Editing Cauldron (section)

====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>