The Complete Guide To Waterdeep and Undermountain products!! [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Complete Guide To Waterdeep and Undermountain products!! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dave_the_DM
06-19-07, 09:03 AM With “Expedition to Undermountain” coming out this month, I have seen a lot of talk on the boards as of late. Many of the younger players may not have an idea of exactly what this thing is, or the history behind it. Here I have tried to put together all that into one place. Having run Waterdeep and Undermountain for many years, I thought I would provide some info on products covering these places, what’s useful, and some insights on how to use them to enhance your campaign.

Waterdeep

The first supplement for Waterdeep was FR1 Waterdeep and the North. Printed in 1987, this is long out of print, and all the info has been updated and reprinted in other products. Not really needed to run, unless you are trying to complete a collection or something.

Volo’s Guide to Waterdeep. This is a MUST have if you are going to run Waterdeep, and with resources like ebay and RPGnow, there is nor reason not to get it:

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=861&

Written from the perspective of a traveler/ tourist exploring the city, with close up street maps and descriptions, this guide will give you TONS of source material to build upon and enrich your campaign for years. GET THIS!!

City System Boxed Set: A bunch of giant maps of the city of Waterdeep. Nice to have… I recommend you just download it from RPGnow… that way you can just print pertinent parts for each game session as needed.

Waterdeep City of Splendors Boxed set: Another well done product. If you can get this on ebay I would suggest it as the maps are well done, and they use the same keys system that was used in the 3.5e Waterdeep supplement (see below).

Some highlights are the maps and guide for the Adventurer’s Quarter, map for castle Waterdeep, the extensive coverage of the noble families of Waterdeep, and the Index in the back that cross references the old numbering system with the new (very important when using Volo’s Guide).

In the original Waterdeep maps the buildings were numbered from 1 to 282, in later products they renumbered them by the individual wards. The boxed set has a very nice index that allows you to cross reference the old and the new… going both from old system to new, and new system to old. This comes in real handy when using Volo’s guide as Volo uses the old numbering system.

Of important note, is that the 3.5e Waterdeep hardcover uses the exact same system (with the addition of more building names. No big deal).

Waterdeep 3.5e Hardcover: I can’t express how disappointed I was at this product. In most cases, there is very little new here. It is a smattering of Volo’s guide here, the boxed set there, and bits and pieces from other products. Of course, most of the NPCs and Monsters get the 3.5e update treatment, but at a mere 157 pages, there is simply not enough room to give the city the treatment it deserves.

What I can say, is that if you have this supplement, the downloaded boxed set (with the index sheets printed out), and Volo’s guide, you will have significant resources at you disposal to run the thing.

While the boxed set covered all 75 noble houses, the hardcover gives details on FOUR, and tells you there are a lot more and to design how you wish. Other sections are similarly covered. The Adventurer’s Quarter is highlighted in the maps, and the buildings are named, but there is no mention of what it is… in the boxed set this section got its own book!

Undermountain

There has been quite a bit written about UM over the years. Here I will try to cover all sections that I know of. If anyone has more info on more please add!!

Ruins of Undermountain Boxed Set: Get it, get it now. With ebay and RPGnow there is nor reason not to. The biggest complaint everyone makes about this thing is that there is so much “blank space” on the maps. IMHO these folks are missing the point. UM is fluid place, and things change constantly. With very little prep, a good DM can run a whole section of “empty rooms” on the fly if need be… Here’s a link:

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=809&

The maps are great, and the rooms that are done are quality stuff! The important thing to note is that the rooms give you an idea of what’s there, and from there you can create your own original stuff! What a blast! (If you don’t think that sounds like fun, just stop now and move on to something else… like knitting). Detailed here is Level 1: The Dungeon Level, Level 2: The Storeroom level, Level 3: The Sargauth Level.

Skullport: Another must have product. The shadowed port city on the third level of Undermountain gets the full treatment. The coverage is great, and really enhances the information provided in the boxed set. There is enough info here and in the boxed set to run a campaign for years.

Ruins of Undermountain II: The Deep Levels: Another big set of maps and more levels. Exactly WHERE these levels are in relation to the previous supplement is never really detailed… which really put me off. However, the new Book coming out has a nice cross section (as shown in previews),

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mapofweek/June2007/01_June2007_72_fc2wdj_ppi.jpg

so this helps a little. Certainly, this addition fills in some back story, and provides some nice fluff, but it is not as good as the original boxed set. Still nice to have though. Detailed here is Wyllowood, Muiral’s Gauntlet, and Trobriand’s graveyard.

There were three separate “Dungeon Crawl” modules published over the years, of decent quality. They were:

The Lost Level (covers the lost level, duh)
Maddgoth’s Castle (more lost level and a miniature castle you have to shrink to go in and explore)
Stardock (covers the Crystal Labyrinth, and a dungeon on one of Sulune’s Tears.) Gives the backstory on Halaster’s Harvest.

Undermountain, Level 1 was revisited on the web in 2005. Very well done, they are still in the archives here:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/archfr/ru

Vanrakdoom: Covered in a web enhancement. I’ve downloaded it but never read it, so I can’t say exactly how good or useful it is.

Slitherswamp: Apparently this was given some coverage in the “Serpent Kingdoms” hardcover. Haven’t seen it, so I can’t give you details.

Levels not yet covered:
Level 4: The farms level

The Troglodyte Warrems

Level 5: The Maze level

Sublevel: Arcturiadoom: Arcturia was one of Halaster’s apprentices, apparently killed in the Startdock module, but apparently resurrected into something less than human (heh, heh).

Sublevel: The Obstacle Course

Level 6: The Seadeeps

Level 7: Caverns of Ooze

Sublevel: The Runestone Level

Level 8: Terminus Level

Sublevel: Shadowdusk Hold

Level 9: The Mad Wizard’s Lair

The side level: The Shaft

And the Pit of Ghanadaur.

Hope this clears the confusion.

Dave
Krash
06-19-07, 10:27 AM Waterdeep 3.5e Hardcover: I can’t express how disappointed I was at this product. In most cases, there is very little new here.

There is a huge amount of "new" in City of Splendors: Waterdeep.

-- George Krashos
shadowoftreefrog
06-19-07, 10:05 PM I found what appear to be scans of some older (not sure what box they're from) maps of the various levels of undermountain.

http://eldralar.proboards38.com/

They are all lower resolution though but if you have expidition to undermountain it helps to provide context for the maps that are in there.
souldnce9
06-20-07, 02:31 AM I must say that I found the 3.5 Book very useful since I didn't even know about the sources you mentioned. However I really appreciate this post cause that info is useful. Good job Dave. :D
SoulCatcher78
06-24-07, 07:36 PM Well done. As someone who has been interested in Waterdeep (i.e. addicted to buying the supplements) since I was introduced to it through Waterdeep and the North back in 1987, I found your post to be very helpful. Having been away from D&D for quite a while, I had wondered about buying the new City of Splendors but have been waffling after seeing how much of the "new" material is just a rehash of the old with different stats. Thanks for the heads up.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dave_the_DM 06-19-07, 09:03 AM	With “Expedition to Undermountain” coming out this month, I have seen a lot of talk on the boards as of late. Many of the younger players may not have an idea of exactly what this thing is, or the history behind it. Here I have tried to put together all that into one place. Having run Waterdeep and Undermountain for many years, I thought I would provide some info on products covering these places, what’s useful, and some insights on how to use them to enhance your campaign. Waterdeep The first supplement for Waterdeep was FR1 Waterdeep and the North. Printed in 1987, this is long out of print, and all the info has been updated and reprinted in other products. Not really needed to run, unless you are trying to complete a collection or something. Volo’s Guide to Waterdeep. This is a MUST have if you are going to run Waterdeep, and with resources like ebay and RPGnow, there is nor reason not to get it: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=861& Written from the perspective of a traveler/ tourist exploring the city, with close up street maps and descriptions, this guide will give you TONS of source material to build upon and enrich your campaign for years. GET THIS!! City System Boxed Set: A bunch of giant maps of the city of Waterdeep. Nice to have… I recommend you just download it from RPGnow… that way you can just print pertinent parts for each game session as needed. Waterdeep City of Splendors Boxed set: Another well done product. If you can get this on ebay I would suggest it as the maps are well done, and they use the same keys system that was used in the 3.5e Waterdeep supplement (see below). Some highlights are the maps and guide for the Adventurer’s Quarter, map for castle Waterdeep, the extensive coverage of the noble families of Waterdeep, and the Index in the back that cross references the old numbering system with the new (very important when using Volo’s Guide). In the original Waterdeep maps the buildings were numbered from 1 to 282, in later products they renumbered them by the individual wards. The boxed set has a very nice index that allows you to cross reference the old and the new… going both from old system to new, and new system to old. This comes in real handy when using Volo’s guide as Volo uses the old numbering system. Of important note, is that the 3.5e Waterdeep hardcover uses the exact same system (with the addition of more building names. No big deal). Waterdeep 3.5e Hardcover: I can’t express how disappointed I was at this product. In most cases, there is very little new here. It is a smattering of Volo’s guide here, the boxed set there, and bits and pieces from other products. Of course, most of the NPCs and Monsters get the 3.5e update treatment, but at a mere 157 pages, there is simply not enough room to give the city the treatment it deserves. What I can say, is that if you have this supplement, the downloaded boxed set (with the index sheets printed out), and Volo’s guide, you will have significant resources at you disposal to run the thing. While the boxed set covered all 75 noble houses, the hardcover gives details on FOUR, and tells you there are a lot more and to design how you wish. Other sections are similarly covered. The Adventurer’s Quarter is highlighted in the maps, and the buildings are named, but there is no mention of what it is… in the boxed set this section got its own book! Undermountain There has been quite a bit written about UM over the years. Here I will try to cover all sections that I know of. If anyone has more info on more please add!! Ruins of Undermountain Boxed Set: Get it, get it now. With ebay and RPGnow there is nor reason not to. The biggest complaint everyone makes about this thing is that there is so much “blank space” on the maps. IMHO these folks are missing the point. UM is fluid place, and things change constantly. With very little prep, a good DM can run a whole section of “empty rooms” on the fly if need be… Here’s a link: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=809& The maps are great, and the rooms that are done are quality stuff! The important thing to note is that the rooms give you an idea of what’s there, and from there you can create your own original stuff! What a blast! (If you don’t think that sounds like fun, just stop now and move on to something else… like knitting). Detailed here is Level 1: The Dungeon Level, Level 2: The Storeroom level, Level 3: The Sargauth Level. Skullport: Another must have product. The shadowed port city on the third level of Undermountain gets the full treatment. The coverage is great, and really enhances the information provided in the boxed set. There is enough info here and in the boxed set to run a campaign for years. Ruins of Undermountain II: The Deep Levels: Another big set of maps and more levels. Exactly WHERE these levels are in relation to the previous supplement is never really detailed… which really put me off. However, the new Book coming out has a nice cross section (as shown in previews), http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mapofweek/June2007/01_June2007_72_fc2wdj_ppi.jpg so this helps a little. Certainly, this addition fills in some back story, and provides some nice fluff, but it is not as good as the original boxed set. Still nice to have though. Detailed here is Wyllowood, Muiral’s Gauntlet, and Trobriand’s graveyard. There were three separate “Dungeon Crawl” modules published over the years, of decent quality. They were: The Lost Level (covers the lost level, duh) Maddgoth’s Castle (more lost level and a miniature castle you have to shrink to go in and explore) Stardock (covers the Crystal Labyrinth, and a dungeon on one of Sulune’s Tears.) Gives the backstory on Halaster’s Harvest. Undermountain, Level 1 was revisited on the web in 2005. Very well done, they are still in the archives here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/archfr/ru Vanrakdoom: Covered in a web enhancement. I’ve downloaded it but never read it, so I can’t say exactly how good or useful it is. Slitherswamp: Apparently this was given some coverage in the “Serpent Kingdoms” hardcover. Haven’t seen it, so I can’t give you details. Levels not yet covered: Level 4: The farms level The Troglodyte Warrems Level 5: The Maze level Sublevel: Arcturiadoom: Arcturia was one of Halaster’s apprentices, apparently killed in the Startdock module, but apparently resurrected into something less than human (heh, heh). Sublevel: The Obstacle Course Level 6: The Seadeeps Level 7: Caverns of Ooze Sublevel: The Runestone Level Level 8: Terminus Level Sublevel: Shadowdusk Hold Level 9: The Mad Wizard’s Lair The side level: The Shaft And the Pit of Ghanadaur. Hope this clears the confusion. Dave
Krash 06-19-07, 10:27 AM	Waterdeep 3.5e Hardcover: I can’t express how disappointed I was at this product. In most cases, there is very little new here. There is a huge amount of "new" in City of Splendors: Waterdeep. -- George Krashos
shadowoftreefrog 06-19-07, 10:05 PM	I found what appear to be scans of some older (not sure what box they're from) maps of the various levels of undermountain. http://eldralar.proboards38.com/ They are all lower resolution though but if you have expidition to undermountain it helps to provide context for the maps that are in there.
souldnce9 06-20-07, 02:31 AM	I must say that I found the 3.5 Book very useful since I didn't even know about the sources you mentioned. However I really appreciate this post cause that info is useful. Good job Dave. :D
SoulCatcher78 06-24-07, 07:36 PM	Well done. As someone who has been interested in Waterdeep (i.e. addicted to buying the supplements) since I was introduced to it through Waterdeep and the North back in 1987, I found your post to be very helpful. Having been away from D&D for quite a while, I had wondered about buying the new City of Splendors but have been waffling after seeing how much of the "new" material is just a rehash of the old with different stats. Thanks for the heads up.