Howdy,
So, I was thinking some about the various commentary on Soulstones, economy, etc., rules vs. fiction. For games I'm likely to run, an idea comes to mind.
I find some of the background particularly creepy and sinister re: Soulstones (send us your citizens ... ) that doesn't necessarily play out in the rules. The part about recharging from a nearby death (and the really short range), and such.
Giving a close reading to The Fated Almanac suggested some things to me:
"Of course, a Soulstone can also be recharged in a variety of ways (such as the Harness Soulstone skill, or Siphoning) ... " [FA p. 225]
"If a Soulstone is within a number of yards ... when a character dies ... the the Soulstone will completely fill." [FA p. 226]
"... send us your citizens and we will share with you the secrets of Soulstone." [FA p. 19]
I believe the Soulstones, in addition to recharging themselves (if high enough Lade), recharging fully from a nearby death, and when subjected to Harness, ... can also be recharged (although not as quickly) by proximity to human suffering.
Individually of little use, or even a few. But a workshop, 1905 factory, work-camp, mining operation, or asylum? Certainly, and discretely.