I have already posted all of Chapter Three in the RPGResources Site if you wish to get all the new item descriptions and stories immediately. Otherwise I will be gradually posting them here over the next week or so.
Sorry I was a bit quick to say the new post with Chapter Three was already up on the RPG Resourse Site. I'm sure koramado will have it up by tomorrow. Koramado is always very good with new submissions and updating the site. If you haven't checked it out yet be sure to soon.
Delvesdeep
+1 small steel shield of Blinding 4000 gp 3600 gp
Description: A black circular shield depicting a black beholder painted to appear as if crammed into the confines of the shield face, filling up every portion of the shield front. Silver barbs protrude from the beholder and ebony scales blanket the monster. The creatures eye tentacles and great central eye are painted all directed out towards the viewer. All of the beholders eyes are closed as if asleep.
Story: A traveller passed through Cauldron not a week past and sold this remarkable shield to me. Mentioned she came from beyond the jungles past the ruins of Shatterhorn and chanced upon an old crazed man in the mountains east of here. The old coot kept raving on about his armies and the dragons he sent them to defeat and commanded the traveller to deliver this shield as an offering of alliance to his neighbouring kingdom of Cauldron. Apparently he was quite insistent about the matter.
When the shield came into my possession I immediately thought of you after remembering that story about that beholder you faced beneath the city a month back. That was you right?
Tremendous shield. Not only does it protect the wielder but when the user wills it so, the eyes on the beholder open causing a piercing white flash which blinds all opponents who are caught in its light. Quite amazing really.
Side Note: This shield was created in the Underdark by the drow and used to combat a cabal of beholders that threatened their city. It was one of hundreds created in an attempt to blind the monsters if they attacked. More powerful versions were also created which defected ray attacks and allowed flight. The potency of this shield to beholders still remain untested.
Cloak of Charisma (+2) 4000 gp, 3600 gp
Description: A shimmering silver and twilight cloak that ripples as if gently touched by a soft whisper of wind. The beautiful cloth softly reflects the light around it that reflects the wearers beauty while simultaneously shadowing their imperfections.
Story: Skie -‘Breathtaking don’t you agree’. I’ve never seen its equal. I was very tempted to just take the beautiful garment for myself but alas it is too big. Not enough clothes made for diminutive beauties such as myself. The bane of every gnome girl, I fear.
This cloak came from a stunningly beautiful girl. Celeste, I recently discovered her name to be, only just moved to our city. She didn’t say too much during the sale and seemed extremely sorrowful and reluctant to part with the cloak. Eventually though, she made the sale but it was as if she had sold her heart not just a possession, by looking at her. I almost didn’t buy the cloak because of the anguish I could see in her eyes.
Side Note: Stitched in a silver thread in the inside of the collar is small message ‘written’ in celestial.
It reads –
Let this cloak wrap around you while my arms cannot’.
Celeste’s father wrote the heart felt message when he and Celeste’s mother gave her the cloak as a parting gift.
Horseshoes of Speed 1900 gp 1710 gp
Description: Steel horseshoes etched with symbols of falcons in flight and studded with emeralds along the sides.
Story: Maaru sold me these marvellous horseshoes. The falcons you see etched into the metal is more than just pleasant to gaze upon, they also illustrate the sheer speed that the shoes imbue upon a steed. Maavu tells me stories of horses barely touching the ground as they fly past in the blur of incredible speed. Not a horse a live would match you with these shoes on your mount.
Side Note: In reality Skie is quite uncomfortable around horses and can’t understand the need for them in a city like Cauldron. She is keen to get rid of the item so may even increase the adventures discount to 20% or even 40% during the Flood Festival, if she sees the party tempted.
Pipes of the Sewers 1150 gp 1035 gp
Description: Intricately carved oak pan pipes with pictures of rats in all manner of human-like poses and actions.
Story: A few years back the city of Sasserine was hit by a plague of rats that terrorized the city. At the same time a spate of robberies struck the city as well. As you can imagine the two turned out to be linked. A group of Wererats were using a plague to distract the authorities and mask their movements while they collected quite a horde. When authorities eventually tracked down the villains they were surprised to find that a local store keep was the leader of the rats and was using these very pipes.
The pipes were ordered to be destroyed but luckily, Maavu was able to procure them before this could happen now here they are here before you.
Now I don’t show these pipes to everyone you understand, after all I don’t want a plague of rats in Cauldron any more than the next person. I think it all comes down to good character though, and what people would most likely use them for. As far as I’m concerned good character is something you folk have plenty of…
Ring of Ram (29 charges) 8600 gp 7740 gp
Description: Iron band with a stylised blue rams head. The eyes of the ram are small onyx gems. A pattern of linked, tiny curled horns runs along the inside of the ban. Almost half of the horns appear absent from the pattern.
Each time a ‘charge’ is used one of these horns disappear from the pattern allowing the user to keep track of the remaining uses.
Story: A customer sold this powerful ring to me not a day past. He told me it was a relic of the Bluecrater Academy. The old chap said that these rings were actually used as a badge of office and as a means of protection for the head scholars of the Academy in years past. Usually the rings are passed on after the sage vacates his position but apparently this ring never did.
Side Note: This ring was snatched by a Last Laugh Pick Pocket only a couple of weeks past from a passed out scholar, after one to many wines. The scholar has not reported the theft because he is embarrassed and unsure whether he has simply misplaced the ring somewhere. Returning the ring will go a long way in obtaining access to the Academies Library and obtaining a favour from one of their most well thought of, if rather absent minded and careless, scholars.
Robe of Useful Items 7000 gp, 6300 gp
Description: Worn and tattered long brown cloak, covered in pouches and pockets of all makes and descriptions. When it is donned the wearer can open it up to see an array of different shaped patches loosely sewn into the inside lining.
Story: By the look of it, you would think this well loved cloak should be retired into a bin somewhere but this cloak is an amazing, magical resource. Who would think tucked away inside the lining is a boat, a lantern, bags of gems and money, potions, ropes, a dog and just about anything else you could think of. I was almost tempted to start pulling off the patches just to see all the different treasures and items it possesses.
Vestment, Druid’s 5,800 gp 5,220 gp
Description: A pale green light vest covered with hundred a deep green animal silhouettes. The vestment bears the subtle perfume of fresh flowers and herbs.
Story: The Stormblades sold this vest to me after a foray into the jungles east of here. They said they had been searching for a cult of lizardmen who worshipped the demon prince Demogorgon, had been attacking caravans and travellers near Cauldron and capturing them for sacrifice.
While trailing a recent band through a swamp near the ruins of Shatterhorn, the group were 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 massive crocodile to end the battle. To their surprise, in death the crocodile resumed it’s shape to that of an elderly lizardman who wore this very vest. They returned with the vestment but still have no idea where the cult of Demogorgon disappeared…
Side Note: Vhalantru had sent the Stormblades on a wild goose chase to track down the ‘Cult’. In reality he wanted them to kill for him a particularly dangerous druid called Scale. Scale had discovered the location of the Cagewrights lair in Shatterhorn by chance and was attempting to amass the lizardmen in the area to expel them from the area.
The Cagewrights wanted Vhalantru to end the potential problem before it began.
I have just posted all of Chapter Four on the RPGResourse site if people are interested.
I will be going on holiday for a couple of weeks so probably won't get to the computer as frequently. So I hope everyone keeps well over the next fortnight and play plenty of D&D.
Hope you enjoy the new chapter
Delvesdeep
P.S. If you have any new write ups yourself or just items you think will be useful/interesting to have in the next chapter let me know.
P.P.S. I will be posting up Chapter Four here, item by item when I return for those who do not visit the SCAP Resourse page.
Have a nice vacation, Delvesdeep! After all of the creative writing, you deserve one. Take your wife out for a nice dinner. She deserves one for letting you put so much time into this thread. Ha!
And for those of you who haven't bookmarked the SCAP Resources site, yet, the link is . . .
http://theRPGenius.com/shackledcity
. . . as a friendly reminder. :)
Regards,
Koramado
I've just returned from my holiday down to the beach and snuck in a couple of minutes to look at the forum.
I have a question for everyone who has used or plans to use this document.
I am using Skie's for the first time this Friday (long time between games) and was wondering how to present the information.
In your opinion should I read out/roleplay the stories as the players show interest in particular items or hand out the descriptions/stories minus the side notes and DMs Notes to the players for them to read?
Delvesdeep
Oh, roleplay them, definately! It might be a little more work, but remember that you can use the descriptions like a script and throw in a few sentences here and there throughout the dialogue with the PCs. You don't have to read the entire description in one breath. It kind of acts like a sales pitch, with little tidbits coming out a little at a time. I think this teases the PCs into developing more interest in the items. They will want to find out more and so continue the dialogue. It might even influence the sale, which would be Skie's intention behind sharing the stories to begin with.
Glad you had a nice vacation and welcome back.
Regards,
Koramado
Oh, roleplay them, definately! It might be a little more work, but remember that you can use the descriptions like a script and throw in a few sentences here and there throughout the dialogue with the PCs. You don't have to read the entire description in one breath. It kind of acts like a sales pitch, with little tidbits coming out a little at a time. I think this teases the PCs into developing more interest in the items. They will want to find out more and so continue the dialogue. It might even influence the sale, which would be Skie's intention behind sharing the stories to begin with.
Glad you had a nice vacation and welcome back.
Regards,
Koramado
Thanks Koramado. I'm still on holiday and so won't get a chance to begin chapter 5 until the end of the week. I'm playing with the idea of including a few 'new' magical items but am unsure as to their exact cost and power. Do you think I should just stick with the known?
You suggested you have used the write ups with your party. What parts have you used? What were the players reactions? Is there anything you can forewarn me about or suggestions you could make before I use the work?
Thanks for you response. If anyone else has used the document please let me know how and your experiences with it.
Delvesdeep
I just played last night and exposed the players to the descriptions and stories. My first reaction was thast they really loved the descriptions but were less intersted in the stories per say. They found the stories intersting but were in a real hurry to obtain the items before the other party members could so weren't as keen to listen, let alone take in, the stories.
At this early stage the stories had less meaning to them because they are still familiarizing themselves with the city and the important NPCs therein.
Therefore what I am thinking of doing is to continue to roleplay the stories with Skie but at the end of the visit to the shop i will also give the players a hand out of the items (descriptions and stories included) for them to look through at their own leisure.
This way (I am hoping) the players will have more time to absorb the rumours, clues, hooks and hints that the stories give without the frenzed competitive pressure that being in the shop seemed to induce.
I will not be giving the players any of the Side Notes or DM Notes, just the descriptions and stories themselves. It also makes sense from a gaming perspective as Skie would hand out such a catalogue to valued customers to encourage repeat purchases at later stages.
Another point of interest for me was the items the party purchased. For one they bought a great deal more than I predicted. I thought they may buy 2 or 3 items but overall they ended up leaving the shop with 9 items!
The items they took away with them was the - +1 banded mail, +1 mace, +1 longsword, Scroll of Mirror image, Heward's handy haversack, Ring of Protection, Ember Cloak of Resistance, Sleep Arrows and Wand of Melf's Acid Arrows. In my Chapter Two write up only the longsword matched my predicted list of sold items. I will have tomake up a personal list now to compensate for the unexpected purchases.
Anyhow just my thoughts. I will begin to post up the new Chapter 4 items over the next week while I write up Chapter 5.
Delvesdeep
P.S. Let me know if anyone else had similiar situations.
Skies Treasury (Chapter Four)
Vhalantru begins to increase the taxes in the city during this chapter which particularly effects Maavu, Skies main seller and supplier. Maavu has been attempting to dodge the new taxes but has been unable to avoid many of them which has effected his business.
In this chapter these tax increases have an effect on Skie’s prices as she attempts to compensate for the increased cost of Maavu’s items and the taxes she has been forced to pay. Skie has also had to pay the adventurers tax even though she insisted she was retired.
A large amount of items were sold during chapter three due to Skie’s 20% discount and the increase in her customers due to the Festival.
All prices are increased by 10% due to the tax increases and bought items at 40% their value to standard customers.
Note that the inventory total is 5000 gp over what it should be. Feel free to take out the Bracers of Archery or other items that equal this or a similar amount if you wish to correct this. Total inventory amount (Chapter Four -90 000 gp) is taken from the actual item price not the increased price for this chapter.
Inventory & Prices
+1 Heavy Crossbow of Frost 9132 gp 8302 gp
+2 Keen Bastard Sword (Sword of Sharpness) – 19800 gp 18,000 gp
+2 Longspear 8800 gp 8000 gp
+1 small steel shield of Blinding 4400 gp 4000 gp
+1 leather armor (small) 1276 gp, 1,160 gp
+1 light mace (Small) 2535 gp 2,305 gp
Arcane scroll of Cloudkill 1237 gp 1125 gp
Arcane scroll of Freedom of Movement 770 gp 700 gp
Arcane scroll of ice storm 770 gp, 700 gp
Arcane scroll of Searing Light 412 gp 375 gp
Bracers of Archery 5,100 gp 4590 gp
Circlet of Blasting, minor 7128 gp 6480 gp
Cloak of Charisma (+2) 4400 gp 4000 gp,
Cloak of resistance +1 (red) 1100 gp 1,000 gp
Divine scroll of lesser 175 gp 150 gp
restoration
Divine scroll of speak 412 gp 375 gp
with dead
Divine scroll of protection from elements 412 gp 375 gp
Divine scroll of Giant Vermin 770 gp 700 gp
Dust of Illusion 550 gp 500 gp
Harp of Charming 8250 gp 7500 gp
Hat of disguise 1980 gp 1,800 gp
Horseshoes of Speed 2090 gp 1900 gp
Pearl of Power (1st) 1100 gp 1000 gp
Pipes of the Sewers 1265 gp 1150 gp
Potion of cure moderate 330 gp 300 gp each wounds (3 available)
Potion of haste 825 gp 750 gp
Potion of Intelligence 330 gp 300 gp
Potion of Invisibility 330 gp 300 gp
Potion of Tongues 825 gp 750 gp
Quaal's Feather Token(fan) 220 gp 200 gp
Quiver of Quandary –9185 gp 8,350 gp
Ring of feather falling 2420 gp 2,200 gp
Ring of Ram 9460 gp 8600 gp
Sleep arrows (2 available) 145 gp 132 gp each
Staff of Size Alteration 7150 gp, 6500 gp
Wand of Shocking Grasp - 43 charges 825 gp 750 gp
Vestment, Druid’s 6380 gp 5,800 gp
Below are the items that were either bought by my party or were sold to other buyers –
+2 Breastplate 4350 gp 3915 gp
+1 dagger (Small) 2,302 gp 2,072 gp
+1 heavy steel shield 1,170 gp 1,053 gp
+1 longsword (Small) 2,315 gp 2,084 gp
Arcane scroll of flame arrow 375 gp 338 gp
Arcane scroll of mirror image 150 gp 135 gp
Divine scroll of dispel magic 375 gp 338 gp
Divine scroll of raise dead 6,125 gp 5,513 gp
Potion of cure light 50 gp each 45 gp each
wounds (8 available)
Robe of Useful Items 7000 gp, 6300 gp
Wand of Melf’s acid arrow 900 gp 810 gp
(10 charges)
+2 Keen Bastard Sword (Sword of Sharpness) - 19800 gp 18,000 gp
Description: An antique heavy steel blade with two razor sharp adamantine edges and a diamond tip. Ornate patterns of knights preforming various heroic acts run along the length of the blade.
Soft white leather encircles the grip edged with a tiny pattern of a black rearing horses. The thick crossbar of the weapon is also black, finishing at both ends with small white rearing horses, mimicing those found on the grip, facing away from the blade.
The pommel of the sword is crafted to appear like a black knights helmet. The white leather scabbard of the sword is similarly decorated with ornate pictures of knights matching those found on the blade.
Story: (If the party have become valued customers and friends to Skie she will recount the story in whispered tones. Otherwise if asked, Skie simply states that Maavu sold her the weapon and leaves it at that.)
The Lord Mayor himself – Severen Navalant, sold this spectacular blade to me. I have known his lordship for many years now. Not personally but well enough that he knows my name and says hello if he sees me.
He is a large, robust, jovial man with a mane of fiery red hair and a booming voice that commands respect. Strangely this was not as he appeared when he visited my store recently. Far from it in fact.
He came in just before closing, hidden beneath a hooded cloak and without any entourage or guards. When he revealed himself to me he looked a gaunt shadow of himself with sunken eyes and deep lines of worry etched into his face. I asked him how he was and he replied ‘fine, just in a bit of a hurry Skie’. With that he pulled aside his cloak and placed the sheathed blade upon my counter.
I took the opportunity to mention to him that I could not give him full price for the weapon because of the recent tax increases. He said that they are an unfortunate necessity to safe guard the city and then under his breath said ‘or so my adviser has assured me’.
He stated rather unconvincingly I might add, that they were only temporary but apologised for the impact they were having upon my business none the less. It seemed to me he really didn’t support the tax increases at all which I thought was strange considering he is the lord mayor afterall.
After I few more fruitless attempts at conversation I bought the weapon from him for rather more than I normal would have given the circumstances. He is the mayor after all and, between you and me, I really felt sorry for him. He just seemed so worried. But what would the mayor of Cauldron have to worry about I wonder?…
As to the blade itself, he never told me where he got the weapon from and strangely I never thought to ask. I’m guessing it is a family heirloom but I can’t be sure. Where ever it came from I almost cut my finger off when he left just by gentle touching the weapons edge. I couldn’t even imagine the damage such a blade would cause it combat.
Side Note: The weapon is indeed a family heirloom of Severens. Severen recently began to suspect Vhalantru’s motives for dismissing many of the city guards and replacing them with half-orc’s that are loyal to him.
Vhalantru has also begun to announce decrees and give orders without consulting him in the slightest. The last straw was when Vhalantru, with the support of many of the council, openly dismissed one of the lord mayor’s decisions in a sitting of the council.
Severen decided to secretly hire someone to look into his elusive advisors past and his recent dealings. If his suspicions were confirmed, Severen was hoping to acquire enough funds to hire a troop of mercenaries from Sasserine to wrest back control from his traitorous adviser and Vhalantru’s Half-Orc guards before it is too late. Rather than using the cities funds, of which Vhalantru is currently in control of and vigilantly monitors, Severen thought to secretly sell his weapon and gain some money that way.
DM’s Notes: The deathblow delivered with this blade cleanly severs a limb, decapitates or slices an opponent cleanly in half.
+2 Longspear 8800 gp 8000 gp
Description: Eight-foot long crystal shaft tipped with a three foot long, tear shaped, white metal point. When grasped, the crystal shaft erupts into a brilliant white/blue light, covering a 100-foot radius area with its shine.
Story: (Note this explanation was designed specifically for my campaign so may not be appropriate for yours. Feel free to use or adapt any ideas from the story as you see fit.)
Created by a powerful order known as the ‘Knights Chivlar ’ or “Soldiers of the Sun’ who passed through this regions but a decades past a go. I remember the event because it made quite an impression on me in my wide-eyed youth. This spear was wielded by the commander of the group who held it aloft and set it alight to guide his way as he lead his knights through the west gates and into the jungles beyond.
Word has it that they were searching for a traitorous leader of their order who was given the ominous task of building a new headquarters of the order in these frontier lands but instead disappeared with over half the Orders treasury.
Unfortunately the knights crusade did not meet with victory and the only thing that I am aware of that returned from the fated mission was this spear and that appeared decades later.
A scholar, who referred to himself as Felor or Fetor or something like that, sold it to me just last week. He said he had defeated a band of one-eyed half-orcs, each a black tattoo of smoke encircling their missing orb, of which the leader had been in possession of the spear.
To me he seemed to be making the tale up as he went and did a poor, almost deliberately bad, job of hiding the fact. It was almost as if he was urging me to challenge his tale but I swallowed my suspicions and bought the spear.
I would much rather have this splendid spear in my possession or in someone like yours rather than in one such as his…
Side Note: Skie is usually a great judge of character and this was no exception. Fetor was in charge of the band of bandits, monsters and corrupted knights that each bore the mark of the Smoking Eye. Fetor was the traitorous leader that the knights rode out to hunt down decades a go. He was the learned sage, scholar, wizard and loremaster of the order who had researched the frontier lands and Cauldron for over a decade even before the Order was cast out of their homeland and branded traitors.
Fetor led a band of knights and builders into the region intending to construct a new safe haven for the order 30 years previous. During construction though, the group unearthed a strange black rock that seemed to whisper alluringly to Fetor of secret power and truths.
Fetor claimed the stone and, guided by visions and nightmares, Fetor had sculptures work the stone into a statue depicting a dark angel with a single smoking eye. Fetor erected the statue in the camp, marvelled at its beauty and claimed it was a sign from heaven that they would now have an angel to watch over them.
As the weeks passed and construction continued, Fetors dreamed were plagued with images of alien landscapes, battles between armies of angels and demons, a great skull that spewed fire from its colossal eye and lastly visions of an imprisoned dark angel.
The visions eventually utterly corrupted first Fetor, then the knights, workers and even creatures found in the surrounding area.
Fetor sent his knights out to spread the teachings of the Smoking Eye and instructed the workers and newly assembled monstrous followers to complete the construction of the keep and guard it against attack.
With that he left behind his followers and guided by his nightmares and visions, and with the statue in tow, Fetor discovered the Soul Pillars and began his obsessed research. Occasional he would scry upon his followers and watch out for the knights he was sure would attempt to track him down.
When the troop of Knights Chivlar attempted to track down Fetor years later, Fetors corrupted knights and monstrous followers were warned by their absent leader. They then ambushed the ‘Soldiers of the Sun’ and slew the chivalrous troops to a man. The fallen knights possessions, including the leaders spear and circlet, were handed over to Fetor arrived in the aftermath of the battle to collect the items and issue new orders.
Decades later, completely obsessed in his research and all but abandoning his past followers to their own direction, Fetor eventually chose to make an impromptu and rare excursion to meet with his new Cagewright allies, sell the knights items and purchase some needed resources.
DM’s Note: In the hands of a Knight Chivlar, this spear is reputed to gain other qualities including the ability to cast searing light which shines directly out from the tip casing 8d6 damage.
Arcane scroll of Cloudkill 1237 gp 1125 gp
Arcane scroll of Freedom of Movement 770 gp 700 gp
Arcane scroll of Searing Light 412 gp 375 gp
Description: Ocean blue stained parchments with a watermark of a stylised crater with a waterfall pouring over its rim. The edges of the parchments are water stained and some of the writing has run slightly from the water damage.
Story: A fisherman hauled these scrolls out of the lake here just a few weeks a go and sold them to me 4 days past. They were well kept in a watertight scroll case bearing the same encincture as the scrolls themselves. The fisherman actually caused the sight damage to the scroll edges in his haste to discover the cases contents.
Just why they ended up in the lake and for how long they had been siting there is anyone’s guess.
Side Note: Professor Crondercamp from the Blue Crater Academy was murdered decades past, weighed down and thrown into the lake by a group of thugs hired and led by a malicious pupil – a young Lord Ankhin Taskerhill, after he failed him and scoffed at his arrogance and attempt to bribe him.
The old lecturer had been just about to begin a much-deserved holiday when he uncharacteristically disappeared without saying goodbye. It was assumed he had begun his holiday early and it was not until a week after he did not return as scheduled that a frantic search ensured. The search efforts were unfortunately directed towards his intended holiday destination rather than to Cauldron itself and the city was given only a brief search.
Professor Crondercamp’s body was caught on a rock outcropping a hundred feet below the lake surface and has since all but been decomposed or eaten by the various marine life found in the lake.
The old fellow was quite an accomplished wizard in life but was caught unawares and never had an opportunity to defend himself from the ambush. The scroll case was just one of the magical and valuable trinkets that were carried by the lecturer and may still remain on his body waiting to be discovered.
DM’s Note: Hidden in a secret compartment in the scroll case stopper is a small note written on a torn parchment.
Dearest Professor.
We are all sad to hear you will not be with us during the break.
Please meet us all at the Lakeside Pavilion at dusk for a special end of year celebration we are throwing in your honour. It is meant to be a surprise party so please don’t tell anyone you know and act really surprised!
Lots of Love
Ophellha Knowlern
Ankhin wrote the note and signed it Ophellha – Crondercamp’s favourite student, to lure the old fellow into the ambush. In the corner of the parchment, torn almost completely away except for a small portion of the base, is the Taskerhill family crest. Ankhin tore a piece of one of his fathers personalised letter paper to hastily write down the message after his argument with the professor and arranging the ambush. He overlooked the small portion of the crest when he sent the message and unfortunately for him, before he placed the note in his scroll case, so did Professor Crondercamp …
Circlet of Blasting, minor 7128 gp 6480 gp
Description: A golden headband spun with golden thread and set with a large white opal that glows with an inner light.
Story: Another of the items sold to me by that Fetor fellow and previously owned by the ‘Soldiers of the Sun’. Remarkable circlet. Can blast a ray of pur white searing light at an opponent by mere thought by the wearer. Still sickens me somewhat that that despicable wizard had it around his greasy brow. You know, now I remember it, he icicles hanging from his clothes. Does that seem strange to you? It is approaching summer in Cauldron after all!
Divine scroll of protection from elements 412 gp 375 gp
Divine scroll of Giant Vermin 770 gp 700 gp
Description: Crisp, clean, white parchments with depictions of figures engaged in various sporting pursuits or acts of strength bordering the documents. The writing is in a thick broad hand.
Story: Young Todd Vanderboren sold them scrolls to me. Had them given to him as a reward from his newly adopted church. The rest of the Stormblades were absent at the time which is unusual. Usually that fiery redhead Cora shadows him around like they are attached at the hip. Maybe there is trouble in paradise! But I’m not one to spread idol gossip now am I, so forget I said anything…
Side Note: Todd is starting to tire of his old love and is actual selling the scrolls to get enough money to purchase a nice gift for Annah Taskerhill.
Written on the back of each scroll is a series of instructions, diagrams and explanations about the various Flood Festival events that were held by the Church of Kord. Todd was given these scrolls and instructions to assist him in organising, preparing for and undertaking the events in future by the Church but never thought them much use. To an astute reader these documents imbue a + 5 insight bonus to checks made during these events in the future festivals.
Harp of Charming 8250 gp 7500 gp
Description: Elaborate, exquisitely crafted golden harp and blanketed with exotic golden flowers. Strumming the glittering mithril strings releases a gentle wave of musical emotion that echoes softly around the audience, caressing their senses and stirring up memories of happy and peaceful times.
Story: A venerable old lady wandered into my shop one morning, browsed around and chatted to me for a long time. She seemed very interested in the events of the city, the adventurers I have as frequent customers, the history of the city and even my past. I found myself being rather forthcoming really. She seemed like such a sweet, kindly old thing and I was just happy to pass the time until a paying customer came through the doors.
I was chatting to her about the recent problems we had with the floods and how you rescued the wands and saved the city and she said something like – ‘I think unfortunately the clouds are just brewing my dear but I have something that may help sooth the storm’. From beneath her cloak or out of thin air it seemed, the elderly lady took out this beautiful instrument and passed it over to me with a sparkle in her eyes.
She didn’t banter with me for price, in fact she never even counted or looked at the gems I passed over to her for the item. She just seemed pleased I took it from her. Funny thing was after she left I realised she never even mentioned her name nor anything about herself the whole stay. I must have been blabbering on for hours – hard to believe I know.
Someone who is who has take an instant interest in the golden harp is Annah Taskerhill. I could tell by her glazed eyes that she fell instantly in love with the exquisite workmanship and music it produced. If you want the harp you had better hurry. I’m sure Annah will be only one of the many admirers of the wondrous instrument…
Love some help! I'm writing up Chapter 5 at the moment. Here are a few items I could use some assistance with -
Rod of Withering
Ioun Stone (forgotten the colour but.. +2 to Constitution)
Potions???
If you have any other medium or even high level items you wish to write up I can include them in a later chapter.
Thanks for your post
Delvesdeep
Pearl of Power (1st) 1100 gp 1000 gp
Description: A tiny, silver, flawless pearl that changes colour depending upon the user: pure white – good aligned, silver – neutral, deep black – evil.
Story: Amazing how the smallest of things can be the most valuable – bit like me don’t you think! This tiny little treasure from the deep is a conduit to the heavens, or hells if that is your leaning. It magnifies a priest’s connection to their god and the gift of power they bestow. This little gem allows an increased allowance of the first and most important oracle of prayers. Healing spells can be prayed for in abundance but I’ll leave that holy stuff to you godly types. I’m sure that this magical pearl will not last the week out sitting inside this cosy little store…
Side Note: If asked about where Skie got the pearl from she looks a bit sheepish and either attempts to bluff her way around the straight forward question or lies saying she got it from Maavu. If she trusts the party she reluctantly tells them that the pearl fell from Embril’s robes during one of her visits. Skie said Embril had been particularly condescending and rude to her that day so, as much out of revenge as for profit, Skie never returned the item.
Potion of Intelligence 330 gp 300 gp
Potion of Invisibilty 330 gp 300 gp
Potion of Tongues 825 gp 750 gp
Description:
Potion of Intelligence: Circular glass vial with a large cork stopper. Yellow liquid fills the vial with small bubbles falling down to pool at the base of the bottle before reversing the flow and rising to the top once again.
Potion of Invisibility: Rectangular vial with a heavy metal stopper attached to a chain which in turn is attached to the neck of the bottle. Clear, translucent liquid fills the vial making it appear empty except under close inspection.
Potion of Tongues: Tall, tear-shaped bottle, with a large base that gradually tappers off as it reaches its corked mouth at the end of its slightly curved and narrow neck.
Story: The grumpy old proprietor of Weer’s Elixirs - Vortimax Weer, came into my shop to have a browse just recently. My guess is he came in more to have a snoop than to actually buy something and he spent most of his time making derogatory remarks and disapproving noises as he thumped around the store. He was particularly interested in the potions I had in store and reserved his most insulting and belittling remarks for these – ‘Poor quality – look at the colour’, ‘What is this bottle meant to contain, Sewage Sludge’ and ‘By the gods, its remarkable you stay in business with bubbling disasters like these’.
Eventually though, when I had all but lost patience with the cantankerous old wizard, he stopped and became rather interested in a wand I had on sale. ‘How much for this ‘trinket’’ he asked in an off-handed sort of way. ‘Oh I’m sorry Vortimax, that items already spoken for’ I lied. ‘Spoken for! How do you speak for a wand! What is the asking price?’ he scoffed, pulling a pouch full of coins from his robes.
‘I’m truly sorry Vortimax but I can’t sell you the wand. I promised to hold the wand for someone else’ I lied again, enjoying his escalating annoyance. ‘If my money is no good then, what about my potions. Perhaps we could make a trade.’ Vortimax followed, his voice now reaching almost fever pitch.
Now this is when my ears pricked up. Vortimax is certainly a pain at the best of time. He has little patience or tolerance for anyone or anything but he is also a master brewer. ‘I don’t know Vortimax, what have you got?’ I prodded.
Vortimax attempted to make a trade with only the Potion of Tongues here but in the end I was able to negotiate for all three. In the end he was fuming but happy with the wand none the less.
As for me I am more than happy with the potions also. Cantankerous and grumpy Vortimax certainly is but there is no deigning the quality of his potions…
I have been asked by delvesdeep to let everyone know that chapter 5 of Skie's Treasury has been posted to the Shackled City Resource Site. This document is now, by the way, the most popular download from the resource site!
He would have told you himself, but his messageboard login seems to be temporarily broken. No doubt, once his login is working again, he will post the listing for chapter 5 here as well. Thanks as always, delvesdeep!
Regards,
Koramado
delvesdeep, just wanted to say thanks for all this. This is great for people like me who just don't have the time to do all this work.
(and hoping you create more) :) and get your login fixed.
Thanks for all the great descriptions and stories. Here are two I did for items available in Chapter One:
+1 Scimitar
Description: This greenish-tinged curved blade has a hilt shaped like a serpent coiled around the base of the blade. The pommel is shaped like the serpent’s head with mouth baring fangs.
Story: This blade was sold to me by a group calling themselves the Greenswords. They said they took it from the leader of a ferocious group of raiders that attacked them in the jungles to the east of Kingfisher Hollow. The leader of these men was a woman whose face was covered with scales and her tongue was split like a snake. When they took the blade from her it was covered with poison, but I made them clean it up before they sold it to me, as I don’t sell illegal substances in my establishment.
Bag of Holding (Type 1)
Description: This silvery grey bag feels silky smooth to the touch.
Story: This marvellous bag was sold to me by one of the arcane masters of the BlueCrater Academy. He said he crafted it himself using phase spider webs. I think the poor chap needed money to pay off some debts.
Wand of cure light wounds (25 charges)
Description: A 2’ long bone wand carved with an encircling golden feathered serpent.
Story: This wand was sold to me by the Slingers of Ehlonna, a local band of adventurers, when they were just starting their career as young halfling heroes. They lost their cleric companion in a battle against a fierce tribe of huge goblins, and having no one left in their group that could make use of the wand, they sold it to me to fund purchasing some healing potions instead. You’ll find that when used by a cleric or druid, this wand will not only save your group’s life, but your money as well, as you won’t find a better deal in Cauldron. And it still has half its power remaining.
Almost forgot this one -
There are plenty of great thread and document found on this forum and in theRPGenius.com.
Start searching and you may just find something worth reading.
Delvesdeep