Waterdeep Dragon Heist - Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Steal 500k in gold above, survive 23 lethal levels below. Outsmart Waterdeep’s deadly factions, pull off the ultimate heist, and conquer Undermountain
$15.00
/ Session
Details
1 player following this game
Weekly / Saturday - 12:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 3–5 hours
0 / 6 Seats Filled
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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About the adventure
A Fortune Above. A Labyrinth Below. Welcome to the City of Splendors, where wealth and corruption walk hand in hand through gilded streets. Behind closed doors, powerful noble houses, rival crime syndicates, and shadowy factions are locked in a silent war over a hidden hoard of half a million gold coins. To claim your share, you won't just need sharp blades and powerful spells—you’ll need cunning, social leverage, and the nerve to execute a high-stakes urban heist under the noses of Waterdeep’s elite. But the city above is only the beginning. Beneath the cobblestones lies Undermountain, a sprawling, 23-level mega-dungeon created by the Mad Mage, Halaster Blackcloak. As your reputation grows and the stakes escalate, your journey transitions from high-concept urban espionage into an epic, high-level dungeon crawl filled with bizarre magic, deadly traps, rival adventuring parties, and ancient secrets capable of altering the fate of the Forgotten Realms. What to Expect & How We Play This campaign bridges two iconic playstyles across an epic 1–20 progression. Early levels emphasize investigation, social maneuvering, tactical planning, and faction dynamics. As we descend into Undermountain, the focus shifts toward survival, resource management, intricate tactical grid combat, and deep dungeon exploration. Expect a rich blend of gritty intrigue and high-fantasy action, backed by dynamic atmospheric lighting, immersive music, and heavy combat automation to keep the action fast and fluid. Who This Game Is For This game is designed for players who love a complete story arc—from humble urban operatives to legendary heroes. It’s ideal for players who enjoy engaging with NPCs, making meaningful faction choices, and tackling complex, tactical encounters on the grid. Whether you are a veteran looking to experience the ultimate 1–20 Forgotten Realms campaign or a dedicated player ready for a long-term, high-energy group, there is a seat at the table for you.
Game style
Sandbox / Open World
Tactical / Crunchy
Rules as Written (RaW)
Combat Heavy
Dungeon Crawl
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
4.8
(9)
2 years on StartPlaying
23 games hosted
Highly rated for: Visual Aid, Knows the Rules, Sets the Mood
Average response time: 8 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Welcome! I’m Garion, a Dungeon Master dedicated to delivering high-production, immersive Dungeons & Dragons experiences. Whether navigating dark fantasy, epic heroic arcs, or tactical dungeon crawls, my tables combine high-stakes combat, fast-paced VTT automation, and rich cinematic ambiance. My DM Style Tactical & Thoughtful Combat: Battles at my table aren't static dice-rolling grinds. Expect dynamic environments, strategic enemy tactics, and high-stakes boss encounters where positioning, resource management, and clever play truly matter. High-Production VTT Mastery: I leverage the full power of Foundry VTT—custom active effects, automated combat tracking, and detailed high-res maps—to keep gameplay buttery smooth. Less time spent calculating math means more time in the action. Atmospheric Audio: Every scene is backed by dynamic Syrinscape audio, layered environmental ambiance, and curated soundscapes to completely immerse you in the world. Collaborative & Inclusive Table: High production value goes hand-in-hand with a welcoming environment. I foster an inclusive space where character choices shape the narrative, player synergy shines, and everyone gets their moment in the spotlight. What to Expect at the Table Smooth Pacing: Advanced Foundry automation for instant damage, saves, and spell tracking so turn times stay fast and engaging. Rich Storytelling: Detailed room descriptions, deep worldbuilding, and meaningful roleplay beats where your choices carry real weight. All Experience Levels Welcome: Whether you’re a veteran tactician looking for a real challenge or jumping into your first long-term campaign, I provide full guidance on character builds and VTT tools.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Characters can either be made in foundry or will be made on D&DBeyond for transfer! Official WOTC 5.5 books will be available
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Have a base understanding of the rules Have a discord account Working computer Quiet space to play
What Garion brings to the table
VTT Setup & Automation: Played on Foundry VTT with dynamic line-of-sight lighting, custom animated battle maps, and streamlined combat automation (Midi-QOL, Active Effects/Auras) so turns move fast and the action stays fluid. Immersive Soundscapes: Custom-curated ambient audio and dramatic soundtrack choices designed to build tension during urban investigations and pump adrenaline during boss encounters. Dedicated Player Resources: Custom digital journals, handouts, interactive city maps, and campaign trackers so your party always has the tools to keep track of clues, alliances, and loot. My GM Style & Table Expectations Tactical Grid Combat: I run challenging, smart, and dynamic combat encounters on detailed grid maps. Enemies play to win, utilize terrain, and use intelligent tactics—demanding real teamwork, positioning, and resource management from the party. Rules-Grounded with Room for Cleverness: We follow the standard rules to ensure a fair, consistent, and predictable foundation where your tactical choices matter. However, if you come up with a creative, cinematic solution that fits the fiction, I embrace the Rule of Cool to reward player ingenuity. Character-Driven Narrative: Your character’s backstory, faction choices, and personal goals aren't just background noise—they directly impact the story, influence how NPCs react to you, and shape the consequences in both Waterdeep and Undermountain. A Collaborative, High-Energy Table: I aim for a welcoming, supportive environment where everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, whether you're negotiating a high-stakes truce in a noble villa or fighting for survival 10 levels deep.
Homebrew rules
Death saves are made behind the DM screen
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Garion creates a safe table
Lines and Veils: Before Session 0, all players complete an anonymous questionnaire to establish hard boundaries (Lines) and off-screen content limits (Veils). These rules apply to everyone at the table, including the GM. Pause & Pause Check-Ins: We maintain an open policy where any player can call for a pause or request a content adjustment during a session—no questions asked and no explanations required. Open-Door Policy & Aftercare: Player safety and comfort always come first. My inbox is open before, during, and after sessions if you ever need to discuss a topic, adjust boundaries, or voice concerns about table dynamics. Session 0 & Code of Conduct: We hold a dedicated Session 0 to establish character connections, align on campaign expectations, and review safety tools together. We maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy for hate speech, harassment, bigoted behavior, or non-consensual PvP/character conflict.
Content warnings
Safety tools used