Waterdeep

"The people of Waterdeep, as diverse as they come, have one single thing in common: they all taste simply magnificent."

~ Xanathar, Waterdhavian Crime Lord

Waterdeep, also know as the Crown of the North and the City of Splendours, is a prosperous city located in the north of the Sword Coast. Founded in 151 JR and named for its outstanding deep-water harbour, Waterdeep is home to an estimated 25,000 people, divided amongst the city's dozen wards.
The three Upper Wards, sometimes referred to as the Noble Wards, house the city's nobility, including it's ruling council. To the west of the city are the four Dock Wards, which make up the city's harbour, containing housing for dockworkers and warehouses for equipment. To the south of the city are the four Lower Wards which house and provide work for the rest of Waterdhavian society. The Lower Wards are often viewed as the birthplace of the realm's greatest adventuring groups, potentially due to the large number of popular taverns in the area, such as the Yawning Portal, and the Blazing Manticore.
In the centre of Waterdeep is a special ward, known as the City of the Dead. It is a large stretch of land without any buildings built upon it that serves as a cemetery for the people of Waterdeep. It is surrounded by a tall gate and is locked at night, the only two keys belonging the city's Gravetender, Dale Shutterbrick, and Lady Eponine Greyhawk, head of Waterdeep's ruling council.
The city of Waterdeep also has a heavy influence from two distinct factions: the Harpers and the Agents of Tymora. The Harpers are a secretive group that exists almost everywhere along the Sword Coast. One of the groups 'High Harpers', a half-elf known as 'The Chimera', is stationed in Waterdeep, and many of their couriers, spies and informants are trained in the city. The Agents of Tymora, on the other hand, are a religious order who worship the goddess Tymora (or Lady Luck). They are in charge of conducting Waterdeep's religious ceremonies, and are led by the elven priestess Myra Bitterblossom.

Demographics

Humans make up 64% of Waterdeep's population, with elves and dwarves each making up another 10%. Halflings make up 5% of the population, as do half-elves (which is considerably higher than most other northern cities). The remaining 6% is largely comprised of gnomes and half-orcs, although some even rarer races appear in certain parts of the city.
Waterdeep is often praised for its diversity, which is rather significant in comparison to other cities, such as Neverwinter and Baldur's Gate.

Government

In the early days following the founding of the city, Waterdeep was ruled by a secretive council of Lords, whose identities were kept secret behind masks. 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 rumours afloat. Over time, however, the Lords of the city became steadily more comfortable with their own identities being known, and while some Lords today still wear masks in public as way to honour the city's roots, the practice was officially ended around the year 1900 JR.
The current ruling council consists of two dozen Lords and Ladies, the majority being from three prominent noble families: the Greyhawks, the Davenports and the Roaringhorns. The head of the council is Lady Eponine Greyhawk, who took over from her deceased husband in 3014 JR.

Defences

Waterdeep has strong stone walls that curtain its landward side to protect it from would-be attackers. For almost three-thousand years, these walls were patrolled by the City Guard, but in 2992 JR, the responsibility was passed to the New Guard, an organisation that had just appeared in the city.
As well as providing the city's defence, the New Guard also serves to police the city's lower wards, despite numerous objections made by the city's ruling council. The leader of the New Guard is a human veteran named General Lance Deephollow, who also serves as the city's castellan.
The city is also home to the eight Walking Statues of Waterdeep, which can be animated in the face of true danger, however such an instance have never occurred in the history of the city.

Founding Date

151 JR

Alternative Name(s)

The Crown of the North, The City of Splendours

Type

City

Population

25000

Inhabitant Demonym

Waterdhavian

Characters in Location

• Ashwin Stormshield