Creating Your Character; WD:DH Edition
To get the most fun out of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, be sure to work with the DM and other players to ensure that your character aligns well with the themes and setting of the game. This campaign can be pretty difficult, so party balance is key. Your character will start at Level 1 and in the city of Waterdeep. The following is a guide full of tips and info that you should consider when making your character.
MASSIVE DISCLAIMER: If your character commits a crime listed in The Code Legal that is punishable by death or imprisonment and they are not able to escape, very little can be done for them. So you can do whatever you want, just know that there are consequences.
Class
All classes and subclasses are allowed, however, some modifications may have to be made to classes/subclasses that aren’t from the Forgotten Realms (such as Bloodhunters by Matt Mercer). Please also try to keep the party balanced, you'll like yourself more if you do.- Artificer
- Barbarian
- Bard
- Blood Hunter
- Cleric
- Druid
- Fighter
- Monk
- Paladin
- Ranger
- Rogue
- Sorcerer
- Warlock
- Wizard
Lineages
While the party will originate from the Sword Coast of Faerûn, players should be advised that a character's lineage may be perceived very differently in Barovia. In addition, you can start as a Ravenloft's Gothic Lineages from Van Ritchen's Guide to Ravenloft (or even become one over the course of the campaign).Lineages ordered by occurrence in the Sword Coast
Common
Uncommon
Exotic
Monsterous
Note: Exotic and Monsterous lineages are extraordinarily rare. Please get special permission to play one.
Equipment
All the equipment in chapter 5 of the Player’s Handbook is available for purchase in Waterdeep at normal prices.Backgrounds
Players can choose from any background options from any source with DM's approval, but here are some that could be tied to the City of SplendorsGods of Faerûn
Your character may choose to worship one god in particular; you can find information on them here (including Elven and Dwarven gods).Waterdavian Noble Families
Waterdeep contains well over a hundred noble families. This article outlines noble houses that are fine choices for any character with the noble background from the Player’s Handbook or the Waterdavian noble background from the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide.Guild Membership
Any characters with the guild artisan background are assumed to have free membership in one Waterdeep guild of their choice. Arcane spellcasters living in the city are required by law to register with the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors, so that they can be called on to defend the city with their magic in times of need. Waterdeep’s most prominent guilds appear on the Guilds of Waterdeep list. By law, there are no active thieves’ guilds in Waterdeep, and the Xanathar Guild isn’t an actual guild but a faction To join a guild, one must possess a background, a proficiency, or a status that the guild values. For example, a character with the sailor background is welcome to join the Master Mariners’ Guild. One can practice a profession and not be a guild member, but such autonomy carries a cost. The guilds do everything they can to entice new members to join and pay for membership, and they go out of their way to hinder independent business owners, up to and including driving them out of business. A baker who refuses to join the Bakers’ Guild might find her flour supply cut off, while a wizard who refuses to join the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors might be denied access to sages, libraries, and other useful resources. Guilds charge members monthly or yearly dues that vary. For simplicity, you can have a guild charge 1 gp per month or 10 gp for a year’s dues paid in advance. A guild can expel a member for any number of reasons, not the least of which is failing to pay dues.