The Fine Print of Waterdeep: Urban Heists & Infernal Deals
In Waterdeep, every secret is a signed confession. Join a crew of outcasts where the sharpest weapon isn't a blade, but the fine print of a contract.
$24.00
/ Session
Details
Play by Post (Asynchronous)
Billed Weekly / Sunday - 6:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 1–10 hours
1 / 5 Seats Filled
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Meet your party members
1/5
About the adventure
**First week is always free with me!** Never pay to see if the group is a fit! About the Adventure The "City of Splendors" is currently anything but splendid. A bloody gang war between the Zhentarim and the Xanathar Guild is spilling into the streets, and the legendary Yawning Portal tavern is right in the crosshairs. When a simple bar brawl escalates into a hunt for a missing noble, you are offered a job by the famous (and notoriously broke) Volothamp Geddarm. But while Volo seeks his friend, a true "fixer" knows there is more at stake: information, influence, and perhaps a few souls to be harvested along the way. This is a Play-by-Post (PbP) campaign designed for players who enjoy the darker side of the gray area. We are looking for an "evil-tangent" crew—fixers, brokers, and opportunists—who realize that a missing friend is just a doorway to a much larger game. Our party already includes an infernal soul-broker, and we need a team that can navigate the Dock Ward's shadows without blinking. Whether you’re motivated by the gold or the chance to put a Neverember in your debt, the city is yours for the taking. The Experience This table is for active writers who want a living, breathing world. We prioritize rich, descriptive roleplay over the slog of tactical combat. New to Play-by-Post? You are absolutely welcome! I’ve been DMing since 1980 and I love helping new players find their footing. I’ll walk you through the tools step-by-step so you can focus on the story, not the tech. What to Expect To bring the story to life, we use essential tools that make Play-by-Post feel seamless: Tupperbox: This allows you to post with your character's name and avatar, making our game feel like a collaborative, living novel. Avrae: This handles all our dice rolling and combat situations directly in Discord, keeping the mechanical side of the game fast and organized. Visual Immersion: I use AI-generated art to provide fast, poignant visuals for NPCs and locations. While I understand the conversations surrounding these tools, I utilize them to bridge the gap for my own lack of artistic talent—ensuring that every story beat has an immersive visual to keep our "theater of the mind" sharp. Character Creation Starting Level: Level 1. Rules: We are using the 2024 D&D Rules. Library Access: You don't need to own any books! Once you join, I will provide a link to my D&D Beyond campaign where you will have full access to my digital library to build your character. The Vibe: This is an "evil-tangent" friendly table. Whether you're a cutthroat rogue, a cold-blooded wizard, or an opportunistic mercenary, you are welcome here. All I ask is that you are a Team Player—the party needs a reason to stick together, even if your individual motives are less than heroic.
Game style
Play By Post
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Roleplay Heavy
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(24)
3 years on StartPlaying
229 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Knows the Rules
About me
I've been a passionate D&D player since 1980, when I first discovered the game at the age of 8 through the treasured time spent playing with my father. My love for the game grew, and I began my journey as a DM at the age of 16. With over three decades of experience, I've come to appreciate the unique magic that unfolds when players take the reins and "write" their own adventures within the rich tapestry of the game world. As a DM, I strive to create an open, humorous atmosphere where players feel encouraged to explore, roleplay, and shape the story. I believe that the beauty of D&D lies in the non-linear nature of the narrative, and I take great joy in watching players craft their own paths. While I tend to focus more on roleplaying (around 70%) compared to combat (30%), I'm always happy to adapt to the preferences of my players. At my table, you'll find a welcoming environment where discussion and metagaming are not just tolerated but encouraged. I believe that open communication is key to creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. I do have a few house rules to keep things exciting, such as allowing Champion Fighters to crit on an 18 instead of a 19. However, I always make sure that the DM has the final say to maintain a smooth game flow. Ultimately, my goal is for players to walk away from my games with positive emotions and a desire to continue their D&D journey. I want them to feel that the time spent at my table was a worthy investment in their entertainment and a source of fond memories. If you're looking for a DM who is passionate, adaptable, and dedicated to creating an engaging and fun experience, I'd be honored to have you join one of my games
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Process Character creation happens before the game begins via our Discord server and D&D Beyond. Once you join, I will provide a campaign link that grants you full access to my digital library—you don't need to purchase any books to play! Details Level: 1 Rules: 2024 D&D Core Rules. Ability Scores: Standard Array or Point Buy. Building the "Crew" Since this is an evil-tangent game, we are building a professional crew. During our "Rolling Session 0" on Discord, we will figure out how you fit into the team. Are you the muscle, the lookout, the arcane specialist, or the one who knows the city's legal loopholes? The vibe is "evil-tangent" friendly, as long as you are a Team Player—the party needs a reason to stick together.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
1. Accounts Needed Discord: This is where our entire story happens. You will need a free account to join the campaign server. D&D Beyond: You will need a free account here to build your character and access my shared digital library. 2. Character Creation Once you join, I will send you a link to my D&D Beyond Campaign. Please have your Level 1 character built using the 2024 rules (Standard Array or Point Buy) before we start. 3. The Tools We use two main bots on Discord: Tupperbox: For posting in-character. Avrae: For rolling dice and combat. I am here and available to help you get these connected and answer any questions you have about using them! 4. Posting Rhythm Be ready to dive into a high-activity environment. We aim for at least one or two posts a day. 5. Equipment No software downloads or VTT purchases are necessary. You can play entirely through your browser or the Discord/D&D Beyond mobile apps.
What Gabe brings to the table
What I Provide for My Players: Thirty Years of Experience I’ve been behind the DM screen since 1986. I’ve seen every kind of player and every kind of character. I provide a stable, welcoming, and open environment where the story is driven by your choices. I view modules as jumping-off points; once the game starts, you are the ones writing the world. Visual Immersion & Narrative Depth Since this is a text-based journey, I use AI-generated art to provide fast, atmospheric visuals of the people and places you encounter in Waterdeep. I focus on evocative descriptions that make the city feel alive, from the smell of the docks to the tension of a back-alley deal. The "Rule of Cool" & High Agency While the 2024 Rules are our foundation, I always prioritize a creative, dramatic moment over a strict technicality. If you have a brilliant plan for a heist or a devious social maneuver that the rulebook didn't anticipate, I am here to help you make it happen. I reward cleverness and bold character choices. A Living, Moving World You can expect a consistent, high-momentum experience. I aim to provide story updates every weekday (Mon-Fri), ensuring the game never feels "dead." I am active in the Discord and available to help you with the tech, the lore, or your character’s development. A Home for the Morally Gray I provide a table where "evil-tangent" characters can actually breathe. I won't punish you for being opportunistic or manipulative, as long as it drives the story forward and you remain a loyal member of the crew.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Mobile Phone
Platforms used
Safety
How Gabe creates a safe table
The "Evil-Tangent" Boundaries Because this game explores the darker side of Waterdeep and allows for morally gray or "evil-leaning" characters, we have a firm rule: Intra-party conflict is for drama, not for griefing. Your character can be a shark, but they must be loyal to the crew. We are here to tell a cool story together, not to make other players feel unwelcome. Lines and Veils Safety is my top priority. Before we post our first "official" story beat, I will provide a Lines and Veils document in our Discord. Lines: These are hard boundaries—topics that will never appear in the game. Veils: These are topics that might happen, but we will "fade to black" and not describe them in detail. This is a collaborative document, and everyone’s boundaries will be respected without question. Digital Safety Tools (X, N, & O) Since we are in a text-based format, we use a digital version of the X, N, and O cards. You can send these as a Direct Message to me at any time, or use specific Discord reactions if you need the story to stop (X), redirect (N), or tone down the intensity (O). I monitor the chat throughout the day and will pivot the narrative immediately if a tool is used. Rolling Session 0 & Aftercare Our Session 0 happens in a dedicated Discord channel as players join. We’ll discuss the vibe, the "crew" dynamic, and our safety boundaries together. My "door" is always open via DM for aftercare—if a scene felt too intense or you have concerns about the direction of the story, I am here to listen and adjust. We play to have a great time, and that only happens if everyone feels safe and respected.
Content warnings
Safety tools used