So, Sharel (artisan in North Narlmarches) wanted to talk to me without witnesses. I go to my little village and talk to them, and am told, that their old boss is probably the one who falsely accused them of stealing. And he has his shop in my capital.

Somewhat later I am back in my capital, but nothing happens. I go through all the houses in town, nothing. I go back to the Narlmarch village, and Sharel is gone. I check questlog and it STILL says that Sharel wants to talk to me in private, so no progress.

I know that I'm supposed to go to Poacher's hideout, but that's nowhere on my map, probably because the quest didn't progress.

Any ideas what I'm to do about that?

Talk to the main merchant in your capital you clear Sharel's name, then he'll tell you about the poachers. You have to walk around a bit until you get the right random encounter. I think I found the random encounter in the outskirts region or maybe the northern narlmarches

Thank you. That sounds helpful. Alas, I don't know who that "main merchant" might be.
All I have are the regular merchants, Zarchie, Hassuf, Verdel and maybe Arsinoe. None of them has anything helpful to say....

Hassuf

Nope, just checked again, he's not saying a word regarding Sharel. She Sharel is still MIA.
Looks like that one is broken for me. :(

Ok, part of the problem was my own doing. I actually went to the wrong town. Repeatedly. Sharel WAS actually in the North Narlmarches, and I have now talked to them.
Hassuf is still no help, but at least the quest now progressed and I'll probably have to wait for the random encounter.

Edit: Heh, as it turns out, I JUST ran into the encounter.
So, looks all cleared up now. Thanks.

You probably did the Hassuf part earlier or you wouldn't have received the poachers quest