Waterdeep

Waterdeep, also known as the City of Splendors or the Crown of the North,was the most important and influential city in the North and perhaps in all Faerûn. For this reason it was considered part of the Western Heartlands of the Realms, even though it lay 150 miles north of Daggerford on the shores of the Sword Coast. The city sat "slightly above the 45 degree north latitude line on Toril." The road to Waterdeep was well paved and well patrolled. The city was the hub of trading from the mineral-rich lands to the north, the merchant kingdoms of Amn and Calimshan to the south, the kingdoms of the Inner Sea to the east, and the sea kingdoms and traders to the west. Waterdeep's authority extended between thirty to forty miles from its walls.

Waterdeep was named for its outstanding natural deep-water harbor, and the city that grew up at this site became the commercial crossroads of the northern Realms. More than 100,000 people made their home in the city proper of Waterdeep. The city sprawled northward from the sea, spreading along the flanks of Mount Waterdeep, which used to be home to the Melairkyn, a mithral-mining dwarven clan, and the entire length and great depth of the mountain was riddled with passages and tunnels, most of which were occupied by deadly creatures whose presence in the mountain predated the founding of the city itself. The halls of Undermountain located beneath the city were a popular target for adventurers, who enjoyed the close vicinity of the city's main taverns and temples where aid could be purchased through donations

People

• Bright Lord Alyya - The autocratic leader of Waterdeep. He has a fiery tamper, but rules with wisdom and fairness

Demographics

Races
Humans 64%, Dwarves 10%, Elves 10%
Halflings 5%, Half-elves 5%, Gnomes 3%
Half-orcs 2%, Others 1%

Religions
Deneir, Mystra, Oghma, Tempus

Government

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.

175 years ago the Bright Lord arrived and removed these hidden lords. Helped the people to realize they could not trust a government they did not know. The Bright Lord was raised by a mob of Waterdeep citizens to rule instead of the Hidden Lords. It is said the lords made one last appearance and were never seen again. Soon after several of the most powerful nobles were found dead. It was speculated, but never proven, that these were the Hidden Lords.

Defences

Waterdeep maintaines two separate armed forces, the City Guard and the City Watch. The City Guard serve as Waterdeep's soldiery and its members staff garrisons, road patrols, and watch posts, and serve as bodyguards and gate guards. The Watch is the local police force.

Waterdeep has strong walls on its landward sides and is protected in part by Mount Waterdeep on the seaward side. Mount Waterdeep is studded with watch towers and defensive positions, and patrolled by special guard units on flights of griffons. Aside from this, Waterdeep also benefits from a large native population of the adventuring classes (including powerful mages, priests, and warriors) who are more than willing to deal with any and all miscreants who threatened their home city. This often proves the City of Splendors' most potent defense.

The city also has the eight giant Walking Statues of Waterdeep. Seven of these statues can be animated by the Blackstaff of Waterdeep to defend the city, one is too damaged to be activated. These statues are extremely destructive, and only used to fend off armies or win otherwise impossible battles.

Industry & Trade

Imports Grain, livestock, leather, ore, timber, and exotic goods from other lands
Exports Ale, arms, cloth, fish, furnishings, leather goods, pottery, refined metals, and all other sorts of finished goods
Trade Routes:

• The Long Road, the inland trade route to the north.
• The High Road, the coastal trade route to the north.
• The Trade Way, the trade route to the south.

Guilds and Factions

https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Guilds_of_Waterdeep

Geography

Waterdeep was built on the site of the ancient elven settlement of Aelinthaldaar, which gave way to a farming community of humans that developed into Bloodhand Hold. This was conquered and renamed Nimoar's Hold before the name "Waterdeep" caught on. Waterdeep was the most common name used by the sea captains docking at the port to trade

Alternative Name(s)

City of Splendors, Crown of the North

Type

Large city

Population

100,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Waterdhavian, Waterdavian