Author: Jythier
Cashington – Iron specialists are saying the stocks are running out.
Iron ore deposits, a non-renewable resource, have quickly begun to dry up throughout Cashington. While there is still heavy competition keeping the prices low, soon enough the complete lack of Cashington iron will drive prices up. Evelyn Houston, researcher and know-it-all for the Department of Education, explains:
“Cashington deposits are known to have more iron ore than any other Virtuan deposits. As all neutral lots are equally priced at 90 ish, the cost of producing iron will go up. The entire economy is interwoven with iron, as it is an ingredient in shovels, saws, screwdrivers, and machines, as well as many other products.”
With the cost of everything potentially on the rise, trade is threatening to come to a standstill early. Cost of iron will rise to compensate for the rising cost of ore, which will then raise the price of shovels and saws, further raising prices for ore and wood, and the cycle continues.
As prices go up, people are more reluctant to make the investment into producing anything, and trade will slowly grind to a halt. The risk of putting money into products that most likely won’t be bought becomes too much, and even potential tourist income is decreased, as there appears to be a maximum price they will buy each good at. People act much the same, with a maximum price they will buy at. The value of unsold goods is simply too low to justify taking any risk with production.
Scientists are urging people to plant more iron. Iron sellers are urging people to buy as much iron as possible at the lower price so they can get about to raising prices already. However, a small group of citizens have another idea.
The Machine Users Guild (MUG) has put forth an iron-saving plan which can only be described as pure genius. MUG spokesman Screw Driver explains:
“Well, machines break. When a machine breaks, it disappears. We are investigating where the machines go, and if there is any way to get there and reuse the material. The current theories are pretty vast. One theory says that the machines are in the dumpster out back and we just need to go grab them. Another says that all broken machines are transported to the King of Digi (sic) in order to be ground into gunpowder. I’m pretty sure we fired that guy though.”
Screwdrivers are also being examined for iron recycling, as well as shovels and saws.