[FR] where to start play?

[darkbard]

okey-dokey, here goes: beginning a new campaign with a single player who will begin play with a female human bard who will eventually multiclass as a wizard. the player is interested in magical intrigue, perhaps infiltrating some evil cult or organization to help bring it low, is inclined towards a more urban-based beginning, and may eventually seek to forge ties with the harpers.

usually i disdain this sort of question but i've got so many possibilities swirling about in the ol' brain that i figured i'd give it a go: where do you think the best place to begin play is?

 

[Nightfall]

Three places, along the Dragon coast, Probably Waterdeep, (note not all of them have to involve the Night Masks), Sembia, and perhaps Berdusk.

 

[Donatello]

I'd suggest Silverymoon.

High bard/harper interest there.

Far enough out of the way to still have serviceable wilderness right outside the city walls.

A big enough city (with varied cultures) to allow for all sorts of political, dramatic, and mysterious urban adventure.

Chock full of temples and holy ground to various gods, allowing a shmorgasbord of divine plotlines.

Close enough to Waterdeep to allow for forrays there, or out to sea.

"The Silver Marches" is a supplement that may contain lots of information for expanding your campaign, when inside the city walls isn't enough.

 

[darkbard]

good suggestions thus far. any others? anyone strongly agree or disagree with what has been suggested?

 

[d20Dwarf]

Silverymoon!

I would second the nomination for Silverymoon, though I may be a bit biased.

Also, check out the ENnie nominated netbook Silverymoon: Gem of the North

 

[RogueJK]

Three places, along the Dragon coast, Probably Waterdeep, (note not all of them have to involve the Night Masks), Sembia, and perhaps Berdusk.

Waterdeep isn't on the Dragon Coast. You're probably thinking of the Sword Coast. (And technically, Waterdeep isn't even a part of the Sword Coast. The Sword Coast begins just south of Waterdeep. )

The Dragon Coast consists of the lands and islands on the south shore of a branch of the Sea of Fallen Stars. It's located south of Cormyr.


I agree that Silverymoon would be a good choice.

 

[ascendance]

How about Neverwinter? THat way, you can tie in the events of your NWN game, and introduce your favourite characters from that game (i.e. your character who went to 20th level and defeated the lizzie plot to conquer the world).

 

[Gaius]

Nightfall was most likely speaking of Westgate, not Waterdeep. And Westgate is along the Dragon Coast and is the home of the Night Masks.

I'd have to agree and say that the Silver Marches would be your best starting place, what with the Harpers being there, it being a region for bards, and the newly released supplement to provide you with DM resources.

However, I'm a big time fan of the Vast, which is a good localized area for dealing with a lot of different things. The Harpers are establishing a hall in Raven's Bluff, the Zhentarim are expanding eastward from the nearby Moonsea region, several of the prominent cities have Red Wizard enclaves, and you've got that general sense of lawlessness and danger that just begs for adventurers.

Gaius

 

[Celtavian]

Re

Silverymoon seems like a perfect place. Just picked up the Silver Marches book. This looks like a great place to adventure. It has everything a DM could want.

 

[bwgwl]

how about Calimport? i always liked that pseudo-Arabian Nights flavor.