The story of the Merchant isn't a complicated one, but not easily understood either. No one knows why he shows up at these conventions with all of these artifacts of power, just to sent a few people here and there to a world of ponies and rainbows.

All I know is, I had not known of this before hand, and stupidly fell for his deal, subjecting myself to the torture that decision brought upon me with no idea what I had gotten myself into. Though, the place that torturous experience led to, wasn't bad at all.