De Gryphon Villa

The de Gryphon estate is one of the largest noble estates in Waterdeep due to its unique layout. In the century that she has been High Lady, Linathandra has renovated the grounds of the estate to bring a piece of the High Forest into Waterdeep. From the street, the estate appears to be a large three story compound that takes up the entire corner of Saerdoun and Sulmor Street. It's walls surround a large inner courtyard that hosts a resplendent Garden. Well appointed and covered in trellises of decorative climbing vines, the walls of the de Gryphon estate are home to many of the doves that frequent the North Ward and the job of cleaning up under their roosts often goes to the junior most servants. Guests that enter the estate through the large wrought iron gates on the south end of the estate are treated to a breathtaking view of Lady Lina’s Garden, an area of land roughly the size of a public park that has been carefully cultivated to resemble a glade in the High Forest, Lady Linathandra’s childhood home. A small brook wanders through the grounds, its source and terminus unseen and four immense topiary griffons eye guests in various poses of watchfulness. Towering over the entire estate is a massive old elm tree, a rare Sunleaf Elm that is native only to the innermost groves of the High Forest. At night, it sheds the light it has gathered during the day, illuminating Lina’s Garden in the dappled green light of a summer afternoon. Most clients of the de Gryphon business are only allowed as far into the Garden as the front gates, however, and are shown into one of the showrooms for the family business of fine imports and goods from the High Forest. To the west is a showroom of fine crafts and lumbers imported from Lady Linathandra’s home tribe of Wood Elves. The finest of heritage quality bows, furniture, and even artwork are on display as well as raw lumber from rare trees harvested in the respectful tradition of the Wood Elves from trees felled by storm or age. The open walled design of the showroom allows clients to look out into the Garden as they peruse, lulled by song of birds, the rustling of wind in the leaves, and the gentle babbling of the water feature. To the east is a smaller private office, elegantly decorated in an expensive but understated manner, thick carpeting swallowing ambient noise from the street.. The dark hard wood of the walls pulse with the power of the mystic protections placed upon them. They almost creak with the presence of the most ancient of elder trees. The wares of this showroom are not displayed upon the walls like a common shop, but are rather brought out for inspection on the very solid polished wooden desk that is the centerpiece of the room. This is where the discerning, and usually very wealthy, client can find magical artifacts crafted by the elven tribes of the High Forest. Each piece is unique and only sold with care that the client be of the highest caliber and will give the item a good home. The rest of the compound is devoted to living quarters for the de Gryphon family and their servants. Respect is demanded in the de Gryphon household, but decorum sometimes falls to the wayside. Goofing off is tolerated from children and even sometimes adults, but never while outsiders are around. Lady Lina is a loving, but firm, matriarch to her clan and she has worked hard to earn the de Gryphones their place in society.

"Building Use", "Building Class", "# of levels"
A are unique landmarks, B is large & grandiose, C is common row house, D is small & lesser buildings