Unlike many other areas, it seems to me that the Malestrom is more of a war zone than most other places I have been. I do not see anyone planning on setting up a home there, raising children and crops and making a living there. The reason that most artisans perform two batches is not to make more money - in fact such productions by default cost more to make which means fewer profits - but to support the troops in this time of war. If I was to be stuck on paying for the items I create with the money I make on other avenues of income, I would be restricted to making less than half of what I'm capable of making due to the cost of resources. The reason I charge what I do is so that I can keep a steady supply up heading towards the people in need of it.
If cost is holding people back from being able to get a healing potion or a protective scroll, ask the people who make them if you could simply have one. When out in the field, I'm passing out my product onto people bleeding out or overcome by the madness of the Malestrom without ever going back to them to have them pay for the use. They protect me with their greater fighting prowess, I protect them with my ability to create the items they need to continue to fight. As I've noted earlier, someone had absconded with almost all of my wares. I am hoping that they find their way into the hands of those fighting, and I don't see how they won't.
The other question I have for those who are looking to keep things on the cheap, possibly cutting off the flow of coin to local artisans and thereby putting a decrease in the items possible to produce or raising local prices so that the can continue to produce all their items - what are you saving the money for? To buy a plot of land within the Malestrom? What do you plan on buying within the Malestrom to help with the cause? And then, more importantly, who do you plan on buying such items from? I am currently part of an expedition to go and, with some unique skills of my own, hopefully find some items to help with the war. Do you know what my compensation is for hiking around, lending my expertise and putting myself, one without combat abilities, into jeopardy? Two silver. Money I need to purchase food for the trip. I'm not saying everything should be done altruistically, just be mindful that there are things known as unintended consequences that go far beyond many people's view of saving 5 copper on a healing draft; and it usually winds up costing a great more than 5 copper to fix it.
I have no issue with people setting their own prices, looking for better deals and so on. But do remember one thing, the items that are manufactured by those in the camps, in the Malestrom, have a much better chance of being available for disbursement and use. As you've stated, both in the caveat that 'all prices are subject to market fluctuation' and the need to hire protection all shows that such pricing is not guaranteed to remain at the level and that there is no guarantee to their arrival. But I say if the deal is good for you, give it a shot and see what happens. As for myself, I put forth selling and/or simply using my items for free upon the guardians of the Malestrom. Before I closed up my bar to prepare for my expedition, I checked how much money I had left over after making items for the cause and using/selling them as I could. I sold a total of 77 drinks at a silver a piece. Including my tips as well as the income from other side craftsmen work, I had one gold and 8 silver above what I started with. Some may see it as bad business but I see it as defending the realm. Checking my records, it was due to the fact that 90% of my wares went to the defense of Malestrom free of charge. Imagine how much less would have been out there if I hadn't received that extra 5 gold from selling my drinks.
But I ramble on. As one who doesn't adventure in the normal sense, I tend to be a bit verbose in my discussions. I apologize and need to get ready anyways for my trip.
In Service,
Kon