What You Will Find In This Document

This documnt is a basic summary of everything you may want to know about WaterDeep Dragon Heist before starting your campiagn. This is by no means a comprehensive summary of everything you can find but instead background information you may be interested in knowing going into the campaign. You can think of the information on this document as information anybody who lives in the city of WaterDeep would know. The main point of this document is to help inspire your character creation and backstory as well as give you all the possible information you could possibly want to know about the world/story going in. Also be aware that this is my version of WaterDeep, and as such there are several changes from the official version to fit my needs. Nothing within this document will include spoilers about the campaign so read away. If you have any questions or want spoiler information ask Jackson, contact information: You already have that, and if you don’t the aforementioned “Jackson” is very concerned as to how you came about this document. Have fun reading!

Cover Art
Cover Art

Plot Summary

Your Character matters

  • Whatever you come up with for your character will be written into the campaign. Your backstory will change the world as needed so have fun.
  • Nothing in this document is sacred. For example if you want your character to be related to a NPC, done.
  • This world is just as much yours as it is mine so suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.
  • Because players can have such a profound influence on the world I recommenced talking with the other players about your wants and ideas as they can help inspire others and yourself.

The Heist

  • Half a million dragon (what gold pieces are called because that wont get confusing) are said to be hidden somewhere in WaterDeep.
    • Many know about the treasure, but it is believed to be just a rumor
    • Players may want to join the hunt or simply stop the dragon from falling into the wrong hands

Confict in WaterDeep

  • City is threatened by escalating tensions between two gangs
    • More information can be found in the Factions section about said gangs
    • If you want specific information about the conflict it is slightly spoiler esc so ask Jackson if you are really curious. This is information you will want if you want your character to have a backstory as part of either gang

What can be expected

  • This is a campaign full of mystery and roleplay.
  • There will be combat encounters but they are not the focus of the campaign
  • Many encounters are designed to be too difficult to be beaten in combat with other solutions encouraged. There are multiple hostile enemies with CR above 10
  • Skills in diplomacy, intelligence, deception, and stealth are highly encouraged but combat skills will have time to shine as well
  • This is a Heist and as such you can imagine what sorts of problems you will face

WaterDeep

General Knowledge

  • Urban city where the plot takes place
  • Known as the city of splendors
  • The city is very civilized with its own sewer system, many guilds, government, and water system.

Government

  • Ruled over by a “Open Lord”. It is what it sounds like, crazy I know
  • There are also several hidden lords, called Masked lords, whose identities remain hidden to ensure they are never influenced, bribed, or threatened.
  • The Black Robes: Are the magisters of WaterDeep. Mostly just register travelers who stay in WaterDeep for longer then a tenday and deal with local issues.
    • Have the power to punish people without a trail, but if found doing so unlawfully can be punished by the Open lord or a Masked Lord
  • The City Watch is the organization of guards who watch over the citizens. Learn more in the Factions section
  • Taxes
    • 1 shard (silver piece) per month to those who live in WaterDeep
    • 1 nib (copper) per day for rental of a stall in the market
    • In times of trouble Taxes may increase

Sights to see

  • The Walking Statues
    • 8 Gigantic statues designed to protect WaterDeep from great peril
    • They are 9 stories tall
    • Currently frozen awaiting for a cataclysmic ethereal threat to rally against

Locations

Map of WaterDeep
Map of WaterDeep

The Yawning Portal Inn and Tavern

  • Popular tavern that attracts adventurers and citizens the like
  • Where the adventure will begin
  • Has an entrance to undermountain
    • Undermountain is a dungeon made for lv 10 adventurers. It is included in this campaign as an advertisement for another module that I do not own. If you want to die an early death you are free to enter into this dungeon
  • Found in Castle Ward

Trollskull Manor

  • Run down abandoned tavern
  • Rumors have it that the place is haunted by the old tavern keeper
  • Found in North Ward

The Sea Ward

  • This is the northern coast of waterdeep
  • Richer businesses tend to offer their goods and services in this area
  • Many nobles live here, but not as much as in the North Ward
  • The House of Heros
    • Largest temple in the city
    • Celebrates many of the most important champions in WaterDeeps history.
  • House of Wonder
    • Temple dedicated to the gods of Magic
  • House of the Inspired Hands
    • Temple where inventors go to invent the technology of the future
    • Where the dray was invented, see more in Misc Details

The North Ward

  • Where the majority of nobles live
  • Home to many taverns and shops
  • The richest ward with many households having servants work for them.

The Castle Ward

  • Houses cities military, courts, government and markets
  • Palace of WaterDeep
    • Where the lords live
    • includes courts, government offices, and meeting halls
  • Font of knowledge
    • Temple to Oghma (God of knowledge)
    • Largest library in WaterDeep

The Trades Ward

  • You are never gonna guess what sorts of activities happen in the trades ward
  • Biggest market area in WaterDeep
  • Shopping, eating, trading
  • If you know the right places and people to look for, can find the Blackmarket here

The Southern Ward

  • Can be thought of as the culture or entertainment ward
  • Foods native to WaterDeep, gallerias of art, and theaters for music and plays are found here
  • Has the dancing court
    • a square where by day there are street performers and the like, but on the full moon anyone who enters the square finds they can fly and the court is referred to as the Moon Square
    • Home of the Jade Dancer, a statue that comes to life and dances for patrons

The Dock Ward

  • Where most of the impoverished live

City of The Dead

  • A great and beautiful park that doubles as a cemetery
  • Most dead are not buried but instead entombed in mausoleums
  • The memory of many fallen are immortalized with statues in this area
  • Many driftglobes can be found dancing along the city at night

Outside the City Proper

Field Ward

  • District of refugees and settlers just outside the walls of WaterDeep.
  • Is not guarded by the city watch because it is not officially a ward of WaterDeep
  • It is an impoverished area

Undermountain

  • This a a legendary dungeon under WaterDeep
  • It is so deep that it has not been fully explored
  • Entrance can be found in The Yawning Portal
  • This area exists as an advertisement to another dnd campaign that I do not own so a lot about it is unknown to me. In conclusion if you want to go here expect improve
  • This area is designed for parties levled 5 to 15. If you go here expect to die

Undercliff

  • Rolling grassland east of the city
  • Largely farmland
  • Home of Amendsfarm, a training camp for City Watch

Factions

Nobilities

  • There are seventy eight in total. Believe it or not, not all seventy eight will be relevant to this campaign, only seventy seven and a half will. If you are really courious here is a list.
  • Nobilities are legally allowed to have seventy armed soldiers
  • If you choose to have a nobility background you may choose one of the following or make up your own
  • House Cassalanter
    • A nobility that long ago was stripped of its status for having devil worshipers.
    • Recently regained its noble status and trying to prove they are good and not worshiping any devils anymore.
    • Moto: “We are really really really really sorry about our great grandparents, they were fucking crazy for real”
  • House Amcathra
    • Tethyrian family that breeds horses and trains them.
    • Moto: “We trample our Troubles”
  • House Margaster
    • Illuskan family that does land based shipping and trade
    • Moto: “Nothing is beyond our grasp”
  • House Phylund
    • Tashlutar family that tames, trains and sells monsters.
    • Motto: “What you fear we master”
  • House Rosznar
    • Once banished for smuggling, slavery, and otheer crimes
    • Tethyrian
    • Trying to rebuild its reputation
    • Wine making and gem trading
    • Motto: “We fly high and stoop swift” or “Hey at least we arent the Cassalanter’s”

Xanathars Guild

  • Gang that leads the criminal Underworld of WaterDeep
  • Members tend to be of the monster variety
  • Leader is Xanathar (Surprising I know!)
  • In a war with the Black Network
  • If you want to know more for backstory reasons let me know, but it is a minor spoiler

Zhentarim (Black Network)

  • Yes the very same Zhentarim from Baulder’s Gate 3. No BG3 is not cannon to this campaign. Yes they still may try to kill you… Jr
  • Gang trying to gain a political foothold in WaterDeep
  • Founder: Manshoon
  • Trades mercenaries and weapons for profit
  • At war with Xanathars Guild
  • Has pretty open enrollment in case you are interested

Guilds

  • Like any occupation you can name. Wanna be a pot maker, pot maker guild, butcher?, butcher’s guild, and so on and so forth

Bregan D’aerthe

  • WARNING MINOR SPOILERS SO READ WITH CAUTION
  • Character must be a drow to join
  • Company of mercenaries
  • Lead by Jarlaxle Baenre
  • Entered WaterDeep by pretending to be a legitimate buisness
  • Trying to get the half million dragons

Emerald Enclave

  • Group that is interested in protecting nature and the natural order
  • Filled with druid members
  • Help guard city, and nature, from unnatural threats such as undead

Force Grey

  • To become a member one must first become a member if the Gray hands
    • Has to have already served in the city watch or city guard
      • can bypass this by swearing an oath to defend Waterdeep, its citizens, and the law with their lives
  • Elite cadre of specialized adventurers
  • Lead by the Blackstaff
  • Members can ask for access to uncommon or rare magic items owned by the guild

Harpers

  • Altruists who work behind the scenes to keep power out of the hands of evil tyrants
  • Acts as spies for the government of WaterDeep
  • Currently investigating the Black Network and Xanathars guild, trying to identify members and stop them from criminal activities.

Lords’ Alliance

  • The Lords’ Alliance is the alliance between the cities along the Swordcoast
  • To be part of WaterDeep’s faction of the lords’ alliance is to be a representative of WaterDeep for foreign affairs of cities within the alliance
  • Think of it as being ambasadors in the UN but like instead of global just a handful of nations sharing a coast line
  • Characters can be part of the Lords’ Alliance from other cities if they so choose, but campagin is set in WaterDeep so come up with reason why they would be in WaterDeep
  • Being a member of the Lord’s alliance also necessitates military duty both abroad and at home. Often leads to activity as guards and city watch
  • Main Duty at the moment is stiffing the gang violence.

Order of the Guantlet

  • Mission is to find evil and destroy it before it can get a foothold
  • Members are often also part of the clergy or knighthood
  • Often members will act alone or in small groups
  • Is supported by the WaterDevian government but is not part of the government. Often works under the governments watch.

The City Watch

  • Soldiers and guards who watch over the city
  • Perhaps a familiar face can be found within their ranks
  • Ranks from lowest to highest:
    • Constable
    • Private
    • Sergeant
    • Lieutenant
    • Captain
    • Major
    • Command positions
    • Warden of WaterDeep (Elminster from BG3)
  • The Griffon Cavalry
    • Guards who ride griffons to defend WaterDeep from Arial threats
    • Memebrs are equipped wit ha ring of feather falling
  • Their watch posts can be identified by green and gold lanterns just outside of them
  • Uniform: Green and goldenrod doublet and a tall steel helmet

NPCs

Volothamp Geddarm

  • Yes the very same one from Baulder’s Gate 3. This plot is not cannon to that game and his character will be slightly different.
    • He may still try to poke out your eye with a rusty nail… Alex
  • Famous explorer known for writing a variety of books
  • Currently working on Volo’s Guide to Spirits and Specters
  • You can read his book Volo’s Guide to Monster’s

Dagult Neverember

  • Previous Open Lord of WaterDeep
    • Was ousted out of his position for being a less than benevolent leader
  • Is said to have embezzled half a million dragon and hid them in a secret vault. -Some doubt the authenticity of this rumor
  • Currently off rebuilding the city of Neverwinter

Xanathar

  • The leader of the Xanathar Guild, a well known gang
  • Is a powerful beholder
  • His gang is so influential he is considered the leader of the criminal underworld in WaterDeep

Manshoon

  • Founder of the Black Network
  • Powerful Wizard
  • Died a long time ago. My dearest condolences to all members of the Zhentarim, and anyone else close to the deceased.

Laeral Silverhand

  • Current OpenLord of WaterDeep
  • Daughter of the goddess of magic Mystra

The Cassalanters

  • Victoro Cassalanter and Ammalia Cassalanter and their 2 kids (Your character can be one of the kids!)
  • Are a nobility, so see Factions for more info

Zardoz Zord

  • Human sea captain
  • Runs a traveling carnival called the Sea Maidens Faire

Lady Esvele Rosznar

  • Noble of House Rosznar
  • In early twenties and trying to make a name for self outside of Rosznar
  • Kinda going through her rebellious phase

Duran

  • Proprietor of the Yawning Portal
  • Used to be a famous adventurer
  • Is a man of few words
  • May be a friend of the players

Bonnie

  • Waitress of Yawning Portal
  • Her actual name is Victoria McCabe
  • May be a friend of the players

Mattrim “Threestrings” Mereg

  • Socially awkward Bard who often plays at the Yawning Portal
  • Is mediocre at best with the lute
  • Still gets to play at the Yawning Portal for his extremely competitive price for his services, free.
  • Called “Threestrings” because one of the strings of his lute is snapped, leaving only 3
  • May be a friend of the players

Jalester Silvermane

  • Agent of Lord’s Alliance
  • Recently his boyfriend Faerrel Dunblade died on duty due to the rise in street violence among gangs
    • He is not taking it too well
  • Has recently been stationed at the Yawning Portal
  • Tends to spend his time drinking his sorrows away instead of actually doing his job. Which is fine given that few are dim enough to cause trouble in an adventurer’s tavern owned by Duran
  • May be a friend of the players

Meloon Wardragon

  • Charismatic adventurer who frequents the Yawning Portal
  • Is now retired and spends his days telling tales of his adventures to anyone who will listen
  • Tends to try and make friends with just about everyone he meets
  • May be a friend of the players

Obaya Uday

  • Is a priest
  • Sponsors expeditions into undermountain
  • May be a friend of the players

Yagra Stonefist

  • Half orc thug for hire
  • Minor Spoilers: Is a member of the Black network
  • May be a friend of the players

Misc Details

  • WaterDeep has its own Currency because why the heck not
  • Gold pieces are called “dragon”, thus the name “Dragon Heist” along with needless confusion. Thanks WOTC!
  • Nib= copper pieces. - If you are need of pocket change, simlpy say “Can I have a nibble?”
  • Shard= silver pieces
  • Taol= Brass coin equal to 200 nibs.
    • When one tends to borrow cash before returning what is owed it is common to hear the phrase “If you keep nibbling me (asking for nibs), it will come at quite the taol”
  • Sun= Platinum coin (1000 nibs)
  • Harbor Moon= Platinum crescent (5000 nibs)
  • The Staff of Ahgharion: Casts a ward over WaterDeep that prevents dragons from entering. Specific dragons can pass if the wielder allows.
  • If you want to travel the city but not have to walk like some sort of peasant you can pay for a dray
    • Basically a bus but instead of a car it is a large carriage big enough to be used by dozens of people at once, and is custom to WaterDeep.
    • Costs 2-4 nibs
  • If you want to travel the city by carriage but not have to go by foot or dray like some pathetic common folk peon pay for a hire-coach
    • Basically a taxi but instead of a car it is carriage for a party no larger than 4. So one of you will be left behind… Brenboi
    • Costs is negotiated before the ride but will not exceed 6 shards
  • Story set in the Faerun universe (Basically THE dnd universe, so no surprises there)
  • Here is the Code Legal explaining what will happen if you break some laws, The Code Legal. So there are consequences for say burning a house down… Sara
  • More details about WaterDeep can be found on the Wiki, but some aspects may be changed for the purposes of this campaign
  • I am happy to provide the introduction of this campaign
  • There is of course more information that can be provided about this campaign and world which I would be happy to provide. This information can also be looked up without having to worry about spoilers. This includes but is not limited to
    • Celebrations/holidays in WaterDeep
    • NPCs that are not well known or relevant in chapter 1
    • Items and technology of WaterDeep
    • Neighboring lands (Not really relevant in this campaign)
    • Pantheon of Gods