[NR] Like Steam - Chapter 752

Rosha holds Lily to her chest as they wait with Jason out in the hallway. After all that talk about the System, they had decided to report things and Courtney was actually in the middle of doing that right now. And yes, the settlement was quite interested in the forest spirits because it seems those aren’t normal, even for the Deep Wilds.

Or rather, forest spirits are quite common, but they don’t move around despite the terrain doing so. Which, given how their form matches their home, means they tend to be crazy loners. Even those that temporarily form groups like they would elsewhere, quickly break apart as one or another’s form shifts and their connection breaks.

Rosha would consider it quite tragic if they were sapient. But these aren’t dryads or what have you. Forest spirits are the lowest level of genius loci and honestly have the worst of all worlds. They aren’t an immaterial force over an area. They aren’t sapient. And they aren’t attached to a specific feature and able to gain in power from that feature growing or being worshipped.

They do serve a purpose and Rosha sighs as she remembers the extensive lecture Peter had given on the subject. Especially when it basically boiled down to forest spirits being like the steam released by a steam engine. Just a bunch of pressure released from the environment that takes on a physical form. Yes, steam can hurt things, but maybe you shouldn’t let the engine get so hot you have too much steam and maybe when it does build up, don’t stand in front of the pressure release valve.

Except, that is the problem, not that she was remembering things. A steam engine continuously venting large clouds of steam? Well, if it wasn’t meant to do that, there’s likely something wrong.

Rosha looks over at Jason, but he’s still just meditating. Nothing against that, but it means Rosha doesn’t have anyone to talk to. Well, there was the receptionist? But he looked busy with paperwork. Rosha leaned back in the chair and focused on petting Lily as she waited.

Lily, on the other hand, was having a great time!

About an hour later, Courtney finally leaves the office. “Okay, time to head out. They didn’t quite agree with Jason’s guess, but did want us to help by making ourselves scarce for the moment.”

Jason stretches his arms out and stands up. “If they don’t think it is the System messing with us, why have us leave?”

Courtney shrugs, “Sounds more like they disagree that it was caused by us, but do agree that now that it has happened, the System would totally make it worse to mess with us.”

Jason laughs, “So the end result is the same!”

Rosha frowns, “I wouldn’t say that. Even if they understand we aren’t the willful cause. It would be true under your explanation that our presence caused this problem. And no matter how kind-hearted they are, it is hard to be entirely positive about the people who brought trouble to your doorstep. Especially when they’re not friends or family.

“This way? It isn’t our fault unless we stay. Now, did they have some task for us or are we supposed to simply mosey off into the sunset?”

Courtney nods, “A good point and yes, they do have something to bring us away from here for a few months. Specifically, they want us to deliver some special goods which are awkward for the regular caravans to handle. Oh, and once that is done, we have an introduction to the local adventurers guild leader who will hook us up with stuff to do until they get the go-ahead to come back.

“They expect this build-up of natural energies to boil over in a month and want us gone until the elevated levels are fully back to the baseline. In theory, that should be about three months total, but they’re uncertain. It might even drag a little with the System seeing if we end up returning early for one final push of trouble.”

Jason, “What can’t caravans transport that we can? Like, if it is something too expensive, we’re just as vulnerable. Especially since we don’t have anti-scrying effects going. And it isn’t like we’d be all that much faster than one of the direct caravans. Nevermind the fact that it must not be time sensitive if they could wait for us and didn’t just hire a group to come in and take it.”

Courtney, “Yeah, we’re dealing with some stupid nonsense. It isn’t all that valuable to the kingdom and has basically no value to merchants so they don’t take it with them, as is their prerogative. Yet the kingdom also needs it. All while at the same time, not taking up much space.”

Jason, “But then why not pay a merchant to grab it? Or like, I’m sure they have their own merchants as someone has to bring in the low margin common goods to these settlements on a regular schedule.”

Courtney shrugs, “Even in NeoRealm, capitalism screws things up. The merchants seem to have managed to keep things mostly privatized. Which also means they’re always keeping an eye on the bottom-line and for ways to make more money. In this instance, they know that they can just wait until the kingdom really needs this stuff and is willing to pay well for the transportation of it.

“Oh, and since it isn’t military or a basic need, they’ve limited them on who can transport it. Seems like a complete mess, but what can you do? The merchants guild is one giant entity across all of NeoRealm. It isn’t as united as the Adventurers Guild, mind you. And it certainly doesn’t have the prestige, but when it comes to their bottom-line? They can move mountains. Most locals just wish those mountains were moved to open up new paths instead of blocking old ones so the merchants suddenly have a monopoly on something or other.”

Rosha frowns, “Why is it allowed to exist?”