Most merchant notes arent worth your runes early game, spend on upgrades instead. The note about wondrous physick from kale costs 200 runes, actually useful since it explains important flask mechanics. Finding caves and secret spots through exploration is better than buying expensive hints that cost up to 6000 runes, though some notes reveal hidden teleporters once youve cleared certain areas like sellia.

Good to know isolated merchant notes become worthwhile after completing related quests since they point to otherwise tricky spots. Most environmental hints and npc dialogue give similar info for free though, and late-game location guides become pointless once youve already explored those areas naturally. Save those runes for smithing stones and crafting materials, way more valuable for progression especially before reaching northern areas.