Merkel is the proprietor and owner of the Badger's Claw Inn in Laket, Melderyn.
Merkel heads the local Lia-Kavair. Laket is so remote and small that the gang doesn’t amount to much, but Merkel puts any useful intelligence gleaned from his guests to good use. He is a vital link between the Burzyn and Thay Lia-Kavair and the ratline between the two.