Merrick Vale
Original campaign-world reference. Sections describing the supplied Day 17 instance record that playthrough only; possibilities remain possibilities.
Role: Trader with older ties to Edren and Taren. World lore: Merrick is one of several people connected to Edren's past; no one person is meant to know the whole history. His knowledge should be partial. The helper leaves his present whereabouts, moral outlook, exact business, and full knowledge unspecified.
Day 17 instance: The continuum describes Merrick as tied to Edren and Taren and says his exact status and location should be confirmed before he re-enters play. No more specific event is established. Do not assume Merrick owns goods associated with Veyr or the ancient network merely because he is a trader. His surname does not establish relation to Mara Vale in the earlier adaptation or to any other Vale.
Sources: creation helper, Vale/Taren/Mara/Calder; campaign continuum, important NPCs; campaign continuum, open threads.