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Hi all,
So far in my SCAP campaign I have been irregularly giving my players issues of the Cauldron Chronicle, the town's newspaper, as a hand-out. It is normally 1-2 pages long with articles about what has been going on around town. I've had 5 issues so far and I'm just writing up the sixth one. This one will be mainly about the recovery of the wands of water control.
Obviously the PC's have featured in it quite a bit, with them rescuing the kidnapped townsfolk, elimitating the goblin menace and finding the missing wands of water control. However I have also included other articles on things such as the rising taxes, the illegal jester coins, the Demonskar ball and accomplishments of the Stormblades.
Each issue also normally has advertisements for 2 businesses in town. Sometimes these are directly relevant to the PC's, like Skie's Treasury. Other time, they are just there for fluff and background, like the Sure Foot Livery. It all helps me to build up the city as a whole.
I've basically used it as a way of passing on information about what has been going on in and around Cauldron. I've put some of the rumours from the SCAP hardcover in there as well as some of my own that I came up with. It has allowed me to drop little clues in, as well as several red herrings. :-)
The players like reading the issues, especially when the PC's are mentioned and it has helped me stoke the rivalry fire between them and the Stormblades (the Stormblades have made some rude comments about the PC's in the paper).
Now we come to my current situation. As I write more and more issues, I am finding it harder to find things to fill up the pages. The current adventure normally gives me a main article to write, like the kidnapped townsfolk, or the Flood Festival. However, I need some other articles to help round out each issue. I have also run out of hardcover rumours to use (until I get to the later chapters) so I have had to start writing them all myself.
I am also struggling to find some pictures to put in each issue. I like to use pictures just to break up the text a bit. I have used pictures of various NPC's from the hardcover (such as Jenya, Vhalantru and the Stormblades) to good effect, but that is getting a bit repetitive now. Real photos wouldn't really fit the theme of the newspaper so I am left with just hand-drawn artwork to choose from.
So I am calling on the combined intellects of the Paizo boards to help me out. Give me your suggestions for articles and rumours that I can use in future issues. Links to any pictures that I could use would also be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Olaf the Stout
Have a look at theRPGenius [url=http://therpgenius.com[/url], where I submitted some 30 issues of my version of the Cauldron Herald . A lot of the contents I “borrowed” from different sources on the internet. Some of them where of my own doing. The office of the Cauldron Herald was closed by the governement (read Vhalantru and Skellerang) after the attack of the PC’s on the Cathedral of Wee-Jas.
Peter
Have a look at theRPGenius , where I submitted some 30 issues of my version of the Cauldron Herald . A lot of the contents I “borrowed” from different sources on the internet. Some of them where of my own doing. The office of the Cauldron Herald was closed by the governement (read Vhalantru and Skellerang) after the attack of the PC’s on the Cathedral of Wee-Jas.
Peter
Linked
LinkedHave a look at theRPGenius , where I submitted some 30 issues of my version of the Cauldron Herald . A lot of the contents I “borrowed” from different sources on the internet. Some of them where of my own doing. The office of the Cauldron Herald was closed by the governement (read Vhalantru and Skellerang) after the attack of the PC’s on the Cathedral of Wee-Jas.
Peter
Thanks, hit the submit button to soon.
Anyhow here is an example of one of the Cauldron Heralds:Adventurers Tax Expanded
Although regular taxes will not be levied until coming month, Chancellor Terri Stanheort announced a 20% sales tax on all weapons, armor, magic items, and spells cast. The new tax will not only make adventuring less profitable but also is threatening to bankrupt many local merchants such as Skie Alderson. Tygot Mispas is one of many merchants grumbling and now seriously contemplating leaving the city of Cauldron, his home for over 100 years!
Rumors of a mind-boggling year end property tax of 30% against all of Cauldron’s merchants and home-owners are spreading in town. Both import and export are greatly suffering from the expanding taxes, causing more and more citizens to be forced out of our gates.
Security Platoons Introduced
Due to increasing disturbances Lord Vhalantru pronounced the arrival of special security platoons to patrol the streets. These sizeable troops will be led by an aristocrat and consist of outstandingly trained elite half-orcs, supplied by Zarn Kyass and assisted by clerics of Wee-Jas. Captain Skellerang proclaimed that future incursions of monsters could be countered effectively now. The city government is grateful for the commitment of the temple of Wee-Jas to protect the common folk.
Narrow Escape Stormblades
The Stormblades searched for a cult of lizardmen, who worship the demon prince Demogorgon. These vile creatures had been attacking caravans and travelers near Cauldron and captured them for sacrifice.
While trailing a recent band through a swamp near the ruins of Shatterhorn, the group was attacked by moss covered treants, giant lizards and a massive black crocodile. Fighting for their lives the Stormblades were lucky to escape the encounter and slew the enormous crocodile to end the battle.
Tension Between Temples of Kord and Pelor Growing
The current enmity augmented after High priest Asfelkir of Kord accused the temple of Pelor of harvesting novices under false pretence. His holiness Shebeleth Regidin replied: “Kord sent spies to our holy shrine, they are clearly jealous of our success. Those joining us do that because we care for the poor and homeless. Perhaps Asfelkir should put less effort in organizing contests and instead focus on the needy in Cauldron’s lower district.” Father Kristof added: “We are prepared to defend ourselves against any threats, whether those are coming from Kord or Wee-Jas!”
Peter
This is great stuff. I'm putting together my first issue of the Cauldron newspaper for my group and I think they'll really enjoy it. I had a reporter come ask them questions for his article on the rescued orphans and it went well. What they didn't know is that the reporter is actually Fellian from the Striders! They haven't met the Striders yet, but they did receive a note from them and Keygan Ghelve told them about their "half-elf friends" that have followed them in and out of Jzadirune. I figured that Fellian has begun working as a reporter for the paper so he can ask questions around town and try to dig up info on the Cagewrights without generating as much suspicion. It's a good way for him to mine the PCs for info without giving away who he is too. They were quite happy to share stories about Jzadirune with him. :)
I would say the Cauldron Chronicle newsletters I have made combined with Delvedeep's dreams handouts have been the 2 best things I have added to my Shackled City campaign.
The newsletter has helped Cauldron seem more real, as well as being a great way to introduce and foreshadow plot threads in the campaign. Rumours written up in the paper have been a lot easier for me to introduce rather than me mentioning them to the players when they wander around town or have a drink in an inn. Having everything written down for the players also helps them to remember things between sessions.
The dreams have helped to link the adventures together more so they don't seem so disjointed. The players think the dreams make for a pretty cool story all by themselves too.
Even if my next campaign doesn't have a home base like the SCAP does, I am thinking of keeping the newsletter thing happening anyway. It just helps immerse players in the setting more and is a great way to give them little bits of information about what is going on in the world around them.
Olaf the Stout