Note regarding Merchant:

As discussed on the bug forum, the Merchant is ONLY activated when a development cube is awarded. A development cube is ONLY provided (at the cost of 1 thaler) if you deliver to a location that has an empty development field. A development cube is NOT awarded if you deliver to a location that has no empty development fields - in that case, you keep the 1 thaler, and the Merchant ability is NOT available to activate.