Waterdeep Woes

[Kastil]

I am currently playing in a 3E city campaign based in Waterdeep (YAY!). My character is an out and out thief and recently, due to a spell and general mistrust, was hauled away by the Watch with a couple of other player characters.

Now there's the situation:

They got dragged off by the Watch because my thief bumped into one of the other player characters and they then proceeded to grab him by the scruff. I don't blame them, he'd 'accidently' bumped into them a couple of sessions ago and unbeknowst to them at the time, lifted their coin. My thief screamed out he was being kidnapped and the Watch did as the Watch does..... everyone gets questioned at the guardpost.

Um... I kinda didn't ditch my thieves tools, didn't really have the proper opportunity and before I knew it, they were shoved under my nose. Oops. My question to the masses is this:

Since I have not been accused of using them in any manner by the other player characters (my hands did that), does anyone know of the specific policy of Waterdeep when you are caught with the tools on your person? Previous pre-3E games I've been in, you lost them but I wasn't sure if FR might be a little different.

I can dream, can't I? BTW, further info can be found on the MB for this game Under "Streets of Splendor' Link in my sig (arkania)

 

[shaylon]

I'd say you are losing them. I don't recall anything ever being specifically mentioned as a rule but it is fairly common practice for you to lose thieves tools when you are apprehended.

-Shay

 

[Volaran]

I would think there would be some provision in Waterdeep for legitimate uses of such tools. The place is sitting right over Undermountain, with the place constantly a place for adventurers to make a name for themselves.

If they have a reason to suspect you of a specific crime, then those could come back to haunt you. If you're just being questioned, Waterdeep is an unusual enough city that you can come up with a valid reason to own them.

 

[Wraith Form]

I'd say you are losing them.

Yeah, and be glad he's not referring to your HANDS. Thieves often get those chopped off, too, as a form of "justice".

 

[Calico_Jack73]

If you can get a hold of the old 2E City System boxed set it has the laws of Waterdeep as well as the usual punishments for breaking them. I've posted a hyperlink to RPGnow to the City System page. It is only $5 and I wouldn't think of running a Waterdeep campaign without it and Volo's Guide to Waterdeep.

The only thing I could find is this:
1 Minor First Plaint against the Lords: Impeding the Swift Process of the Law by Delaying the Actions of the Guard, Magisters, or Watch: Imprisonment in the Dungeon for 2 days (That is if you resisted arrest).
If you have resisted arrest previously and this is a second offense the sentance is 1 month and up to 1000 gp in fines.


There is no law prohibiting owning Thieves Tools though obviously the Magistrate might question you under the influence of magic regarding past activities with your tools. Zone of Truth is only a 2nd level Clerical spell and you can bet the Waterdeep watch has some priests of Tyr on hand for just this kind of interrogation.

RPGNow Link for City System

RPGNow Link for Volo's Guide to Waterdeep

 

[Kastil]

Yep..I have the City of Splendors in PDF form plus the new 3E one. I didn't see anything about thieves tools and was curious. The DM and I have gone through the 'what ifs' basically. Oh yeah, he saw the thread. My character did not resist being taken for questioning and technically hasn't been charged with anything. More like sorting out what really happened when he 'cried wolf'.

Thank you to all who replied. My Dm is cackling as we speak.

Looking at the one link, I have the first one in your links as well on PDF, Calico. Might have to invest in the second.