What's the point of all merchants vanishing from the game towards the end?

[Rain]

All those consumables that can not be replenished, what's the point of it? Discouraging to keep playing the game after you're done?

[Celery]

It's one of my issues with the game. Most merchants are involved in quests one way or another and ultimately leave the game.

It's a poor design choice in my opinion, and it makes it so you need to ensure you've purchased everything you want from the vendor each time you encounter them because you don't know what is going to trigger them leaving.

[slayer1065]

tbh your on to something there i think the intention is to beat the game then start a new playthrough with a whole new character