Speak With Dice's Guide to

ESL in Waterdeep
A language learning supplement for
Chapter 1 of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.

Introduction: For anyone looking to use D&D with language learners. This guide provides lists of
Phrasal Verbs, and examples of how to use them, alongside location activities.

by Speakwithdice

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers League, all
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of Wizards of the Coast. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is
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English Learning with D&D
The Goal of this Guide
To provide DM's, who use D&D to enhance English learning, with a way to integrate learning into
Waterdeep Dragon Heist sessions. This is ideally for learners who are intermediate level and
higher. The focus is on phrasal verbs they wouldn't be able to practice as often in regular
conversation.

How to use this guide:

This guide supplies lists of vocabulary and phrasal verbs that each NPC of Waterdeep could
potentially use in a game for English learners. Along with example dialogue to help you get an idea
of how to implement English into the game effectively. There are also adjectves for NPC's &
locations, and many question prompts for you to use either before the game or within the game.
Each location also provides an activity for the players that will require them to use English.

Pick and Choose the Phrasal verbs, vocabulary and grammar you wish your players to be able to
access before the game.
Provide Players with a pre-game sheet, well before the game if possible. Only include the phrasal
verbs NPC's may use that you think won't expose the direction your story is taking.

You can use the NPC and Location worksheets provided at the end of this guide to prepare which
words and phrasal verbs you wish to use for each session.
NPC's
Friendly faces (anyone)
Count on Volothamp Geddarm:
You can count on me. Volo has an excerpt of speech written in the
Depend on book. Adapt this to fit the level of your players and if
You can depend on me. possible include some of the phrasal verbs.

Durnan Stand out

Kick out You lot really stand out from the other patrons that
You keep that up and I will kick you out. usually visit here.
Fire away
You have questions? Please fire away.
Bonnie Goes with
Clean up He has this blue shirt that really goes with his eyes.
I just clean up after the drunks Put up with
I'm not sure how they put up with me.
Jalester Silvermane Catch up with
Killed him off I had been wanting to catch up with Floon for months.
They killed my love off Called in
Pass away We called in at the Skewered Dragon.
My boyfriend passed away last year. Mixed up in
I hope he hasn't gotten mixed up in any of this gang
Threestrings business.
Cheer up Pay you back
I'm just trying to cheer these people up. I can absolutely pay you back.
Think it over
Why don't you think it over before answering.
Think through risks
Meloon Wardragon Take some time to think through the risks.
Dying for a drink Weigh up the pros and cons
I would help you out but I'm dying for a drink. You can weigh up the pros and cons.
Run it by your friend
Obaya Uday Maybe you can run it by a friend in here. See what
Keep out they think.
Keep out of the Undermountain, you won't live long Bounce back
It's ok I'm sure I will bounce back with this upcoming
book.
Yagra Stonefist Iron out the details
Act as Why don't we iron out the details later.
I often act as a bodyguard
Back down
I never back down from a fight
Lay into
I'm going to lay into those Xanathar guild members

Krentz
Back me up
Come on guys back me up.
Knock out
With that hit he knocks Yagra out.
Wise up
You stupid people need to wise up to this city or
you're going to get killed.

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Hyustus Staget & The City Watch
Answer back Renaer Neverwinter
Don't you answer back to me. Tell one from the other
Charge with They couldn't tell me from him.
I'm charging these guys with murder. Tell us apart
Account for This happens more often than I like honestly, people
What about you? Can you account for your can never tell us apart.
whereabouts? Muddle them up
Clear off They always muddle us up
Clear off, you're bothering me. Involved in
Cool off Everyone always assumes I'm involved in my father's
You need to cool off or I'm going to use force. businesses.
Follow up Live up to
I need to follow up on this information. I was never able to live up to his expectations.
Stake out
We were on stake out here before. Grum'Shar
Deal with
Go deal with them.
Xoblob Finish off
Aimed at I'm going to finish this off.
These items are aimed at the more fashion conscious Go against
members of your team . How dare you go against the Xanathar guild.
Based on
Based on the looks of you, you're here to buy some of Zemk
my fine curios. Carry out
Cater to Don't worry I will carry out his orders to the end.
I cater to all kinds here. Size up
Interest you in As he looks at you, you can see he is sizing you up.
Could I interest you in this item here.
Locations
Yawning Portal
Die down
The noise begins to die down after the fight.
Egg on
Other patrons are egging them on.

Adjectives:
Noisy, Cluttered, Warm, Bustling, Wooden, Suitable,
Bright, Crowded, Large, High Ceiling, Lively

Activity:
Introduction activity. Requires pre-generated
characters and pictures, or have the players provide
you with images that other players have not seen.
Have learners describe their characters to each other.
Then use the images to have the other players assign
the correct images to each player. Number the images
and have players connect images to character names.
Players who are correct receive initiative.

Waterdeep Streets Old Xoblob Shop

Crowd around
People have begun to crowd around the area. Adjectives:
Adjectives: Dark, Smoky, Violet, Plum, Lilac, Small, Cluttered
Long, Broad, Narrow, Busy, Crowded, Clean, Dirty,
Prosperous, Main, Fashionable, Paved,
Activity:
Cobblestones, Squalid, Bright, Dark
Use handouts to provide the players with a selection
of item images and have them describe the item they
Activity: want to you. Offer discount, if they provide a good
Anytime players are walking the streets prompt them description using some of the adjectives you have
with topics to discuss in character as they move previously provided. Tip: Use small magical items that
towards where they are heading. provide flavor to entice players to want to purchase
them.

The Skewered Dragon

Adjectives:
Dim, Dreary, Small, Old, Dark, Drab, Grubby, Dingy,
Infamous, Notorious,

Activity:
After providing players with a description of the tavern
and or an image, prompt players to discuss the
differences between this tavern and the Yawning
Portal. Having images for both will be helpful.

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Zhentarim Hideout
Break in Sewers
You break into the room. Blocked up
The sewers smell like the worst blocked up toilet.
Adjectives:
Empty, Roomy, Dusty, Dim, Shabby, Windowless, Adjectives:
Old, Foul Smelling, Vile, Narrow, Subterranean, Grimy,
Filthy, Tributary, Muddy, Leaky, Clogged
Activity:
Investigation Using prepositions to describe what the Activity:
players are seeing when they roll investigation. Have Puzzle game using images of the Xanathar to show
them explain this to each other in character, by telling which ways to go. Left: Xanathar with 2 yellow
them each descriptions individually. Eyestalks on the left. Right: Xanathar with 3 blue
Eyestalks on the right. Forward: Xanathar with 1 red
After Players find the Paper Bird Eyestalks in the middle. A DC 10 Intelligence roll can
Activity: help the players identify the code.
Paper Bird Handout Adaptation:
Provide players with an actual paper bird that they can
unfold with directions on it. Use with the Waterdeep Xanathar Guild Hideout
map. Provide a reason for the players to use at a
location of your choosing. Adjectives:
The bird flies into the air quickly after speaking the Gloomy, Dark, Damp, Narrow, Underground, Stinking,
name of the person you wish to find. It returns shortly Deep
after and has directions under it's folds. Each fold
leads to the next location before it finally leads players
to the sewers. To make it more interesting have one Activity:
player read out the directions and another player find Use the battle in this encounter to encourage players
the location on the map. Provide positive and or to interrogate an NPC and find out more information.
negative encounters depending on if they reach the Encourage the use of who, what, why questions.
correct location. If they are unable to find the right
locations, provide help in the guise of NPC's willing to
help them read the directions.
Prompts:
For use in any situation you feel them to be relevant. These are to encourage players to discuss their
character's thoughts and feelings more. To get them better into the characters minds, but also to get them
practicing discussion of experiences and feelings through a character.

What does your character look like?

What is your character afraid of?
Who does your character care about most in the world?
Does your character get lost easily?
What was the best day in your characters life?
What was the worst day in your characters life?
What work did your character do before becoming an adventurer?
Does your character like to take risks?
Would you consider this action a risk?
What motivates your character?
What does your character do when they feel demotivated?
How could your character motivate the others?
What does your character consider beautiful?
Is crime a big problem where your character is from?
Has your character ever been a victim of crime?
What would your character do if they witnessed a crime being committed?
What are your characters goals?
How are they planning to reach those goals?
How well does your character manage their money?
Does your character like making plans?
Do they make back-up plans?
What does your character believe happens after life?
What important life lessons has your character learned?
How does your character deal with problems?

Has your character ever experienced a similar situation before? Use this when players wish to roll to do
something. If they describe an event in their character's history well that is similar to this situation give
players advantage

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Players Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs, followed by examples you could use in game, or adapt to make your own.

− Check out (to look at or examine a person or thing that seems interesting)
We need to check out the building over there.

− Check over (to examine something carefully)

We should check them over, and make sure they are still alive.

− Check through (to examine a few things to find something)

Let's check through the drawers and see what we can find.

− Come across (to meet or find somebody/something by chance)

We don't want to come across another one of these by surprise.

− Coming along (to improve)

The investigation is coming along quite well thank you.

− Come up with (to find an answer)

We need to come up with a plan, or things will go badly again.

− Divide up (to split something amongst a number of people)

We can divide the gold up later when we get to a safe place.

− Figure out (to solve a problem, find a solution)

We need to figure out what they were doing here.

− Get away (to leave)

We need to get away now or we are going to get hurt.

− Head back/for (to go back or to somewhere)

Let's head back to the Yawning Portal.
We should head there for more information.

− Know of (to be familiar with something or someone)

Do you know of anybody who might have been here last night?

− Listen in (to listen to)

I'm going to listen into their conversation.

− Look around (to examine an area to find something)

Let's take a look around these rooms.

− Plan ahead (to make a plan for the future)

We should plan ahead this time.

− Track down (to look for and find something)

We can track them down.
Possible NPC Phrasal verbs, players can also try and use:

− Count on (to rely on someone, or trust them to do the right thing)

You can count on him.
You can't count on him.

− Depend on ( To rely on someone to do something)

Can we depend on you to get it?

− Dying for a drink (to need a drink, usually alcoholic, after experiencing a hard time)
I'm dying for a drink. (After something difficult has been done)

− Back down (to admit defeat/loss)

She won't back down from a fight.

− Lay into (to attack someone violently)

They are laying into him.

− Back me up (to provide support for someone)

Please back me up on this.

− Knock out (to make unconscious, usually by hitting)

He has been knocked out.

− Wise up (to learn about the bad side of or negative things about something)
You need to wise up to how things really work around here.

− Goes with (to combine well with something)

He wears a blue bag that goes well with his green pants.

− Put up with (to accept that something is annoying)

I'm not sure I can put up with his annoying voice any more.

− Catch up with (to meet someone after a long time and chat)
I wanted to catch up with her this weekend.

− Called in (to have visited a place)

We called in at the Skewered Dragon last night.

− Mixed up in (to get accidentally involved in a situation)

I hope she hasn't got mixed up in the fighting outside.

− Pay you back (to return borrowed money)

I will pay you back tomorrow.

− Think it over (to think about a future decision)

Why don't you think it over and decide later.

− Weigh up the pros and cons (to think about the advantages and disadvantages)
You should weigh up the pros and cons before making a decision.

− Run by (to discuss something with someone to see what they think of it)
Why don't you run it by your friend over there and see what they think.

− Iron out the details (to get rid of the problems and make it right for all involved)
We can iron out the details later, for now let's just get out of here.

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− Charge with (to be officially put into police custody for a crime)
We don't want to be charged with murder.

− Account for (to give a record of something)

Can you account for your whereabouts last night?

− Interest you in (to persuade someone to buy something)

Can I interest you in one of these items here?

− Tell one from the other (to see the differences between two things)
I can't tell one from the other, they both look the same.

− Tell us apart (to see the differences between two things)

Nobody can ever tell us apart, it's very frustrating.

− Muddle them up (to confuse the identity of two similar people or things)
They must have muddled them up and took the wrong one.

− Involved in (to be part of)

I'm not involved in her business any more.

− Live up to (to do as well as or be as good as other people expect you to )

I could never live up to his expectations of me.

− Beat up (to be kicked or hit many times)

He looks all beat up now.

− Blacked out (to have become unconscious)

She blacked out after getting hit by the horse.

− Freshen up (to was hand make yourself look clean)

I just need to freshen up in the bathroom first.

− Keel over (to fall over unexpectedly because of sickness)

He just keeled over after drinking too much.

− Mistook for (to wrongly think someone is someone else)

They mistook him for me and now he's in trouble.
NPC Language Sheet (Example)
Name Volothamp Geddarm
Important Statistics CHA 16 INT 15 WIS 11
Important information
Is looking for his friend Floon.
Will offer 10GP upfront and 100GP once they have found Floon. (Does not have 100GP)
He and Floon were drinking at the Skewered Dragon two night ago. (Location of Skewered Dragon)

After finding Floon:

He has no money. He does have the deed to Trollskull Manor for them.
Trollskull Manor may be haunted. He was investigating it for his next book.

Language Used Descriptors

− Stand out
− Outstanding
− Fire away
− Goes with
− Put up with
− Catch up with
− Called in
− Mixed up in
− Pay you back
− Bend in
− Think it over
− Think through risks
− Weigh up the pros and cons
− Run it by your friend
− Bounce back
− Iron out the details

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NPC Language Sheet
Name
Important Statistics
Important information

Language Used Descriptors

Credits:
A Speak With Dice product.
Version 1.1

Written by James Bowden

Proofread by Nathan Waters

Parchment texture by Seth Tomlinson

Graphic Art by Corey Johnston

Other Artwork by Wizards of the Coast

Legal disclaimer
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Eberron, the dragon
ampersand, Ravnica and all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are
trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries.

This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is
used with permission under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.

All other original material in this work is copyright 2019 by James Bowden and published under the
Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.

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