Dragoneye Dealing Coster: Based in Cimbar, with way-bases in Iriaebor and Elturel, this is the oldest of the costers. It was begun by two merchant brothers who tired of shipping things overland to avoid the Inner Sea pirates-only to lose them to bandits on the long land routes west of Westgate.

Highmoon Trading Coster: Headed by Guldeph Maremmon, this flourishing concern dominates the Sword Coast overland routes from its bases in Scornubel and in Waterdeep. It carries everything, but has exclusive supply rights to kaorph ("blue wine") and certain exotic spices of the far south and east. Its colors are white crescent on a black star-studded oval.

The Seven Suns Trading Coster: This group´s name celebrates the widely-separated partners who converted their own small merchant companies into regional bases, providing horses, draft oxen, and wagons, and hiring local guards. This coster provides the leanest guards and the worst wagons, and is inclined to be slow and often bandit-struck as a result. However, it also undercuts its competitors on most routes.

The Six Coffers Market Priakos: Named for the six wealthy merchants who sponsored it, this Priakos is run by Thelve Baruinheld of Berdusk, and has "bases" in that city, in Waterdeep, in Silverymoon, in Priapurl, and in Selgaunt. It is large, efficient, and prosperous, though only four of the original partners still alive.

The Mistaln Trading Company: This is a relatively new merchant company, who is more known for its owner than for its success. The owner is Laorlim Ölorin, the local lord of Mistaln and a member of the Company of Pure hearts. It has have some remarkably successes in trading with rare exotic spices.

Surefeet Trademasters: Headed by a council of merchants, and based in Scornubel, the Surefeet specialize in providing expert guides, escorts, and guards for all concerns-their own caravans and those of any overland traveler. Their rates are high, their men good, and it is rumored they gained much wealth through several rich tombs and temple-ruin finds made by guide-members.

Thousandheads Trading Coster: Run by the former adventurer Bharavan Bhaerkantos from his stronghold east of Riatavin, this coster operates only on a single route-from Waterdeep to Hillsfar, via Scornubel, Berdusk, Iriaebor, Priapurl, Arabel, and Essembra. Its name refers to the "thousands" of small one-to-twelve-wagon outfits that benefit from this coster.

The Trail Lords: A mysterious, pompous outfit (whom some say are ruled by Thay), the Trail Lords have been known to hire half-orcs and worse as guards. They are said to be merchant kings (none has ever seen them) with seemingly boundless funds.

Trueshield Trading Priakos: Based in Telpir, this professional organization builds its own wagons and equips and trains its own guards-and does both of these very well. Few bandits tangle with its caravans; even orcs leave them alone on most trips. Its rates are expensive, but it almost always delivers, so money has been pouring into its coffers.