Campaign Details
The Golden Cog: A Capitalist Conundrum
Establishing Shot: A sprawling metropolis known as the Golden City, dominated by towering spires of industry, smoke-belching factories, and the constant clamor of commerce.
Objectives
The adventurers are brought together by the mysterious and enigmatic Gilderoy Kettlecorn, a wealthy entrepreneur who has amassed a fortune in the cutthroat world of capitalism. He seeks the adventurers' aid in tracking down a mythical artifact known as the Golden Cog, rumored to have the power to grant unimaginable wealth and influence. However, Kettlecorn is not the only one seeking the Cog, and the adventurers will face fierce competition from rival capitalists, scheming politicians, and even desperate workers driven to the brink by exploitation.
Setting
The Golden City is a land of opportunity, where dreams are made and shattered in the blink of an eye. It is a place of stark contrasts, where the opulence of the wealthy stands in sharp relief to the squalor of the poor. The city is divided into several districts, each with its own unique character and challenges:
- The Spire: The heart of the Golden City, where the wealthy and powerful reside in towering skyscrapers of steel and glass.
- The Foundry: The industrial district, where the city's factories churn out goods for the insatiable appetite of the market.
- The Bazaar: The commercial district, where merchants and traders haggle and barter in a cacophony of voices.
- The Warrens: The slums of the Golden City, where the poor and downtrodden eke out a meager existence in the shadows of the spires.
Challenges and Encounters
The adventurers will face numerous challenges and encounters as they seek the Golden Cog:
- Rival Capitalists: Other wealthy entrepreneurs will stop at nothing to secure the Cog for themselves, including sabotage, espionage, and even assassination.
- Scheming Politicians: Corrupt politicians will try to use the adventurers for their own ends, offering false promises and hidden agendas.
- Desperate Workers: Desperate workers, driven to the brink by exploitation, may rise up in rebellion, forcing the adventurers to choose sides.
- The Cog's Guardians: The mythical Golden Cog is said to be guarded by ancient automatons, created to protect it from those who would misuse its power.
Rewards and Consequences
The rewards for securing the Golden Cog are immense: unimaginable wealth, influence, and power. However, the consequences of misusing the Cog are dire: it is said to bring ruin and destruction upon those who use it for personal gain. The adventurers must choose wisely, balancing the allure of wealth and power with the potential for disaster.
Starting Point
The adventurers begin their journey in the bustling Bazaar district, where they are approached by Gilderoy Kettlecorn with his offer of a lifetime.