Mercanes are extraplanar merchants, selling weapons, magic, and other treasures from plane to plane. They profess neutrality in the conflicts and rivalries of the planes, preferring to do their business and move on. But beneath the mercanes’ veneer of impartiality are motives of their own, and they often hire adventurers to set their plans in motion. A mercane stands out in the most crowded bazaar. A 12-foot tall, blue-skinned creature dressed in voluminous robes, it moves with a slow, languid grace. Its hands are spidery and delicate, with an extra joint on each finger.

Combat. Mercanes leave the fighting to their minions and bodyguards—they know that their advantages lie at the negotiating table, not on the battlefield. When pressed, they attempt to disarm their opponents or use invisibility or dimension door to escape. A mercane almost always has a Leomund’s secret chest full of treasure and magic ready, and it won’t hesitate to recall the chest to grab a potent wand—or simply bribe a worrisome foe.

Mercane society. Nomadic by nature, mercanes travel widely, buying and selling their wares. They favor opulence, so they often rent or borrow villas or palaces when they’ll be settling down for a while. Because they’re known as rich merchants, mercanes always have a squad of bodyguards nearby. They attract bandits and thieves, so mercanes tend to be cautious about any strangers they come into contact with. Mercanes present a demeanor of patience and elegance as they ply their trade. They never quarrel among themselves, and a rival who insults one mercane often finds that others also bear a grudge. Their family structure and mating habits are unknown, since juveniles and the elderly are never seen by those not of their race.