Setting up for SCAP

[DedmeetDM]

Hello everyone, I'm getting ready to start running SCAP. I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me before starting. This will be my first precreated campaign, however I am a veteran DM. Was just wondering if anyone had any advice on making this huge campaign easier to run.

Thanks,
-DedmeetDM

[walter mcwilliams]

Organize Organize Organize!

Read the HC and look at all of the NPC's the players will deal with through the entire campaign especially those in Cauldron. When I first started (before the HC) I didnt realize how central to the campaign the city itself is. In order for the plots, sub plots and drama of this expansive campaign to work the PC's must have a strong emotional tie to the city. While there are lots of ways to develop this, close ties with reacurring NPC's is prime. Merchants, clergy, blue collar workers, orphans, etc will help create this.

Many plots and themes demand exposure to the PC's before they become critical plot lines deeper in the campaign. For instance insuring the PC's are aware of the typical tax standards in Cauldron early on helps make the tax riots and collectors more believeable in the Demonskar chapter.

I organized all of the NPC's into an excel doc that shows there begining and current attitude toward the group and each individual PC. As the campaign progresses I adjust the attitudes accordingly. Sometimes attitudes change indirectly soemtimes directly all depending on NPC actions. This helps establish a realistic level of reputation for the group.

Newsletter - The greatest single asset I have for my SCAP campaign is my newsletter. It is the in the form of the Cauldron newspaper (Cauldron Chronicle) and allows me to introduce rumors, plots, reputation, geograpy, history, new equipment, spells and a crap load of other info. My players love it!

Well, these are some of my suggestions. I will tell you it is a hell of alot of fun work keeping everything running and on track, weaving my PC backstories into the campaign is a total blast and a very important part. So, live it, love it, play it SCAP rocks

[mobuttu]

walter mcwilliams wrote:

When I first started (before the HC) I didnt realize how central to the campaign the city itself is. In order for the plots, sub plots and drama of this expansive campaign to work the PC's must have a strong emotional tie to the city. While there are lots of ways to develop this, close ties with reacurring NPC's is prime.

I couldn't agree more on that. In a first reading I could only see a bunch of Dungeons put together to follow some weird plot. But after reading many suggestions in this forum I finally realize that the real game was about how Cauldron Heroes (PC) root in the city and act actively to defend and protect it (I always say to my players that the city is main character of this campaign). Should the PC move out to defend the city without dealing for a reward, then you’ll know you are on the good way ;). To reach this, I’m playing several sole role-playing sessions, where PC find main NPC, get together, fall in love, quarrel, etc. There are several good moments to play this kind of encounters, starting in the first episode when meeting Jenya at the Church of St. Cuthbert, to the Flood Festival, etc. I’m planning to marry a PC with Coryston Pike, another is getting in Last Laugh guild, the wizard (with architectural knowledge) is doing the Wee-Jas cathedral enlargement, etc. A very good way to establish PC to the city is giving them jobs, buying a house, or doing some training to meet Prestige Class requirements. For instance, a PC cleric of St. Cuthbert is training with Alec Tercival to reach enough power and knowledge to be a Shining Blade.

Just some thoughts (sorry for my bad English).

[DedmeetDM]

Thanks for the info. I am interested in the Cauldron newspaper idea, Walter. If you could send me some info about that i would appreciate it. You can send it to [e-mail].

Thanks for the ideas guys.

[Chef's Slaad]

DedmeetDM wrote:

Thanks for the info. I am interested in the Cauldron newspaper idea, Walter. If you could send me some info about that i would appreciate it. You can send it to [e-mail].

Thanks for the ideas guys.

nah, you should probably just visit the SCAP resources

[walter mcwilliams]

Chef's Slaad wrote:

DedmeetDM wrote:

Thanks for the info. I am interested in the Cauldron newspaper idea, Walter. If you could send me some info about that i would appreciate it. You can send it to [e-mail].

Thanks for the ideas guys.

nah, you should probably just visit the SCAP resources

I have posted a couple of copies at the SCAP web site, however I often have difficulty navigating to the site, so if you cant get one there feel free to let me know and I would be happy to provide you with any info I have put together.