WATERDEEP D RAGON H EIST - P LAYER

G UIDE
S ESSION Z ERO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Random character generator for inspiration
The goal for Session Zero is to come up with https://trwolfe13.github.io/tiyl/
a basic idea of your backstory, and nail down • Which class should you play? (Flowchart)
the core aspects of your character (race, class, https://preview.tinyurl.com/
background). This can always be fleshed out yd4wzzgq
more as you play. • 5 Steps to Writing a Killer RPG Character
Backstory (Geek & Sundry) - https:
S TEP 1: W HO ARE YOU ? //preview.tinyurl.com/ybkyqkzr
• 20 questions to help you create a backstory for
The first step is to establish a character concept.
your character (Reddit) - https://preview.
This is the elevator pitch for your character. It
tinyurl.com/oljh8rl
can be one sentence, or even just a few words.
• 34 Questions to Ask When You’re Stumped on
An honorable thief. A noble who lost their lands.
Your Backstory (Reddit) https://preview.
A scholar with a drinking problem. This idea
tinyurl.com/y777u35x
is what will drive the rest of your decisions in
building your character.

S TEP 2: H OW DID YOU GET TO THIS If you have access to the Xanathar’s Guide To
POINT ? Everything, you can get a lot of inspiration from
the "This Is Your Life" section on page 61-73.
Try to come up with two or three “defining
moments” from your character’s past. It could
be the moment you first met your spouse, the
day you left your hometown, or the first time
you killed someone. It’s okay to be vague here. C HOOSING A BACKGROUND
Just try to think about what might have led to
who you are today. This part of character creation is probably best
done at Session Zero together as a group, so
you can bounce ideas off each other to make
S TEP 3: W HY ARE YOU IN WATERDEEP ? sure you’re a well-rounded group in terms of
This campaign takes places entirely in the city skills and abilities. The following info is meant
of Waterdeep so it’s important to establish what to provide a mechanical structure around the
brings you to the city, why you would stay, character concept you have in mind, but don’t
and importantly, why you would join up with feel limited by the options presented. We can
a group of strangers. See the next page for a always customize as needed!
quick guide to the city if you need a better idea A background will help guide how you pick
of the city itself. the following:
• Two personality traits (Slow to anger, quick to
A word of advice! As you create your character laugh)
concept, consider that this campaign takes place • One ideal that drives your character (Family,
in a densely-populated urban metropolis, where loyalty, or honor)
openly wielding weapons or magic on the streets • One bond that represents your connection to
the world (Finding a lost artifact)
can quickly land you in a jail cell. Combat isn’t
• One flaw (Claustrophobic, gambling addict,
always the solution, and not all combat has to be
gullible, brash)
lethal.
See Appendix A for a list of backgrounds.
WATERDEEP D RAGON H EIST - P LAYER G UIDE 1
 A B RIEF G UIDE TO WATERDEEP
Waterdeep is a bustling, crowded, busy
mercantile city where coin is king and
I MPOR TANT P EOPLE
tolerance for people of all races and religion
Laeral Silverhand The current Open Lord of
is high. Waterdhavians live life at a fast pace,
Waterdeep. Helped oust Dagult Neverember.
and despite their fervent work ethic, they
rarely miss an opportunity to celebrate, with Dagult Neverember The previous Open
festivals often going on all day and all night. In Lord. Removed from power and exiled for
Waterdeep, wealth brings respect, respect earns corruption
influence, and influence is power.
Vajra ‘Blackstaff’ Safahr Archwizard of
Waterdeep, leads Force Grey (see factions)
C ITY L IFE Durnan Runs the Yawning Portal Inn. Former
adventurer, well beyond the typical human
Government The city is governed by the
age.
Masked Lords, an anonymous group of
representatives who are in turn led by the Volothamp Geddarm A legendary traveler and
Open Lord of Waterdeep. storyteller, most famous for his guidebooks.

Economy Economic activity in Waterdeep has

been dominated by the city’s dozens of guilds
for more than three centuries, and virtually
F ACTIONS
all commerce flows through them. Emerald Enclave Opposes threats to the
Law The City Watch enforces the day-today law natural world, but recognizes the need for
in the city, while the Magisters act as judge balance between civilization and nature.
and jury. Both are swift to mete out justice as Many of its members are druids, rangers, or
needed and are guided by the Code Legal. those who worship nature.

Military The City Guard (and its famed griffon- Force Grey (or Gray Hands) Elite adventurers
riders) defends the city from outside threats, who work for the government of Waterdeep.
along with the Watchful Order of Magists and
Harpers A semi-secret organization dedicated
Protectors.
to promoting good, preserving history and
maintaining a balance between civilization
and nature. Has spies placed in cities across
P LACES & L ANDMARKS the realm.
Yawning Portal Inn Waterdeep’s most famous Lord’s Alliance A coalition of rulers from cities
inn, named for the large “well” within across Faerûn, who collectively agree that
its walls that down into the dungeon of some solidarity is needed to keep evil at bay.
Undermountain. A common destination for Includes Neverwinter, Waterdeep, Baldur’s
would-be heroes. Gate, and others.
Walking Statues These 100-ft tall statues were Order of the Gauntlet Formed to destroy evil
built as a defense mechanism of the city, but in the world at large. Many members are
once wreaked havoc due to a magical disaster paladins, clerics, or monks.
years ago. They’ve since laid dormant.
Zhentarim An affiliation of merchants and
Wards of Waterdeep The city is divided roughly mercenaries known for their cutthroat tactics.
into 8 wards, each of which serves its own Rumors have emerged of a schism among
purpose. The Castle Ward is the seat of their members in Waterdeep.
government, the Trade Ward the center of
commerce, and so on.

2 A B RIEF G UIDE TO WATERDEEP

A PPENDIX A: B ACKGROUNDS
PHB = Player’s Handbook, SCAG = Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

BACKGROUNDS
Name Source Skills Languages Tools
Acolyte PHB Insight (WIS), Any x2 None
religion (INT)
Charlatan PHB Deception (CHA), None Disguise kit, forgery
sleight of hand kit
(DEX)
City Watch SCAG Athletics (STR), Any x2 None
insight (WIS)
Clan Crafter SCAG History (INT), Any x1 Artisan’s tools x1
insight (WIS)
Cloistered Scholar SCAG History (INT), and Any x2 None
choose 1: arcana
(INT), nature (INT),
religion (INT)
Courtier SCAG Insight (WIS), Any x2 None
persuasion (CHA)
Criminal PHB Deception (CHA), None Gaming set x1,
stealth (DEX) thieves’ tools
Entertainer PHB Acrobatics (DEX), None Disguise kit, musical
performance (CHA) instrument x1
Faction Agent SCAG Insight (WIS), and Any x2 None
choose 1: special
(See page)
Far Traveler SCAG Insight (WIS), Any x1 Choose 1: musical
perception (WIS) instrument x1,
gaming set x1
Folk Hero PHB Animal handling None Artisan’s tools x1,
(WIS), survival vehicles (land)
(WIS)
Gladiator PHB Acrobatics (DEX), None Disguise kit, unusual
performance (CHA) weapon x1
Guild Artisan PHB Insight (WIS), Any x1 Artisan’s tools x1
persuasion (CHA)
Guild Merchant PHB Insight (WIS), Any x1 Navigator’s tools
persuasion (CHA)
Hermit PHB Medicine (WIS), Any x1 Herbalism kit
religion (INT)
Inheritor SCAG Survival (WIS), and None Gaming set x1,
choose 1: arcana musical instrument
(INT), history (INT), x1
religion (INT)
Investigator SCAG Insight (WIS), Any x2 None
investigation (INT)

A PPENDIX A: B ACKGROUNDS 3
 BACKGROUNDS
Name Source Skills Languages Tools
Knight PHB History (INT), Any x1 Gaming set x1
persuasion (CHA)
Knight of the Order SCAG Persuasion (CHA), Any x1 Choose 1: gaming
and choose 1: set x1, musical
special (See page) instrument x1
Mercenary Veteran SCAG Athletics (STR), None Gaming set x1,
persuasion (CHA) vehicles (land)
Noble PHB History (INT), Any x1 Gaming set x1
persuasion (CHA)
Outlander PHB Athletics (STR), Any x1 Musical instrument
survival (WIS) x1
Pirate PHB Athletics (STR), None Navigator’s tools,
perception (WIS) vehicles (water)
Sage PHB Arcana (INT), Any x2 None
history (INT)
Sailor PHB Athletics (STR), None Navigator’s tools,
perception (WIS) vehicles (water)
Soldier PHB Athletics (STR), None Gaming set x1,
intimidation (CHA) vehicles (land)
Spy PHB Deception (CHA), None Gaming set x1,
stealth (DEX) thieves’ tools
Urban Bounty SCAG Choose 2: deception None Choose 2: gaming
Hunter (CHA), insight set x1, musical
(WIS), persuasion instrument x1,
(CHA), stealth thieves’ tools
(DEX)
Urchin PHB Sleight of hand None Disguise kit, thieves’
(DEX), stealth tools
(DEX)
Uthgardt Tribe SCAG Athletics (STR), Any x1 Choose 1: artisan’s
Member survival (WIS) tools x1, musical
instrument x1
Waterdhavian Noble SCAG History (INT), Any x1 Choose 1: gaming
persuasion (CHA) set x1, musical
instrument x1

4 A PPENDIX A: B ACKGROUNDS