According to the rules ofDungeons & Dragons, a ‘metropolis’ is a city of at least 25,000 people, and all the following towns and settlements are much bigger than that. Many of these locations were also the site of dangerous or dramatic events that altered the history of the Forgotten Realms, and this affected the population, but the numbers listed indicate the size of these cities at their bustling peak.
It’s not just players of the tabletop games who know the names of a few of the biggest cities in the Forgotten Realms. Those who’ve been enjoyingBaldur’s Gate 3get to visit and explore the titular city, along with their companion Gale of Waterdeep, and movie buffs who have seen the D&D-basedHonor Among Thieveswill be familiar with the bustling city of Neverwinter.
5Waterdeep
Population: 2,000,000 As Of 15th Century DR
Going by population, Waterdeep is consistently the biggest city in the Forgotten Realms. Very few cities ever get past a million inhabitants and even fewer can keep them there, and Waterdeep seemed to grow and thrive despite the inherent dangers of being a big city in Faerûn.
For those who have played BG3,Gale can show youvisions of the city and even invite you there, depending on how close you get.
Plenty of adventuring modules take place or start in the bustling metropolis also known as the City of Splendors or the Crown of the North, such as Dragon Heist and Lords of Waterdeep. Although the present-day name comes from a nickname that early captains gave it to describe the impressive natural harbor, the city was originally settled as a farming community called Bloohand Hold.
For those interested in traveling overland to Waterdeep, the Trade Way, the Long Road, and the High Road all lead into the city. Everything 100 miles outside the city walls is considered a part of the greater metropolitan area, and every street and neighborhood is well-lit and guarded, which can be good or bad depending on what kind of adventurer you are.
4Menzoberranzan
Population: 20,000 Drow And 40,000 Slaves As Of 1370 DR
Not every big city in the Forgotten Realms is located in Faerûn. Some of them are underneath it. Menzoberranzan is one of many hidden Drow cities, but it has the reputation of being the grandest and most impressive. It’s also known as the City of Spiders, and the famous hero Drizzt Do’Urden claims this dark city as his original home.
Granted, as fascinating as Menzoberranzan is, this isn’t the place for everyone. The best way to explore the City of Spiders is to be a female Drow, as this faction of society has more rights and privileges than any other group.
The city is a strict matriarchy, with the men of the population little more than slaves, and speaking of slavery, the Drow consider the practice of buying and selling flesh as a natural part of the economic lifeblood of their society.
3Baldur’s Gate
Population: 125,000 As Of 1492 DR
The city that has enough going on to spawn a whole series of video games is also one of the biggest cities in the Forgotten Realms, and it’s impressive that it could retain its population considering how often it gets burned down, blown up, or otherwise destroyed. Various locations throughout the Sword Coast are featured as part of theBaldur’s Gateseries, and the city is always included asthe protagonist’s ultimate destination.
Baldur’s Gate has grown through the years, and in the present day, the environs that used to be independent municipalities are now included as an official part of the city. Rivington, which used to be a separate city to the south, is now a suburb, and the part of town that used to be known as the Bridge District, for example, is now known as Wyrm’s Crossing.
Baldur’s Gate is the biggest city in this part of the Sword Coast, and the Flaming Fist and the Watch function as the city’s law enforcement. The city is well-protected, and authorities can cut off access to most of the city from the mainland by simply drawing up a few bridges.
2Elturel
Population: 33,000 As Of 1358 DR
TheD&D adventure modelEscape to Avernus tells the story of how one of the biggest and most prosperous cities in the Forgotten Realms was sucked into Hell by a fiend named Zariel. Even after it was returned to its rightful place by a group of brave adventurers, the social upheaval in the city continued when the citizens decided to expel the Teifling population in retribution because of their demonic connections.
If you’ve played BG3, then you’ve met some of the exiles from Elturel, such as the former Hellrider, Zevlor. This NPC’s tragic story mimics that of his home city, brought down from a lofty perch of peace and prosperity to a hellish descent. The city was one of the safest and most prosperous in the Forgotten Realms, guarded by a king loyal to Torm and a small army of paladins, but perhaps this is why the fiend Zariel wanted it as a prize for Avernus.
1Neverwinter
Population: 23,192 As Of 1372 DR
Though it’s not quite a metropolis judging by population alone, Neverwinter still deserves a place on the list due to the prominent place it holds in D&D lore. Many of the scenes in the movie Honor Among Thieves take place in this impressive city, which survives and flourishes in some of the harshest conditions in the Forgotten Realms.
The nicknames for Neverwinter include the City of Skilled Hands and the Jewel of the North, both of which reveal something about how it manages to prosper despite the isolation and weather. Volo, the infamous historian, writer, and traveler, chose Neverwinter as Faerun’s most civilized and cosmopolitan city based on how it utilizes the skills of its people. The city is famous for gardens and fresh produce, despite the climate, and other refined and unique local crafts including water clocks, glass lamps, and fine jewelry.
