City Watch

The City Watch

The City Watch of Waterdeep serve as the police force within the city. Its strict code of conduct and well trained operatives made the Watch one of the most trusted police forces in Faerûn

Organization

The Watch's purpose was not only to enforce the law, but also to ensure the well-being of Waterdhavians. It has a centralized command led by the Commander of the Watch, who supervised three watchlords, or senior commanders:

• The Mage Civilar - In charge of the wizard corps
• The Senior Armsmaster - In charge of supplies and reports directly to the Commander of the Watch
• The Grand Civilar - In charge of the ward civilars and holds the same rank as the Mage Civilar.

The Commander of the Watch reports directly to the Open Lord.
Each ward of Waterdeep is patrolled by a division of the Watch under the command of a ward civilar, or major, who oversees all the senior civilars commanding the watch stations of their respective wards.
Each guard post is commanded by a senior civilar or captain, sometimes referred to as a rorden, who commands a number of patrols. Senior civilars also perform duties as orsars, acting as envoys and prisoner escorts; and as guardswords, in charge of patrolling the docks and gates. Each patrol is led by a civilar, or lieutenant, also known as a swordcaptain or amlar. Typical patrol groups included one armar, or sergeant, also known as a "sword", and two or more constables, also known as "blades", patrolmen, or watchmen/watchwomen.

Activities

The City Watch perform everyday policing duties. They never act outside the walls of the city and do not pay much attention to the city's sewers. They are a peacekeeping force, also responsible for solving crimes and apprehending criminals.
During particularly busy hours at important intersections, the Watch also employ traffic wardens to manage the flow of people and vehicles. Traffic wardens carry two flags: one blue, which signals for traffic to proceed, and one yellow, which signals for it to stop. They also employ whistles to call the attention of passersby, if necessary.

Tactics

When within the walls of Waterdeep, the City Watch typically patrol in groups of four, with two patrolmen, one armar, and one civilar.
In calmer districts such as the Castle Ward, those detachments can be even smaller, often consisting of only two officers. Conversely, locations such as the Dock Ward are patrolled by groups of eight during the day and twelve at night.
Many spellcasters within the City Watch are trained in the use of the spell trembling horn, which was developed for the organization by Thyri Snome. It allows watchmen to place an invisible, magical tracer that causes alarm-like effects that are widely recognizable among the Waterdhavian populace.

Base of Operations

The Watch's main base of operations is the Palace of Waterdeep. There are multiple City Watch posts in Waterdeep. They are usually not located on the main streets, but are all identified by a green and gold lantern that hangs outside, permanently lit by a continual flame spell. These posts serve as the local headquarters, armories, stations for people to report crimes, and temporary jailhouses to hold prisoners until they are moved to a courthouse. Watch stations are always led by a captain.

Possessions

Members of the City Watch typically wear leather and chain armor and carry sturdy rods like clubs, short swords, and daggers. Many of them also carry unique sounding horns, that function along with specific spells unique to the members of their organization.
In the 14th century DR, City Watch captains carried an amulet of the Watch, a magic item that allowed the wearer to summon reinforcements from the Watch or from the City Guard. In the 15th century DR, officers who achieved the rank of captain are awarded a badge of the Watch, a magic item that provides the wearer with additional protection against attacks and allows the Open Lord to immediately know the wearer's location. Only the Open Lord could award badges of the Watch.

City Watch Ranks

Rank - Title

Watchman/Watchwoman - Constable

Sergeant - Armar

Lieutenant - Civilar

Captain - Senior Civilar

Major - Ward Civilar

Senior Commanders

Grand Civilar

Mage Civilar

Senior Armsmaster

Commander of the Watch

Related Ranks & Titles

• Commander of the Watch