Perkin Waldum was born in 1358, the son of Sarkin an enterprising merchant
from Ristenby. Perkin showed great flair for his father's business at an
early age and when only 11 started accompanying him on his trading trips to
Marineldol. His father, however, took ill suddenly in 1378 on the way back to
Ristenby while on such a trip and died before Perkin could find him a healer.
Perkin took over the business fully supported by his mother Consetta with whom
he still lives.
Perkin is cheerful company, practical and optimistic. He does not let his
relative young age undermine his confidence when speaking at the Ristenby
Shiremoot. If he has a weakness it is that he does not always understand the
motives (which may well be greed or self interest) that cause others on the
moot to oppose his well-meaining plans. He is a great believer in the principles
of justice and tolerance that his hero Risten espoused and sees no reason to
ignore them in these more fearful times.
He is now the Guildmaster of the Guild of Merchant Adventurers in
Ristenby and a popular figure with the local citizens. This does not prevent
some of the older and wealthier merchants looking askance at the activities
of the Guild but increasingly they keep their opinions to themselves and only
mutter to each other when Perkin's back is turned.
Perkin has good contacts with the local Watch and after the success of
the first group of adventurer's he recruited, who have gone on to greater
things, he has successfully mentored a second generation, currently headed
by the half-orc Kaala.