| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| jimmyjimjam |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 05:36:29
From my thread at rpg.net:
The existence of a mega-sized fantasy metropolis on the FR's sword coast begs the question: who FEEDS all these damn people?
So my question is, what information do we have regarding the farmlands, outlying cities and towns etc. which support the city, and from which sources may I glean this information?
Thanks in advance.
Anyone know? |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| The Hooded One |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 02:18:05
Well, "massively inefficient" isn't necessarily the way someone in the Realms would view matters, but as it happens, Goldenfields can send much of its produce by barge to within shouting distance of Waterdeep.
Waterdeep is a port that both imports and exports food, and as an exporter has always been a major destination for foodstuffs, lumber, et al drawn from all over the Sword Coast North. One of those foodstuffs are meat on the hoof: large herds of rothe, cattle, swine, horses, and the like. Many of those beasts are driven VERY SLOWLY towards the fields outside Waterdeep where they will be bought, grazing as they go. They are often laden with sacks of, or pull carts full of, other foodstuffs such as wheels of cheese, sausages, hardy root vegetables, and the like, as they make the journey.
This is all drawn from Ed's notes. As are such details as:
Waterdhavian nobles typically import their own food from their own country estates, bringing enough extra to feed their servants (and, usually, the servants doing the work contrive to bring enough extra to "sell a little on the side" in the city). Waterdhavian citizens with windowboxes or roof gardens often grow their own herbs and leaf vegetables, and may protect them with "birdtangle" nets that enmesh pigeons and other birds for the stewpot. Waterdhavian street youths customarily sling or hurl stones to bring down rats, birds, and other creatures for sale as food, and so on.
When Ed created the Realms, he specifically thought through such matters as where cities would get their food from. Tolgar Anuvien, one of the earliest adventurers in D&D play in the Realms, founded Goldenfields, but it was because of a vision sent by Chauntea, and Ed made it clear that she'd sent many such visions to many of her clerics (allowing many cities to grow).
To answer your question about grain specifically, though, grain was shipped from three main areas to the docks of Waterdeep: southern Calimshan, the Tashalar, and distant Var the Golden.
love,
THO |
| jimmyjimjam |
Posted - 03 Jun 2009 : 01:36:19
Eh?? Its massively inefficent to ship grain overland. A major city like waterdeep would, naturally, need it shipped by water, be it river or ocean... |
| Markustay |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 15:24:30
Most of the cities providing foodstuffs via ship would come from inland, along the Dessarin and Delimbyr Rivers, not the coast
Major ports along the Swordcoast would be in the same situation as Waterdeep (although not as pronounced), and would be unlikely to be shipping food out of their city (except for luxury items, of course, such as Zakharan and Maztican goods). The land along the coast is not very condusive to large-scale farming.
Golden Fields is definately the main source of food - older maps show just how huge that farming commune truly is.
Edit: The Church of Chauntea builds Harvest Houses (there are several mentiond in canon) in regions near major cities. These provide the same service to those cities as does Golden Fields to Waterdeep, although on a smaller scale. |
| jimmyjimjam |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 13:55:44
Cool. Could I get some hints as to which ports on the sword coast ship grain into Waterdeep? |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 07:48:47
Most of this information can be gleaned from the 2e City of Splendors boxed set. The 3e City of Splendors: Waterdeep tome also details this particular subject somewhat. Additionally, the Environs of Waterdeep web enhancement for CoS:W contains some relevant info as well.
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| Gang Falconhand |
Posted - 02 Jun 2009 : 07:45:11
I imagine a lot of basic foods would be provided by Goldenfields - the enormous Temple-farm of Chauntea - south-east of Amphail. Other foodstuffs are shipped in from all over Faerun (and beyond).
There are a few farms at the base of the bluff that Waterdeep sits upon but I'm not sure we have any canon information about them. |
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