I have an idea for an NPC for my PCs, a resource and potential hook/benefactor of sorts. We're playing through WDH and thought a neat person could be some sort of low/mid-level retinue to an embassy from the Nine Hells in Waterdeep. BUT - not sure if that even makes sense, for Hell to have an embassy in that city. Alternatively I could have this person in there just incognito - and maybe strongly hinted at as a devil in disguise - but of course that changes how I'd play them.
Why this kinda matters is because I made a mini-arc for the PCs in parallel with WDH, and there's a reason why this person as a devil might be interested in helping the PCs out (for the right price/at a cost, of course).
From Critical Role, there was a brief excursion for the PCs to the City of Brass (and to Dis I think). In Brass there was an embassy from Hell, which gave me this idea. But City of Brass and Waterdeep are quite different, and while devil/demon worship isn't banned in Waterdeep I'm not sure the city would entertain a formal mission from Hell. I am flavoring/reskinning my version of Waterdeep a bit more noir and grim, but still want to keep within the general lore.
It can make lots of sense, there is trade in particular between Dis and the material plane, and the very nature of hell means that a Representative could have a strict set of rules they have to follow in order to not upset the city council too much. The embassy itself would be overtly looking to provide trade (goods and services) while also looking for opportunities to do deals and give a wider opening into the city. They might also be hidden behind a more "acceptable" front.
If you think about the USA & USSR/Russia have maintained embassies throughout Cold War into today. They may even be the “acceptable front", while not necessarily acknowledged contemporary embassies are certainly suspected of being at least partial fronts for spying operations. It also begs the fun and interesting questions:
Does Waterdeep have an embassy in Dis, and who is the ambassador? What is their mission and how are they recruiting devils or souls to work for them?
Is the embassy sovereign territory? What happens when you step through the gates into the Disan (I guess 🧐) Embassy? Does the optional rule from the DMG “Pervasive Evil" apply, how similar is it to the 2nd layer of the Nine Hells?
in DnD lore the City of Dis is renowned throughout all the planes for it's markets and bazaars and travelling through them you could see all sorts of creatures who had travelled to the city on a shopping expedition, in addition the 9 hells produces exquisite weaponry and armour (for the war with the abyss but you could imagine deals being done to sell it to other planes).
A Waterdeep embassy would, I imagine, look to foster trading partners looking to open up access to unique goods and products. alternatively maybe Dis is seen as good "neutral" territory to meet with representatives of other nations or planes to negotiate deals or discuss trade etc.
There could be a chance to uncover a scandal in waterdeep itself, maybe prisoners or the homeless are going missing, and it turns out part of a deal signed by the city is that they provide x many souls each year. It has been decided to offer up the weakest of society to provide the necessary souls.
I have an idea for an NPC for my PCs, a resource and potential hook/benefactor of sorts. We're playing through WDH and thought a neat person could be some sort of low/mid-level retinue to an embassy from the Nine Hells in Waterdeep. BUT - not sure if that even makes sense, for Hell to have an embassy in that city. Alternatively I could have this person in there just incognito - and maybe strongly hinted at as a devil in disguise - but of course that changes how I'd play them.
Why this kinda matters is because I made a mini-arc for the PCs in parallel with WDH, and there's a reason why this person as a devil might be interested in helping the PCs out (for the right price/at a cost, of course).
From Critical Role, there was a brief excursion for the PCs to the City of Brass (and to Dis I think). In Brass there was an embassy from Hell, which gave me this idea. But City of Brass and Waterdeep are quite different, and while devil/demon worship isn't banned in Waterdeep I'm not sure the city would entertain a formal mission from Hell. I am flavoring/reskinning my version of Waterdeep a bit more noir and grim, but still want to keep within the general lore.
It can make lots of sense, there is trade in particular between Dis and the material plane, and the very nature of hell means that a Representative could have a strict set of rules they have to follow in order to not upset the city council too much. The embassy itself would be overtly looking to provide trade (goods and services) while also looking for opportunities to do deals and give a wider opening into the city. They might also be hidden behind a more "acceptable" front.
If you think about the USA & USSR/Russia have maintained embassies throughout Cold War into today. They may even be the “acceptable front", while not necessarily acknowledged contemporary embassies are certainly suspected of being at least partial fronts for spying operations. It also begs the fun and interesting questions:
Does Waterdeep have an embassy in Dis, and who is the ambassador? What is their mission and how are they recruiting devils or souls to work for them?
Is the embassy sovereign territory? What happens when you step through the gates into the Disan (I guess 🧐) Embassy? Does the optional rule from the DMG “Pervasive Evil" apply, how similar is it to the 2nd layer of the Nine Hells?
in DnD lore the City of Dis is renowned throughout all the planes for it's markets and bazaars and travelling through them you could see all sorts of creatures who had travelled to the city on a shopping expedition, in addition the 9 hells produces exquisite weaponry and armour (for the war with the abyss but you could imagine deals being done to sell it to other planes).
A Waterdeep embassy would, I imagine, look to foster trading partners looking to open up access to unique goods and products. alternatively maybe Dis is seen as good "neutral" territory to meet with representatives of other nations or planes to negotiate deals or discuss trade etc.
There could be a chance to uncover a scandal in waterdeep itself, maybe prisoners or the homeless are going missing, and it turns out part of a deal signed by the city is that they provide x many souls each year. It has been decided to offer up the weakest of society to provide the necessary souls.