I have been coming up with potential allies/mentors for my party and currently these ideas -
Ranger = Strider of Fharlanghan
Cleric = St Cuthbert (+ a few more....complicated story)
Wizard = Local Mage (another story)
But....for the Rogue? The only opinions seem to be the evil Last Laugh organisation or the Alleybashers (also evil).
So I thought I would come up with my own. Tell me what you think.
Explorers & Acquirers Division of Greyhawk Museum
The Explorers & Acquirers Division of Greyhawk Museum of Cauldron is a currently a small group of 14 members that currently comprise of one sage/historian, one art expert, one wizard, 9 warriors, six rogues. The wizard and three of the rogues are all recent recruits to the Division while the others have travelled to Cauldron at the request of the Museum Doyen – Lorian Dorcemetry, to scowl the frontier lands for ancient remnants of the ages before man.
The Division is still in its infancy but has already made some progress in its task securing a handful of artefacts from a small Spell Weavers ruin. Currently the Division operates from a large four-story house near the Tipped Tankard Tavern. The Division is divided into two teams – Research & Acquisition.
The Research Team
The Research team are the ‘brains trust’ of the Division and are the only members that have a permanent residence in the Head Quarters. There are three research members – Geneth Taliwar (Division Leader), Ralter Swir (Art Expert) & Falliwing (Magician).
Geneth Taliwar – Division Leader
The Division Leader and sage/historian of the group - Geneth Taliwir, is an elderly dwarf with a silver monocle, an eye patch overing his left eye and a short, well-groomed white beard. Geneth walks with the assistance of a wooden cane covered with smooth metal protrusions and has a noticeable limp. Geneth always wears worn leather pants and boots that look as old as their wearer, dons a silken red tunic and has bejewelled rings on each finger.
Geneth Taliwar was originally an infamous explorer, adventure and rogue who specialised in ‘acquiring’ exquisite and expensive artwork, relics, artefacts and jewellery from homes and ruins alike. When the overly ambitious rogue led a team into the ruins of Mauve Castle, where his team were all killed and he was left for dead, he was rescued by an ‘Acquisition Team’ from the Greyhawk Museum.
Crippled from the expedition, Geneth spent his recovery learning more about his rescuers and researching about the treasures of the past. Division Leadership of an Acquisition Team was not a far cry from his old life. Geneth surprised himself by the pride he felt when the Museum Doyen asked him to travel to the Frontier Lands and base himself in Cauldron to head up a team to explore, map, discover and acquire artefacts from the unexplored wilderness of hidden ruins and mysterious monuments.
Ralter Swir – The Art Expert
Ralter Swir worked at the Greyhawk Museum as an art expert specialising in sculptures, architecture and carvings. Raltar has always been particularly fascinated with works from ‘Sunken Civilizations’ and aspires to collect a substantial and priceless collection of artwork from these ancient underwater empires.
Raltar is a rock gnome with a long brown moustache, a baldhead and thick spectacles that sit precariously on the end of his large nose. Bumbling and jittery, Raltar is quiet and unsure during normal conversation but becomes increasingly passionate and confident whenever he discusses or is presented with a valuable work. Geneth has learnt to value the unassuming art expert’s opinion on visual history and other historical obscurities.
Raltar unexpectedly volunteered to join Geneth and his small team to face the dangerous and unexplored lands of Begedis only days before the expedition began. Many of his learned colleges tried to persuade the normally quite and reclusive art expert into reconsidering his ‘rash’ actions but all for nought. Raltar saw a chance to experience the adventure of discovery and the opportunity to be the first to unlock a piece of history.
Falliwing
Falliwing is a recent recruit to the Division and has become an important asset to Geneth and the team. Falliwing is a gaunt sickly man with a long, pointed brown beard, a flat cushioned hat and thick layers of fur that assists to disguise his frailty and keep him warm. Falliwing leans upon a crystal topped staff that contains golden vein that swirls about within it. While the disease that is slowly eating Falliwing away is not contagious to others, most people give the obviously sickly mage a wide birth.
Gurp, Falliwings toad familiar, sits inside the magician’s robes making strange noises from time to time. Falliwing has become completely oblivious to Gurps noises but these can be quite disconcerting to the unaware.
Falliwing grew up in Sterich in his youth and became an apprentice at a young age. As soon as he was made a full wizard Falliwing joined an adventuring group and jumped aboard an exhibition bound for the newly settled Frontier Lands. Falliwing and his group spent months trekking through the wild lands combating its monsters and searching through its ruins before he and the rest of his party were contaminated by a mysteriously disease.
Falliwing is now the last of his group. The rest have either succumb to the disease or one to many risky exploits. Falliwing saw in the ‘Acquisition Division’ an opportunity to find an answer to the disease that is slowly making him waste away to nothing. Within the one of the ruins of an ancient Serpent People Falliwing contracted the strange illness and it is within similar ruins the ever-hopeful mage hopes to find its cure.
Falliwing struggles to breath some days and is wracked by fits of coughing. Falliwing always feels continually cold even in the Sub Tropical climate of Cauldron and ensures he is smothered in furs and his large fireplace rages with stifling heat.
Falliwing acts as the Acquisition Teams magical liaison and assists with research and supplies of potions and scrolls whenever he is able. Falliwing also possesses numerous magical items he uses to assist the group in any way he can. In exchange for his aid Geneth has allowed Falliwing to stay in the Divisional Headquarters where he now dwells on the top floor attic. Geneth ensures Falliwing has everything he needs including components, an alchemy lab and plenty of fuel for his fire and warm meals to dull the aching cold.
Members of the Division frequently buy scrolls, potions and even minor magical items from Falliwing for half the normal cost. Falliwing is always looking for clues to his cure and in the shorter-term methods of relieving his pain, cough and cold.
Exploration & Acquisition Team
The ‘Acquirers’ are the ground troops of the Division, devoted to gaining artefacts, relics and art works from the region and particularly the lost civilisation ruins they continuously strive to uncover. Currently there are six members of this team but occasionally others are hired for specialised jobs. The Division is always on the lookout for loyal recruits that fit the mould.
Pouches - (Acquisition Leader)
Sebastian Destumtree or ‘Pouches’ to his friends, is a Fiddlekin with an insatiable appetite for adventure, risk and reward. Pouches was a cutpurse that Geneth rescued from execution when he chose to steal the wrong person. Pouches had his left hand removed from the incident and then was then left unconscious bleeding to death in the street by his would-be target. Geneth dragged the tiny halfling from the streets and into the Greyhawk Museum and nursed him back to health.
Pouches was a reluctant recruit initially but the good treatment, skills, focus and rewards Geneth gave the capable young halfling quickly earned both his respect and loyalty.
Pouches is now no common thief. Infact Pouches only uses his skills to legitimately ‘acquire’ treasures for the Museum, never purely for profit. This is not to say Pouches isn’t fond of coin - he is, it’s just that he receives more than enough rewards for his retrieval of such goods from his benefactor.
Pouches acts as Geneth’s general, leading his ‘Acquirers’ and weeding out disloyalty and acts of petty thievery from the ranks. Those who wish to join the Acquirers ranks need to prove their worth, character and loyalty before they are accepted and Pouches is always the first port of call.
Membership into the Exploration & Acquisition Division of Greyhawk Museum
Membership into the Division gains many benefits including –
1 Acquirer Ring
Silver with an in signature of the Acquirers imprinted upon it (Compass & Tower)
Grants:
+ 3 to Search & Disable Traps
+2 to AC(creates a haze around wearer that makes it more difficult to target the owner).
Ability to Intuit Direction
2 Cheap Equipment
From 10 to 50% off all Thieves Equipment, Low Level Arcane Scrolls, Potions & Magical Items
3 Safe house
The headquarters of the Acquirers have two rooms they leave for members in need of a place to stay or hide.
4 Research
The second level of the Headquarters is allocated to the Divisional Library and Art Collection and contains a comprehensive selection of historical tomes, texts, scrolls and tablets. Research checks on ancient civilisations in this library give the researcher a + 5 to +10 modifier.
5 Rumours
With a group of street smart ‘Acquirers’ at your disposal Geneth has each member in a Tome Known as The Rumour Mill. The Rumour Mill is a collection of rumours members have heard in their travels which they write in the tome when they report in. The rumours always include a date and validity rating.
Gather Information Checks about Cauldron or its Environs are made at +5 with the use of the Rumour Mill.
6 Connections
The Acquirers have a growing list of contacts that include the ‘Off the Map’ store, Tipped Tankard Tavern, Church of St. Cuthbert, Skye’s Treasury, Frontier Merchant Coster & many others. Showing the Acquirers Ring gives members benefits ranging from cheaper prices to special favours. Members are likewise expected to return favours when these establishments need help.
7 Allies
The Acquirers are a small organization with a strong sense of loyalty to each other. If the need is dire the whole Division will take up arms to defend one of it’s own. Recently The Last Laugh thieves guild has began to try and poach the Divisions members and Geneth suspects his two newer recruits have ties to the guild. Geneth has tossed up the idea of making tentative alliances with the guild but dismissed the notion. Geneth wants to keep his organization legitimate and his Acquirers focused on ‘legitimate’ finds and exploration not petty theft, smuggling and burglary.
I have more on the Chapters Headqauters but I thought that was more than enough for now.:)
Let me know what you think
Delvesdeep
I guess this wasn't such a good idea after all :(. Has anyone read it? I don't care if you think it is a terrible organisation just a little feedback would be nice.
Anyhow in the vain hope someone actually read the organisation and wanted to hear more (I think I'm dreaming here!) I'll post up the rest.
Exploration & Acquisition Division for the Greyhawk Museum of Cauldron Headquarters
The Headquarters of the Division was purchased and renovated just under a year a go. Since this time the Division has gone a long way to creating a workable base for their operation.
Street Front
The headquarters are built on a slab of malachite 5 feet above the level of the street and most importantly, the lake. A small flight of stairs leads up to a reinforced oaken door and a sign that swings above it displaying a compass, tower and crescent moon (combined symbols of the Acquirers and Museum). The door itself has a small slit that allows the guard to peer out onto the street before allowing entry.
Gazing up from the street at the four story building reveals a tall, narrow building with a shingle peaked roof, shuttered windows beginning from the second story and an attic window near its zenith.
Ground Floor
Entrée
Walking through the front door reveals a small entrée chamber with doors to the left and right and ascending stairs straight ahead. A cloak rack hangs to the right of the door and a long, low locked box sits beneath it.
The House butler greets members, takes their cloaks, hats, staves, bulky weapons and shields and places them in the security box by the door. Geneth brought with him an elvish butler to act as both servant and guard to the Headquarters. Hallow is a skilled swordsman but has the etiquette and organisational skills to make an excellent butler. Hallow possesses a caring and king manner and is tolerant yet stern. Hallow is almost as old as his long time employer Geneth and they share a mutual respect and understanding built over decades of trust.
Parlour
The door to the left leads into a comfortable parlour with cushioned coaches and chairs, a decanter and crystal cabinet and a large fireplace. The members use this small room to relax, talk, read and meet. Glasses of spirits and wine are swilled here along with mugs of frothy ale, hot coffee or tea. Small meals are also served up in this room to valued members such as a bowl of spiced mushrooms and potatoes, cheese and warm bread, fruit platters or a hot soup.
Sitting on an old coffee table between the weathered cushioned coaches is a huge leather tome bearing the symbol of the Acquirers – the tower, crescent moon and compass. The tomb has a small lock (DC 25) that can only be opened by a small silver key given to each member upon joining. This is large leather bound book is 3 feet by 2 feet in dimensions and is affectionately known as ‘The Rumour Mill’ to Acquirers.
Within the tome a reader can find hundreds of rumours, pieces of gossip, stories and information from Cauldron, its environs and further abroad. Each piece of information has a rating as to its credibility. Members are expected to regularly ‘check in’ to the Divisional Headquarters to speak to Geneth and make an entree into “The Rumour Mill’.
Acquirers using ‘The Rumour Mill’ to Gather Information gain a +5 bonus to their skill check
Dining/Meeting Room
The door to the right reveals a larger room with a long wooden table that seats twelve. A large, high backed, cushioned chair sits at the top of the table to the right of the door with a great tapestry covering the wall spun to depict a map of the Inis Kingdoms and surrounding islands. The remaining chairs that encircle the table are small but comfortable.
This is the dining room and meeting room of the Headquarters. It is rarely used except for gathering and official meetings. The Division holds a meeting once every three months to discuss general business, missions, acquisitions and other prominent issues. Accolades, rewards and promotions are also given during these meetings.
Geneth, Ralter and Falliwing usually have their meals brought up to them in their rooms or have them together in the Parlour or Library.
Off the Dining Room sits the small kitchen and storeroom. The House Cook has been recently employed but has proven more than adequate given her minimal wage. Geneth found the middle aged lady attempting to sell food at a stall in the town market and was able to produce some excellent meals with little ingredients. Geneth asked the needy lady who called herself Mandy, to cook for his household for a week on a trail basis. Mandy has been there 2 months now.
What Geneth is unaware of is that Mandy is not the poor middle-aged cook she appears. In fact Mandy was using her cooking skills as a front to case perspective targets for the local thieves guild. The Last Laugh guild is extremely pleased with the turn of events and use Mandy as a spy and possible assassin if the need arises.
The Storeroom is jammed with died foods, barrels, jars, bottles, boxes and other containers all brimming with food and drinks. The Research team have particular tastes in alcohol and meals which are well stocked.
Second Floor
The stairs ascend to a large landing before continuing up, with two doors leading from it, one to the right the other straight ahead. Both doors are iron and have excellent locks that only the research team and Pouches have a key for.
Library
The door straight ahead swings open to reveal a small library. The Divisionary Library takes up a good 2/3 of the whole second floor and in divided into sections. The library is predominantly filled with historical tomes, scrolls, books, diaries, maps and documents dedicated to ancient civilisations in which the Frontier Land is most famous for. Tucked in amongst the overflowing shelves are small candle lit desks where members can research and study undisturbed.
Hidden behind a bookshelf, which is opened when a notch in the right side of the case in depressed, is a secret door revealing a descending flight of narrow stairs. These stairs lead down to the secret cellar.
Research Skill Bonus +5 to +10 to specific study on ancient civilisations found in the local area.
Relic Room
The door to the right of the landing swings open to reveal a room packed with crates and boxes.
Three security measures are always in operation here to protect the treasures
- The first is an Alarm Spell that is linked to every member of the research team alerting them if the door to the room is opened.
- The second is teleport trap that teleports all those who open the door and do not immediately speak the words – ‘Behold the wonders of the past for the future to marvel at for all time’. The spell teleports would be thieves directly into the Headquarters cellar and into the small prison cell the Division has installed there.
- The third measure is a permanent ‘Hallucinary Terrain’ spell that makes the room appear featureless except for old empty boxes and crates.
Within the room the Division locks away their acquired artefacts and relics before they are transported to Greyhawk and the Greyhawk Museum.
Third Floor
The narrow staircase continues to ascend past a landing that leads onto a long corridor. Paintings and portraits decorate the walls. Six doors lead off the corridor, four positioned close together while the last two are separated from the others.
Guest Rooms
Four small, simple rooms were built to house Acquirers and guests but one has been converted into the permanent residences of Hallow the butler. Mandy, the house cook, has her own home where she returns to after supper every evening before arriving back to prepare breakfast for the household every morning.
The three remaining guest quarters have room enough for a single bed with a reasonably comfortable straw mattress with clean bedding, a small fireplace, cupboard and desk. Shuttered windows look out over the city but do little to protect the sleeper from the cities chilly night winds.
Hallow’s Room
The second door on the left leads into Hallows room. Hallow leaves in locked at all times and enjoys his privacy when ‘off duty’. The room has a four-poster, comfortable bed with a tapestry depicting a trickling stream within a lush ferny forest adorning the wall behind it. Hanging over the left bed head post is Hallows sword – a beautiful magical, gold basket hilted rapier gifted to him by Geneth decades ago.
A cupboard contains Hallows colourful and stylish clothing and footwear while a locked wooden chest contains his valuables.
Ralter’s Room
The last door on the left leads to Ralters room. Ralter the unashamed academic, spends a large proportion of his time locked away within this room or the Relic Room analysing art works, reading through text or dabbling in sculpture himself.
Relic’s room is approximately twice the size of the standard guest rooms and is organised chaos. Artworks, books and piles of paper litter every available portion of floor space and the bed is often difficult to find hidden beneath works.
A number of large glass fish bowls sit around the room containing weird, wonderful, beautiful and alien small aquatic creatures. Some are warmed by small magical rocks and all are well cared for and spotless in direct contrast to the state of the rest of the room.
Geneth’s Room
Geneth, the Divisionary Leader of the Explorers and Acquisition Team, is meticulous and particular with his possessions and operation. Geneth organises and cleans his room consistently to ensure he is always ready and prepared for any event.
Stepping across the threshold reveals a large room adorned with paintings, candelabras, a large fireplace with a sword and hammer crossed above the mantle and a large opulent, canopied double bed. Geneth ensured he could get the most luxurious bed available when he arrived into the city explaining that after decades of sleeping on the ground in armour, it was time to give his body the comfort it had missed all those years.
A copper bathtub sits near the window with potted plants nearby. An affixed washbasin stands to the left of the tub in the room’s corner and a large cupboard remains locked between the basin and the bed.
A small, round table rests to the right of the bed with four wooden chairs and a silver candelabra sitting in its centre. A large desk sits tucked into a corner of the room to the doors immediate right, with books and writing utensils positioned neatly.
A weapon rack hangs upon the right hand wall within reach of the table, looking out of place in the otherwise luxurious room. Beautiful axes, hammers, swords, spears and pole arms adorn it, all well oiled and looked after and many bearing obvious signs of use.
Various remnants and keep sakes from Geneth’s previous ‘life’ rest here and there about the room, positioned upon small pedestals, resting upon the fireplace mantle or hanging from the wall. Many are there for reasons other than mere decoration.
Falliwing’s Attic
The stairs reach their zenith at the foot of a narrow door. The old wooden door has an iron ring knocker in its centre and a crystal imbedded above this.. Knocking on the door invokes one of three responses –
1) The Door swings open and Falliwing greets the guest warmly
2) A voice echo all around the door asking about the persons business and intentions
3) The crystal glows and a spell emerges from its depths and targets the unwanted intruder. (Falliwing can see, hear and cast through this crystal by gazing into the crystal on the end of his cane.)
Stepping through the door reveals a small, cramped room with sloping walls mimicking the incline of the roof with a large roaring fireplace to the right and a small attic window on the far wall. The room is stifling hot even on the coldest of days and the fire is continually burning.
A small bed is piled with blankets and furs against the left wall and a large table sits to the left of the door blanketed in vials, bottles and alchemy equipment. Jammed between the table and the bed is a desk with hundreds of tiny vials of ink and a large variety of pens and writing quills. Shelves of scrolls and books hang above the desk affixed to the wall.
On the opposite side of the bed to the desk is a small bedside table with a bowl of water, a candle and a book. Squashed up next to this and the corner is a large cupboard packed with thick, heavy robes and clothing with an extensive collection of furs. Thick boots sit beneath the hanging clothes and woollen hats and beanies sit above them on the self. Positioned to the right of the window in the corner is a short bookcase filled with texts and books. Hanging above the fireplace is a faded stone tablet.
The Secret Cellar
The secret Library stairs spiral down 20 feet to a damp, cold room. In the northeast corner stands to jail cells with reinforced wooden doors and small barred windows. A sparing dummy sits in the centre of the room and a weapon rack rest along the west wall. A Archery Target is pushed up against the west wall.
Hidden behind the weapon rack is a loose block which in turn hides a small pulley ring. Lifting the ring up causes the secret door behind the weapon rack to click open revealing a short corridor. This corridor is a death trap to the unwary and ill prepared. Pit traps, posioness darts and scythes and falling blocks are just some of the dangerous waiting alone this unassuming stretch and this is even before mentioning the magical traps.
The corridor ends in a iron door with an amazing lock that opens into the Divisional Treasury. Great iron chests hold thousands of gold and silver coins, gems and jewellery sit in cases, and magical items sit on display. A good proportion of this was transported over to help fund the operation but an increasing amount of the wealth is now being generated by the sale of ‘Acquisitions’ to the museum and treasures found on expeditions.
Geneth holds the only key to the Treasure Room.
Thanks once again. I hope someone actually reads it......please.
Delvesdeep
Wow Delves! This is some incredible work! I may just "borrow" it for a thief in my own campaign.
I haven't finished reading about the building areas, and I need to get back to work, but have a few questions/thoughts.
1. My players include a cleric and druid, so I'm guessing that they'll be interested in healing the leader of this organization. For that matter, I'm guessing that Jenya of the Church of St. Cuthbert would've also, by association, sought to heal him. Any thoughts as to the nature of that disease and why it's resisted healing efforts?
2. Have you played out or written up the initiation requirements and ceremony? This might be a fun one! :)
3. I'm likely to use this material with a few minor changes, but I'll need to plan out how the Last Laugh will work against, or outright attack, this organization.
Thanks for your hard work! I'll post a few more comments as I work it into my campaign.
Hurm.
Wow Delves! This is some incredible work! I may just "borrow" it for a thief in my own campaign.
Thankyou very much Hurmferd! I'm glad you like it and are contemplating using it for your own campain. :)
1. My players include a cleric and druid, so I'm guessing that they'll be interested in healing the leader of this organization. For that matter, I'm guessing that Jenya of the Church of St. Cuthbert would've also, by association, sought to heal him. Any thoughts as to the nature of that disease and why it's resisted healing efforts?
I'm using the cure as a later plot device either linked to an extra side adventure or possibly within one of the AP adventures - Ruins of Shatterhorn ('Serpent People') or an early adventure such as the Secrets of the Soul Pillars.
2. Have you played out or written up the initiation requirements and ceremony? This might be a fun one! :)
I was just going to introduce the rogue via Pockets or even Raltar. Have them gain their trust and then have them introduce the rogue to Geneth.
Do you have any 'requirements' in mind?
Maybe they need to undertake an 'Acquisition Expedition' - retrieve a particular item for the organisation or acquire a certain amount of items/relics (worth a certain amount perhaps). I'll have athink about it but if you come up with anything let me know.
3. I'm likely to use this material with a few minor changes, but I'll need to plan out how the Last Laugh will work against, or outright attack, this organization.
I had an idea that the Last Laugh would eventually make a assassination attempt on the 'Research Team' via Many the cook and then, if this fails, make an all out assult later.
I would imagine that the Last Laugh would not like any other Rogues organisation working in Cauldron. The Acquirers, on the other hand, would consider themselves anything other than common thieves and would not cut into any of the normal Last Laugh operations.
Where they may collide is with their allegences. The Acquirers would be opposed to any damage done to their headquarters, opertation, their allies and Cauldron in general - all of which the Last Laugh allegence to the Cagewrights would cause.
I see the Last Laugh and the Acquirers taking a cautious approach to each other initially but as the Path progresses the ill feeling and then conflict will gradually esculate.
Have you got any ideas on this perhaps a rough timeline?
Thanks for your hard work! I'll post a few more comments as I work it into my campaign. Hurm.
Thanks for all your comments. I was worried that no one was going to read it! I have a few other ideas about how to use the organisation with certain adventures in the Path if you are interested.
Delvesdeep
delvesdeep, I read your article with a lot of interest. I even printed it to read on my train ride home. It's pretty long (9 pages... phew.) Don't worry that it no-one read this, or doesn't appreciate the work you did. It's a big well thought out and very well written article, and it deserves a well though out response.
I like the amount of detail you put into the member's background. You obviously put a lot of effort into this piece of work. And it looks like you have a knack for writing these kinds of things. So keep up the good work.
Now, is this something I could use? Yes! Could I use it in the shackled city AP? Unfortunately, No. At least, not in it's current state.
My main critiscism is that it's pretty generic. I Why is the Greyhawk museum interested in Cauldron? Why are these members in the area? What ddoes Vhalantru think of this powergroup in His city? How about the cagewrights?
See, Vhalantru has been very carefull about allowing high-level characters into his city. Especially if they are good or a threat to his power base. He kills of adventurers if they go beyond a certain level (about 9). He goes through a lot of trouble to discredit and destroy the Chisel. The only high-level character in cauldron that is not a cagewright is
He killed off Sarcem (actually, Triel was behind that, but in my campaign, she got tipped of by Vhalantru's minions). He even killed of the previous two high-priests of Pelor a few months before the beginning of the AP (again, in my campaign).
The only organisation that is sort of good and operating in Cauldron are the striders. And only because they have been able to stay hidden from Vhalantru.
So my main feedback would be to find a way to integrate this organisation into Cauldron.
Give it a well thought out reason for being there. What kind of ruins/sites are they interested in? Why? What do they hope to learn?
Give it a good reason for being accepted. Are they being used? Do they hand over the majority of their finds to the cagewrights? Do they have a dirty little secret?
Give them a role in Cauldron's society. How do they help or hinder the other power groups? Who are their allies and foes?
Hope this helps!
delvesdeep, I read your article with a lot of interest. I even printed it to read on my train ride home. It's pretty long (9 pages... phew.) Don't worry that it no-one read this, or doesn't appreciate the work you did. It's a big well thought out and very well written article, and it deserves a well though out response.
I like the amount of detail you put into the member's background. You obviously put a lot of effort into this piece of work. And it looks like you have a knack for writing these kinds of things. So keep up the good work.Thankyou Chief's Slaad (great name by the way:D) I appreciate you taking the time to read through the article and for your praise.
Now, is this something I could use? Yes! Could I use it in the shackled city AP? Unfortunately, No. At least, not in it's current state.
My main critiscism is that it's pretty generic.I left it pretty generic so it could be sloted into any campain world whether it is Greyhawk, FR, Eberron or other. In terms of Cauldron, there are plenty of links to established characters, locations and AP adventures. More could probably be added - any suggestions?
Why is the Greyhawk museum interested in Cauldron? Why are these members in the area?
My idea with the organisation is that it is definitely in its infancy in Cauldron having only moved into the region in the last few months. The Chapter was set up to plunder the ruins of the ancient civilisations in the region - Spell Weavers, Kopru, Koa-Toa etc - plus other 'ancient empires' that I have used the region in the past (read - further background/ places to slot in additional side adventures/plots).
I have created Raltar (The Art Dealer)- with his passion for Aquatic CIvilisatons - to link in with the Flood Season & Zeniths adventures. I will allow the PCs to bring back statues/relics from these adventures to sell to Raltar and provide further connections to the organisation.
The use of Greyhawk Museum was a choice of location. In my world I use a completely different Museum but because Cauldron is set in the world of Greyhawk it seemed the obvious choice. The reason why Greyhawk Museum is interested in Cauldon and its Environs is due to its relatively unexplored, untamed and uncharted nature. It is a frontier land for humans yet has many unexplored and unplundered ruins from lost civilisations. Relics, art works etc from these ruins would prove a huge asset to a Museums displays/treasures.
What ddoes Vhalantru think of this powergroup in His city? How about the cagewrights?
Vhalantru (similiar to the Cagewrights) has currently taken a wait and see approach to the organisation. They are not directly opposed to any of his or the Cagewrights work and are more than happy to just plunder and send at the moment. Their are other more directly opposed and dangerous opponents to deal with at the moment for Vhalantru but eventually the Acquirers will become a target.
As the game progresses their involvement and opposition will increase and it is then that Vhalantru and the cagewrights will act. More than likely this will happen through the Last Laugh as it will appear as just a 'turf war'.
See, Vhalantru has been very carefull about allowing high-level characters into his city. Especially if they are good or a threat to his power base. He kills of adventurers if they go beyond a certain level (about 9). He goes through a lot of trouble to discredit and destroy the Chisel.
He even killed of the previous two high-priests of Pelor a few months before the beginning of the AP (again, in my campaign).
I like this idea I may use it myself!
[/b]The only organisation that is sort of good and operating in Cauldron are the striders. And only because they have been able to stay hidden from Vhalantru.[/b]
I can see your point here but my rationale here would be (as I mentioned above) the limited time they have had in Cauldron.
So my main feedback would be to find a way to integrate this organisation into Cauldron.
Hopefully I have gone some way in doing this (length of time in city, list of allies in city etc)
Give it a well thought out reason for being there. What kind of ruins/sites are they interested in? Why? What do they hope to learn?
I think I answered this above but tell me if you want further information.
Give it a good reason for being accepted.
They opperate as a business, paying well for services and in return offered much appreciated business to other organisations in the city. They are allied with some shops, groups who have similiar likes/interests.They don't step on anyones toes (currently) as their business is relatively unique in Cauldron. All his would go a long way to making them accept in Cauldron.
Are they being used? Do they hand over the majority of their finds to the cagewrights?
I like your idea here. There is no reason that the agent/s they are selling/giving the works to to be sent 'home' is not infact an agent of the Cagewrights/Vhantru. I'll have a think about this one.
Anyway thankyou for your well thought out reply. If you have any other comments or even better - ideas or suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Thankyou once again
Delvesdeep
This organization could be very useful for a DM with a rogue in the party. Thanks for posting this.
This organization could be very useful for a DM with a rogue in the party. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks zoroaster100. It is always nice to get positive feedback!
I've yet to introduce the party to the organisation myself so any comments about it (good and bad) are most welcome so I can try and iron out any potential problems or focus more on strengths, before the party is exposed to them.
I have introduced Pockets and Raltar to the party before the party descended into Life's Bazaar.
The party had been conned into assisting a charismatic halfling thief who feed them a sob story about retrieving a 'sentamental heirloom' from an evil nobles estate.
While travelling the streets of Cauldron the party came upon a stray cat being set upon by a pack of mangy dogs. Half the part wanted t keep walking while the two girls of the party (Cleric and Ranger respectively) choose to save the cat and scatter the dogs.
Later the party was introduced to a halfling who claimed to be a dark sheep of his family who had been cared for by an old man since he had travelled to Cauldron decades earlier. The story went that he had treated his grandpa poorly and shown no gratitude towards the kindly old man before stealing the one thing the old fella had cherished the most - an old heirloom from the Motherland.
Recently the grandpa had fallen ill and the rogue was determined to get the heirloom backl redeem himself and make his grandpa proud. It was a touching story that worked beautifully on the party.
In reality the thief had been part of a successful Acquirers search party who had found the object and he had stolen it sold it to an interested buyer and now he hopes to resteal it so he could sell it once again.
To make a long story short the party believed the halfling (I think the Irish accent swayed the decision;)), broke into the creepy manor and was captured by the strange noble who also turned out to be an accomplished wizard. The thief was revealed as a fraud and the telepathic noble allowed them to live only when one of the party recognised the cat that sat purring in the nobles lap was the very same one they had recently rescued from the dogs.
To redeem themselves the party agreed to take the object back to its orginally owners (the Acquirers) and reimbursing the noble what he had payed for the object in the first place.
The party then had to take the object to the Tipped Tankard where they met with Pockets and Raltar. Pockets ended up being an old 'friend' of the thief who conned them having travelled to Cauldron together (and having the same Irish accent too).
This senerio proved effective to introduce both the strange exotic noble and the Acquirers (via Pockets & Raltar) in one hit.
Sorry for the story (especially since no one actually asked for it ;)).
Thanks once again for all your comments
Delvesdeep
What do you think of the idea of replacing the Cusp of Sunrise with the Aquirers headquarters. I could have the party meet with Celeste here and it would make sense for an organisation such as the Acquirers to partake in gambling such as 'Gems' in their parlour.
Would this case any problems?
Delvesdeep