Waterdeep Dragon Heist

Creating your character

Character Creation Guidelines Starting Level: 1 Ability Scores: Use Point Buy or the Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8). No rolling for stats. Source Material: Any officially published Dungeons & Dragons 5e race or class is allowed. Guns & Firearms: Not available in this campaign. Stick to traditional fantasy weapons and gear. Setting Fit: This adventure takes place in the bustling city of Waterdeep, so characters with urban ties (guild members, mercenaries, ex-soldiers, street urchins, apprentices, etc.) fit in especially well—but all concepts are welcome.

Preparing for the session

This campaign is all about living and adventuring in a massive fantasy city. Unlike dungeon-heavy adventures, much of the action here happens in crowded streets, shady taverns, noble estates, and hidden alleys. To get the most out of the game, here’s how you can prepare: Think About Your Character’s Place in Waterdeep Your character doesn’t need to be born in the city, but they should have a reason to be here—whether that’s chasing work, looking for adventure, trying to join a guild, or running from trouble. Give your character a motivation that ties them to the city so they’ll care about what happens here. Be Ready for Roleplay and Investigation This is a story of intrigue, mystery, and choices. Expect fewer long dungeon crawls and more conversations, negotiations, and clever problem-solving. Bring a character who likes talking to people, gathering clues, or navigating social situations—even if they’re a gruff mercenary or a sly rogue. Work Together as a Party Waterdeep is full of powerful factions and dangerous people. You’ll accomplish much more as a team than as individuals. Think about how your character might connect with others in the group—shared goals, similar backgrounds, or just a willingness to watch each other’s backs. Expect a Mix of Combat and Creativity While there will be fights, this isn’t a hack-and-slash campaign. Sometimes the best solution is a duel in the streets, but other times it’s persuasion, stealth, or knowing the right contact. Don’t worry about building the “perfect” fighter—build someone who feels fun to roleplay. Have Fun with the City Waterdeep is practically a character itself: it’s alive, busy, and full of secrets. Explore the streets, interact with locals, and invest in your home base (yes, you’ll get one!). The more you put into the city, the more it will give back to you.

What Nick brings to the table

This game is all about collaboration and creativity. I run the world of Waterdeep, but you help shape it. Your choices, backstories, and wild ideas will influence the story as much as my prep. If you want to improvise, chase unexpected leads, or surprise me with a clever plan—do it! I’ll usually roll with a “yes, and…” or “yes, but…” approach. If I ever say “no,” it’s almost always followed by a “but here’s another way forward.” Roleplay is encouraged, not required. I do voices for NPCs, and I love when players get into character—but don’t feel pressured. Whether you speak in-character or just describe what your hero does, both are welcome. This campaign is meant to be fun, flexible, and player-driven. Some sessions may lean into mystery and investigation, others into combat or chaos. The important thing is that everyone has space to contribute in their own way. Above all, the goal is for us to tell a story together. Waterdeep is a living city, and you are about to leave your mark on it.

Homebrew rules

Potions: Drinking a healing potion as a bonus action restores the usual dice roll of HP. Drinking a healing potion as a full action restores the potion’s maximum possible healing (no dice roll). Player vs. Player (PvP): Any PvP action (stealing from, attacking, charming, etc.) must have the consent of all players involved. If someone doesn’t want it, it doesn’t happen. Player Comfort: This table is a safe, fun space. If something happens that makes a player uncomfortable, we pause immediately. We then rewind the game and undo that moment—no questions asked, no explanations required unless the player wants to share. Everyone’s enjoyment matters more than any single scene. Play Style: Roleplay is encouraged, but never required. Creative problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration with each other and the world will always be rewarded.

How Nick creates a safe table

Your fun and safety at the table always come first. D&D is about collaboration and creativity, and that means making sure everyone feels comfortable with the story we’re telling together. Lines & Veils: Before we begin, I’ll share a Lines & Veils document (a short list of what’s completely off-limits at the table, and what’s okay only if it stays off-screen or implied). You’ll be able to add your own input privately or openly—whatever feels best for you. Session 0: At the start of the campaign, we’ll spend time talking through: Character creation and party connections House rules (like potion healing, PvP consent, etc.) Safety tools (Lines & Veils, X/N/O cards) Table expectations (roleplay style, teamwork, etc.) This helps everyone start on the same page, both in tone and comfort level. X, N, & O Tools: We’ll use the X, N, O card system for in-game safety: X = Stop immediately, rewind, and change direction. N = “Not now”—let’s steer away from this theme or content. O = “Okay, keep going, I’m good with this scene.” These can be used digitally (chat/message) or held up in video/at the table, depending on how we’re playing. Aftercare: At the end of each session, we’ll do a quick check-in. This gives everyone a chance to share highlights, raise concerns, or flag anything that didn’t sit right. If something heavier came up during play, we’ll take an extra moment to decompress, make sure everyone’s okay, and leave the game on a positive note.