Editing Vstim

|image=Vstim by Dragontrill.png

|merge-family=y

|profession=Merchant, Minister of Trade

|first appeared=[[The Way of Kings]]

}}

'''Vstim''' is a [[Thaylen]] merchant on [[Roshar]]. He is currently employed as the Minister of Trade for [[Queen Fen]], the highest civil position in the Thaylen government.{{book ref|sa3|I|13}} He was "babsk" to [[Rysn]], a position consisting of a master to an apprentice, and also her legal father until he pronounced her a merchant in her own right.{{book ref|wok|i|4}}

Vstim is in his 70's and described by [[Rysn]] as "spry for his years."{{book ref|sa3|I|13}} He prefers to wear [[Thaylen]] merchant's clothing consisting of stiffly starched robes and a conical hat.{{book ref|wok|i|4}} He is very wealthy and follows the [[Passions]].

Vstim traveled to [[Shinovar]] with his apprentice [[Rysn]] to trade with [[Thresh-son-Esan]]. He brought [[Soulcast]] metal and traded in exchange for [[chicken]]. It is revealed that seven years before on another trade he received [[Szeth]], whom he describes as the "best servant I ever had." Every time he comes back to Shinovar he asks Thresh to trade him another Shin soldier, which is denied by Thresh because Szeth had been [[Truthless]].{{book ref|wok|i|4}}

A year later Vstim and Rysn traveled to the [[Reshi Isles]]. He feigned sickness in order to allow her to take charge of the trade for herself. Rysn met [[Talik]] and in attempting to prove her boldness to the natives, ended up falling off the top of the [[Tai-na]] and into the water below. The fall shattered her legs. Afterward Vstim reappeared and revealed he had feigned sickness in order to give her a chance to lead as trademaster to see how she would do. Rysn figured out that Vstim was previously Talik's babsk. It was also revealed by the [[Ral-na|Reshi king]] that Vstim had gained the islanders' respect a long time ago by hunting down a [[coracot]].{{book ref|sa2|I|3}}

When Rysn was working in the [[Thaylen Gemstone Reserve]], a job that Vstim arranged for her, he unexpectedly visited Rysn. He told her that Queen Fen offered him a job as Minister of Trade, "the highest civilian appointment in the kingdom". Then he handed Rysn a box, containing a wound-up cord of white rope and a deed of ownership to the ''[[Wandersail (1174 ship)|Wandersail]]'', so Rysn could still be a merchant even though she can't walk. He also offered to fund her first trade run.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}

Later, Highprince [[Dalinar Kholin]] found Rysn and the wounded Vstim amid the wreckage of the collapsed Thaylen Gemstone Reserve building. He asked Rysn what happened, and Vstim is attended to.{{book ref|sa3|116}}

Prior to Rysn meeting with Queen [[Navani Kholin]], Vstim shared information with her about a secret Alethi [[fabrial]] project involving a set of conjoined fabrial lifts. Some of the details of the project were public, but Vstim's position as Thaylen Minister of Trade afforded him private information on the true purpose of the project.{{book ref|sa3.5|2}}

Vstim accepted investment funds from several people for creation of the ''Wandersail''. However, despite transferring ownership of the ''Wandersail'' to Rysn, he remained the primary investor. As such, he received a portion of the ''Wandersail'''s profits.{{book ref|sa3.5|2}}

During the construction and test voyages of the ''Wandersail'', Vstim kept his intention to gift the ship to Rysn private. This led to initial animosity towards Rysn on the part of the crew, who anticipated ownership being given to [[Drlwan]], the captain.{{book ref|sa3.5|4}}

On her voyage to [[Akinah]], Rysn recalled a particular set of trades made by Vstim during an expedition to the wilderness of [[Hexi]]. While in [[Triax]], Vstim purchased barrels of grain containing worms for mere chips. He later traded the wormy grain to Hexi nomads, as their priestly class took oaths not to eat flesh but considered grubs and insects to be plant, not animal.{{book ref|sa3.5|6}}

When the ''Wandersail'' and its crew took shore leave, following the encounter with the [[Sleepless]] in the form of a dead [[santhid]], Rysn communicated with Vstim via spanreed. He informed her of Queen Navani's secret goal to find an [[Oathgate]] on Akinah. Vstim also spoke via spanreed with Queen [[Jasnah Kholin]] on behalf of Rysn regarding the [[Sleepless]] and the [[Fused]] [[Surgebinding#Illumination|Lightweavers]].{{book ref|sa3.5|9}}

=== Post-expedition ===

After Rysn returned from Aimia, Vstim met with her privately to hear her account of the journey. He learned the truth about the Sleepless, what they were really concealing on Aimia, and how Rysn joined with the [[Dawnshard]]. Despite some trepidation, he promised Rysn that he would keep everything secret, even from Queen Fen.{{book ref|sa4|i|8}}