Castle Ward

The Castle Ward is the heart and mind of Waterdeep , if not its soul. It houses the city’s military forces, courts, government, and the Market — the largest market square of any city in the North. It encompasses the City Navy’s docks in the Great Harbor and all of Mount Waterdeep, and it is home to six walking statues, numerous temples, and many other landmarks.
The Castle Ward’s colors are blue and purple, and its mascot is a griffon, typically depicted in gold. These borrow colors from the city’s flag and reference the Griffon Cavalry. Champions for the ward often come from among the ranks of the Guard, the Navy, or the Cavalry. Although such competitors have often have the advantage in races and competitions, their crowds of rabidly cheering fans are naturally much smaller than those of other wards.

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Notable Locations

Castle Waterdeep

Castle Waterdeep stands above the city on a great bluff that extends out from the mountain, its towers soaring hundreds of feet into the sky. It surprises many to learn that this isn’t where Waterdeep’s rulers reside, nor from where the city is governed. The castle was and is a redoubt of last defense should the city be attacked

Palace of Waterdeep

for well over a century, the ruler of Waterdeep has occupied the Palace of Waterdeep — also known as Piergeiron’s Palace, and still called that by elderly and long-lived citizens (including many elves).

Though not quite as large as the castle, the palace is far more comfortable and lavishly decorated, with many halls used by government officials, guildmasters, and nobles for meetings and court proceedings. If you have reason to be invited (not compelled, I should hope!) to meet with the Masked Lords or the Open Lord of Waterdeep, it will likely take place in the audience chamber of the palace. There, you can witness the ancient and humble throne that Ahghairon first sat upon so long ago.

Blackstaff Tower

The tower is a squat black blot in the otherwise pretty ward. Humble though the edifice might be, looking at the place for too long can give you a queasy feeling and the sense that you are being watched — almost as if the tower itself has turned an unseen and wrathful eye upon you. Perhaps you think this fanciful. Well, go and try it yourself!

Mount Waterdeep

The massive peak around which Waterdeep was built encompassed the southwest portion of the city. Atop its summit was the Peaktop Aerie, which housed the city's famed Griffon Cavalry, and its sea-facing flank featured 11 triple-catapults armed with rock and flammable pots. Beneath these armaments were the sea caves, which allowed passage for ships to River Sargauth and the undercity of Skullport.

Walking Statues of Waterdeep

No less than six of the statues resided in this Ward:
The God Catcher
Settled just north of the Market.

The Great Drunkard
Settled just north 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.[4]

Ahghairon's Tower

This small, stone tower was the former residence of Waterdeep's first Lord Magister, Ahghairon. It had a modest appearance but was 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.

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Temples

The Spires of the Morning
Dedicated to Lathander, The Spires of the Morning is one of Waterdeep’s most beautiful temples.

Temple of the Seldarine
the temple is dedicated to all the elf gods.

The Font of Knowledge The Font of Knowledge is a temple to Oghma and is also the city’s largest public library. Titles written throughout the ages can be viewed here — under the watchful eyes of the temple’s priests.

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

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New Olamn’s academy of music and other arts

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

Castle Ward Market

The Market offers a wild array of sights, smells, and sounds in which folk might lose themselves for a tenday.

Thayan embassy

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

Fetlock Court

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

Mirt’s Mansion

On the opposite end of the mountain, close to the Naval Harbor, stands Mirt’s Mansion. Once a fortress-like and glowering tower, it has been upgraded with more delicate fashions of architecture since the return of its long-absent owner.
Mirt has quite a history with Durnan, the proprietor of the Yawning Portal. Together they descended into “the Well,” as the entrance to Undermountain was known in olden days. Waterdeep used to throw criminals in the Well, leaving them to die horribly in Undermountain’s dungeons. Durnan and Mirt entered the dungeons of their own free will — and not only that, but returned laden with treasures. Both used magic to extend their lives, but they eventually parted ways. Mirt kept on with a life of adventure, while Durnan built the tavern called the Yawning Portal over the Well and now, almost two centuries later, charges coin to descend into it. Not a bad way to part fools from their money!

Type

District

Location under

Waterdeep

Included Locations

• Castle Ward Market
• Yawning Portal