What is Waterdeep like? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

What is Waterdeep like?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Hammerhead
Jul 13, 2010 20:33:34 I always say it as the FR version of New York. Is this accurate?
#2
The_Silversword
Jul 13, 2010 23:22:51 Yeah thats pretty apt id say. Waterdeep is huge, and has a mix of different cultures, and you can find anything there, and theres always something going on, no matter the time of day, much like New York. Of course there is some important differences, like I dont think New York has any Wizards or fantasy races living there, but I could be wrong.
#3
sfdragon
Jul 13, 2010 23:49:34 why new york??? why not Philly? or York Town, or or Boston, or or or, Richmond VA, or or oro or oror Albuquerue when hte balloon fiesta is going on, or oro ro oro oro oororororor Endinburgh Scotland, or Dublin Ireland

why new york?>???
#4
Jorunhast
Jul 13, 2010 23:55:48 With the preponderance of drug availability and the very legal "festhall ladies" in certain parts of town, Amsterdam might be a better comparison. But I get the comparison to NYC... there are a lot of people in various disguises... trolls in the subways... lol!
#5
Guest1309747454
Jul 14, 2010 8:36:38
Yeah thats pretty apt id say. Waterdeep is huge, and has a mix of different cultures, and you can find anything there, and theres always something going on, no matter the time of day, much like New York. Of course there is some important differences, like I dont think New York has any Wizards or fantasy races living there, but I could be wrong.

You likely are wrong, or you havent been in the right areas of New York.

Hell, there are vampires in NY. If you dont believe me, try an find a copy of a book called "piercing the darkness, undercover with vampires in america today" By Kathering Ramsland. Its out of print, but a good read lol

#6
Nai_Calus
Jul 14, 2010 8:57:28
Pffft, clearly it's San Francisco with its melting pot and insanity. And all the homeless people hiding out in Golden Gate Park can be the local elves. That and half of the haight-ashbury district.

This is naturally going to be 'pick your nearest city that's by water and insist that no, Waterdeep is *there*'. Well, New York is currently closer than SF, but I'm from California so nyeh.
#7
Stigger
Jul 14, 2010 15:24:16 I'd have said London myself... but then I hated NYC, so that could have something to do with it. As for San Francisco, just no. SF is a horrible city, bunch of lunatics there... was much better back in the 80's and early 90's. Just gone so far downhill its kinda sad.
#8
Guest1309747454
Jul 14, 2010 15:30:01 you dont like much of the big cities in the states huh lol
#9
sfdragon
Jul 14, 2010 16:46:26 Paris, Waterdeep sure would not be like Venis ( cant spell it) but imagine if it was
#10
Guest1309747454
Jul 14, 2010 17:17:27 whats the population there? I know Myth Drannor is 10k, and thats kinda big

Book I have sys 100k, and I do believe there are a lot more in NY
#11
Hammerhead
Jul 16, 2010 15:25:01
why new york??? why not Philly? or York Town, or or Boston, or or or, Richmond VA, or or oro or oror Albuquerue when hte balloon fiesta is going on, or oro ro oro oro oororororor Endinburgh Scotland, or Dublin Ireland

why new york?>???

It's a really big, wealthy, diverse city near the ocean. New York is the first thing that comes to my mind.

Another question: what city is most like Las Vegas?
#12
Dragon9
Jul 16, 2010 23:58:53 Nah, it's more the FR rip off of the City of Greyhawk. Heheh...
#13
Jorunhast
Jul 17, 2010 0:08:43
Nah, it's more the FR rip off of the City of Greyhawk. Heheh...

...and Greyhawk was a ripoff of Lankhmar? Heh!
#14
Keith53
Jul 18, 2010 6:39:30 I think of Waterdeep as a blend of New York City (commerce), Paris (social and art), London (ethnic mixture of population), and Chicago (politics).

Keith
#15
Dragon9
Jul 18, 2010 18:23:43
... and Chicago (politics).

*shudder* I never knew Waterdeep was so corrupt.
#16
The_Silversword
Jul 18, 2010 19:13:50 I'm starting to think maybe Waterdeep is too big! Last night I sent the players to Waterdeep. Theyve been on this quest to uncover the lost pieces of the book of ULTIMATE EVIL before the forces of darkness gathers them. Any way I had this NPC in Waterdeep whos something of a sage on the matter so the party went off to find him to get some info, I tried to get it in the heads of the players that Waterdeep was huge! and that there were shops, festhalls, taverns, street performers, basically anything you could think of it was there. So of course the party then splits up, with the Mage looking for a magic shop, the fighter lookin for a weapons shop, the cleric looking for a temple to Corellon, and everbody going here or there, and the party was hopelessly split up. I was trying to keep everyone together and let everybody get a turn in shopping or seeing the sights, but it was tough. The last game was a combat heavy old fashioned dungeon crawl, so I tried to make this session less combat and more focused on roleplaying, but once the players found out there was an arena in Waterdeep, it was all over then! Half the party just wanted to fight in the areana, while the other half was trying to get on with the quest. ARGGGHHHH! Still I guess everyone had a good time. I just flipped back and forth alot between the guys in the arean and the guys one the trail of the quest, still IM thinking that Waterdeep just has TOO much goin on! The players were also talkin about goin down into undermountain once the found the Yawning Portal. One thing they all did agree on though, The Pampered Traveler is the best inn in all of Waterdeep! Of course theyve only been there like 3 days and havnt really covered the whole city yet.
#17
faraer
Jul 18, 2010 20:05:27
Nah, it's more the FR rip off of the City of Greyhawk. Heheh...

It was, of course, created five years earlier.
#18
18DELTA
Jul 18, 2010 23:38:10 So City of Greyhawk is the rip-off...
#19
faraer
Jul 19, 2010 7:41:33 No, Ed and Gary came up with them independently (in 1967 and 1972).
#20
18DELTA
Jul 19, 2010 8:00:33 I was being silly...
#21
faraer
Jul 19, 2010 10:08:47 Alas, people have believed sillier things.
#22
Stigger
Jul 19, 2010 18:10:11
you dont like much of the big cities in the states huh lol

Not per se, there are quite a few I like actually.

As to why London, I was going back to a quote about London... "When a man is bored with London, he's bored with Life." and applied that to Waterdeep. Its pretty much The City in Faerun as far as I understand, so it seems appropriate enough. That and I just loved my time in London.

As to San Francisco, I grew up in the SF Bay Area and watched it turn to a steaming pile of crap over the last two decades, though thinking of it during 4e, that might not be a bad comparison at all...
#23
AH_Iceman
Jul 19, 2010 22:05:54
... and Chicago (politics).

*shudder* I never knew Waterdeep was so corrupt.

Yes, but it's an Effective corruption - in both cases. :D

(( I know you're jesting and I am too but I gotta say -- Chicago may have career- and family- politicians and everything else you want to accuse them of, but they do do one thing right... putting people with actual brains and/or talent in the positions that matter, and burying the idiots in no-responsibility-no-harm spots. *chuckle* ))
#24
Plaguescarred1
Jul 19, 2010 22:21:35 I'd see Waterdeep's Dock Ward ressembling Tortuga Isle (Pirate of the Caraibean) on wild evenings.
#25
Dragon9
Jul 20, 2010 7:31:35

Yes, but it's an Effective corruption - in both cases. :D

(( I know you're jesting and I am too but I gotta say -- Chicago may have career- and family- politicians and everything else you want to accuse them of, but they do do one thing right... putting people with actual brains and/or talent in the positions that matter, and burying the idiots in no-responsibility-no-harm spots. *chuckle* ))

Actually, I wasn't jesting. All things considered, the brains/talent is debateable... but not debateable here.

Suffice it say, if someone tells me Waterdeep is like Chicago in terms of politics, I expect it to be one foot in the Nine Hells and the other on a banana peel.
#26
Keith53
Jul 22, 2010 17:10:38 So maybe my perception of "Chicago politics" is not quite the same as yours, as I don't mean to imply the Nine Hells, but just they take politics seriously, all decided by boys in the back rooms, and some people play a little rough. Not like Baldurs Gate or Westgate though. But also not a public monarchy and certainly not a democracy.

Keith

#27
Dragon9
Jul 22, 2010 18:14:11
So maybe my perception of "Chicago politics" is not quite the same as yours, as I don't mean to imply the Nine Hells, but just they take politics seriously, all decided by boys in the back rooms, and some people play a little rough. Not like Baldurs Gate or Westgate though. But also not a public monarchy and certainly not a democracy.

That's what I said. ;)
#28
The_Silversword
Jul 22, 2010 23:21:41 Id imagine the politics of Waterdeep would be pretty corrupt. There was those shapechangers, the Unseen, who were offin nobles and lords of Waterdeep and taking their place. Its like a 100 years later, Id say its safe to assume that theyve managed to get a hold on the city by now.
#29
sfdragon
Jul 23, 2010 8:12:07 The current era of waterdeep's governemnt is corrupt.
instead of a paladin, we have a merchant at the helm.

money money money

#30
gomeztoo
Jul 26, 2010 4:01:03 Just read Blackstaff Tower, and you'll learn what the current Open Lord is like.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Hammerhead Jul 13, 2010 20:33:34	I always say it as the FR version of New York. Is this accurate?
#2 The_Silversword Jul 13, 2010 23:22:51	Yeah thats pretty apt id say. Waterdeep is huge, and has a mix of different cultures, and you can find anything there, and theres always something going on, no matter the time of day, much like New York. Of course there is some important differences, like I dont think New York has any Wizards or fantasy races living there, but I could be wrong.
#3 sfdragon Jul 13, 2010 23:49:34	why new york??? why not Philly? or York Town, or or Boston, or or or, Richmond VA, or or oro or oror Albuquerue when hte balloon fiesta is going on, or oro ro oro oro oororororor Endinburgh Scotland, or Dublin Ireland why new york?>???
#4 Jorunhast Jul 13, 2010 23:55:48	With the preponderance of drug availability and the very legal "festhall ladies" in certain parts of town, Amsterdam might be a better comparison. But I get the comparison to NYC... there are a lot of people in various disguises... trolls in the subways... lol!
#5 Guest1309747454 Jul 14, 2010 8:36:38	Yeah thats pretty apt id say. Waterdeep is huge, and has a mix of different cultures, and you can find anything there, and theres always something going on, no matter the time of day, much like New York. Of course there is some important differences, like I dont think New York has any Wizards or fantasy races living there, but I could be wrong. You likely are wrong, or you havent been in the right areas of New York. Hell, there are vampires in NY. If you dont believe me, try an find a copy of a book called "piercing the darkness, undercover with vampires in america today" By Kathering Ramsland. Its out of print, but a good read lol
#6 Nai_Calus Jul 14, 2010 8:57:28	Pffft, clearly it's San Francisco with its melting pot and insanity. And all the homeless people hiding out in Golden Gate Park can be the local elves. That and half of the haight-ashbury district. This is naturally going to be 'pick your nearest city that's by water and insist that no, Waterdeep is there'. Well, New York is currently closer than SF, but I'm from California so nyeh.
#7 Stigger Jul 14, 2010 15:24:16	I'd have said London myself... but then I hated NYC, so that could have something to do with it. As for San Francisco, just no. SF is a horrible city, bunch of lunatics there... was much better back in the 80's and early 90's. Just gone so far downhill its kinda sad.
#8 Guest1309747454 Jul 14, 2010 15:30:01	you dont like much of the big cities in the states huh lol
#9 sfdragon Jul 14, 2010 16:46:26	Paris, Waterdeep sure would not be like Venis ( cant spell it) but imagine if it was
#10 Guest1309747454 Jul 14, 2010 17:17:27	whats the population there? I know Myth Drannor is 10k, and thats kinda big Book I have sys 100k, and I do believe there are a lot more in NY
#11 Hammerhead Jul 16, 2010 15:25:01	why new york??? why not Philly? or York Town, or or Boston, or or or, Richmond VA, or or oro or oror Albuquerue when hte balloon fiesta is going on, or oro ro oro oro oororororor Endinburgh Scotland, or Dublin Ireland why new york?>??? It's a really big, wealthy, diverse city near the ocean. New York is the first thing that comes to my mind. Another question: what city is most like Las Vegas?
#12 Dragon9 Jul 16, 2010 23:58:53	Nah, it's more the FR rip off of the City of Greyhawk. Heheh...
#13 Jorunhast Jul 17, 2010 0:08:43	Nah, it's more the FR rip off of the City of Greyhawk. Heheh... ...and Greyhawk was a ripoff of Lankhmar? Heh!
#14 Keith53 Jul 18, 2010 6:39:30	I think of Waterdeep as a blend of New York City (commerce), Paris (social and art), London (ethnic mixture of population), and Chicago (politics). Keith
#15 Dragon9 Jul 18, 2010 18:23:43	... and Chicago (politics). shudder I never knew Waterdeep was so corrupt.
#16 The_Silversword Jul 18, 2010 19:13:50	I'm starting to think maybe Waterdeep is too big! Last night I sent the players to Waterdeep. Theyve been on this quest to uncover the lost pieces of the book of ULTIMATE EVIL before the forces of darkness gathers them. Any way I had this NPC in Waterdeep whos something of a sage on the matter so the party went off to find him to get some info, I tried to get it in the heads of the players that Waterdeep was huge! and that there were shops, festhalls, taverns, street performers, basically anything you could think of it was there. So of course the party then splits up, with the Mage looking for a magic shop, the fighter lookin for a weapons shop, the cleric looking for a temple to Corellon, and everbody going here or there, and the party was hopelessly split up. I was trying to keep everyone together and let everybody get a turn in shopping or seeing the sights, but it was tough. The last game was a combat heavy old fashioned dungeon crawl, so I tried to make this session less combat and more focused on roleplaying, but once the players found out there was an arena in Waterdeep, it was all over then! Half the party just wanted to fight in the areana, while the other half was trying to get on with the quest. ARGGGHHHH! Still I guess everyone had a good time. I just flipped back and forth alot between the guys in the arean and the guys one the trail of the quest, still IM thinking that Waterdeep just has TOO much goin on! The players were also talkin about goin down into undermountain once the found the Yawning Portal. One thing they all did agree on though, The Pampered Traveler is the best inn in all of Waterdeep! Of course theyve only been there like 3 days and havnt really covered the whole city yet.
#17 faraer Jul 18, 2010 20:05:27	Nah, it's more the FR rip off of the City of Greyhawk. Heheh... It was, of course, created five years earlier.
#18 18DELTA Jul 18, 2010 23:38:10	So City of Greyhawk is the rip-off...
#19 faraer Jul 19, 2010 7:41:33	No, Ed and Gary came up with them independently (in 1967 and 1972).
#20 18DELTA Jul 19, 2010 8:00:33	I was being silly...
#21 faraer Jul 19, 2010 10:08:47	Alas, people have believed sillier things.
#22 Stigger Jul 19, 2010 18:10:11	you dont like much of the big cities in the states huh lol Not per se, there are quite a few I like actually. As to why London, I was going back to a quote about London... "When a man is bored with London, he's bored with Life." and applied that to Waterdeep. Its pretty much The City in Faerun as far as I understand, so it seems appropriate enough. That and I just loved my time in London. As to San Francisco, I grew up in the SF Bay Area and watched it turn to a steaming pile of crap over the last two decades, though thinking of it during 4e, that might not be a bad comparison at all...
#23 AH_Iceman Jul 19, 2010 22:05:54	... and Chicago (politics). shudder I never knew Waterdeep was so corrupt. Yes, but it's an Effective corruption - in both cases. :D (( I know you're jesting and I am too but I gotta say -- Chicago may have career- and family- politicians and everything else you want to accuse them of, but they do do one thing right... putting people with actual brains and/or talent in the positions that matter, and burying the idiots in no-responsibility-no-harm spots. chuckle ))
#24 Plaguescarred1 Jul 19, 2010 22:21:35	I'd see Waterdeep's Dock Ward ressembling Tortuga Isle (Pirate of the Caraibean) on wild evenings.
#25 Dragon9 Jul 20, 2010 7:31:35	Yes, but it's an Effective corruption - in both cases. :D (( I know you're jesting and I am too but I gotta say -- Chicago may have career- and family- politicians and everything else you want to accuse them of, but they do do one thing right... putting people with actual brains and/or talent in the positions that matter, and burying the idiots in no-responsibility-no-harm spots. chuckle )) Actually, I wasn't jesting. All things considered, the brains/talent is debateable... but not debateable here. Suffice it say, if someone tells me Waterdeep is like Chicago in terms of politics, I expect it to be one foot in the Nine Hells and the other on a banana peel.
#26 Keith53 Jul 22, 2010 17:10:38	So maybe my perception of "Chicago politics" is not quite the same as yours, as I don't mean to imply the Nine Hells, but just they take politics seriously, all decided by boys in the back rooms, and some people play a little rough. Not like Baldurs Gate or Westgate though. But also not a public monarchy and certainly not a democracy. Keith
#27 Dragon9 Jul 22, 2010 18:14:11	So maybe my perception of "Chicago politics" is not quite the same as yours, as I don't mean to imply the Nine Hells, but just they take politics seriously, all decided by boys in the back rooms, and some people play a little rough. Not like Baldurs Gate or Westgate though. But also not a public monarchy and certainly not a democracy. That's what I said. ;)
#28 The_Silversword Jul 22, 2010 23:21:41	Id imagine the politics of Waterdeep would be pretty corrupt. There was those shapechangers, the Unseen, who were offin nobles and lords of Waterdeep and taking their place. Its like a 100 years later, Id say its safe to assume that theyve managed to get a hold on the city by now.
#29 sfdragon Jul 23, 2010 8:12:07	The current era of waterdeep's governemnt is corrupt. instead of a paladin, we have a merchant at the helm. money money money
#30 gomeztoo Jul 26, 2010 4:01:03	Just read Blackstaff Tower, and you'll learn what the current Open Lord is like.