> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://riventide.gitbook.io/whitepaper/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://riventide.gitbook.io/whitepaper/characters/merchant.md).
# Merchant
DISCLAIMER: All content here in is subject to change as the meta evolves through development, testing, and community feedback. No part of the Whitepaper is to be copied
The Merchant, also known as the Cultist Merchant, is an NPC the player initially can only encounter during runs. He sells items in exchange for Gold. After a specific conversation occurs when the player selects "Talk" with him, he begins appearing in Pilgrim's Rest as a minor NPC. He is always accompanied by his Snallygaster companion, Sally.
During a run, he appears in a Zone if the Merchant portal branch was chosen prior to entry. He also appears in every Rest Site, which happens after a Zone with a Champion encounter and before the next Biome.
### Inventory
On every encounter, the Merchant sells several items in exchange for Gold. By default, he stocks two pieces of Equipment, a Blank Memento, a Monster Soul, an Artifact, a food item, and bonus EXP. If the "Merchant Inventory Upgrade" meta-upgrade from Gustavo at Pilgrim's Rest is active, he stocks an additional piece of Equipment. If the player has a monster with the Howl of the Damned Signature Trait in the party, he also sells Snallysnack. Each item can only be purchased once per encounter, except for the bonus EXP.
The Merchant also applies a 50% discount, rounded up, to a random item in his inventory, excluding food, bonus EXP, and Snallysnack. If the "Merchant Discount" meta-upgrade from Gustavo is active, one additional eligible item is discounted.
#### Equipment
The Merchant sells at least two pieces of Equipment. If the "Merchant Inventory Upgrade" meta-upgrade from Gustavo at Pilgrim's Rest is active, he sells one additional piece. The Gold cost of each Equipment depends on its rarity tier:
* Common - 5 Gold
* Rare - 15 Gold
* Epic - 30 Gold
The rarity of each Equipment is determined by the current Biome tier, and each has a 30% chance to have a Rare Affix. If the "Merchant Rarity Upgrade" meta-upgrade from Gustavo is active, the rarity chances of the Equipment are improved.
| | Without meta-upgrade | Merchant Rarity Upgrade | | | | |
| ------------ | -------------------- | ----------------------- | ---- | ------ | ---- | ---- |
| Biome | Common | Rare | Epic | Common | Rare | Epic |
| Biome Tier 1 | 50% | 40% | 10% | 35% | 50% | 15% |
| Biome Tier 2 | 10% | 50% | 40% | - | 55% | 45% |
| Biome Tier 3 | - | 30% | 70% | - | 20% | 80% |
#### Blank Memento
The Merchant sells one Blank Memento for 15 Gold.
#### Monster Soul
The Merchant sells one Monster Soul for 5 Gold. If the "Free Souls" meta-upgrade is purchased from Alioth at Pilgrim's Rest, the Monster Soul becomes free when playing as the Alchemist class.
#### Artifacts
The Merchant sells one Artifact for 25 Gold. By default, it is always a Common Artifact. If the "Merchant Rarity Upgrade" meta-upgrade from Gustavo at Pilgrim's Rest is active, the Artifact has a chance to instead be upgraded to its Epic tier, increasing its price to 35 Gold. The chance for an Epic Artifact depends on the current Biome tier:
* Biome Tier 1 - 15%
* Biome Tier 2 - 40%
* Biome Tier 3 - 70%
#### Food
The Merchant sells one food item for 10 Gold. Its effect is applied immediately upon purchase.
#### Bonus EXP
The Merchant sells bonus EXP starting at 5 Gold, increasing in price by 5 Gold with each purchase. Purchased EXP is immediately granted to a random monster.
#### Snallysnack
The Merchant sells one Snallysnack for 15 Gold if the player has a monster with the Howl of the Damned Signature Trait in the party upon entering the Zone. Purchasing the Snallysnack grants that monster the Debuff Damage +1 Perk, or increases the Perk by 1 if it already has it. If that monster is no longer in the party, the Snallysnack cannot be purchased.
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