Is there any point to merchants in a party?

[ChemicalBacon]

I've been messing around with character backgrounds and i'm curious if its worth getting a merchant background for the extra options in events, but do merchants do anything outside of that like change buying/selling prices of items?

[suejak]

No.

Peddlers have really high base defenses but terrible melee skill and iffy resolve for a potential tank. They can still be early tanks, sometimes, but thieves are generally a better background with the same strengths.

I'm not aware of any really special peddler events, except that they can offer to buy a map to a ruin at some point. IIRC thieves can steal that same map for free.

[ChemicalBacon]

Originally posted by suejak:

No.

Peddlers have really high base defenses but terrible melee skill and iffy resolve for a potential tank. They can still be early tanks, sometimes, but thieves are generally a better background with the same strengths.

I'm not aware of any really special peddler events, except that they can offer to buy a map to a ruin at some point. IIRC thieves can steal that same map for free.

I had a chance to haggle with the random storekeep that offers to buy a trophy you have in your stash for its recommended price. I also had something to do with collecting the fingers of the hanged killer as well I think.
Currently my bard is carrying me on events - he's been insanely useful. Meanwhile my disowned noble has been nothing but trouble.

[suejak]

Ah, the trophy purchase event can be a real boon early, because even without a peddler they offer a lot of cash. I didn't know the peddler could haggle for more.

Hehe, several odd backgrounds there. What cool events did you get from the minstrel?

[Caledor]

There is also an event where he asks you for 500 gold to do some business. He can make you a profit and get one resolve or loose all.
But normally at the beginning loosing 500 gold is hard. And in lategame you dont really need the small profit.

[ChemicalBacon]

Originally posted by suejak:

Ah, the trophy purchase event can be a real boon early, because even without a peddler they offer a lot of cash. I didn't know the peddler could haggle for more.

Hehe, several odd backgrounds there. What cool events did you get from the minstrel?

Quite a few but here are the memorable ones;
1) With the hanged man's fingers again - he keeps the guy busy and picks his pocket. I got 350 gold from it
2) A handful of random happiness events while encamped or travelling - some of them are quite funny so I won't spoil them here
3) The travelling circus who offers to entertain you - he plays some chords with the jester and you get the event for free

Overall I haven't had a bad one yet.
The ratcatcher is also good. I think over 40 days I got 3 free throwing nets from him

[Zankaze]

Originally posted by suejak:

The ratcatcher is also good. I think over 40 days I got 3 free throwing nets from him

I hate mine, his little pets have spoiled my food twice. Some men were even sick. :(