Merchant friend ? Blessed of Waukeen I assume ?
Don't know which version you have but Neverwinter Nights 2 "complete" came with all the premium pre-order stuff including special merchants and the feat. My version did at the very least. I assume its your game version. I cant speak to GOG, or other versions.
SOZ on party creation sets level as I recall (its been a while)... so if you start with too low or too high a character level would it not automatically level you up (or down?) as the case may be. Level 5 on average ?
Continue playing ; its actually a fine adventure and hits a sweet spot when you finally move to the Sword Coast in my opinion. Other than one buggy area towards the latter half (Temple of Umberlee) the party you end up with is quite and enjoyable troop. Especially if you custom design a party with a little thought to their backgrounds. Your choice of pregenerated may or may not lessen your enjoyment.
(Thoughts posted in other threads:
I really enjoyed a party of all Elves sort of a nature wardens group. Companions of Silverymoon - cousins at war with or against Eldreth Veluuthra (there is an encounter) :Ranger-Shadowdancer/Swashbuckler-Rogue/Druid/Wizard-Arcane Archer.
A party
I also enjoyed a party of planetouched: 2 Aasimar and 2 Thiflings : Guardians of Ysgard. Fighter-Divine Champion/Cleric/ Wizard-Eldritch Knight/Rogue Invisible Blade. All Chaotic Good/Neutral.
I even encourage taking all the game "NPCs" if only for a limited time and tactical exploring. Now having said that I actually RPing player characters levels 7 - 15 which is a personal sweet spot; and the potential money available is way over the top.