Castle Ward

The Castle Ward

The Castle Ward of Waterdeep lies at the center of the city. It encompasses Mount Waterdeep, its castle, and much of the government of the city. This includes the Palace of Waterdeep, occupied by Piergeiron the Paladinson, and the residences of many prosperous Waterdhavians. Among these citizens were celebrated retired adventurers such as Mirt the Moneylender.

Notable Locations

Mount Waterdeep

The massive peak around which Waterdeep is built encompassing the southwest portion of the city. Atop its summit is the Peaktop Aerie, which houses the city's famed Griffon Cavalry, and its sea-facing flank features 11 triple-catapults armed with rocks and flammable pots. Beneath these armaments are the sea caves, which allow passage for ships to River Sargauth and the undercity of Skullport.

New Olamn

The bardic college is located on the rocky cliffside, in the western edge of the ward, overlooking the Sea of Swords. It is accessible by the cliffside path along Mount Waterdeep, or Mount Melody Walk, the subterranean passageway that is dug through the mountain's side.

Walking Statues of Waterdeep

No less than six of the famed statues reside in this Ward:

• The God Catcher: Settled just north of The Market
• The Great Drunkard: Settled just south of The Market
• The Griffon: Settled on Mount Waterdeep near the Peaktop Aerie
• The Hawk Man
• The Lady Dreaming: Settled on the lower north slopes of Mount Waterdeep
• The Sahuagin Humbled: Settled on the lower north slopes of Mount Waterdeep

Castles, keeps and towers

Castle Waterdeep

The great fortress of Waterdeep looms over the surrounding ward from the side of Mount Waterdeep. Its hanging banners and heraldry are so massive, they signal diplomatic arrivals and ceremonial announcements to those even in the southern wards of the city. It is used by the City Guard and City Watch for training, house the stables for some 70 warhorses, and heod several levels of subterranean dungeons.

Palace of Waterdeep

The white marble palace of the city's Lords stands as a beacon of the incorruptibility of their rule over the city. The shining tower houses the Lords' court, embassies from other city-states and nations and the offices of city officials, including those from the City Guard and Watch.

Ahghairon's tower

This small, stone tower is the former residence of Waterdeep's first Lord Magister, Ahghairon. It has a modest appearance but is protected by spells like prismatic sphere and a forcecage. As of 1357 DR, no one was believed to have entered its walls since Ahghairon's death.
Blackstaff Tower

Syndra Wands' Tower

Civic Buildings

Cynosure

This former "temple of the Overgod", which has been erected in veneration of Lord Ao after the Time of Troubles, was converted into a public hall, which can be rented to use for weddings, balls, and other special events.

Peaktop Aerie

Thayan embassy

Established in 1370 DR, this embassy within the Castle Ward was built around a portal that allows those visiting the Thayan representatives to access the Red Wizard enclave that is located in the depths of Skullport.

Open Areas

Fetlock Court

The paved courtyard serves as a rallying point for Waterdeep's cavalry before they go on patrol in the countryside. It also serves as a concert area for bards from the college who need a venue outside their quarters to practice their art.

The Market

The largest open area within the city is the marketplace between Trader's Way and Bazaar street. It is full of merchants carts and stalls both day and night and is the best place in the city to find a good price for any trade good found in Faerûn, assuming one had some skill at haggling.

Religious Centers

Font of Knowledge

Known to Waterdhavians as the Great Library, this sprawling repository of knowledge is tended by the clergy of Oghma who work with various groups like the Scriveners', Scribes', & Clerks' Guild and the bards college of New Olamn to provide wisdom and understanding to all the citizens of Waterdeep

Halls of Justice

Overseen by head priest Hykros Allumen, this famous temple of Tyr is the home of two of the Maimed God's most renowned groups of worship: the Holy Order of the Knights of Samular and the monastic Order of the Even-Handed.

House of Two Hands

Pantheon Temple of the Seldarine

Spires of the Morning

This Waterdhavian temple of Lathander houses the local church's militaristic branch, the Order of the Aster

Inns

• Jade Jug
• Pampered Traveler
• Sapphire House
• Wyrmbones Inn
• Yawning Portal
• Festhalls and TavernsEdit
• Asp's Strike
• Azuth's Mug
• Blue Jack
• Blushing Nymph
• Crawling Spider
• Dragon's Head Tavern
• Elfstone Tavern
• Gralkynd's Tankard: Built in the lap of The Great Drunkard Walking Statues of Waterdeep.[11]
• Jhrual's Dance
• Mighty Manticore Tavern
• Mother Tathlorn’s House of Pleasure
• Quaffing Quaggoth
• Red-eyed Owl
• Sailor's Own
• Silavene's
• Sleepy Slyph
• Smiling Siren
• Tavern of the Flagon Dragon

Guildhalls

• Fellowship Hall: This building is home to the oldest guilds in Waterdeep, Fellowship of Innkeepers. Once per tenday it is opened for use as an inn
• Guildhall of the Order: Headquarters of Solemn Order of Recognized Furriers and Woolmen
• House of the Fine Carvers: Located on the western side of the High Road within the city, this guildhall is home to the hundred or so members of The Guild of Fine Carvers
• House of Gems: The headquarters for The Jewelers' Guild, led by Master Stromquil Halazar
• Map House: This building serves as the meeting place for members of Surveyors', Map-, and Chart-makers' Guild within the city
• Market Hall: Located on Trader's Way, this guildhall serves as the meeting site for the wealthy farmers of The Council of Farmer-Grocers
• Master Bakers' Hall: Home to the Baker's Guild of the city, whose members are known to employ runners to both deliver their freshly-baked goods to Waterdhavians and protect the bakers' incoming cash payments
• Pewterers' and Casters’ Guildhall: The office of Guild of Trusted Pewterers and Casters, some 400-plus metal-casters who work throughout the city
• Tower of the Order: This tower is home to The Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors, a group of wizards that seeks to maintain the respect and dignity of their kind, by regulating the use of magic within the city to protect its less-powerful arcane spellcasters

Shops & Businesses

• Aurora's Realms Shop: Waterdeep Way Catalogue Counter
• Balthorr's Rare and Wondrous Treasures: A store that specializes in gems and rare coins, Balthorr's shop is known to buy "secondhand" items at 40% off the usual street value
• Curious Past: This antiquities shop is run by the Harper Bronwyn Caradoon, who serves as a wealth of knowledge about obscure items and ancient texts. The presence of her employee, and fellow Harper, Alice Tinker, makes the shop a popular meeting place for gnomes and halflings within the city
• Diloontier's Apothecary
• Eilean’s Maztican Delight
• Halambar Lutes & Harps
• Halls of Hilmer: Master Armorer
• Hilmer Storage
• Lightsinger Theater
• Nurneene's Marvelous Masks
• Old Knot Shop
• Olmhazan's Jewels
• Paethier's Pipeweed
• Phalantar's Philtres & Components: This specialty shop on the Street of Bells is run by the known fence Phalantar Orivan. He primarily deals in exotic herbs, medicines and other difficult to-find substances
• Rebeleigh's Elegant Headwear
• “Sharkroar” Horth Shalark's Broadsheets
• Sorynth's Silverware

Residences

• Ammathair Hawkfeather's residence
• Delzimmer residence
• Fair Winds: A rental villa
• Irlingstar residence
• Haerun Mhammaster's residence
• Heroes' Rest: A rental villa
• Larissa Neathal's residence
• Leone the Fighter's house
• Marblehearth: A rental villa
• Lady Naneatha Lhaurilstar's residence
• Mirt's Mansion: This well-guarded, fortress-like home of Mirt the Moneylender is where the retired adventurer practices his business in the mornings
• Shyrrhr's house
• Stormwatch: A rental villa
• Tolgar Anuvien's residence
• Velstrode the Venturer’s house

Type

Ward