Waterdeep - I've got it

[ericlboyd]

Originally Posted by Sullivan
What material, from your draft, ended up on the cutting room floor? Will we see any of this material elsewhere, such as in a web release?

Lots of little things, but that's the case with every book, particularly for me as I tend to overwrite.

The major thing that was cut was the "Environs of Waterdeep" section. This is the major thrust of the web enhancement I turned in.

I was very pleased by the book. It is well written, and possesses a unity and focus. It is also nicely concise without leaving any serous gaping plot holes or questions. They way you included elements from stories and novels is also highly commendable.

That said, I have two minor complaints.

First, the book describes a madness inducing taint of Undermountain. This is an interesting aspect, but it is not to my knowledge (I may have missed something) explored – how does that work in game mechanics and is it something the PC need to worry about when they go down there?

I left this vague for space reasons, because it's only really a problem if you live down there for centuries, and because I didn't want to constrain Ed's ability to continue Halaster's story from "Elminster in Hell" in future novels.

Second, you seemed to soften Khelben and his magical school. I am admittedly an ardent critic of Khelben, but as much as I dislike the character, I would personally prefer the SOB rather than changing him to make him “nicer.” Consistency is a friend.

I'm not sure I agree that he's softer, so I'd appreciate insight as to how you felt it came across that way. In general, I think the school is more Laeral's than Khelben's these days, which makes it softer than Khelben to start with. Is it the alignment mix of the students? Something else that rubbed you wrong?

I know it was not the subject of the book, but where can I find information about Amphall?

See above. In the interim, "The North" is available for free on the WoTC website.

Also, where in the book can I find information about the lack of sprawl around Waterdeep?

This is covered to some extent in the aforementioned web enhancement (assuming it doesn't change in editing).

The idea of sprawl was brought up on several message boards while I was writing the book, so I did think about this a lot and talked with Ed about it. I'd note the following:

1) Waterdeep has actively destroyed "sprawl" in the past. (Destroying the settlement that sprang up where the Rat Hills are today.)
2) FRCS indicates the population of the Waterdeep area is much higher than the city population, indicating that a LOT of people live in the area surrounding Waterdeep.
3) The threat of orc or troll hordes is real (see Waterdeep's history) and feared by the populace.
4) Sprawl is not depicted in any previous products or novels.

In the end, I decided that Waterdeep is surrounded by farmland and small hamlets scattered throughout the region. Such settlements are generally smaller than Rassalantar and don't appear on maps. There is no concentration of settlements in the shadows of Waterdeep's walls because it does not provide any particular advantage (either you live in the city or you're a farmer) and because the Lords do not encourage such concentrations.

To everyone else, Eric did not determine the pagec ount or the lack of removable maps. That was done by Khelben… I mean the bosses at WotC.

Thanks for the comments.

--Eric

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Does it have stat blocks/info on the Lords of Waterdeep?

Info, but no stat blocks. The usual class line is usually there, though.

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

The major thing that was cut was the "Environs of Waterdeep" section. This is the major thrust of the web enhancement I turned in.

When can be expect the web supplement?

I left this vague for space reasons, because it's only really a problem if you live down there for centuries...

The vagueness on the crazy-go-nuts aspect of Undermountain make more sense – and it is not something PCs should have to worry about. Perhaps if there is a 3.5 supplement of Undermountain this can be explored.

I'm not sure I agree that he's softer, so I'd appreciate insight as to how you felt it came across that way...

It did not rub me the wrong way so much as it seemed inconsistent. Specifically, the third paragraph under Blackstaff Tower, described how both Laeral and Khelben work to prevent students from becoming restless and can part from the tower as friends with the people who are still at the tower.

While this does seem to be in character for Laeral, it seems out of character for Khelben. He is far more likely to simply kick people to curb and have done with it. Khelben himself describes what it is like for his pupils in a short story – I can’t remember the title – about Khelben dealing with some gunpowder smugglers.

I am simply being nitpicky because I dislike Khelben, but I dislike inconsistency even more.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Perhaps if there is a 3.5 supplement of Undermountain this can be explored.

There's a Web Feature about Undermountain going on on the Wizards site.

 

[Breakdaddy]

I am glad I didnt order it sight unseen then, as was my first impulse to do. I guess I will take a look at it on the shelf of my LGS before making my decision. WOTC has been dodgy in the material quality department lately.

 

[Sammael]

There's a Web Feature about Undermountain going on on the Wizards site.

And at the going rate, it's going to take them ten years to show us a significant portion of the dungeon.