Lead-in adventure to SCAP?

[ZeroEffect]

I'm in a bit of a dilemma. All of the players in my group have made 1st level characters and were eagerly looking forward to starting the Shackled City this week. Problem is, our DM had to cancel at the last minute. He has suggested that I step into his shoes and run a 1st level adventure for the players to get them ready for the Shackled City. Can anyone suggest a good adventure that I can use? I have a stack of Dungeon magazines to choose from. I'm looking for something that will be fun (and hardcore) for a single session and that will also fit with the tone and mood of the SCAP, which we'll officially start next week, once our DM returns. Any suggestions?

[Nighthunter]

Theres been a lot of buzz about using the Mad Gods Key as a 1st level adventure for SCAP. But if you are only running a one-shot game with no prior knowledge of the events in SCAP then there may be some problems with conflicting stuff in Life's Bazaar.

Wish I knew some more 1st level adventures off the top of my head.

Personally if the players are going to start the SCAP then they should wait until the DM is ready to play the first game. Perhaps you should play something else that night, give another one-shot adventure with pre-made characters a go. That way your DM can introduce the SCAP with the gusto it deserves.

[Drawmij's_Heir]

I have to agree with Nighthunter on the point about starting the campaign without the primary DM - that's just plain setting off on the wrong foot.

'Mad God's Key' (Dungeon #114) is a good adventure, but I have ran it twice (with two seperate groups), and both times it took more than one session to complete.

If I were in your shoes, and absolutely had to run the intro session for Shackled City, I would take a look at something like 'Shut In' (Dungeon #128). It's set at 2nd-Level, but is more than easily adaptable for 1st. Plus, the characters will all be more or less confined to a single location, where they can't be getting themselves into too much trouble...

[EHunter]

I used "A Dark and Stormy Knight" as an adventure before the characters arrive in Cauldron. This is available for free download on the D&D website. The premise is easy, while journeying to Cauldron, a thunder storm forces the characters to seek shelter in an old tor.

[tdewitt274]

I've been thinking about running SCAP, but wanted to make sure that the PCs knew each other. So, I created a secluded little town to the south and was going to run a little adventure where the town was harrassed by Orcs. This would help bond them to themselves as well as instill a sense of community with the small town.

Then, they would go and adventure, hear updates a few more monster raids (conveniently twarted, and just before they go out on adventures) only to come back at the end and use my new Collossal Red Dragon that's protecting an evil leveled Greyhawk dragon.

I also want them to create multiple characters so that they knew them and could interact with them in Cauldron. Kind of a "friends leaving the nest" feeling. That would also provide a pool of PCs if needed.