time on the server, but I guess that will provide the few players on at that time some content.