History TabletopGame / WaterdeepDungeonOfTheMadMage

Taking place within the city of [[CityOfAdventure Waterdeep]], the adventure centers on the exploration of [[MegaDungeon Undermountain]], the largest and most famous dungeon complex in the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms''. As such, adventurers from all across Toril are drawn into the dungeon through its entrance within the Yawning Portal inn, hoping to return to the surface with riches and harrowing tales of bravery and danger. But through the depths of this labyrinthine dungeon, dark forces lie waiting at every corner to put the adventurers' mettle to the test. Among which is none other than Halaster Blackcloak, the titular [[EvilWizard Mad Mage]], who reigns over Undermountain from his lair within the deepest reaches of the dungeon. Spanning across twenty-three levels, with each one deeper than the last, only the bravest, luckiest, and most resourceful of adventurers would dare to challenge the dangers of Undermountain and live to tell the tale.

Taking place within the city of [[CityOfAdventure Waterdeep]], the adventure centers on the exploration of [[MegaDungeon Undermountain]], the largest and most famous dungeon complex in the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms''. As such, adventurers from all across Toril are drawn into the dungeon through its entrance within the Yawning Portal inn, hoping to return to the surface with riches and harrowing tales of bravery and danger. But through the depths of this labyrinthine dungeon, dark forces lie waiting at every corner to put the adventurers' mettle to the test. Among which is none other than Halaster Blackcloak, the titular [[EvilWizard Mad Mage]], who madly reigns over Undermountain from his lair within the deepest reaches of the dungeon. Spanning across twenty-three levels, each one deeper than the last, only the bravest, luckiest, and most resourceful of adventurers would dare to challenge the dangers of Undermountain and live to tell the tale.

Taking place within the city of [[CityOfAdventure Waterdeep]], the adventure centers on the exploration of [[MegaDungeon Undermountain]], the largest and most famous dungeon complex in the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms''. As such, adventurers from all across Toril are drawn into the dungeon through its entrance within the Yawning Portal inn, hoping to return to the surface with riches and harrowing tales of bravery and danger. But through the depths of this labyrinthine dungeon, dark forces lie waiting to put the adventurers' mettle to the test. Among which is none other than Halaster Blackcloak, who madly reigns over Undermountain from his lair within the deepest level of the dungeon. Spanning across twenty-three levels, each one deeper than the last, only the bravest, luckiest, and most resourceful of adventurers would dare to challenge the dangers of Undermountain and live to tell the tale.

** The module encourages this if the players previously ran ''TabletopGame/WaterdeepDragonHeist''. In particular, if the players' main threat in said module was the Xanathar Guild, then the DM is encouraged to use the outcome of the previous module to play into the story of the current one.

* SpaceBase: Stardock is a hallowed-out asteroid situated along the Tears of Selûne that was converted into a space outpost by mind flayers, until the githyanki and their red dragon allies drove them out and repurposed the outpost into a shelter for raising and training young githyanki warriors known as Creche K’liir. From Toril, it can only be accessed through a portal found within the sixteenth level known as the Crystal Labyrinth, which is also under githyanki control as part of their campaign to exterminate the mind flayers within Undermountain.

Taking place within the city of [[CityOfAdventure Waterdeep]], the adventure centers on the exploration of [[MegaDungeon Undermountain]], the largest and most famous dungeon complex in the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms''. As such, adventurers from all across Toril are drawn into the dungeon through its entrance within the Yawning Portal inn, hoping to return to the surface with riches and harrowing tales of bravery and danger. But through the depths of this labyrinthine dungeon, dark forces lie waiting to put the adventurers' mettle to the test. Among which is none other than Halaster Blackcloak, who madly reigns over Undermountain from his lair within the deepest level of the dungeon. Spanning across twenty-three levels, each one deeper than the last, only the bravest, luckiest, and most resourceful of adventurers would dare to challenge the dangers of Undermoutain and live to tell the tale.

* VillainTakesAnInterest: One of the module's recommendations for Halaster's EvilPlan is to have him take an interest in the adventurers because they could become potential pupils that he can use. Any spellcaster who catches his eye will be someone he desires to take under his wing. [[spoiler:This is not a good thing though, as Halaster will [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness eventually get bored]] and leave them to a FateWorseThanDeath.

** The module encourages this if the players previously ran ''TabletopGame/WaterdeepDragonHeist''. In particular, if the players main threat in said module was the Xanathar Guild, the DM is encouraged to use the outcome of the previous module to play into the story of the current one.
* EvilVersusEvil: Essentially what each level of Undermountain boils down to. There are usually two-three factions fighting each other for control over the area, with most aiming to either control the level, or expand further in. For example; the first level has the area divided into territory held by a group of bandits called the Undertakers, who pretend to be vampires to extort money from gullible adventurers, and the Xanathar Guild, a notorious ThievesGuild in Waterdeep. Both groups fight each other in order to gain control over the area, and the module states at the end of each section for the level what happens if the adventurers involve themselves, ranging from one faction taking over the level, to the level being abandoned if both factions are killed.
* FallenAngel: On level 21 is home to Fazrian, a [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Planetar]] who once followed Torm. After being summoned in Undermountain, he tried to stop Halaster's creations on said level, but grew insane as he did so. Now he has gone full KnightTemplar and judges those who he finds, either sparing them if they show courage and a willingness to sacrifice themselves, or executing them if they do not meet his standards, all so he can make an army to cleanse Undermountain. [[spoiler:Players can convince him to judge himself if they are persuasive enough, at which point he [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone realizes the severity of his actions]] and kills himself out of shame for falling from his duty to Torm]].

* SpaceBase: Stardock is a hallowed-out asteroid situated along the Tears of Selûne that was converted into a space outpost by mind flayers, until the githyanki and their red dragon allies drove them out and repurposed the outpost into a shelter for raising and training young githyanki warriors known as Creche K’liir. From Toril, it can only be accessed through a portal found within the Crystal Labyrinth, which is also under githyanki control as part of their campaign to exterminate the mind flayers within Undermountain.
* VillainTakesAnInterest: One of the module's recommendations for Halaster's goal is to have him take an interest in the adventurers because they could become potential pupils he can use. Any spellcaster who catches his eye will be someone he desires to take under his wing. This is not a good thing though, as Halaster will eventually get bored and leave you to a FateWorseThanDeath.
* WretchedHive: Skullport, the only real town in Undermountain. The city was once a [[TheMagocracy Netherese]] enclave called Sargauth, but now is mostly controlled by the Xanathar Guild. While it has things like food and supplies, the city is not very welcoming to newcomers, and you are more likely to get attacked then meet a friendly face.

* CallBack: On the fourth level of Undermountain is a mage named Darribeth Meltimer, who has gone insane due to the demons encountered in the mountain. If cured of her sanity, she mentions wanting to return and see her wife Urgala Meltimer, a minor NPC from ''Storm King's Thunder''.
* EvilVersusEvil: Essentially what each level of Undermountain boils down to. There are usually two-three factions fighting each other for control over the area, with most aiming to either control the level, or expand further in. For example; the first level has the area divided into territory held by a group of bandits called the Undertakers, who pretend to be vampires to extort money from gullible adventurers, and the Xanathar Guild, a notorious ThievesGuild in Waterdeep. Both groups fight each other in order to gain control over the area, and the module states at the end of each section for the level what happens if the adventurers involve themselves.

* EvilVersusEvil: Essentially what each level of Undermountain boils down to. There are usually two-three factions fighting each other for control over the area, with most aiming to either control the level, or expand further in. For example; the first level has the area divided into territory held by a group of bandits called the Undertakers, who pretend to be Vampires and extort money from adventurers, and the Xanathar organization. Both groups fight each other in order to gain control over the area, and the module states at the end of each section for the level what happens if the adventurers involve themselves.

* SpaceBase: Stardock is a hallowed-out asteroid situated along the Tears of Selûne that was converted into a space outpost by mind flayers, until the githyanki and their red dragon allies drove them out and repurposed the outpost as a shelter for raising and training young githyanki warriors known as Creche K’liir. From Toril, it can only be accessed through a portal found within the Crystal Labyrinth, which is also under githyanki control as part of their campaign to exterminate the mind flayers within Undermountain.
* VillainTakesAnInterest: One of the modules recommendations for Halaster goal wise is to have him take an interest in the party because they could become potential pupils he can use. Any spell caster who catches his eye will be someone he desires to take under his wing. This is not a good thing though, as Halaster will eventually get bored and leave you to a FateWorseThanDeath.

''Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage'' is an adventure module for [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons FifthEdition the fifth edition]] of ''[[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons Dungeons & Dragons]]'', released on November 20, 2018. It is the ImmediateSequel to ''TabletopGame/WaterdeepDragonHeist'', with Christopher Perkins serving as the lead designer of the module.

''Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage'' is an adventure module for the fifth edition of ''[[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons Dungeons & Dragons]]'', released on November 20, 2018. It is the ImmediateSequel to ''TabletopGame/WaterdeepDragonHeist'', with Christopher Perkins serving as the lead designer of the module.

* MysticalCave: Halaster Blackcloak's influence Undermountain has allowed him to alter magic so that any spell or effect that can transport or banish a creature while within the dungeon complex would immediately fail, as well as those that can alter or destroy the terrain of Undermountain. Although there are exceptions to this rule, such as SummonMagic, magic involving [[PocketDimension Pocket Dimensions]], using a ''[[MakeAWish wish]]'' spell, etc.

* SpaceBase: Stardock is a hallowed-out asteroid situated along the Tears of Selûne that was converted into a space outpost by mind flayers, until the githyanki and their red dragon allies moved in and repurposed it as a shelter for raising and training young githyanki warriors known as Creche K’liir. From Toril, it can only be accessed through a portal found within the Crystal Labyrinth, which is also under githyanki control as part of their campaign to exterminate the mind flayers within Undermountain.

Taking place within the city of [[CityOfAdventure Waterdeep]], the adventure centers on the exploration of [[BeneathTheEarth Undermountain]], the largest and most famous dungeon complex in the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms''. As such, adventurers from all across Toril are drawn into the dungeon through its entrance within the Yawning Portal inn, hoping to return to the surface with riches and harrowing tales of bravery and danger. But through the depths of this labyrinthine dungeon, dark forces lie waiting to put the adventurers' mettle to the test. Among which is none other than Halaster Blackcloak, who madly reigns over Undermountain from his lair within the deepest level of the dungeon. Spanning across twenty-three levels, each one deeper than the last, only the bravest, luckiest, and most resourceful of adventurers would dare to challenge the dangers of Undermoutain and live to tell the tale.

Taking place within the city of [[CityOfAdventure Waterdeep]], the adventure centers on the exploration of Undermountain, the largest and most famous dungeon complex in the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms''. As such, adventurers from all across Toril are drawn into the dungeon through its entrance within the Yawning Portal inn, hoping to return to the surface with riches and harrowing tales of bravery and danger. But through the depths of this labyrinthine dungeon, dark forces lie waiting to put the adventurers' mettle to the test. Among which is none other than Halaster Blackcloak, who madly reigns over Undermountain from his lair within the deepest level of the dungeon. Spanning across twenty-three levels, each one deeper than the last, only the bravest, luckiest, and most resourceful of adventurers would dare to challenge the dangers of Undermoutain and live to tell the tale.