Editing Cauldron (section)

===Sales===
Cauldron is constantly on the lookout for new customers, having landing/mock-up sites for those looking for power related technologies or services.<ref name="I12.5 e1">“I’d have to check my notes.  We have ways of finding interested parties.  If I remember right, you were browsing websites, researching ways to acquire tinker-made armor and weapons?”<br><br>Jamie nodded.  “I was.  So many were fakes or scams that I wasn’t willing to trust the ones that did look legit.”<br><br>“We own several of those sites.  All are fakes.  That might have been where we first noticed your activity.”<br><br>“That’s a little creepy.”<br><br>“Creepiness is an unfortunate reality when you’re forced to operate covertly, without a steady customer base.” - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/interlude-21-donation-bonus-1/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 21.x]]</ref> They favor motivated and skilled people. Strong social connections or a background in law enforcement are a plus.<ref>Calvert did not trigger from the Nilbog attack - as suggested in his interlude, he's in debt to Cauldron because he bought his power. Cauldron often reaches out to the disaffected who are connected to law enforcement or otherwise dedicated and possessed of natural talents (Battery is a detective's daughter, Triumph was an athlete, Coil is an ex-PRT squaddie). - [https://redd.it/96wmc8 Wildbow on Reddit]</ref>

When selling powers to people they go out of their way to up the price of the vial, partially to weed out those who do not have sufficient commitment to a parahuman lifestyle and partially to get people into Cauldron's debt by agreeing to favors in exchange for a more powerful vial.<ref name="R2">'''bramflakes:'''<br>They don't need the money. The price they charge is an idiot filter, to weed out the ones who aren't serious about being a cape and keeping to Cauldron's terms. If a multi-millionaire applies, they'll ask for a billion.<br><br>There's also likely a psychological element - in Battery's interlude, Doctor Mother starts out with a figure that she knows Battery can't pay, and then lets Battery haggle it down to something she can afford, in exchange for more favors. I suspect that Cauldron does this to nearly every applicant, in order to make them feel indebted to Cauldron before they even take the vial.<br>edit:<br>
*As for why they don't hand out all the powerful formulas, several reasons:
*Powerful formulas are more likely to result in Case 53s<br>There's likely a limited supply of the very best vials, so they'll only make them available to people that meet the most stringent psychological requirements (to avoid repeats of Grey Boy)
*Fighting Scion is the main goal, but to accomplish that they need to utilize natural triggers too. This means creating and/or maintaining large organizations that natural triggers can join, and coexist with first-world institutions without everything descending into parahuman feudalism. That way, when the final battle comes, they have a few dozen organizations to rely on (both hero and villain), rather than thousands of independent cape micro-states. That means they need weak and medium-strength capes to fill out the ranks of the Protectorate, the Elite, the Guild, the Suits, and so on. Number Man's interlude shows him shoring up these organizations when they're facing financial difficulties, and Accord seems to be able to get vials to boost his ranks pretty easily too.
<br>'''Wildbow:''' Nice post. Right on the mark.<br>On the subject of why they don't always hand out powerful vials - they don't always know the power level of a given vial. They've got this landscape of Eden, they take pieces of it, make it into concoctions and feed them to people. One vial might have fantastic results in one situation and peter out or end up horrific in another.<br>So they've spent the last 30 years figuring it out, trying to get as many vials to people as they can in the most constructive way they can. When they do get a set of powerful vials, they try to hold on to them and give them to the people they can make the most use out of. Often those are people in power (ie. the mayor of a town with a lot of capes, who then gives it to his son), people with access (an ex-PRT captain with the potential to be Director), or people with money.<br><br>'''eSPiaLx:''' But why would doctor Mother have those special vials locked away in Cauldron's basement? Weren't those supposed to be really powerful? If Cauldron had given them out earlier, wouldn't there be a decent (or heck, crappy is fine too) chance there would be anothe Legend/Alexandria/Eidolon?<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Just as much of a chance of there being a Grey Boy. Of the person taking the vial and losing their mind.<br>It's a last ditch measure. - [https://redd.it/3lowq1 Wildbow on Reddit]</ref>
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That's actually a really good question. I think a lot of it would depend on the client.

If they're not recognizable as their old self or if they couldn't pass as normal (while being simultaneously okay with disconnecting from their old lives), Cauldron might make the decision o their own.
More abstractly, if the client is going to cause a fuss or get upset, Cauldron just takes them out of the picture & removes Cauldron itself from their memories.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Parahumans/comments/88ybhx/question_re_deviation_outcomes/dwp2wj3/

Ameliorate the impact of the entities on the human species across the entire multiverse.
/
is in the business of human survival as such capes are likely to become the heads of society given innate power they were planning for this to happen and wanted certain characters who did not go outside their bonds 

https://www.reddit.com/r/Weaverdice/comments/6c3bk5/weaverdice_italy/dhs8fq2/ -->

If a client is having minor issues when trying to fulfill their part of the deal (e.g., having bad luck when trying to meet debts), Cauldron might approach the client and offer to adjust the contract (e.g., them doing a favor instead).<ref>At the outset, offering a bit of leeway to the player who isn’t engaging with the RP aspects at hand, or who has simply had bad luck with the risk-reward of trying to meet debts, the GM may have Cauldron approach the player, offering an adjustment of the contract.  Did the player pick ‘Connections’, but isn’t enjoying the politics of trying to steer their family’s media empire to lean on local activists?  Maybe Cauldron says they can do a favor instead, let that slide a bit.  If the character is struggling with the debt, Cauldron might tell them they’ll consider the debts paid if the character can befriend certain individuals. - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D8y2aVXfuk35S-54ycdoaz0qQeFHHIBMoJbQGOBYG90 WD CAULDRON]</ref>

====Nemesis Program====
For the goal of putting Cauldron-affiliated people into needed areas with high standing, Cauldron offers an incentive where a client can pay a good sum to have a [[Case 53]] or Cauldron subject help improve their position and reputation. This Nemesis, a potentially powerful enemy, would be brainwashed with an auto-lose trigger (e.g., keyword or some other trick) to give the client easy wins.<ref>“There’s the Nemesis program, but you already have an opponent in mind, and I expect you’re more interested in a fair fight than having an opponent you’re guaranteed to succeed against when it counts.”<br><br>“Yeah.”  This Nemesis program… how many prominent heroes or villains were out there that had faked or staged confrontations like that?  - [[Interlude 12.5]]</ref><ref name="SB2">Cauldron's habit was to take all of the human experiments that turned out well, brainwash them, and then place them in larger organizations to support said organizations, fighting the natural tendency for parahumans to seek conflict (and thus making forming large committed groups hard). Shamrock could well have been slated for the Protectorate, Red Gauntlet, the Suits, or even the Nemesis program (being brainwashed with an auto-lose trigger against one client who paid a good sum, so that client could get a better position and climb faster in rep). - [https://forums.spacebattles.com/posts/15078112/ Comment] by Wildbow on Spacebattles</ref><ref>It would have gone somewhere if I'd gone more into depth with Faultline's Crew, giving them more of a spotlight. It was only an incentive to give people to get them formulas and push them to a higher standing when Cauldron needed people with good reputation in key areas (ie. to promote through the ranks of the PRT without too much interference). If you signed up, they'd release a case 53 or Cauldron subject with a bit of brainwashing, an implanted trigger that would cause them to lose. A keyword or other trick so the person who bought into the program could get easy wins against a potentially powerful enemy. - Comment by Wildbow [https://forums.spacebattles.com/posts/15027118 on Spacebattles]</ref>

[[The Slug]] was primarily responsible for setting up these Nemesis weakpoints.<ref name="discord eBrains">'''Wildbow:''' Reneging on Cauldron favors - probably a firm reminder.  Very firm if it's ~that~ against the spirit of the deal.   "What we gave you we can take away.  There's a new cape in this city with a key word or phrase that will temporarily take away your connection to your power.  They now have license to use it if they run into you, and they'll retain that license until you make it up to us.  If you don't shape up and follow through on your commitments, you will lose those powers permanently, and we'll tell your enemies where you are, should you try to run."<br><br>'''Jicker:''' harsh, but fair<br><br>'''Forgery:''' Huh, I didn't expect their first response being an empty threat like "We can say a word and your power disappears".<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Empty?<br><br>'''Forgery:''' Wait, can Cauldron powers be removed with a single word?<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' If the person has been slugged.<br>[...]<br>'''Forgery:''' I thought Slug was just the amnesia maker?<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Slug edits brains.  Took away memories, set in blocks, set up the Nemesis weakpoints... - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref>

====Punishments====
If clients willfully renege on their deal with Cauldron, although they could get a decisive visit from members such as [[Contessa]] or [[the Number Man]], the organization would prefer more subtle countermeasures to heavily pressure these clients to stick to their deal.<ref>When characters start willfully disengaging from the commitments made to Cauldron, then Cauldron is liable to start applying heavier pressure.  They maintain the ability to drop the hammer on the player - a visit from Contessa or Number Man, but they would always prefer to get people back on course, instead. - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D8y2aVXfuk35S-54ycdoaz0qQeFHHIBMoJbQGOBYG90 WD CAULDRON]</ref>

Cauldron can leverage other on-track clients to help pressure a wayward client into shaping up. This can range from a new recruit threatening their boss about being a potential Cauldron-endorsed replacement,<ref>An NPC joins the character’s team, and they seem to fit in well.  They might even engage with the character, appearing friendly.  Until they’re alone with the character, and they lean in close, whispering, “Cauldron would like you to keep in mind that you can be replaced.  Step it up.” - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D8y2aVXfuk35S-54ycdoaz0qQeFHHIBMoJbQGOBYG90 WD CAULDRON]</ref> to Cauldron warning the client about some opposing out-of-town capes being Cauldron-affiliated and the possibility of more showing up.<ref>Three capes come into town and immediately join up with the group the player is trying to deal with.  Cauldron, in the midst of reminders about responsibilities, insinuates the capes are theirs and there may be more coming. - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D8y2aVXfuk35S-54ycdoaz0qQeFHHIBMoJbQGOBYG90 WD CAULDRON]</ref>

[[Doctor Mother]] claims to [[Battery]] that for moral reasons and to limit unwanted attention, Cauldron tries to avoid murder in their punishments. Instead, she states they have an in-house cape that can enact the worst case scenario of [[Corona Pollentia#Power Removal|removing the client's powers]] should they try to expose Cauldron or fail to fulfill their part of the deal.<ref name="12.5 eCountermeasures">“What kind of countermeasures?  Would you kill me?”<br><br>“We try to avoid murder in the course of doing business, not just because of the moral issues, but because it draws attention.  For leaks, our usual procedure is to discredit the individual in question and deploy our in-house division of parahumans to drive them into hiding, remove their powers or both.”<br>[...]<br>“We’ll see.  In terms of cost, Cauldron requires that the client pay two-thirds of the total amount in advance, and pay the rest over a six year period or ''default''.”<br><br>“Meaning you employ those countermeasures you talked about.”<br><br>“Revoking your powers in the worst case scenario, yes.”<br><br>“Is that revoking of powers a part of the process of however you give people the powers, or is it something that one of your in-house capes does?”<br><br>The Doctor was typing on the computer.  Without taking her eyes from the screen, she said, “The latter.  You don’t need to worry about someone using a loophole or flaw in the process to take away your abilities.” - [[Interlude 12.5]]</ref><ref>“I couldn’t tell you,” he said.  “It’s one of the rules.  If we say anything, they come after us, and take away what they gave.”<br><br>I searched his expression, and I saw the regret, the hurt.  How very hard it had been. - [[Last 20.11]]</ref> [[Wildbow]] speculates this countermeasure is very real because of [[The Slug#Power_Removal|the Slug]].<ref name="discord eBrains">'''Wildbow:''' Reneging on Cauldron favors - probably a firm reminder.  Very firm if it's ~that~ against the spirit of the deal.   "What we gave you we can take away.  There's a new cape in this city with a key word or phrase that will temporarily take away your connection to your power.  They now have license to use it if they run into you, and they'll retain that license until you make it up to us.  If you don't shape up and follow through on your commitments, you will lose those powers permanently, and we'll tell your enemies where you are, should you try to run."<br><br>'''Jicker:''' harsh, but fair<br><br>'''Forgery:''' Huh, I didn't expect their first response being an empty threat like "We can say a word and your power disappears".<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Empty?<br><br>'''Forgery:''' Wait, can Cauldron powers be removed with a single word?<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' If the person has been slugged.<br>[...]<br>'''Forgery:''' I thought Slug was just the amnesia maker?<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Slug edits brains.  Took away memories, set in blocks, set up the Nemesis weakpoints... - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref><ref>'''Jicker:''' if Cauldron is investing in these capes, it's better to get them back on track if possible<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' It's better<br><br>'''Jicker:''' at least, that was my line of thinking<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' But if they're being total asshats with no sign of redemption, or if there's risk they blab, remove. - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref> For example, if a potential client is untrustworthy and/or did not have enough pre-existing strings to pull, Cauldron might use the Slug to implant a key phrase into them as a precautionary measure that permanently removes their power.<ref>'''Forgery:''' So is there a word that can shut down c53s, given they were slugged? Are all cauldron capes slugged?<br>Sorry about the questions, its just that this information feels like a huge revelation on how Cauldron capes work, if they can be shut down at Cauldron's digression.<br>[...]<br>'''Wildbow:''' I think it'd be specific to certain capes they weren't sure they could trust, Forg<br><br>'''Inky || Hellraiser:''' Probably a lot of the more villainous leaning cauldron capes<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' Probably ones where there weren't enough blatant, pre-existing strings to pull. If a player ended up going down that road, it might be that Cauldron predicted it as a possibility. - Conversation with Wildbow on Parahumans Discord</ref> Cauldron can then use this as leverage when firmly reminding the wayward client to follow through with their commitments.<ref>“We always knew you would be hard to manage, so we took precautions,” the voice says on the phone. “While you were unconscious after getting your powers, we implanted a key phrase in your head. One of our agents in the city now has that phrase, and they can use it to turn off your power at an inopportune time. What we gave you we can take away.” The threat becomes one of the powers being turned off for good. - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D8y2aVXfuk35S-54ycdoaz0qQeFHHIBMoJbQGOBYG90 WD CAULDRON]</ref>

Another countermeasure is the threat of discrediting the wayward client and driving them into hiding, especially if they try to expose Cauldron.<ref name="12.5 eCountermeasures" /> For example, the organization could secretly leak sensitive information such as where the client's operations are located, the client's large payment to an unknown source, or even witness reports about occasions where the client crossed the line.<ref>A steady trickle of information about the character starts getting leaked.  Among that trickle might be the vast sums paid to Cauldron, who have covered their tracks enough to not have to worry.  For those who haven’t tended to their secret identity or their out-of-costume relationships, this could be a final stroke of doubt that makes relationships implode.  Authorities start finding the player’s headquarters, stashes of drugs, or getting witness reports about times heroes crossed the line in secret. - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D8y2aVXfuk35S-54ycdoaz0qQeFHHIBMoJbQGOBYG90 WD CAULDRON]</ref>