Bear Market Economics - RPLOG
Participants
Date
20/8/475
Log
The two merchants in question both wear heavy folk seals, and they are large. One is a bear, the other, a rhino, and neither is pleased at all. "You call this ink!" the bear bellows, knocking a set of bottles over. Thankfully, well toppered, "I could produce better myself after a drink!"
The rhino slams a hand down on his poor countertop, splintering the wood, "You dare! You've been buying my ink for years without complaint, you fatherless child of a vagrant."
Wandering the market, looking for some good brass for sale, Monique hears the argument and makes her way over. Still wearing her smithing apron and her forge hammer on her belt, she makes quite the sight as she nears, her amulet is hidden, however, under the thick apron (to prevent any accidents with it in the forge) so she is not immediately identifiable as a Soulless.
Bite approaches the two slowly, seeing a problem but not knowing enough to comfortably dive in. "Hey there sssweethearts, what seems to be the problem?"
As he hears quite a bit of bellowing, Tarvek makes his way to the marketplace, the tall auroch turned out nicely in clothes of blue and black, both the Heavy seal, and the Strongheart one shown on his chest. "Is there a problem?" His resonnat bass rumbles as he watches the two.
Peril had been browing for parchments and inks herself for her work as a scribe and found herself rather well positioned to catch the conversation not that that was hard as the arguing pair raised their voices to a level that could attract attention from the entire market. folding her ears back and tucking her tail up out of the way the little cat moved in alongside a neighbouring stall to remain out of the way as she watch the goings on with a curious intrest
The bear wheels on those that approach, hefting one of the small bottles and thrusting it right in Tarvek's face before noticing who they are and withdrawing it to a more polite distance. Noble privilege. "Sorry sir. This crazed squirkik just doubled the price on the ink I depend on to make ends meet!" he complains, "It's unforgivable!"
The Rhino scowls and grits his teeth, but does not immediately leap into countering.
Just listening for now, relying on Tarvek's status to defend them from any reprisals, Monique follows the conversation without butting in, until her assistance is needed.
Derya had hoped to come to the market to purchase all manner of meats for his meal tonight, instead he hears a commotion while standing at a stall, looking back and he grins, rubbing the back of his head. "Looks like someone's having fun over there..." He pays for his package and turns to head over. He's not much for fancy words and social issues, but perhaps he could stand to see how this is resolved. Perhaps there's a socialite hero that'll step in and use their amazing tongue to solve the issue.
Tarvek nods slowly, listening first to the bear. "I see." Turning to the Rhino, "I assume you had a reason to increase your price. What was that reason?" So far calm, collected, not seeming to favor one side or the other.
Peril drew her hands up to her hips, fingers running along her belt to the pocket that held her purse. checking all was in order she pushed her hand down over the little pouch that held what little coin she had left while her eyes turned to the surrounding crowd, scanning for the potential pickpockets or other miscreants that could seize upon this opportunity to lighten someone�s load
"Shadow threat," replies the Rhino, "As I was trying to explain to this unschooled brat. The trade ways to the Holy Nation of the Desert are perilous due to shadow. The caravans have raised their prices, so my price? It must raise. There is no, equal quality, substance to produce black ink, locally," explains the ink merchant, "He'd know that if he didn't hide his head in the sand and pretend there's no world outside the city gates."
Bite tilts her head. "Can you simply not raise the cost of your services as well?" she hisses to the bear, understanding his plight but also seeing a valid reason for the price increase.
Ictus hmms? as he wanders into the marketplace and blinks at the crowd, he approaches curiously as he listens to the conversation
Monique, having to deal with similar merchants for various metals, can't help but nod at this, knowing that not only is it something she can't do much about, personally, but that even with all the soulless in the city patroling it might not be possible to keep ALL the shadow-touched at bay.
Tarvek nods slowly. "Shadow-beasts are more prevalent, and coming even close to us here in Firmament, let alone the travel-ways. However, I have, perhaps an idea. Do you," he asks the Rhino, "Sell ink to others, and not just him?"
Peril glanced back over a shoulder not wanting to seem out of place and turning to whatever display was nearby she began examining the goods on offer.
Derya crosses his arms as he listens. He had pretty much been under a rock forever now, so he's learning a bit. He takes a moment to adjust his collar, his water tank gurgling behind him as he does.
The bear snorts at Bite, "I do calligraphy. They do not want to pay more for it. I will be run out of business!"
The Rhino merchant keeps his eyes on Tarvek, "Of course. I provide ink for a number of loyal customers, and no small number of impulse buyers. Everyone needs ink."
Ictus blinks at the problem and tilts his head as he thinks of solution, looking between the bear and the rhino curiously
"Charge more then..." Monique rumbles, "If this is a problem for everyone, your competition will have to charge more for their calligraphy too. Be honest with your customers." she adds, finally pitching in her crown worth to the argument.
Tarvek hmmms. "Do tyour clients require the highest grade ink for their calligraphy on everything? A wedding invitation, certainly, but you might be able to have lesser ink for lesser import. But both of you know...if prices go up, fewer people will buy what you provide."
Peril rolls her eyes and shakes her head before looking to Monique. 'This is not an essential service. if times are hard and prices go up people cut things like this from their budget. if you slash costs you slash quality and when times improve you loose your custom to others. It is a delicate balance'
Ictus hmms? and nods to Bite in agreement, "Yes, it's a very delicate balance..." he looks at the rhino and hmms
Bite shakes her head and thinks this situation over. "Where are the caravans having troubles? I'm sure I can aid in the long term solution but there needs to be a reasonable solution to this problem. "How much profit are you going to be making off of the current price increase?" she hisses curiously.
The bear points at Peril, "That is exactly it. I raise prices, less customers. He raises prices, creator forsaken thief, and everyone is still here." Someone picked a more reliable product to sell. The ink merchant certainly looks smugly pleased with himself. "Fine, I will buy cheaper ink, somewhere else!" he bellows, clearly furious.
The Rhino lifts his shoulders, "The monsters are more fierce everywhere out of the gates. I have put my days of caravan driving behind me, now I sell ink. It is a good business." He reaches to lightly right the bottles that were knocked over earlier, putting them back in place. Black, blue, red, yellow, and one bottle that seems to be a rainbow of swirling shades.
Peril raised her hand, half closing her fingers as she rested her chin upon her knuckles a faint lopsided grin lifting one corner of her lips as she looked to the bear 'Yes. I know the feeling well. Still, perhaps you can buy your ink direct from the caravans and get a better price'
