One could almost set one’s clock by the arrival of snow in New Babbage. Come late November, we look to the skies, and listen to the reports of weather in other places, watching for that first large snowfall, feeling that drop of temperature that heralds it. So far, it has always come, and we’ve always been prepared for it, with plenty of coal brought from the mines and stored around the city.
But this year, for some reason, the coal delivery from the mines was late, and winter came early to them. Between blizzards higher up, and flash floods lower down the slopes, the train tracks have been impassable, and our coal is stuck up there. A few airships have managed to bring a bit of coal here from the mines, but the weather has made the winds so chancy, it’s better not to risk the airships there. If the weather doesn’t clear soon, we could see a serious shortage. The rest of the Steamlands need their own supplies, so will only sell us any at exorbitant rates. And mainland coal… well, the less said about that, the better.
Still, not all the news is bad. I’ve finally gotten my hands on a tome I’ve been looking for for years. Only three copies of this particular edition exist. One has been in the Burton Library for years–I’ve studied it there before. Mr. Steamweaver has another copy at the Athenaeum; I didn’t dare “liberate” it during my raid a couple years ago, but luckily, he didn’t get around to converting it to electronic form until after our bet. Under the terms of our bargain, he now has to keep it.
The whereabouts of the third copy, though, has been unknown for many years. But when Mariah and I stopped in Steelhead on our way back home this fall, I finally saw it. It took several weeks of negotiations, but now, I have it!
Of course, given the legend, having all three copies here in New Babbage may not be wise. But they’re all well locked-up. What could possibly go wrong?
((Feel free to comment! And yes, this is setting something up, so I’d love it if at least some others of you joined in. *smile*))
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Please do let me know if I may be of assistance. A note in your own hand sent to me at the Whitby Cake and Tea Yard in Port Babbage will be most promptly received.
A special book… I may need to go read it :3
((That’s what I get for posting while I’m tired. Should have specified that I was looking for more participation on the coal shortage situation. Some worried posts about that would be nice… *wink*))
For the AP&E company the coal shortage situation is rather good.
The portal is in constant use running coal, although due to the technology this has to be carried through by hand a bag at a time and the cost of portal travel is rather high. Which is good for the AP&E company, but not so good for coal prices as portal coal costs a fortune!
I do have something to say about coal – will be in my blog later today and I have been mentioning it in our world *smiles*.
Burnt out three aetheric regulators getting this lot through, this is getting expensive!
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No coal?
No need to worry good people. There is plenty of whale oil to heat your homes. It is also a good lubricant for even the smallest of gears. I have a variety of oils to chose from.