Issue #1 (1 November 680 S.R.)

In the latest kidnapping incident in Cauldron, four children were taken from the Lantern Street Orphanage. Guard Captain Terseon Skellerang, in Tuesday’s public announcement, stated that his best man, Sergeant Skylar Krewis, is working day and night to find the missing persons, but that there are no leads as of yet.

Jenya Urikas of the Church of St. Cuthbert, in the same announcement, pledged her temple’s support of the investigation and vowed to do "whatever it takes to locate the missing children and bring the kidnappers to justice."

The kidnapping spree began nearly three months ago with the abduction of Cauldron local Tiervan Wispwort, who owned and operated an alchemy business on Magma Avenue South. Since then, twenty-four other Cauldron citizens have been taken, including the four orphan children.

When asked about whether he believed the rumor that an evil cult is kidnapping citizens to feed to the infamous Crater Lake monster, Captain Skellerang replied, "Hogwash! The monster is a myth. We’ll get to the real culprit."

The Office of the Lord Mayor announced yesterday that taxes will be increased effective January 1st of the new year. This will be the first tax hike for Cauldon in nearly 15 years. According to the bulletin posted at Town Hall, income taxes for merchants and nobles will increase by 1%. The bulletin also includes a new inheritance tax of 10%.

Most citizens are content with the tax increase, citing the need for increased security across the city. "We need guards and investigators to figure out and prevent stuff like these here kidnappings. That costs money. Those rich mucky-mucks can well afford it, in my opinion," says one local miner. Merchants, however, are concerned that this may be the first of many tax increases in the coming year.

Despite frequent warnings and notices from the Lord Mayor’s Office ordering that merchants refuse to accept the strange jester coins that have been circulating as of late, their use continues to spread. The Lord Mayor has now implemented a fine of up to 300 gold pieces and three months in jail for anyone caught in possession of these coins. Representatives urge citizens to exchange all jester coins in their possession for legitimate currency, and that anyone who does so will not be charged. Exchanges can be made at Town Hall during normal business hours.

The Cathedral of Wee Jas has just completed plans to expand its already significant complex, and plans to begin construction before the end of the year. Plans include the addition of a prominent red stone spire above the sanctuary and another wing in the crypts below the church.

"This Cathedral will be—no, IS—the greatest religious institution this city has ever known. The new spire will be a proud symbol of the greatness of Wee Jas and of the city of Cauldron," said Ike Iverson, second-in-command of the church. When asked about the crypt expansion, he added, "Nearly every family in Cauldron has buried a loved one in our crypt. With this addition, we will be able to care for the city’s dead for another century or more."

The expansion plans were approved by the Lord Mayor despite complaints from the Church of Pelor. High Priest Kristoff Jurgensen stated that he feels that the expansion is a deliberate attempt by the Church of Wee Jas to impede on the ability of his temple to worship freely. "The spire will block our view of the Sun God’s ascent to heaven, and prevent sunlight from hitting the altar in their main worship hall." Iverson denies any such attempt.