DMing Waterdeep Game - Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

DMing Waterdeep Game - Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Faeryl
06-02-06, 02:16 PM Hello.

I am in the process of running a campaign in the city of Waterdeep, which I am planning on being mostly intrigue-driven. It is also going to be focusing on some of the more "secretive" people/groups, such as Khelben, Laeral, some of the Secret Lords of Waterdeep, and the Unseeen and, of course, the Harpers (and Tel Teukira probably).

My question is if anybody knows any extra information on any of the individuals/groups above. I'm looking for novels, old 2nd edition sourcebooks, 3rd edition books, anything that can help me better get into the character of the individuals and/or groups mindset of those listed above.

Khelben and Laeral, I think, are going to be that hardest NPCs for me to play, because I'm not sure exactly how secretive, manipulative and/or meddlesome those two would be in the lives of the PCs.]

Any suggestions?
Thelandrach
06-03-06, 02:13 AM Code of the Harpers is probably your best bet for a sourcebook on the Harpers; you can get a PDF download from paizo games at www.paizo.com for $4. I don't know how much use it will be for a Waterdeep campaign, but hey. Four bucks.
The Ranger
06-03-06, 04:08 AM The characters in the campaign I'm running (not the one in which I'm merely a PC), are recently arrived in Waterdeep and I have plans to make their lives there quite miserable. I've been working on various allies, enemies and random folk for them to encounter while there and it's been a task and one I don't envy you, looking back on all the work.

But on the other hand, I hope the NPCS I've created will bring the city to life for the PCs. They certainly have for me.

I relied heavily on the City of Splendors sourcebook to pick which groups, PRCs and other details I wanted to use. It gives a good overview, but sadly you'll have to fill in the details yourself.

Good luck.
Old Sage
06-03-06, 04:58 AM Hello.

I am in the process of running a campaign in the city of Waterdeep, which I am planning on being mostly intrigue-driven. It is also going to be focusing on some of the more "secretive" people/groups, such as Khelben, Laeral, some of the Secret Lords of Waterdeep, and the Unseeen and, of course, the Harpers (and Tel Teukira probably).

My question is if anybody knows any extra information on any of the individuals/groups above. I'm looking for novels, old 2nd edition sourcebooks, 3rd edition books, anything that can help me better get into the character of the individuals and/or groups mindset of those listed above.All of the previous sourcebooks covering Waterdeep should provide more than enough initial details for you to get started on learning more about the groups and individuals you've listed above.

These sources, for Waterdeep and its associated power groups, include:-

- 2e City of Splendors boxed set
- Volo's Guide to Waterdeep
- Waterdeep and the North
- 3e City of Splendors: Waterdeep
- Ed and Elaine's City of Splendors novel
- Ed's Candlekeep replies (see the "Ed's Answers" URL in my sig for the website containing the compiled replies files)

For the Harpers and the Moonstars:-

- Ed's Code of the Harpers
- Elaine's "Songs & Swords" novels for the Harpers
- The "Harpers" series of novels
- Ed's Candlekeep replies for the Harpers
- Steven Schend's Candlekeep replies for the Moonstars (also in the same reply files as noted above)
- Cloak & Dagger for the Moonstars

For Khelben and Laeral:-

- Their individual entries in the Heroes' Lorebook
- Most of the Waterdeep sources listed above (and Cloak & Dagger [for Khelben])
- Steven's Candlekeep replies (again, for Khelben)
Faeryl
06-05-06, 01:45 PM Code of the Harpers is probably your best bet for a sourcebook on the Harpers; you can get a PDF download from paizo games at www.paizo.com for $4. I don't know how much use it will be for a Waterdeep campaign, but hey. Four bucks.

Wow. I've been reading the "Code of the Harpers" - it's a very informative book! While Khelben is technically split from the Harpers, the 3rd edition sourcebook (City of Splendors) does say under Laeral's quick biography blurb that she is still connected with the Harpers. Since the campaign is almost solely focusing on intrigue and politics, I'm sure the Harpers will have a place.

Thanks again, Thelandrach!

...I don't envy you, looking back on all the work.

...But on the other hand, I hope the NPCS I've created will bring the city to life for the PCs. They certainly have for me.

Oh, that's the work that I love the most! :)

There are so many interesting and intriguing individuals in Waterdeep, one could not recount them all. But my goal is to introduce the PCs to as many NPCs as possible, and let them decide what they want to get involved with. I try to let the PCs meet as many "famous" individuals as possible. For example, when I ran the Silver Marches, my PCs met Alustriel, who kissed each of them on the forehead and told them how much she believed and would honor them. In the Dalelands, they met a wandering, bearded man (Elminster, of course), whom they later discovered the identity of (much to their surprise.
These people are what help mold the Forgotten Realms into what they are

Creating the NPCs, with their lives and fleshing them out with real struggles and triumphs, I think, are great fun. I want the PCs to meet Piergion, Mirt, Texter, and Durnan. I want them to wonder what the Red Sashes and the Tel Teukira and the Harpers are all about. I want them to stand in awe when meeting Khelben and Laeral Arunsun. In short, I want this to be quite the best campaign it can possibly be.
(Oh, I should probably add ... please don't think I'm criticizing you or your DMing skill at all. I'm just ... er ... bragging about the Forgotten Realms, I guess. :embarrass)

I should probably also clarify that the campaign I'm running has the PCs enamored with noble families. They are heirs of their respective noble houses, but I'm leaving it to them what they decide to do with that.

Thank you very much, Old Sage, for all of that information. I wasn't aware there was such a plethora of ... welll ... everything out there! I've ordered about 20 books off amazon.com, one of which is Steven Schend's "Blackstaff". Oooh!
And as a Forgotten Realms fanatic, I'm afraid I must admit that I wasn't even aware of the existence of Candlekeep. That is just great! Many heartfelt thanks to you (and, naturally, Ed, whom I thank every time I sit down to play or run in the Forgotten Realms) for all of this information.

On another note, it does seem that there is not much information concerning Laeral. That's odd.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Faeryl 06-02-06, 02:16 PM	Hello. I am in the process of running a campaign in the city of Waterdeep, which I am planning on being mostly intrigue-driven. It is also going to be focusing on some of the more "secretive" people/groups, such as Khelben, Laeral, some of the Secret Lords of Waterdeep, and the Unseeen and, of course, the Harpers (and Tel Teukira probably). My question is if anybody knows any extra information on any of the individuals/groups above. I'm looking for novels, old 2nd edition sourcebooks, 3rd edition books, anything that can help me better get into the character of the individuals and/or groups mindset of those listed above. Khelben and Laeral, I think, are going to be that hardest NPCs for me to play, because I'm not sure exactly how secretive, manipulative and/or meddlesome those two would be in the lives of the PCs.] Any suggestions?
Thelandrach 06-03-06, 02:13 AM	Code of the Harpers is probably your best bet for a sourcebook on the Harpers; you can get a PDF download from paizo games at www.paizo.com for $4. I don't know how much use it will be for a Waterdeep campaign, but hey. Four bucks.
The Ranger 06-03-06, 04:08 AM	The characters in the campaign I'm running (not the one in which I'm merely a PC), are recently arrived in Waterdeep and I have plans to make their lives there quite miserable. I've been working on various allies, enemies and random folk for them to encounter while there and it's been a task and one I don't envy you, looking back on all the work. But on the other hand, I hope the NPCS I've created will bring the city to life for the PCs. They certainly have for me. I relied heavily on the City of Splendors sourcebook to pick which groups, PRCs and other details I wanted to use. It gives a good overview, but sadly you'll have to fill in the details yourself. Good luck.
Old Sage 06-03-06, 04:58 AM	Hello. I am in the process of running a campaign in the city of Waterdeep, which I am planning on being mostly intrigue-driven. It is also going to be focusing on some of the more "secretive" people/groups, such as Khelben, Laeral, some of the Secret Lords of Waterdeep, and the Unseeen and, of course, the Harpers (and Tel Teukira probably). My question is if anybody knows any extra information on any of the individuals/groups above. I'm looking for novels, old 2nd edition sourcebooks, 3rd edition books, anything that can help me better get into the character of the individuals and/or groups mindset of those listed above.All of the previous sourcebooks covering Waterdeep should provide more than enough initial details for you to get started on learning more about the groups and individuals you've listed above. These sources, for Waterdeep and its associated power groups, include:- - 2e City of Splendors boxed set - Volo's Guide to Waterdeep - Waterdeep and the North - 3e City of Splendors: Waterdeep - Ed and Elaine's City of Splendors novel - Ed's Candlekeep replies (see the "Ed's Answers" URL in my sig for the website containing the compiled replies files) For the Harpers and the Moonstars:- - Ed's Code of the Harpers - Elaine's "Songs & Swords" novels for the Harpers - The "Harpers" series of novels - Ed's Candlekeep replies for the Harpers - Steven Schend's Candlekeep replies for the Moonstars (also in the same reply files as noted above) - Cloak & Dagger for the Moonstars For Khelben and Laeral:- - Their individual entries in the Heroes' Lorebook - Most of the Waterdeep sources listed above (and Cloak & Dagger [for Khelben]) - Steven's Candlekeep replies (again, for Khelben)
Faeryl 06-05-06, 01:45 PM	Code of the Harpers is probably your best bet for a sourcebook on the Harpers; you can get a PDF download from paizo games at www.paizo.com for $4. I don't know how much use it will be for a Waterdeep campaign, but hey. Four bucks. Wow. I've been reading the "Code of the Harpers" - it's a very informative book! While Khelben is technically split from the Harpers, the 3rd edition sourcebook (City of Splendors) does say under Laeral's quick biography blurb that she is still connected with the Harpers. Since the campaign is almost solely focusing on intrigue and politics, I'm sure the Harpers will have a place. Thanks again, Thelandrach! ...I don't envy you, looking back on all the work. ...But on the other hand, I hope the NPCS I've created will bring the city to life for the PCs. They certainly have for me. Oh, that's the work that I love the most! :) There are so many interesting and intriguing individuals in Waterdeep, one could not recount them all. But my goal is to introduce the PCs to as many NPCs as possible, and let them decide what they want to get involved with. I try to let the PCs meet as many "famous" individuals as possible. For example, when I ran the Silver Marches, my PCs met Alustriel, who kissed each of them on the forehead and told them how much she believed and would honor them. In the Dalelands, they met a wandering, bearded man (Elminster, of course), whom they later discovered the identity of (much to their surprise. These people are what help mold the Forgotten Realms into what they are Creating the NPCs, with their lives and fleshing them out with real struggles and triumphs, I think, are great fun. I want the PCs to meet Piergion, Mirt, Texter, and Durnan. I want them to wonder what the Red Sashes and the Tel Teukira and the Harpers are all about. I want them to stand in awe when meeting Khelben and Laeral Arunsun. In short, I want this to be quite the best campaign it can possibly be. (Oh, I should probably add ... please don't think I'm criticizing you or your DMing skill at all. I'm just ... er ... bragging about the Forgotten Realms, I guess. :embarrass) I should probably also clarify that the campaign I'm running has the PCs enamored with noble families. They are heirs of their respective noble houses, but I'm leaving it to them what they decide to do with that. Thank you very much, Old Sage, for all of that information. I wasn't aware there was such a plethora of ... welll ... everything out there! I've ordered about 20 books off amazon.com, one of which is Steven Schend's "Blackstaff". Oooh! And as a Forgotten Realms fanatic, I'm afraid I must admit that I wasn't even aware of the existence of Candlekeep. That is just great! Many heartfelt thanks to you (and, naturally, Ed, whom I thank every time I sit down to play or run in the Forgotten Realms) for all of this information. On another note, it does seem that there is not much information concerning Laeral. That's odd.