I'm a few sessions into a Waterdeep: Dragon Heist campaign, and I'm playing as an orc nature cleric. Our party doesn't have a designated tank, but so far I'm the only one with heavy armour who's not afraid to get into melee. It would make sense, then, that I would want to keep my chain mail, shield and weapons close at hand. Until we (hopefully) acquire a bag of holding or similar, I'm not sure what to do about wandering the city with arms and armour. As a player, I know we could get into a fight at any moment, but my character wouldn't want to draw attention to themself in that way. We've already drawn some wary looks from carrying weapons.
Any creative ideas for disguising my stuff, or downgrading to something less conspicuous without losing out on a high AC (currently 18)? The DM has already told me that I can't put my chain mail in my backpack unless it's the only thing in there. My main weapon is a handaxe, so I'm not as worried about that as I would be a greatsword, but the chain mail, shield and light crossbow are problematic. I guess I could leave the crossbow behind.
Considering the size of Waterdeep ( I think I read it has a maximum population of 250000 at peak of trade season), I don't think you'd have an issue wandering around in chain mail.
Adventurers are common place in Waterdeep. I'd be very surprised if you don't pass much more heavily armored people regularly just walking down the streets of Waterdeep.
Personally, I would even try to hide my armor unless you had a definite reason to do so (ie: Disadvantage on Stealth).
Just my 2 cents. :)
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Watch your back, conserve your ammo, and NEVER cut a deal with a dragon!
Agreed that Waterdeep (most districts, anyway) would be a place where adventurers in armor would very easily be a commonly accepted sight. If anything, it would brand your character as an outsider and a possibly easy mark to take advantage of. But a large cloak, supertunic, or surcoat would probably cover up enough to make him less obvious.
I'm a few sessions into a Waterdeep: Dragon Heist campaign, and I'm playing as an orc nature cleric. Our party doesn't have a designated tank, but so far I'm the only one with heavy armour who's not afraid to get into melee. It would make sense, then, that I would want to keep my chain mail, shield and weapons close at hand. Until we (hopefully) acquire a bag of holding or similar, I'm not sure what to do about wandering the city with arms and armour. As a player, I know we could get into a fight at any moment, but my character wouldn't want to draw attention to themself in that way. We've already drawn some wary looks from carrying weapons.
Any creative ideas for disguising my stuff, or downgrading to something less conspicuous without losing out on a high AC (currently 18)? The DM has already told me that I can't put my chain mail in my backpack unless it's the only thing in there. My main weapon is a handaxe, so I'm not as worried about that as I would be a greatsword, but the chain mail, shield and light crossbow are problematic. I guess I could leave the crossbow behind.
I'd maybe talk with your DM about this. As others have said, Waterdeep seems like the sort of place where wearing armor and arms around wouldn't be unusual (though you might want too keep that axe clipped to your belt, especially as a half-orc). But from your mentioning of the "wary looks" you got, it seems like your DM may be running Waterdeep differently from that. If you're not sure, I'd talk to him/her.
If your DM says that wearing weapons and armor is not too extraordinary, you're good to go.
Otherwise, here's some thoughts:
Assuming your character's half-orc heritage is obvious, you may not care too much about your character's armor drawing attention. The PHB gives the feeling that people are expecting a half-orc to be a pugnacious type anyways, so it might not do much more than cement that for them to see your character in armor.
From the PHB, pg. 33: "It's usually safe to assume that a half-orc is belligerent and quick to anger, so people watch themselves around an unfamiliar half-orc. Shopkeepers might surreptitiously hide valuable or fragile goods when a half-orc comes in, and people slowly clear out of a tavern, assuming a fight will break out soon."
To your character, any attention they get from wearing armor may be all too familiar to them already, so they might not care. Half-orcs are generally used to "wary looks."
But maybe your campaign uses half-orcs differently?
Actually, the adventure does provide insight on how to run this. Your DM is just being a bit stingy as it were on information your PC should know.
Waterdeep does not have laws against weapons and armor. They have culture and laws that restrict their use. By now your PCs should have been given a copy of the Code Legal. In it fines and punishments for offenses are listed. For instance, merely *brandishing* a weapon with out cause is a crime and is punishable with a tenday a hard labor and fine or edict IIRC. Using magic on a citizen without consent is also covered. This is a magical place, so they have ways of both knowing and enforcing the rules. By the way, it is not up to your PC if he had cause, it is the up to the City Watch and others in the legal system.
Your particular PC is getting wary looks because s/he looks like they are both ready for trouble and willing to cause it in the eyes of a more "cultured" society. True, lots of adventurers come to Waterdeep, lots of different species interact, coin and treasure trade hands, etc. What people do not want is danger. If your PC looks dangerous, they are going to give them a wide berth.
All that said, I would run the populace as having less concern about armor than weapons. Simple, small weapons (like the knuckledusters the Waterdhavians favor) won't rate a raised eyebrow. Anything Martial or worse Ranged (like your crossbow) are going to receive looks and the City Watch are going to ask why you feel you need an arsenal in the City of Splendors? Yes, that means you might have to "hide" your weapons, or go with less optimal choices, but it will attract a lot less attention.
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I'm a few sessions into a Waterdeep: Dragon Heist campaign, and I'm playing as an orc nature cleric. Our party doesn't have a designated tank, but so far I'm the only one with heavy armour who's not afraid to get into melee. It would make sense, then, that I would want to keep my chain mail, shield and weapons close at hand. Until we (hopefully) acquire a bag of holding or similar, I'm not sure what to do about wandering the city with arms and armour. As a player, I know we could get into a fight at any moment, but my character wouldn't want to draw attention to themself in that way. We've already drawn some wary looks from carrying weapons.
Any creative ideas for disguising my stuff, or downgrading to something less conspicuous without losing out on a high AC (currently 18)? The DM has already told me that I can't put my chain mail in my backpack unless it's the only thing in there. My main weapon is a handaxe, so I'm not as worried about that as I would be a greatsword, but the chain mail, shield and light crossbow are problematic. I guess I could leave the crossbow behind.
Here's my sheet, if it helps: https://ddb.ac/characters/5416486/wXMH4F
(No spoilers, please!)
Considering the size of Waterdeep ( I think I read it has a maximum population of 250000 at peak of trade season), I don't think you'd have an issue wandering around in chain mail.
Adventurers are common place in Waterdeep. I'd be very surprised if you don't pass much more heavily armored people regularly just walking down the streets of Waterdeep.
Personally, I would even try to hide my armor unless you had a definite reason to do so (ie: Disadvantage on Stealth).
Just my 2 cents. :)
Watch your back, conserve your ammo,
and NEVER cut a deal with a dragon!
Agreed that Waterdeep (most districts, anyway) would be a place where adventurers in armor would very easily be a commonly accepted sight. If anything, it would brand your character as an outsider and a possibly easy mark to take advantage of. But a large cloak, supertunic, or surcoat would probably cover up enough to make him less obvious.
Considering the city is one of the largest cities on the Sword Coast, I seriously doubt anyone in armor would stand out as an outsider. :)
Watch your back, conserve your ammo,
and NEVER cut a deal with a dragon!
I'd maybe talk with your DM about this. As others have said, Waterdeep seems like the sort of place where wearing armor and arms around wouldn't be unusual (though you might want too keep that axe clipped to your belt, especially as a half-orc). But from your mentioning of the "wary looks" you got, it seems like your DM may be running Waterdeep differently from that. If you're not sure, I'd talk to him/her.
If your DM says that wearing weapons and armor is not too extraordinary, you're good to go.
Otherwise, here's some thoughts:
Assuming your character's half-orc heritage is obvious, you may not care too much about your character's armor drawing attention. The PHB gives the feeling that people are expecting a half-orc to be a pugnacious type anyways, so it might not do much more than cement that for them to see your character in armor.
From the PHB, pg. 33: "It's usually safe to assume that a half-orc is belligerent and quick to anger, so people watch themselves around an unfamiliar half-orc. Shopkeepers might surreptitiously hide valuable or fragile goods when a half-orc comes in, and people slowly clear out of a tavern, assuming a fight will break out soon."
To your character, any attention they get from wearing armor may be all too familiar to them already, so they might not care. Half-orcs are generally used to "wary looks."
But maybe your campaign uses half-orcs differently?
And that's all I have to say about that.
Actually, the adventure does provide insight on how to run this. Your DM is just being a bit stingy as it were on information your PC should know.
Waterdeep does not have laws against weapons and armor. They have culture and laws that restrict their use. By now your PCs should have been given a copy of the Code Legal. In it fines and punishments for offenses are listed. For instance, merely *brandishing* a weapon with out cause is a crime and is punishable with a tenday a hard labor and fine or edict IIRC. Using magic on a citizen without consent is also covered. This is a magical place, so they have ways of both knowing and enforcing the rules. By the way, it is not up to your PC if he had cause, it is the up to the City Watch and others in the legal system.
Your particular PC is getting wary looks because s/he looks like they are both ready for trouble and willing to cause it in the eyes of a more "cultured" society. True, lots of adventurers come to Waterdeep, lots of different species interact, coin and treasure trade hands, etc. What people do not want is danger. If your PC looks dangerous, they are going to give them a wide berth.
All that said, I would run the populace as having less concern about armor than weapons. Simple, small weapons (like the knuckledusters the Waterdhavians favor) won't rate a raised eyebrow. Anything Martial or worse Ranged (like your crossbow) are going to receive looks and the City Watch are going to ask why you feel you need an arsenal in the City of Splendors? Yes, that means you might have to "hide" your weapons, or go with less optimal choices, but it will attract a lot less attention.