Between those who make things and those who use them are the merchants. Such middlemen are relatively rare; most people sell directly to consumers. Merchants usually aren’t well-liked; they produce nothing material themselves and are at least potentially dishonest (they are sometimes even prohibited from holding public offices restricted to “honest” men!). However, merchants are unparalleled in their ability to make money, associating them with the rich and powerful. A wealthy man might employ or finance a merchant to the mutual advantage of both; each makes money, and the financier avoids the dirty business of commerce. Although they might maintain a presence at home, merchants travel more than most, as their function is to go where goods are and take them where they aren’t. Most travel between a handful of cities, but a few travel vast distances.