This is complete BS 2 caravans were killed in my game. One was killed by a gang and the other was killed my fire ants. I sure hope they went important because if they were I am going to be POED! Anyone know if they were important and if they respwan?

If FO:3 was any indication, be prepared to get PO'd.

Well caravans are useful for about the first hour. Plus i have a feeling they respawn.

All the caravans I've run into have been generic "traveling merchant" kind. Has anyone run into any named or special caravans?

A caravan I kept running into was always attacked by something often leading to the merchant being killed, however it seemed that one of the guards became the merchant when that happened, it kept doing that until there was just one guy left. He is still around and kicking late in the game and never seems to get any new guards.