[quote=Lucius Cypher]
Well, Skooma might be cheap in Elsweyr because of the commonness of Moon Sugar. But if it's sold in other places, where it's illegal? Prices go up for it's exotic and illegal rarity. Risky, but that's what makes it valuable. And with Sarel knows more of it, we could always try to refine it into Balmora Blue. I don't know if he knows how it's made, but it's an option.Speaking of options, perhaps there has been a recent excavation that some of the local natives have discovered? And upon further study, reveal that the ruins may be of Dwemer origins. Of course, no one wants to go down and check for themselves due to the inherent danger of dwemer ruins, and the location itself is too isolated to justify bringing Thalmor agents there. But it's only going to be a matter of time before their interest grows, and if we're too late, we won't be able to access the ruins without having to deal with Thalmor as well. I'd prefer if we don't just end up going to an abandoned fort, unless we get a good bounty for clearing it out for extra moolah. In that case, I wouldn't care if it was bandits or ghosts, though I'd prefer bandits. not only can you cut off their heads, but they usually stock pile a good bit of loot.
[/quote]

Wow, you don't see why an empire would want to build a fort on an island they are colonizing, but you think that a Dwemer ruin is possible in Elseweyr? Are we living on the same planet? The Dwemer were a very isolated people, they really only built things in Skyrim, High Rock, and Morrowind. Another thing, Balmora blue is, as I've said, herbal. It is my idea of what Marijuana would be like in TES lore. No moon sugar at all. 

And while we're on that subject: While there may be inflation on the price when it is transported to the empire, have you thought about the difference in currency and cost of living between the two places. It's like taking Marijuana from Afghanistan, sure the dudes cutting it off the mountain are gonna hike the price a little bit, but only because it's coming to America, or Europe. Case in point, the Khajiits might ask for 5 more septims per bottle but that might just raise the price to, say, 15 for the smuggler. He sells it to the pushers in the Imperial city for almost double that and the bums are paying 50 (I used completely bullshit figures, but it doesn't change the logic). And by the way, how do you think those beggers in leyawin are affording skooma? It's gotta be cheap. That's just the way it is, dude.