The Lords of Waterdeep

Waterdeep was ruled by a council whose membership was largely secret. These hidden Lords of Waterdeep maintained their identities behind magical masks, called Helms, and while they ruled in public, none knew the true identities of most of them. The subject of who the Lords were became a common topic of noble conversation, and some considered it a game to discover the Lords' identities, a game made more confusing by the fact the Lords themselves set their own rumors afloat.

Waterdhavian justice was dispatched by the Magisters, who directed the common courts of the city. These Black Robes, as they were often called, were empowered to pass sentences. They were always accompanied by six members of the guard. Any individuals found guilty could appeal to the Lord's Court, ruled over by the masked Lords of Waterdeep, where serious cases were usually heard. Individuals bringing frivolous cases to the Lord's Court usually faced stiffer fines than if they'd accepted a Magister's ruling.

Demography and Population

Since 1035 DR, Waterdeep was roughly divided into wards. The wards originally all had guards and walls in the manner of Procampur and other ancient cities, but the press of progress toppled or bored through most of the walls. Only the walls and guards around the City of the Dead were maintained.

Maps

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  Waterdeep

  Most pins are listed with "Building Use", "Building Class", "# of levels. There are some special locations that may contain multiple structures or otherwise can't be so simply defined.  Since the Year of Falling Stars (1035 DR), Waterdeep has been divided for the purposes of governance and security into a system of wards...

Type

Government, Leadership

Demonym

Waterdhavian

Leader

Laeral Silverhand

Head of Government

Laeral Silverhand

Government System

Oligarchy

Currency

Nibs, Shards, Sambar, Dragon, Sun

Major Exports

Ale, arms, cloth, fish, furnishings, leather goods, pottery, refined metals, and all other sorts of finished goods.

Major Imports

Grain, livestock, leather, ore, timber, and exotic goods from other lands.

Subsidiary Organizations

• Waterdeep City Guard

Location

Waterdeep the City of Splendors

Related Ranks & Titles

• Open Lord of Waterdeep

Controlled Territories

• Caravan Court
• Palace of Waterdeep
• Waterdeep the City of Splendors

Notable Members

• Laeral Silverhand