Cauldron Coinage
The following information was created to give people a variety of options to chose from or be inspired by, to use as the official currency in the city. Personally my favourites are the Copper Clasp, Silver Steadier, Gold Tumbler and Platinum Cusp but feel free to use any or all of them if you desire.
I hope you enjoy the little explanations in any event and if you come up with any more email me and I will be happy to add them to the download.
Uniform Coin Elements.
All coins printed in Cauldron have a small 'hole' cut in their centers. Initially this was done for to very practical reasons -
1 The first was to reduce the 'cost' of the currency by reducing the metal needed even if the saving was not substantial.
2 The second reason was to thread the coins together on a thick string to carry around a persons waste.
Today the practice is still retained for traditional reasons and to symbolize Cauldrons volcanic foundations within the dormant volcanoes mouth.
Cauldron Copper Coins
Option One
The Copper ‘Clasp’
The Copper 'Clasp' is a circular coin with a small round hole in its centre. A symbol of a claw clasping a flame is embedded on one side while the symbol of Cauldron is emblazed on the other.
The slang term - 'Clasp' comes from the discovery of a skeletal dragons claw found buried alone the lakeside within the basin when the town was first being constructed. Many believe that Hookface's mother once called the dormant volcano its home thousands of years previous until she met her end fighting another of her kind - perhaps even Hookface himself! Others state the claw was of a copper dragon slain by Hookface himself as a youth.
Option Two
Copper 'Cobbler'
The Cauldron Copper is a square shaped coin with a small square hole in its centre.
The slang 'Cobbler' came from early in Cauldrons history when the local builders and workmen helped build the unique town under the direction of the gnomes who had lived in the regions for hundreds of years.
The workmen at the time had great difficulty with the rocky slopes, loose rubble and jagged stones found within the volcano basin and their poorly constructed shoes, sandals and boots offered little comfort or protection under the conditions.
In response the practically minded gnomes of Jzadirune set about building hundreds of shoes and boots for the workers each bearing a copper buckle and offered them the footwear as part of their payment.
From this point on the workmen would take their footwear to the locale gnome cobbler for repairs as part of their weekly payments. The copper buckles frequently fell off and trading copper buckles to make running repairs became a common and recognizable part of the blossoming currency. Long after the style of shoe had vanished and the town was built the copper buckles or 'cobblers' were used by the workmen for payment until coins began to be minted resembling the workmen’s copper buckles from their gnomish-crafted shoes.
This is where the term 'Copper Cobbler' came from and is even attributed to the shape of the coin.
Option Three-
Copper 'Common'
When debate about the currency of Cauldron was first being debated amongst the new nobles, dignities and businessmen of the new town, the copper coin was almost not included in the currency. The nobles of the town argued that the copper coin found in most countries of the world were unsightly and rarely used except by the commoners. Eventually the merchants and businessmen convinced the nobles to print the coin so that the 'commoners' would have a coin to use.
This is where the term 'Copper Common' comes from. A coin for the commoners.
Cauldron Silver Coins
Option One
Silver 'Steadier
The criminals of Cauldron are executed in front of the town hall for the most heinous of crimes. Before the headsman swings his axe to behead the wrong doer they must pay the headsman his wage - a silver piece - ensuring a quick death. Criminals who choose not to pay the headsman can expect a haphazard job sometimes taking numerous blows before the unfortunate criminal is finally beheaded and feels no more.
Paying a silver to 'steady' the headsman’s axe is considered money well spent and is where the term ‘Steadier’ comes from.
Option Two-
Silver 'Salt'
The nobles and rich citizens of Cauldron often hold banquets and meals where they invite fellow noblity, loyal followers and visitors. The host sits at the top of the table or at a long table at the front of the hall where they sit with others of importance.
Salt in Cauldron is both expensive and difficult to acquire and rarely used except at meals such as these. Only those close to the host or are important to them are able to use salt which is kept in a great silver bowl or shaker, resting before the host. Those who are considered lower or of lesser importance and seated further down the table or room.
This is where the term comes from - 'Below the Salt' and also where the term 'Silver Salt' derives from - salt is always kept in a silver shaker or bowl and silver is a coin of value but still below the gold.
Option Three-
Silver ‘Silho’
The Silver Silhouette or 'Silho' comes from the out dated practice of the locale brothels having small rooms where their girls would work. Instead of doors the girls only had a thin piece of fabric covering the entrée to their rooms. When a new client would arrive the girls would come to the curtain so their silhouette would be seen and the eager gentleman would make his choice and pay his silver coin/s to the matron before stepping through the curtain.
This is where the slang - 'Silver Silho' derived from.
Cauldron Gold Coins
Gold 'Tumbler'
Cauldron was initially colonized, founded and eventually constructed by Sundabar Spellmason. When the popular mayor of the time died there was great debate as to his successor. To alleviate any conflict the nobles decided to give the post to a distant descendent of Sundabar. The poor fop was both arrogant and stupid and did not realize the truth behind his distant appointment and was thrilled to lead the city to a new golden age. The nobles had agreed to use the fellow as a figurehead and to lead the city jointly, at least in theory.
In an attempt to promote his unusual appointment, the nobles decided to spread lavish tales of his royal heritage, importance and grandeur and to hold a grand celebration for his arrival. Rather than endear him to the people, this instead began to alienate him.
For months the citizens of Cauldron were forced to pay increased taxes in preparation of the ‘royal’ visit. Much of the local food and produce began to be stowed away for the Royal celebration and many of Cauldron’s poor began to go hungry By the time the young fop had made his lengthy journey to the city, the citizens of Cauldron were disgruntled and far from welcoming.
As the fop arrived with much fanfare and paraded through the city he could sense the peoples obvious hostilities. In an attempt to alleviate their anger the fop choose to board a local fishing boat, fill it with food, sail around the inner lake and toss the food to the hungry citizens. What happened next became legendary in Cauldron.
Whether it was the weight of the food or the barrage of vegetables that the citizens hurled back at the astonished sovereign, the boat overturned sending the beleaguered fop tumbling into the dirty water. The roar of laughter as the fellow bobbled in the watery mix of food and flotsam was enormous while the fop dragged himself to the shore thoroughly embarrassed and looking like a drowned cat. He left for home that very night, the celebrations were cancelled and the food distributed back to the markets and onto the citizens table.
To this day the Cauldron gold coin has the depiction of the current mayor on one side. To the citizens of Cauldon the mayor is known as the ‘Fop’ after the poor fellow who ‘tumbled’ into the lake and the coin his face adorns – Gold Tumbler.
Gold ‘Monkey’
At one time it was quite fashionable to own monkeys taken from the nearby jungles surrounding Cauldron. Spider monkeys were used as companions, ferocious baboons trained to guard noble’s estates and mighty gorillas used for their strength. Cauldron Hunters began to develop a Monkey Trade where they transported caged monkeys to local and distant cities to be sold.
The Last Laugh during this time actually had some of the dexterous, nimble little Spider monkeys trained to act as distractions for their pickpockets. Some of the most clever monkeys were even trained to pick pockets themselves, always targeting the wealthy and always targeting their gold!
When people lost their money or their gold coins were spent they would claim that the ‘Last Laugh Monkeys’ or ‘Laughing Monkeys’ took them whether this was the truth or not.
This is where the term ‘Laughing Monkeys’ or simply ‘Monkeys’ originated.
Gold ‘Gambler
An extremely popular game in pub and organizations alike in Cauldron is the game of Gems. Most ‘official’ games found in clubs only allow bets in gold pieces on the table.
From this the term Gold ‘Gambler’ originated from.
Cauldron Platinum Coins
Cauldron only minted one batch of platinum coins at the demands of the nobility. They are extremely rare in the town.
Platinum 'Cusp'
The Cusp of Sunrise is a very old, traditional and exclusive club in Cauldron. It was formed very early in Cauldron’s history and has always been a haven for nobles and the wealthy from the toils of modern living. The common citizens of Cauldron are as likely to be allowed membership into this club as they are to own one of Cauldron rare platinum coins and Cauldron’s nobles are the only ones likely to possess a platinum coin in the first place.
It is a fact that Cauldron’s nobility rarely use platinum coins for little other than as ‘chips’ in the game of ‘Gems’ in the club or to pay for drinks, food or services therein.
This is where the term ‘Cusp Coin’ or simple ‘Cusp’ originated.
Platinum ‘Plodder’
Cauldron Platinum coins are both rare and extremely valuable. The common citizen could spend his entire life toiling away to merely survive without ever seeing one. In fact it is a common myth that if you added up all the coppers and silvers you earned in a lifetime it would equal a platinum.
There is a saying in Cauldron –‘A lifetime of plodding earns but a platinum’ and it is from this that the slang: Platinum ‘Plodder’ derives.
Platinum ‘Prison’
There is an old myth that states that over a thousand years past, in and around the extinct volcano that Cauldron was eventually built within, was used to imprison the local people. Stories tell of a time when terrible evil bulbous creatures of slime and acid created a massive prison and made the slaves mine for gold and platinum that was found deep beneath the volcano.
The term Platinum ‘Prison’ originated from this time.
Hey Delvesdeep, long time no see, how are you?
Are you starting SCAP again?
Hey Mothman,
No. Can you believe it that I'm still playing the same campaign. When we first began playing 3rd edition the party seemed to zoom through the levels meaning they never had time to embrace their character. They felt they never had the time to develop or role play their character and they became powerful too quickly.
The group loves to roleplay and seem to enjoy the lower levels more than the upper. So as a result, we decided to double the XP required to advance a level. To compensate, I created or found multiple side adventures that threading in and around the SCAP.
Right now the party are nearing the end of the other plot thread and about to take on the Gith Lich Queen in the Astral Plane.
When, and if, they return they will begin the Adimarchus section of the campaign where I'll have them rescue Nidrama and then trek off the Canceri.
Good to hear from you mate
Michael
Hey Delvesdeep, long time no see, how are you?
Are you starting SCAP again?
Hey Mothman,
No. Can you believe it that I'm still playing the same campaign. When we first began playing 3rd edition the party seemed to zoom through the levels meaning they never had time to embrace their character. They felt they never had the time to develop or role play their character and they became powerful too quickly.
The group loves to roleplay and seem to enjoy the lower levels more than the upper. So as a result, we decided to double the XP required to advance a level. To compensate, I created or found multiple side adventures that threading in and around the SCAP.
Right now the party are nearing the end of the other plot thread and about to take on the Gith Lich Queen in the Astral Plane.
When, and if, they return they will begin the Adimarchus section of the campaign where I'll have them rescue Nidrama and then trek off the Canceri.
Good to hear from you mate
Michael
Can you give a run down of the side adventures and how you ended up with the githyanki queen?
Can you believe it that I'm still playing the same campaign.
I definitely believe you. I'm running an email campaign that's been going since 1998 -- no SCAP in it, yet. Email is S L O W if you like a lot of role playing, as we do, and if people are busy and go long between posts, as we do.
My "live at the table" campaign is also very slow. We've played only 16 sessions since it started in 2005. 17th session should be the transition to SCAP (from the Forge of Fury), and should happen, if the creek don't rise, on November 19th. I can't wait.
Can you give a run down of the side adventures and how you ended up with the githyanki queen?
OK. The side plot deviates from the SCAP somewhat but I'll give you a summary regardless.
My character all had mentors/organisations who trained them up level. Each of them came to the mentors in a variety of manners.
The biggest generator of the side plot/campaign was the wizard's mentor.
Here are the adventures the party completed for the mage between or during the SCAP campaign -
1. Find the Orb of Ice hidden in the Soul Pillars
2. Travel to the Shadow plane and secure the Orb of Shadows
3. Travel to Ysgard to claim the Orb of Valor
4. Take the Material (master orb) to the Tree of Shackled Souls to absord its power to awaken it
5. Travel to the Astral Plane to find his ex-lover Vlaakith and reclaim his Ritual Tome.
The Lord of Death and Magic
The mentor is strange accented mage who was self exiled in an old noble's villa in the city. He heavily protected himself within the manor from discovery or detection. He rarely spoke, using ESP to communicate and he appeared to use telekinis (sp?) to move items around his home. He was creepy to say the least and his estate was full of whispers and unseen voices.
The party began to complete missions for the mage which they were well rewarded for but they, other than the party member who is his apprentice, are always suspicious that he will betray them or lead them into evil. For much of the campaign the believed he was the mastermind behind the Cagewrights but he has never give them any reason to justify their fears.
The adventures he had they undertake involved retrieving powerful orbs. They eventual found out that these orbs channeled power from different planes. After a time, the mage revealed that he was thousands of years old and it had been the Spellweavers who he had used to help create the orbs to channel the power of the planes before they broke from their enslavement,betrayed him and stolen the orbs.
When the adventures moved every forward the wizards apprenctice learnt that his mentor was actually an immortal Rakashi who was once a leader within an evil empire. Once his minions had betrayed him and created an empire themselves, it had been he who had deceived them into attempting to use the orbs to channel the power of the planes without the correct ritual. This is what destroyed their empire and created the Demonskar.
Once he had retrived what orbs he could he quickly attempted to achieve his ultimate goal - to use the orbs and the ritual to draw the divine power away which still flickered within the petrified remains of uber diety and floated now in the astral plane. He was desperate to complete the ritual before the other evil immortal lords disovered his plans.
The ritual began but something was wrong. In his haste he had believed he would not need all the orbs to complete the ritual but as the ritual began he quicly learnt that he did and he could not control or properly absorb the power of the divine spark. With a great explosion he was sent hurtling through the astral plane where he lost consciousness. When he eventually awoke he did not know how long he had been floating but he discovered a strange phenomia. While his aim had been to channel into him the power of the diety, with the ritual failing, he had somehow absorbed part of the gods consciousness and soul. He had been one of the most evil creatures in the universe but now he found he had a strange care for others - he had become good.
He knew that if the other Lords ever discovered this they would destroy him utterly so he fled to the Material Plane, back to where he had lived with the Spellweavers centuries before, where he discovered a city had been built in the extinct volcano and he hid.
Once he had invested a great amount of his magical energy on wards and protective spells to protect him from detection from the other Lords he sought about retieving the orbs and the ritual tomb once more to, this time, complete the ritual properly. Instead of seeking the power to rule over others though, he now found he had another motivation - he wished to destroy the other immortal Lords.
To complete his mission he needed patience and help. This is where the party came in.
When my party first came to Cauldron they were approached by a cheeky halfling who offered them a job, sneaking into an abandoned nobles villa with him. He told them the garden was protected by strange plants and he needed their help to get him inside. He said he would split the spoils. They agreed but when the noble villa turned out to be well and truly occupied, and they were captured by a strange old wizard, the rogue escaped abandoning the party.
The house was full of whispering voices and the wizard needed to meerly gesture to bring candles, wine decanters etc to him. The party know they were in big trouble when the wizard began to speak to them with ESP. He was able to see that the party was fooled into the break in and after looking into the groups minds further asked the magic user of the party if he would like to become his apprentice.
The rest of the party never truly trusted the wizard but he gave them no reason to believe he was untruthful to them at any stage.
Eventually the mage started to ask the party wizard to complete tasks for him that were linked to the campaign beginning with claiming an orb from the Soul Pillars that was hidden within them. Upon their return from the adventure the party was well rewarded with money and the wizard was given access to spells from the Soul Pillars.
Sorry for the long winded explanation - I have to go and make dinner now but if your interested I'll explain the rest to you later including the other adventures eyc the party did outide those from the SCAP.
Delvesdeep