These are my notes on waterdeep, taken from the waterdeep-Novels. I thought I might share them with you. I'll try to updated these notes when my time allows it (currently only online at weekends).
Key: BT (Blackstaff Tower), MS (Mistshore), DS (Downshadow), WATE (LFR-Adv.) WATE1-2, Dark Secrets of Downshadow, CotD (City of the Dead), GS (Onlinestory : Gedrin Shadowbane) BRJ (Brian R. James unofficial timeline) ** (Speculation)
The Wards of Waterdeep
Sea Ward Opulent well tended buildings Valkur’s Tempel (on Sul Street) Wavetamer Garyn Raventree (Priest of Valkur, peaceful eyes) BT Tempel of Beauty On Greengrass, annual costume ball (30 of Tarsakh), DS39/158 Lorien Dawnbringer, one of the temples celebrants, ventured into Downshadow with Lady Ilira to help people in need. She had a fine-boned face of forty winters and red-golden curls of hair DS51 Was murdered by the dwarf monk Arrath Vir. Heroes’ Garden Has fallen into disrepair, well known spot to hire sellswords & adventurers BT 25 Slaked Sylph (Tavern in Darselune Street, near Gulzindar Street) at the edge of the sea and Castle wards, patron’s are a wide array of Waterdhavians, dark ale, night black loaves, shelves with broadsheets, Tavernmaid Arlanna Demondraught Taverne, Corner of Morningstar Way, (Grey-stoned) Stormstar Ride, Aurrenar Street crossing, BT88 Tespergates (Haunted nobel house at the southern End of Senarl’s cut) BT Neverember Hall On the west side of Mendever Street (servants entrance at Senarl’s Cut) BT Renaer ‘Ren’ Neverember (Dagult’s son, sage and book-collector, rake by night, son of Lady Brandarth) Madrak Salibuck (Renaer calls him ‘old hin’, white-haired halfling butler, looked out for Renaer since childhood, was servant to Renaers mother) Bramal Salibuck (Madark’s son, manages bulk of Neverember business as Renaers proxy) Roarke House Kulzar’s Alley BT44-45-46(Rook’s Hold) Halaerim Club Directly across Kulzar’s Alley BT44 Gildenfires Festhall In need of repairs BT43 Abandoned, scorched BT63 Field of Triumph BT17
Castle Ward Utilitarian domiciles and row buildings (since the Spellplague many of these have arches to support them), a few exeptions. BT Poor people, festhalls narrow less crowded streets refuse on the streets, near silkstreet DS39
Blackstaff Tower Built as Arunsun Tower in 1150 DR. The black tower seems to absorb light. Curtain wall around courtyard, the gate is adorned with metalworked roses and staves entwining it’s metal bars. Enchanted with a slow spell.(BT19) The only living resident of Blackstaff Tower is Vajra ‚Blackstaff’ Safahr Dusky skinned Tethyrian, bright indigo eyes, short black hair. Former Blackstaves / Blackstaff Ghosts Khelben Arunsun (1150-1374) Tsarra ‘Autumfire’ Chaadren (Half-elf, 1374 - 1399) Kyriani Agrivar (Half-drow, 1399 -1400) Krehlan Arunsun (1400-1424) Ashemmon of Rymanthiin (Half-elf,1424-1464) "The golden haired half-elf Ashemmon carried his mother's grace, his father's guile, and Art both learned and innate. Many said the fifth Blackstaff outshone all but the first in statecraft" BT 238 " If he(Samark)'s like his mentor Ashemmon at all, we'll need a lot more gravediggers." BT 116 Description BT 242 ** Might be the son of Ashemmi and Sememmon. Samark Dhanzscul(1464-1479)
Open Lord’s Palace home of Dagult Neverember Open Lord of Waterdeep Former Open Lords: Ahghairon Piergeiron Paladinson Caladorn Cassalantar Lhestyn Arunsun Baeron Silmaeril
Ahghairon’s Tower BT288 Now toped by a Walking Statue in the form of a stone griffin, making the tower the tallest building of the Castle Ward, surounded by spellwards.
Spires of the Morning (Temple of Amaunator, Julthon Street) Pink marbel courtyard walls, BT18 The Yawning Portal Inn, DS Charistor Looming three stories tall over the intersection with of Sword Street, ‘Gargoyle infested’ BT18 Jhurlan’s Juwels Tchozal’s Race, squat white building with quaint Old Cormyrean wall merlons atop it’s roof. BT18 Flagon Dragon Inn Corner of Tharleon Street, Three Stories high, stone dragons at the base of the walls are all gouting fire, two dragon helmed guards at the door. Caters more to the less-than-noble class. BT19 Rarknal’s Whitesmiths Backside? Silkanth’s Cut, BT19 Smiling Siren Festhall, well lit windows, BT20, visited by gurdsmen (Bors and Kalen) DS49,88-89 Sanchel, dwarf madam of the Sirene DS89 The Singing Sword Tavern BT20 Ordalth House Marbel Four-story grandhouse Castle ward, owned by Raenar Neverember BT Diloontier’s & Sons Apothecary Near Ordalth House, BT Curious Past Shop, Street of Silks, over a century old, sells oddities, antiques and chapbooks (including Arita's 'Silver Fox' Series) DS86-87 Blushing Nymph Festhall, an alley near it leads to a tunnel to Downshadow near the Grim Statue. DS272 Nathalan's Menagerie beauty/dress salon run by Lady Ilira, DS 139-145 Bright Bell hearth-house (i.e. restaurant) with good, plentiful, moderately expensive food, DS 219 Nurneene’s Marvelous Masks Street of Bells, sells Masks DS157/ Dragon321
Mountainside The Godstair On top of Mount Waterdeep The Talltumble Stair BT188-189 Runs down the eastern slope of Mount Waterdeep to Mountainside) The initial straight run-stair was reworked into angled stairs with four resting platforms alonge the way. The first landing of the Stair is called the ‘Lover’s Landing’ because it’s a favourite meeting spot of Mountainside’s nobles for amorous adventures. The second landing is called ‘Dragon’s Spout’ because of the magically maintained stone fountain with fresh clear water, which has the form of a dragon’s head. The head once topped the Dragontower of Maaril, which was destroyed during the Spellplague. Wildhound Court Cursed place where all stray dogs gather at night and turn into a wild pack, no matter how good-natured the dogs might be at other times. BT176 Home of Parlek Lateriff Side-alley of Windless Way Sage, sorcerer and smith of the highest order BT ’Early Morning Bakery’ (not actual name) At Trellamp Court, opens early. BT176
Streets: Mandarth Lane/ Ambergrislide seawards slopes of Mount Waterdeep. Bright blue doors on every building and white stone tiles on the roofs. Goral’s Way parallel to and one block east of Tybrun Ridge Trellamp court: Between Sulvan’s way and Three Lord’s Crossing (Down) Shyrrhr’s steps, northeast on the Garmarl’s Dash over to (dark-bricked)Windless Way
Dock Ward Knight’n Shadow Corner of Fish and snail streets DS14 Two-story tavern, on the site of the former Sea Knight tavern (which collapsed in 1425 due to spellplague or mage-duel) Connects Waterdeep and Downshadow DS15 Thirsty Sailor tavern, on the corner of Fish and Ship Streets, WATE1-1 Thirsty Throat tavern on the corner of Candle Lane and Slu.t Street, WATE1-1 Huge Mansion in Ruins **Moonstar-Villa/Blushing Mermaid Festhall??? BT Angette’s Shop, MS47 Sleepy Sylph Tavern, on Snailstreet, DS74 The Dancing Pony Tavern, on Snailstreet, DS74 Rhalgut's Wheelhouse Shop, on Snailstreet, DS74 Skewered Dragon Inn? Rowdy. Fayne the Trickster has rooms above, DS146
Mistshore Arowall’s Cradle Semi-secret Fightclub in Mistshore After the death of the former owner Arowall, the dwarf Bellaril ’Bells’ now heads the cradle. If someone wants to hide at the Cradle, at least one member of the group has to fight there. ‘Bells’ takes a perverse pleasure of spoiling the Lock-Sisters undertakings. MS The Dusk and Dawn Inn Whalebone Court Proprietor: Relvenar Red Coat (wears bright red coat, wizard? Uses magic to built tent of the gambling hall) Movable, open from Dusk till dawn, Dicing rounds, card games, no tables no chairs, no bar (except for a mass of ale kegs and crates of food hauled in every night) MS The Hearth Largest firepit offshore anywhere in Faerûn, only open fire allowed in mistshore besides the path torches. MS
South Ward House of Dust Way of the Dragon/Blacklock Alley Tavern Keeper Sintus Farlhor , MS Brant’s General Goods and Gear Propritor Brant Tearn was recently murdered, MS Shureene’s Clothiers Tulmaster’s street, Two streets north of High road? MS The Lone Rose Currently empty flower shop, but someone is watering the violets outside the shop. Next to Shureene’s Clothiers, MS Inn of Spirits Two ‘condemned’ warehouses, made unstable through Spellplague workings, separate the Inn from the Lone Rose shop. MS Drunken Bard Nightclub & Theater Festhall,WATE1-2 Legendary Pottery shop,WATE1-2 'Kolatch'(not actuall name) Shop near south gate in or near street of silver (between way of dragon and snail street?) DS 7/12 Ellis Kolatch , a fat, greasy unpleasant man, Sells jewelry and fine silks (and its rumoured also knives flints and small crossbows) Arrogant, hates elves and spellscarred DS10-12 Purple hair and beard DS 37 Had an encounter with Shadowbane (while on a trademeet in Downshadow with thieves) Turned himself over to the guard to be arrested for trade violations and dirty dealing after his encounter with Shadowbane DS43
Trades Ward Ruins of the Plinth
Dagger’s Rest Inn, the former Inn of the Dripping Dagger WATE1-1, WATE1-2 Felzoun’s Folly Tavern on River's Square, WATE1-1 The Gentle Rest Inn, on High Road, where it bends to meet Waterdeep Way, WATE1-1 Egetha On Coffinmarch, wizard, old woman, some think she is a crazy mad witch, “never did much more than sell beauty charms to old maids and protections for young men with mischief on their minds”, most of Egetha’s stock is not for minors. CotD32
City of the Dead BT107, lawns untended, weeds grow everywhere, many tombs destoyed, dead and twisted trees, portals to the extradimensional tombs are malfunctioning. (Note: this description of the City of the Dead landscaping is at odds with what was stated in the FRCG) Isn’t safe after dark. Gates closed to public.
Tomb of Sareal 'Trollscourge' Arunsun sports a statue of Sareal, Khelben's oldest son, BT Weeping Gate Leads from Mhalsymber's Way into the City of the Dead, Haunted by an sobing, unidentified ghost on the new moon BT Coffinmarchgate CotD40/58, guarded by the Watch Andamaargate CotD40, guarded by the Watch Portal to the Hall of Heroes functions, CotD61 Portal to the Coinscoffin Graveyard functions, CotD61 Dead End Gate CotD, Carver family’s private Gate CotD9 Dead End House (actually outside the City of the Dead) In front of the Dead End Gate, public gate leads to Zendulth Street) CotD2,13 Home of the Carver Family, the gravediggers and guardians of the City of the Dead “Carvers can’t get lost” CotD5 Make coffins and gravestones CotD2 Have a multitude of black and white cats CotD3,12 Astute Carver (Leaplow, Runewright and Sophraea’s father, a giant of a man, bushy beard, master stonecarver) CotD7-9, 15-16 Reye C. (Leaplow, Runewright and Sophraea’s mother) CotD7-9 Leaplow and Runewright C. (Sophraea’s brothers) CotD3,13 Bentnor and Cadriffel C. (Sophraea’s cousins, twins) CotD3,12 Perspicacity, Sagacious, Vigilant and Judicious C. (Leaplow, Runewright and Sophraea’s uncles) CotD7-8 Sophraea Carver (youngest in a mostly male family, 17 years old, young girl with black curly hair) CotD3,32 Gustin Bone (friend of Sophraea, A tall thin man, dresses in faded tan leathers, brown hair , a close-trimmed beard, sharp long nose and bright green eyes with lashes long enough to envy any girl. About twenty. CotD13-14, a wizard, animating statues being his specialty (which he uses to con people into believing his stonestatue to be a spell-petrified hero), usually makes his living by ‘displaying the rare artifacts of a more magical time’CotD55. Currently lives at Dead End house and works of a dept for a statue made by Astute by moving statues to their designated positions within the City of the Dead. CotD301-302 Owns a Guidebook to Waterdeep, that’s from a time before the spellplague. CotD 126-127 **Maybe the guidebook is a copy of “Volo’s Guide to Waterdeep” ?
Deepwinter Vault CotD10 Beacon and Watchwaytowers CotD10
North Ward The Lock Sisters Home The sunelves Ristlara and Shenan are the richest thieves living openly in Waterdeep. Support adventuring groups and grave-robbers alike. MS The Grinning Lion Propriator Argupt, good food, favourite place of the Thongolirs BT16 Ten Bells Festhall? On Brondar’s Way. Has female dancers. BT82 Dailantha’s Herbs and Exotic Plants Copper Street, linked through a footbridge with Breerdil’s Fine Wines, the stream below the bridge is enchanted to appear midnight blue. MS Breerdil’s Fine Wines On Copper Street, MS Adarbrent Villa On Manycats Alley, home of Lord Dorgar Adarbrent. CotD 114 Manycats Alley A very grand neighbourhood, only the finest families of Waterdeep have mansions here. The mansions are remodelled in the newest style, gatehouses and courtyards completely enclosed so people entering here are not plagued by rain. CotD 114 'Silver Bowls' (not actual name) (unsure of location, might be located in Trade Ward instead) Silversmith, the man is as round and heavy as one of his bowls, has a room to rent CotD53 Ralnath Villa Vhezoar Street, green-marbled setting, BT238 ** near or in place of the old Hunabar Villa
Field Ward Strongcroft Smithy Owned by a cousin of Dorn Strongcroft BT87
Undercliff ---
The Warrens Temple of Baravar Cloakshadow Omphar Daegrech (gnome, ancient high-priest of Baravar Cloakshadow, studied together with Ahghairon in Silverymoon and helped him make the first Lords’ Helms) Roywyn (gnome, great-great-great-granddaughter of Omphar)
'Pleased Toes' Philbin Male Halfling, printer of ‘Pleased Toes’, gruff patriarch, one of the wealthiest merchants in Waterdeep DS 40-41 Lin Female Halfling, Philbin’s wife, have several children (Dem and Mira and probably Harravin among them, Cellica considered them her adoptive family) DS40 Harravin Male Halfling, Works as a crier in Castle Ward, sells ‘Pleased Toes’ set of tales written printed and sold exclusively by Halflings, broadsheet? DS 40 Cellica ‘Cele’ Female Halfling, liked to watch people and scanned broadsheets for Kalen Dren/Shadowbane DS 37-38 Wore a crossbow-shaped amulet, which turns into an actual crossbow on command DS39/181Hailed from Luskan DS41 Killed DS
Downshadow and Undermountain The Great Cavern Southernmost cavern of the complex is a shanty-town DS25 The Grim Statue DS272-276 Hall of the Sleeping Kings as described in the 3.5 Return to Undermountain sourcebook, except the floor functions intermittently as a result of long-ago tampering by a thief attempting to disable it, DS 69-71
Environs of Waterdeep Khelben the Elders Tomb Carved from the marbel cliffs of Mount Khimbarr amid the Lonely Hills, BT Earth Motes At least one drifts above the city MS11 The Pellamcopse BT, Once a pleasant little woods good for hunting game within a short walk from Northgate, it was corrupted by the Spellplague into a spell-warped forest, home to strange animals like six-legged bears with white manes, perytones, green owls, two-headed deer and the tentacled buarala whose limbs are coved with maws and who fear light, Plants like conifers with blazing red needles, that glow slightly in the moonlight. Located in the middle is a stonecircle that’s connected to the portal-network of Varad (Neverember Manor, Varadras, Ordalth House, Pellamcopse) Lair of the Nameless Haunt (see Folk of Waterdeep).
History 1374 DR Tsarra ‘Autumfire’ Chaadren takes up the mantel of the Blackstaff, but hides under illusions of Khelben Arunsun. Xxxx DR The first outbreak of the Spellplague is held at bay by Tsarra Blackstaff Chaadren. Xxxx DR The second outbreak of the Spellplage in Waterdeep resurges from Undermountain and forces Tsarra to drop her disguise as Khelben Blackstaff. The Retributive Years(xxxx/xxxx DR): The revelation of Khelben’s death draws his enemies to Waterdeep, but all are soundly defeated by Tsarra. 1388DR House Gundwynd is destroyed when most it’s members where transformed into giants and trolls by the Spellplague. The few survivors merged with the Brokengulfs into House Gundgulf. 1395 DR Plaguebringer's Blight - Sickness and pestilence spreads throughout the North, unleashed by the Putrescent Anathema. (BRJ) The Putrescent Anathema was unleashed from Stump Bog to the northeast of Waterdeep to spread sickness and pestilence throughout the region, hitting the temple-farm of Goldenfields particularly hard. (FRCG 194) 1399 DR Tsarra Blackstaff Chaadren, her heir and many of the Tel’Teukiira die fighting a coven of vampire-wizards of the Stump Bog. Kyriani Agrivar risks her sanity by bearing the Staff and the powers of the Blackstaff back to Waterdeep. 1399 DR Kyriani Agrivar becomes Blackstaff. To acknowledge her legitimacy as the city’s archmage, she proclaims it from atop Blackstzaff Tower, with Open Lord Caladorn at her side. This form of proclamation of the inheritance to the titel of Blackstaff becomes tradition. 1400 DR Krehlan Arunsun becomes Blackstaff 1424 DR Chartham Dellenvol kills Krehlan ‘Blackstaff’Arunsun (Ches) Ashemmon of Rymanthiin becomes Blackstaff 1425DR The tavern ‘Sea Knight’ collapses due to Spellplague or mage-duel 1464 DR Samark Dhanzscul becomes Blackstaff 1478 DR The Black Robes, a quorum of city judges in Waterdeep, welcomes the tiefling Kylynne Silmerhelve into their ranks. (BRJ) 1479 DR Samark ‘Blackstaff’ Dhanzscul is murdered by Khondar ‘Ten Rings’ Naomal BT His heir Vajra Safahr becomes Blackstaff
Noble Clans and Houses of Waterdeep (Information mostly from BT and Candelkeep-Forum replies by Steven E. Schend)
House Adarbrent Lord Dorgar Adarbrent, old man, corpse-like appearance, last of his family, CotD1/299 House Ammakyl Lady Ammakyl 43 House Anteos still exists, lost some property to House Ralnarth Lord Korras Anteos the Third, WATE1-2 House Cassalanter Very influential since Caladorn's Open Lordship House Belbrundel Merger of the Houses Belabranta, Eltorchul & Phylund House Gralleth Absorbed the interest and estates of the Bladesemmers and Markals House Gralleth is one of the more powerful houses in terms of money and social position in Waterdeep. House Grifstone Ran Grifstone, third son WATE1-1 House Hasard Malaerigo Hasard (Guildmaster of the Cellarers and Plumbers’Guild, paranoid, dislikes nobles) Laraelra ‘Elra’ Hasard (daughter, sorcerer, skinny, pale, black hair, Heir of the Blackstaff) BT House Hawkwinter DS197, at least one female House Kothornt The houses Thorp and Kothont merged through marriage. House Mandarth Disliked for it’s abusive ways and it’s whaling-derived riches. House Moonstar Stedd Moonstar from WATE1-1 House Nandar Greatest land-holder in the city House Neverember Dagult Neverember, Open Lord of Waterdeep (see Folk of Waterdeep) BT, DS Renaer ‘Ren’ Neverember (see Folk of Waterdeep) BT Coat of Arms: bear’s claw atop a diamond, all atop a field with three stripes from dexter to sinister. BT115 House Phulbrinter Merger of the Houses Phul & Ulbrinter Youngest Sisters of the family notorious for their shopping sprees. BT14 House Ralnarth The Ralnarth absorbed the holdings of the Estelmer clan House Raventree still exists; not as powerful **Wavetamer Garyn Raventree (Priest of Valkur) BT House Roaringhorn Talantress Roaringhorn (heiress, was caught in a bawdy boudoir, which led to a scandal in Tarsakh of 1479DR, was called ‘brainless’ in Minstrel) House Sandhor Lord Ruldrin Sandhor, elf DS171 House Silmerhelve Kylynne Silmerhelve, newly appointed tiefling magister **maybe Kylynne is no tiefling at all, but a half-dragon descendant of the bronze dragon Nymmurh –the Wyrm Who Watches? Dala Silmerhelve, only daughter of House Silmerhelve WATE1-1 House Tesper still exists House Thann still exists House Thongolir Lord Terras Thangolir House Wands House Wands is reduced to only two Waterdhavian family members: Lord Torlyn Wands (see Folk of Waterdeep) Nharaen Wands (Torlyn’s younger sister, always after the next modern fashion) Hurnal Wands, the cousin of Torlyn and Nharaen was recently slain because of his dealings with and by Khondar Naomal. BT House Wavesilver Lady Alondra 'Wildfire' Wavesilver, Heir to the House, called 'student' by Lady Ilira DS163/167
Stormont Family (DS22) Wants to become a noble house Larr (might be a Masked Lord) Sievers (younger brother of Larr)
Former Noble Houses House Bladesemmer lost noble status, House Gralleth controls all property/interests House Brossfeather dead House House Estelmer dissolved; some property to House Ralnarth House Gralhund House Gralleth controls all property/interests House Gundgulf Merger of the Houses Brokengulf and Gundwynd. The Gundwynds of Waterdeep were destroyed in 1388, when it’s members where transformed into Giants and trolls by the spellplague. The few survivors merged with the Brokengulfs into House Gundgulf, which lost it’s noble status House Hunabar Lost noble status, still exists, but House Ralnarth controls it’s interests Lady Kastarra Hunabar, a large olive-skinned woman with blond hair, a ’coin-sucking Amnian harpy’ BT 239 House Khearen dead house, hailed from Impiltur, lost all their family and fortunes with the Spellplague, their only legacy remaining is the Chamber Emerald, audience chamber of the Open Lord. House Mairgrave dead house, maybe survivors outside of Waterdeep CotD 80/297 houses the grave of Vyvaine Mairgrave, lost love of Dorgar Adarbrent. House Markarl dead house, even their tomb was sold CotD 24/71 House Melshimber dissolved House Roarke BT45, Lost noble status and riches 40 years ago, Neverembers bought their holdings in Waterdeep. Own only two inns along the High Road between Leilon and Neverwinter now. House Thunderstaff dead house House Vesham dead house, even their tomb was sold CotD 24/71
Guilds of Waterdeep The Cellarers and Plumbers’Guild Wear deep orange clothes at work. CotD165 Guild rule: If something washes out of the City of the Dead, it has to be replaced properly. CotD168 Harug Shieldsunder (old dwarf tunneler of the guild) Dorn Strongcraft (dwarf, Harug’s nephew) Firebeard (dwarf, works in the City of Dead part of the sewer-system)CotD169 Tollemar (gnome, works in the City of Dead part of the sewer-system)CotD169
Guild of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors BT 189 the grey robes of the wizard’s of the W.O., BT 191all grey-robes have wands to either paralyze or slow their foes (nod to the Gray Hands?) BT 147 humble blue robes Guildsenior Maerla Windmantel Guildsenior Eltalon Vaundrar (usually mutters, greying wizard, possesses a flying carpet) Guildsenior Khondar ‘Ten-Rings’ Naomal (Khondar was bald with a tightly trimmed grey mustache, prominent eyebrows and a scarecrow frame. Wore an ornate ring on every digit of his hands. (BT 48-49) Traitor to the Order, murdered the former Blackstaff Samark, died when he tried to gain the powers of the Blackstaff and Aghairons secrets and thereby take control of Waterdeep, his ghostly skeleteal remains can still be seen within the newest spellward surrounding Aghairon’s Tower, endlessly re-enacting the guildsenior’s death) BT Centive Naomal (son the late and traitorous Guildsenior , illusionist, beard, chestnut-colored hair, missing since his father’s failed bid for power, last seen in Blackstaff Tower)
Cere-Clothiers, Ossurists and Gravedigger’s Guild BT 49 ** has Guild apparently still exists and is called when dead people are found in the City, but as the Carver family seems to taken over the care for the graveyards of Waterdeep, the guild apparently lost many responsibilities to the Carvers. Either the guild closely works with the Carvers or is a bitter rival. Stonecutters Guild BT 188 Dungsweppers Guild BT 18 The Thieves Guild - The Shadow Thieves BT 256
Other Organizations
‘The Heirs of Waterdeep’ (not actual name) Headquarter: Roarke House Symbol: Golden signet ring marked with a creseant moon and a star, each bearing a smooth garnet inside the ring below the signet. Members: Renaer ‘Ren’ Neverember (see Folk of Waterdeep) Laraelra ‘Elra’ Hasard (daughter, sorcerer, skinny, pale, black hair, heir of the Blackstaff) Vajra ‚Blackstaff’ Safahr(see Folk of Waterdeep) Harug Shieldsunder (old dwarf tunneler of the guild) Eiruk Weskur (wizard of the Watchful Order, black hair, worn as skullcap, loves Vajra but she only offers friendship to him, a possible heir of the Blackstaff) Meloon Wardragon (Sell-sword, Long blond hair, pale blond beard, tall, musclar, wields Azuredge) Lord Torlyn Wands (see Folk of Waterdeep) Parlek Lateriff (sage, sorcerer, smith ) Osco Salibuck (Halfling, grandson of Madrak) Vahrem Kuthcutter (dead, posthumous member, buried beneath Roarke House) Faxhal Xoram (dead, posthumous member, buried beneath Roarke House)
The Dark Brotherhood BT 256 Cabal Arcane BT 256 ** Maybe the 'Cabal Arcane' is a remnant or splintergroup of the Arcane Brotherhood, after it's headquater went down with the rest of Luskan? The Sightless criminals, operate from Downshadow, many are spellscarred, lead by the lich Avaereene DS197
The Moonstars or Tel’Teukiira BT 303 are gone, many were killed while fighting a coven of vampire-wizards in Stump Bog. The Red Sashes BT 303 are gone and remembered as a dubious group at best.
The Watch BT53 The watch never draws steel against unarmed foes, only rods or staves. BT91 Priests of Torm heal guardsmen DS47
Members: Daerovus ‘The Wolfhound’ Tallmantle MS58/59, Warden of the Watch Grey hair and moustache, moves graceful and predatory despite his age. TesleenaMS61/62, the secret spell guard of Tallmantle (small woman, crimson cloak, grey, frizzy hair gathered in a neck-tail, narrow nose, spectacles) Rashemel Steeldrover BT97, the Watchlord of the North Towers Captain Morrath Varbrent (seasoned officer, grizzled older man, salt-and-pepper beard, has the ability to ‘disappear’ into the streets within an instant, ‘friend’ of Renaer)BT20 Kahlem Ralnarth (nephew of Lord Ralnarth, a vain bully with coin and a noble name behind it, sometimes overseer of the Watch in Castle and seaward, because of him his uncle sponsors the watch-equipment, ‘enemy’ of Renaer) Watch Commander Delnar Kleeandur BT263 Watchman Kersh Tegerin MS51 (patrols North Ward, friend of the spellscarred adventuress Icelin Tearn) Commander Bors Jarthay Commander of Araezra, Talanna and Kalen Thirty winters, brown hair bright eyes, bemused smile DS42/45 Araezra ‘Rayse’ Hondyl Ranking valabrar of the Waterdeep Guard, Beautiful ravenhaired DS7, Likes to paint as a hobby DS43, Would like to marry a Masked lord to archive things for Waterdeep DS46 Talanna ‘Tal’ Taenfeather Rank of Shieldlar, Araezras best friend , red haired, fast runner DS7, Got a ring of feather flight as a gift from Open Lord Neverember DS46 Kalen Dren Vigilant guardsman and Araezras chief aide. Has strange, colourless eyes. Sickly, wears glasses and a ring bearing the sigil of Helm. Currently missing, after his secret identy ‘Shadowbane’ was compromised (See Folk of Waterdeep)
The Broadsheets of Waterdeep The Vigilant Citizen the most reputable broadsheet BT / DS38 The Blue Unicorn BT The Mocking Minstrel caustic, sarcastic and widely read DS22-23,37 Daily Luck DS39 Halivar’s DS39 North Wind features illustrations of fashionable garments and easy-on-the-eyes models and gossip about the higher circles DS39 Merchant's Friend DS86
Folk of Waterdeep
Vajra ‚Blackstaff’ Safahr The only living and permanent resident of Blackstaff Tower, She was the heir and lover of the former Blackstaff Samark, who was murdered by Khondar ‘Ten-Rings’ Naomal in 1479DR Vajra is a dusky skinned Tethyrian, with bright indigo eyes and short black hair. Youngest daughter of the paladin Tamik al Tamik el Safahr and Parama yr Manshaka, the only one born with magic, BT247-249 Apprentice to her aunt Mynda Gyrfalcon-Thann and Princess Zandra, the Court Viziras of Tethyr BT 249-251 ** maybe a descendant of Danilo Thann?
Dagult Neverember Open Lord of Waterdeep, BT, DS worked with Khondar ‘Ten-Rings’ Naomal, in order to gain possession of the ‘Overlord’s Helm’ in order to uncover his fellow lords secrets. BT23
Renaer ‘Ren’ Neverember Son of Lady Brandarth and Dagult Neverember, a sage and book-collector, rake by night
Lord Torlyn Wands long mahogany locks and full beard, collects books, especially about dragons
The Nameless Haunt Once Tsarra ‘Blackstaff’ Chaadren’s husband Raegar, the Nameless Haunt was born during an outbreak of the Spellplague when Raegar was merged with Tsarra’s tressym familiar Nameless. He lives in a tree-top lair, similar to elven tree-settlements, a few miles to the west of Waterdeep. The Nameless Haunt can open a portal to the place of his ‘creation’, a cathead-shaped mark on Mount Waterdeep at dawn.
Lady Ilira Nathalan Midnight hair, eyes of pure gold without iris or pupil, a moonelf (DS170-171) has Dethek/dwarven runes tattooed across her collarbone, 'Gargan vathkelke kaugathal', vathkel- meaning 'lost' (DS173-174). Actually the script seems to be Gol-Kaa, the language of the goliaths, that also uses Dethek. And the inscription seems to be the the name of Fox-at-Twilight's goliath friend 'Gargan the Dispossed' in it's native tongue. Shared a deep friendship with Lorien Dawnbringer. Her death lead to the discovery of Iliras secret. Currently suspected to be a shade spy and in hiding, due to false news spread by Fayne the Trickster. Ilira wears a star sapphire pendant looped around her her left wrist DS166 Spellscarred: Her touch burns living flesh. Her shadow is/can become a separate entity, probably the remains of her former goliath-companion. Ilira killed Fayne’s mother Cythara Nathalan in a duel. **Probably the former adventuress Fox-at-Twilight, who took the family name of her dead friend Yldar Nathalan (Cythara’s brother) as her own. **Probably writes the 'Silver Fox'-books under the name Arita (elvish:'silver fox'). ** might her star sapphire pendant be ‘Erevan’s Shroud’?
Shadowbane (Kalen Dren) DS1-6 Wears Grey cloak DS24 black armour and sword sheet. Magic boots DS99 A Paladin, has healing touch and protection. Prays to the Threefold God of the Church of the Eye (a heresy revering Tyr-torm and Helm as a single entity, it's first crusaders recruited from the ranks of the Night Masks of Westgate to confront the thieves guilds vampiric masters). His teacher, the half-elf Levia, used spells to heal. DS99 Spell-scared: Kalen seems to be of sickly health, but is resistant to pain and has toughend flesh, but his body will increasingly lose feeling and perish eventually. DS98 Myrin transfered some Life-energy into him, allowing him 'to live a little longer' DS309 He inherited his sword 'Vindicator' from the famous knight Gedrin Shadowbane, shortly before Gedrin died in Luskan.DS98/Short-story Shadowbane Gedrin himself received the blade after he awoke from a dream about the duell between Helm and Tyr, Vindicator being Helm's sword from the dream. DS98 **Speculation: It might be possible, that Vindicator holds a small part of Helm's divine essence. Maybe it would be possible to ressurect Helm with the blades help?
Myrin Spellscared girl, when active her body is coverd in blue glowing runes and her hair seems to be blue fire, not beautiful, but terrible, death embodied DS102 Myrin is barely more then a girl and litle more than bone and skin DS102 Deeply tanned skin, blue eyes DS102 Myrin was already present when Lady Ilira battled Fayne's mother Cythara, almost 100 years in the past and Ilira was looking for her back then. DS253/256 Fayne is afraid that she might run into an archmage or plaguechanged and 'absorbe something to powerful to control' DS257 ** Speculation: Maybe Fayne's joke about 'Myrin being a goddess' (DS258) will prove to prophetic? Maybe she is the 'seed' a new Mystra was supposed to born from? Lilten mentioned something about a great mad mage from Waterdeep, who wanted to stop the Spellplague (Halaster)DS216. Maybe Myrin was 'made' by Halaster to absorbe the Weave? Fayne remembers, that 'the girl wreathed in blue flames flickered into being just as Faynes mothers magic burned her from the inside out'(DS242). That could either mean, that Myrin was created by Fayne's act of magic or that her mother's magic, concealling Myrin from Ilira, failed that moment.
Fayne the Trickster Often appears as a half-elf girl, writes her exploits under the alias of Satin Rutshear for the Mocking Minstrel (a caustic, sarcastic and widely read broadsheet) DS 22-23, other alter egos inclued: Lueth, which means ‘Riddle’ in elven, a half-elf boy and Charl(atan) a red haired girl). Fayne (who has in her natural form) also at one point called herself "Rien" which means "trick" in Elvish (DS 236) and "Ellyne" ("sorrow"DS239), which appears to be her actual name (as Lilten calls her that at the end of the novel DS 307, and the voice that tried to stop her from using her mother's wand on Ilira DS255). Fayne is also the one who caused Kolatch to have purple hair and beard (by magic) and when Talantress Roaringhorn was caught in a compromising/public scandal, it was Fayne, using her shapeshifting abilities to become a very handsome and kinky hunk of a man, which was then outed in the Minstrel (again, by Fayne, writing as Satin Rutshear). This is what Fayne does professionally--mischief and scandal--she's sort of a political/social catspaw you hire to cause your opponents grief. In her true form she has pale skin, bright red hair, gleaming eyes of silver, long elf-ears, delicate features, sharp teeth, a scar on her cheek(caused by the bolt that killed her mother DS255), leathery wings and a long tail tipped with a spade-shaped ridge of bone. DS 304 (Probably a fey’ri). ** Speculation: Fayne's mother Cythara might not be dead at all, as Cellica recognized her in terror(when Fayne took her mother's form) as the 'golden elf lady with the eyes of darkness' who was part of the demon cult that held Cellica as a slave in Luskan. Cythara had three succubus servants, who occasionally took her place, so the Cythara Ilira killed could have been an imposter. Or someone else took Cythara's form (maybe Lilten's 'old friend'?)
Lilten the Turncloak Golden skinned, eyed and haired elf DS20/303/306 Patron and (adoptive?) father of Fayne, Also called Lilianviaten (master fate spinner) and ‘Last Heir’ DS306 Fayne suspects, that he might be a Masked Lord DS303 Once served Erevan Ilesere as high-priest, but abandoned his faith in favour of Beshaba.DS307 His personal seal is a silver shooting star surrounded by a ring of tiny flames. DS21 He plays a game of 'wits' with an 'old friend' who covets a 'plaything' (probably Myrin), so Lilten planned to obtain it himself. DS215 ** Speculation: Lilten himself might be a fey’ri (Last Heir of his house), the demonlord Grazz’t (the cult Fayne’s mother had joined, or the god Erevan Ilesere himself (due to his personal sigil, which is somewhat similar to the gods symbol and the connection to Fox-at-Twilight/Lady Ilira)He might also be the person Fox-at-Twilight called ‘Uncle Nemesis’.
Kirenkirsalai A ‘shadowman’ with black eyes who is looking for ‘a child’ for over 80 years. A child (his foe) Gedrin Shadowbane promised him to deliver over 80 years ago (GS) His sword is a long thin blade composed of pure midnight (GS) ** might be Lilten’s ‘old friend’ ** Kirenkirsalai’s true name starts with ‘Ne-‘ (GS) Maybe he is Neveren Darkdance? Neveren was a Nightmask operative from Westgate, the same group Gedrin Shadowbane recruited his first followers from. Neveren was also an onetime ally of Fox-at-Twilight and a shadowdancer (explaining his movements in the shadow ). Maybe he’s also a vampire (explaining his long life and the fact, that he could turn Gedrin’s wife Sivgena into a ‘creature’ Gedrin had to destroy). ** Kirenkirsalai might be no man at all, as he said ‘you men are all alike’ as if it didn’t include himself (GS) might be a disguise of Cythara Nathalan or the person who took her form and headed the demon cult in Luskan. Both have shadowy black eyes. But then again Kirenkirsalai considers himself a higher being. ** Neveren Darkdance might have joined forces with Cythara Nathalan to regain possession of ‘Erevan’s Shroud’ and the rapier 'Neveren’s Betrayal' from Fox-at-Twilight.
Arrath ‚Rath’ Vir Beardless, bald dwarf monk/ murderer, Foe of Shadowbane, was arrested by guard for the murder of Lorien Dawnbringer. DS
Avaereene a powerful lich and crime lord (originally appeared in the 3.5 Waterdeep sourcebook as a member of the Xanathar's guild) DS 183+ Hides below the illusion of a youthful, well rounded women, with a heart-shaped face surrounded by vibrant gold curls. DS183
Ghosts of Waterdeep Ravencourt The Magistree (Magister Nharrelk’s ghost) BT Mouth of Scarlet’s Well Street Haunted by the harmless spirit of a woman still weeping bloody tears for her lost love. Tesper House ** Tespergate Sisters Sea Wraiths MS
Creatures of Waterdeep Sewyrm Mastiff-sized Lizards, live in sewers, mottled green, bite is half as bad as their tail lash, BT Some say there is a great albino sewyrm, down in the darkest deepest sewers CotD 91-92
**Lirdolin's Stuff** Things I inclueded in my game:
Sea Ward **Ruins of the Dragon Tower of Maaril Few people in Waterdeep do even remember who Maaril was. Nothing remains of the former dragonshaped tower except rubble, it’s only remaining recognizable piece, the Dragonhead, forming a fountain spout on the Talltumble Stair in Mountainside. No one wants to build here because of the magical chaos inflicted by the Spellplague, but now and then foolish or greedy sellswords try to find the supposed basement levels of the tower in hopes of magical treasure.
Castle Ward **Pantheon-Temple of the Seldarin Below are the crypts of Aelinthaldaar (the capitol city of Illefarn) **Elfstone Tavern **The Crawling Spider Tavern, now staffed with actual drow, staff was changed into actual drow during the Spellplague. It also has become the favourite meeting spot of other drow visiting the city. As the Pantheon temple of the Seldarin and the Elfstone Tavern lie close by, the different elven races bump into each other here quite often. Sometimes on friendlier terms as usual, sometimes not.
Downshadow and Undermountain ** Arcturiadoom The Arcturia (fey creatures, developed when the undead larva mage Arcturia was plaguechanged, all larva of her body cocooned and from them hatched small duplicates of Arcturias former fey self.) ** The Ten Rings Headquater: Downshadows Made up from wizards who were expelled from the Watchful Order of Magisters and Protectors for being loyal to the late guildsenior Khondar ‘Ten-Rings’ Naomal, traitor to guild and city. The group is lead by ten wizards, each of them wearing a magic ring on a different finger than the others. Among the ten are Mouron, Raman, Gharill, Ulik and Sarkap, all pupils of Khondar who have developed a special hatred for the ‘traitor’ Eiruk Weskur.
Environs of Waterdeep ** The Floshin Halfway between the town of Daggerford and Ardeep Forest, lies a graceful, ridgeside manor that dates back to the days of ancient Illefarn. Tended by moon elf retainers in the employ of the House Floshin, the Floshin Estates encompass an expanse of lightly wooded land generally used for animal husbandry and the cultivation of rare native plants. **House Floshin the Younger Elorfindar Floshin’s four gold elf children and the half-elf descendants of his children with three Waterdhavian noblewomen. The gold elves still guard the many portals in the House of Long Silences, which lies in the depths of Ardeep Forest, while the half-elves represent the family within the walls of Waterdeep. Elfhost the ancestral Floshin blade (defending +3) **House Floshin the Older (Fey’ri) In the days of the Siluvanede, House Floshin gave rise to one branch of the Fey’ri. Lady Nylaersyn ‚the Changeling’ Floshin (Fey’ri) Waterdeep-CoS pg58
The description of the City of the Dead landscaping is at odds with what was stated in the FRCG, so for now, I am assuming the author got off track.
I believe House Anteos still exists as WotC approved our using it for WATE1-2. They certainly could have lost/sold property. The next time we plan to use it, we will ask about the reference. I did not recall seeing a reference in BT. Was it from another source? Otherwise, being published in WATE1-2 counts as canon.
WATE1-1 mentions: Nobles: - Dala Silmerhelve, only daughter of House Silmerhelve - Ran Grifstone, third son of House Grifstone - Stedd Moonstar from House Moonstar
Locations: - Dagger’s Rest (inn in Trade Ward) - Felzoun’s Folly (tavern on River's Square in Trade Ward) - Thirsty Sailor (tavern on the corner of Fish and Ship Streets in Dock Ward) - Thirsty Throat (tavern on the corner of Candle Lane and Sl*t Street in Dock Ward) - The Gentle Rest (inn on High Road, where it bends to meet Waterdeep Way)
That's all to give out without adding adventure spoilers. LFR adventures are canon, so it should be safe to add these.
The description of the City of the Dead landscaping is at odds with what was stated in the FRCG, so for now, I am assuming the author got off track.
In fairness, Steven Schend did not have access to the FRCG when he was writing Blackstaff Tower (Only Ed's notes, same as I). I for one think his depiction is quite evocative, and I wonder if there is an opportunity here to somehow combine the two. I haven’t yet read City of the Dead by Rosemary Jones to compare. Anyone else?
@ City of the Dead: I think it's quite possible, that both descriptions are correct, as the CotD is a whole district/ward. It's north isn't neccesarily the same as it's south? I will probably get CotD next week to compare.
-Who is the 'Asmemmon' individual who (quite obviously, and purposely) bears such a striking resemblance to Ashemmi and Sememmon, both of whom were a couple and (seemingly) took residence in the Elven city?
Trolls in sheep's clothing have no redeeming qualities that are beneficial towards the health of the community. My Artwork/Photography/Literature
