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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
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Gang Falconhand
Seeker
United Kingdom
85 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Feb 2009 : 23:03:18
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In the campaign I currently run the PCs started in Amphail and have recently moved to Waterdeep. Starting in Amphail meant that I could keep the scale small and introduce bits of information slowly before they have a chance to be overwhelmed by the City of Splendors.
I gave them information on Amphail itself to start and as play progressed I fed them bits and pieces about Waterdeep, in as much as it affects life in Amphail e.g. the Lord Warder being loyal to the Lords of Waterdeep, the patrols of Waterdhavian Guard that come through from Rassalantar, the Waterdhavian noble families that have holdings in Amphail. Doing it like that meant that Waterdeep didn't overshadow the adventures they were having in Amphail but was always on the periphery getting a minor mention here and there, so when it came time for them to go to the City they didn't feel like it was totally alien to them. |
"If you have a quality let it define you." |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2009 : 04:11:38
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When I had the luxury of introducing players to my 1360 campaign one at a time with "one-on-one" sessions, I would start them in DR 1358 and roleplay some aspect of the Time of Troubles to let the players know that Toril ain't medieval Earth ... or Krynn or Oerth, for that matter.
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2009 : 14:01:14
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The nearest thing I can think of is using the information in the 2ed. Campaign setting and the Volo guide concerning the specific area of their residance.
This is the reason I never felt comfortable with DM'ing in Waterdeep. There is just to much area details for me to remmember. What sets Waterdeep apart is the sprawling nature of teh city and the detailed locations found in each street. For a person who at times struggles to remember the names of his own npc's this is quite a challenge. |
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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2009 : 14:43:39
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In the Waterdeep 2nd edition box (more exactly, Adventurerīs Guide to the City, pg. 35) we have some interesting skills that could be used to represent this:
Fashion, Waterdeep Commerce (I and II) and Waterdeep Lore (I to IV).
I think that one native of Waterdeep could have the benefits of Fashion, Waterdeep Commerce I and Waterdeep Lore I without any "payment in skill point". More than this, can be gained in game, or with skill points in Knowledge (Waterdeep) |
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twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36963 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2009 : 14:57:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Moradin
In the Waterdeep 2nd edition box (more exactly, Adventurerīs Guide to the City, pg. 35) we have some interesting skills that could be used to represent this:
Fashion, Waterdeep Commerce (I and II) and Waterdeep Lore (I to IV).
I think that one native of Waterdeep could have the benefits of Fashion, Waterdeep Commerce I and Waterdeep Lore I without any "payment in skill point". More than this, can be gained in game, or with skill points in Knowledge (Waterdeep)
It's always bugged me that those proficiencies were the only time a character has had a chance to know their own home town without having to waste a slot on "Knowledge, Local". It simply makes sense that if you grow up in an area, or live there for a year or longer, that you have at least a general idea of where everything is. I mean, I know my way around the town I live in, and I certainly didn't have to go to school to study that topic... |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2009 : 15:44:16
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My group and I use a forum to communicate with in between sessions. Before I started my Cormyr-Campaign I initiated a 'Question Contest' similar to the Trivia Challange we have here at the Keep.
I would post little questions regarding 'common facts' of Cormyr (Geography, History, ect.). For every correct answer the player would gain money on top of his starting equipment. It motivated the players to go 'hunt for the answer' in books and on the internet.
I thought this might be a better way as usually you remember a thing better that you have looked up yourself than read on some handout.
It worked so well that I still keep it up, now posting questions regarding past adverntures (NPCs met, locations visited, rumors heard, ect.) to motivate that to keep notes. |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 17 Feb 2009 : 18:47:59
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I usually just assume plenty of local knowledge - exact details about the settlement and the suyrrounding region, and less-detailed info about their country of origin. Then I assume some limited knowledge of the region ssurrounding their nation.
Outside of that, they either need to burn a skill point to learn about something, or spend some time in the area - if a group has spent a few weeks in a town, or a few months in a city, I would give them the required skill/proficiency for free. A PC should only need to use skill points if they haven't ANY actual experience within in a region.
By the same token, if they spend points on Archaelogy, and then spend a few weeks rummaging around Netherease or Imaskari ruins, I will allow one free point in those ancient civilizations as well. On the average, a person's knowledge of an area will increase the more time they spend there, but there's only so much one can learn from "digging up the past" - beyond the first rank, time in a library or with a 'learned Sage' and using Knowledge points would be required.
When I run a game, I fall back on 'common sense' much more then the rules.
quote:
Originally posted by Jorkens
This is the reason I never felt comfortable with DM'ing in Waterdeep. There is just to much area details for me to remmember. What sets Waterdeep apart is the sprawling nature of teh city and the detailed locations found in each street. For a person who at times struggles to remember the names of his own npc's this is quite a challenge.
I feel the ame way as well. I think you can be a n FR DM, or a Waterdeep DM, but you can't be an expert on both unless you want to spend even more time digging up campaign details.
I've neve used Waterdeep fro that reason - I have just a passing familiarioty with the place, and would not be able to do it justice. On the other hand, I know someone at my LGS who ran a Waterdeep-only campaign, all based on Intrigue and skuldugery - it was awesome (or so I hear from the players). However, from talking to the guy, he's an expert on Waterdeep, but not so much on the rest of the Realms.
Its almost as if WD is a setting-within-a-setting, like Maztica or the Hordelands. To do it right, you would have top mak eit your main focus.
Seperate but related to topic:
Which brings me to another point/question - awhile ago a pamphlet-like format for 'regional knowledge' was discussed here at CK. They would be player handouts about a certain area, when they were planning on traveling there and did a little research. Almost like 'travel guides' with local sites and important historical facts, with maybe a little bit of 'current clack' thrown in.
I guess that never got much beyond the discussion - phase, eh?
Too bad... a lot of new FR DMs have been asking for just such a thing over at WotC boards.
You would think WotC would have something akin to that freely available for download for the LFR regions - I think it would greatly benefit both the LFR DMs, and help grow that particular venture.
Once again, it makes you wonder who's steering the ship over there, when so many new player/DMs seem to be floundering. 
Not that I care about 4eFR, but I do care about new D&D players getting disgusted and walking away. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 17 Feb 2009 18:49:52 |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2009 : 09:00:05
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I did use the city a couple of times about ten years ago, but it became more of a constant on the spot research-job as players asked questions I could not answer. I need to improvise to a large degree whilst DM'ing and there is dozens of city's that makes this easier for me than Waterdeep.
Come to think of it, why not use the old Waterdeep and the North as a base? The information here is more sketchy and general. The limited information on the nearby lands could also be used if some of the characters have travelled a bit or have studied subjects about the north. A pdf of the book can be had for a few bucks at Rpg-Now or Paizo.
If I were to DM the city again I think I would try using just the information in that book and the City system. The later books on the city an the region has another feel and i prefer the original. |
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Starting Character Knowledge Help
