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Greywolf76
Acolyte
Brazil
11 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Nov 2025 : 12:49:21
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Hello, everyone.
In my current FR campaign my players' characters, originally from Daggerford, will be visiting Waterdeep for the first time in their lives.
Although I know quite a bit about Daggerford, the Delimbiyr Valley and the surrounding areas, I've never run anything in Waterdeep. I've read both Waterdeep and the North and the City of Splendors boxed set, but that was a long time ago, and I don't know if I'll ever have the time to reread them.
They'll probably visit the city during Midwinter Festival in 1358 DR (the Time of Troubles will not happen in my campaign, by the way).
I wanted to make this a memorable moment for the players, so I'd like to ask those scribes more versed in the City of Splendors than me a few questions:
1. What makes Waterdeep different from other big cities? What makes it so unique and memorable?
2. What would be the best place for them to sell their loot? More specifically, gemstones, jewels, and objects of art?
3. Could you mention some good, affordable taverns and inns for a group of adventurers?
4. Could you recommend any city-based adventures (either published modules, Dungeon Magazine modules, or plot hooks from sourcebooks) for a group of adventurers around 3rd-4th levels? Doesn't need to be specifically set in Waterdeep, any big city setting will do, as long as it is for AD&D or BECMI.
Thanks in advance,
GW
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Trumm
Acolyte
19 Posts |
Posted - 13 Nov 2025 : 14:45:00
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As I have never run, nor played an adventure set in Waterdeep, I unfortunately can't help with the first three points.
For a city based adventure I can recommend "Thirds of purloined vellum" from Dungeon Magazine 88. It's originally set
in Atkathla and sends the PCs on a hunt for missing contracts to complete a trade deal. It features the Nightmasks and
the Shadow Thieves, but can easily be converted to include other groups and organisations that are more fitting or iconic
for another location and the specific campaign.
It's 3.0 or 3.5, but the plot is good and should be easy to convert to your preferred edition/system.
Watedeep Dragon Heist should also be a great source of inspiration although it is set in 1492 DR and thus takes a lot of
effort to convert it to 1358 DR.
Another all time favourite of mine, although not strictly a city-based adventure, is the Pathfinder adventure
"The Sixfold Trial". The PCs have to infiltrate a theatre troupe and act as the main cast of an opera to be invited
to a specific location (where they want to steal an item). The players must pass a casting call and then the actual
play must be performed with the assigned speaking roles. I have run it several times with strongly modified backgrounds
and backdrops for the play and my groups always had blast when their PCs could slip into a new role ingame. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36973 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2025 : 04:23:51
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Volo's Guide to Waterdeep is a 2E sourcebook that gives a wonderful on-the-ground feel for the city. I'd heartily recommend it, no matter what era you're playing in -- because some things, like the Moon Sphere, are likely to remain even in the 5E era.
You can get a legal pdf of the book from DriveThruRPG.com. |
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My PCs first time in Waterdeep
