As our group is returing to the SCAP from summer holidays next week I decided to do a recap for them. I got the idea for the format from some of the threads here, so it's only fair to share the finished result here. I also included some foreshadowing and some hooks. The group just finished Zenith Trajectory and I'm going to give the PC's free run of the city for a couple of sessions. See what happens eh?
anyway, enjoy.
Oh, and I have the original as a PDF. If you like I can mail it to you. Drop me an email if you like at Wagner.Marc(at)gmail(dot)com
Cauldron Herald est.1271
Land Sharks Strike
Many killed, band of adventurers save the day.
‘It was terrible… the ground shook and split open. I didn’t know where to run or how fast to get out of there’ recounts Elisa Simmersbottom, a local washwoman. ‘I mean, there I was, just going about my business, off to get a some fresh soap and a little something for me sweet tooth when this monster burst from the ground right next to me. It’s maw was as large as a barn door filled with razor sharp teeth. And its claws where the size of shovels. I swear I wet my apron if ya know what I mean.’
‘It gave me this evil, hungry look. I ran for me life I tells ya. Good thing too cause that monster got poor Marge Freller, who wasn’t two paces behind me. Still, I’m glad it was her instead of me. It is her own fault in a way. I mean I warned her to lay off the fried juju fruit, didn’t I?’
The two land sharks struck Obsidian Avenue right outside City Hall and the barracks, laying waste to much of the city’s street and buildings. ‘Thankfully both city hall and the barracks where spared from damage by those mindless monsters’ says Terson Skellerang, captain of the guard. ‘We were on training exercises when the beasts struck. We were able to put them down before they caused more damage to our fair city’.
Still it would appear our guardsmen needed some outside aid. Many bystanders reported a group of adventures came to the aid of the city. ‘We owe a dept of gratitude to the Stormblades’ captain Skellerang admits grudgingly. ‘If it were not for their aid, I am certain there would have been an even greater loss of property and lives.’
Sgt Krewis reports that he himself was saved from the maws of one of the land sharks by another group of adventurers, although he could not recount the groups name.
Sgt Krewis, as our loyal readers are sure to remember, is known for bravely exposing the infiltration of the Last Laugh into the city guard. ‘When sgt Krewis has made a complete recovery from his injuries he will lead the investigation into the cause of these vicious attacks’ Captain Skellerang ads.
The extent of the damage caused by the land sharks only became apparent after much of the rubble was cleared. Many of the buildings that collapsed during the attacks where property of Maavu trading, ltd. ‘Half a dozen of my shops where destroyed. Others need extensive repairs. Although we will be able to reopen all shops in due time, I cannot at this point give an exact date or even time frame. It would seem skilled architects and stonemasons are in short supply in Cauldron. Probably due to our Lord Mayor’s extensive tax scheme’.
Orphan Disappears …again.
Rumour has it the old Lantern Street Orphanage is not the safe haven for displaced children it claims to be. ‘Sure, we have our fair share of runaways, we do’ says Gretchyn Tashykk, matron of the Lantern Street Orphanage. ‘In fact Terrem has run away three times before, he has. Nothing to worry about dear. Usually back before supper, he is.’
However, not everyone is as undisturbed as Gretchyn. Terrem was one of the four children taken during last year’s kidnapping spree. ‘He’s been gone a whole week!’ exclaims Patch, the orphanage groundskeeper. ‘And Matron Gretchyn aint doin nothing!’
Jester Coins Illegal
From the office of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Captain of the Guard.
It has come to our attention that despite our frequent notices, illegally minted coins are still used by many citizens.
The coins can easily be recognised by the face of a jester minted in the place of the royal seal. Possession of these so-called jester coins is an offence and punishable by a fine of up to 300 golden lions and 3 months incarceration. Citizens may hand in all jester coins in their possession to an officer of the exchequers without fear of persecution.
Last Laugh Guild House Dismantled
‘This is a triumphant day for all law abiding citizens of Cauldron’ claims captain Terson Skellerang. ‘We have discovered and dismantled one of, if not the largest guildhalls of the Last Laugh, a notorious local thieves guild. The guildhall was situated far beneath the streets of Cauldron, in a former dwarven stronghold no less. Through a series of cleverly hidden lava tubes, the thugs were able to enter and leave the city unseen.’
‘As this is an ongoing investigation, I am not at liberty to go into details on the nature of our discoveries. However I expect we will soon be able to make some high profile arrests.’ Evil tongues tell a different tale. Not only was the guildhall nearly abandoned, but captain Skellerang was literally lead there by a band of adventurers. ‘These kind of baseless accusations form the breeding ground for lawless elements such as the Last Laugh. I would recommend that our citizens show a little more respect for the noble law enforcers of this fair city’ warns captain Skellerang.
New Tax Plan Unveiled
‘Extensive, but fair’ says Chancellor Stanheort
The city’s newest official, Chancellor of the Exchequer Terri Stanheort was presented by the Lord mayor a mere two weeks ago. ‘Chancellor Stanheort first task will be to update our fair city’s tax plan’ mayor Navalant said.
And update it he did. The new plan covers a diverse range of subjects, from a gate tax for all out of town visitors, to a market tax on all visitors and goods sold during our monthly fairs. The tax plan also covers a chimney tax, a temple tax, a flood tax, a birth tax and a tax on most skills and professsions. In addition, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s office is looking into a charter tax for adventurer groups and a tax on magic items. ‘Our citizens are part of a community. Our tax plan should reflect that. We therefore strive to tax all aspects of living in this community. A citizen can pay his taxes with pride’ explains Chancellor Stanheort. ‘The height of the taxes is very fair in my opinion. For a well respected member of our community they should hardly be a burden.’ When questioned about the many complaints offered against the taxes Stanheort replies ‘Unfortunately, there are a few parasites that leech off the hard work of our honest brothers and sisters. Our new tax system ensures that they pay for everything they so callously took for granted.’
The taxes collected by Chancellor Stanheort’s office will go towards the many extra expenses the city has run into. From purchasing extra wands to prevent dire situations such as last year’s flood season to the repair of the damage to Obsidian Avenue caused by last months Land Shark attacks. The rest will cover the cost of additional mercenaries to patrol all important trade routes and to reinforce our city guard.
Cathedral Expands
Spire said to touch the heavens
The Cathedral of Wee-Jas is set to expand it’s already significant structure even further. ‘This Cathedral is the greatest religious institution our city has ever known. Every day hundreds if not thousands come to this hallow site to pay homage to Wee-Jas. Our crypts are filled with the forefathers of neigh every citizen alive. It is only natural this sacred cathedral reflect the greatness of not only Wee-Jas, but also the city of Cauldron’ exclaims an exuberant Father Iverson.
The most prominent feature of the new cathedral will be the spire. It will rise high over Cauldron’s impressive malachite walls. On a clear day it should be visible all the way from Redgourge. In addition, the cathedral’s crypts will be greatly expanded. ‘We will be able to care for the city’s dead for another century or more’ says Ike Iverson. ‘If all goes according to plan, High priestess Embryl Aloustinai will consecrate the new cathedral by next year’s summer equinox.’
Not everyone is as exited as father Iverson, though. ‘We are less than thrilled with our sister church’s expansion. The new spire is set to block our view of the sun-god’s ascent to heaven. We cannot start our ceremonies until the sun hits the altar’s golden hart’ explains a highly agitated Kristoff Jurgensen of the Shrine of Pelor. ‘I feel this is deliberate on the part of High Priestess Aloustinai. She is out to get us you see. I am certain she is behind the death of my predecessors too. It seems she will not rest until every last trace of the mighty Pelor is driven from Cauldron.’
‘Bullocks’ Responds Ike Iverson.
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Following Koramado's excellent idea, I posted the cauldron Herald on the Shackled City Resources page.
I just checked out the pdf on the yahoo group and I really like it! What did you create it in before converting it to pdf? Word?
I have been running SCAP for almost a year now, and next Wed we will begin Demonskar. I have been producing a news letter for the entire campaign named The Cauldron Chronicle. The players love it, and it allows me to introduce new elements to the game. I will post an example to the SCRAP page
I just checked out the pdf on the yahoo group and I really like it! What did you create it in before converting it to pdf? Word?
yep, I did text and layout in word,using frames and colums. honestly, getting the layout right was a lot more work than actually writing the stuff. Respect to whomever does the layout for Dungeon.
I have been running SCAP for almost a year now, and next Wed we will begin Demonskar. I have been producing a news letter for the entire campaign named The Cauldron Chronicle. The players love it, and it allows me to introduce new elements to the game. I will post an example to the SCRAP page
please, post everything!
I just wanted to share that I added some content to the newsletter and put it up on SCAPresources.
I thought you were gonna post the stats of a town crier.
that would be cool.
I just checked out the pdf on the yahoo group and I really like it! What did you create it in before converting it to pdf? Word?yep, I did text and layout in word,using frames and colums. honestly, getting the layout right was a lot more work than actually writing the stuff. Respect to whomever does the layout for Dungeon.
Hey, the Download section is broken, can you post the herald here?
sure, drop me an email and I'll send it to you. It's Wagner.marc-at-gmail.com