Lords of Waterdeep

The Lords of Waterdeep were the mysterious and predominantly anonymous ruling council of Waterdeep, having governed the city from the 11 century onwards.

Organization
A full council comprised 20 Lords, though this number might vary from 16 to 29.

Open Lord
The Open Lord of Waterdeep was the sole member of the Lords of Waterdeep whose identity was publicly known. They held a number of additional titles including Warden of Waterdeep, Overmaster of the Guilds, and Commander of the Watch. There was only one Open Lord at any one time, but when the previous one died or stepped down, they were replaced by a new one.

There have been seven Open Lords of Waterdeep to 1489 DR; Ahghairon the Mage, Baeron Silmaeril, Lhestyn the Masked Lady, Piergeiron the Paladinson, Caladorn Cassalanter, Dagult Neverember, and Lady Laeral Silverhand.

Activities
Ultimate legal authority in Waterdeep fell to the Open and Masked Lords of Waterdeep. The Open Lord and at least two others attended the Lord's Court while it was in session, listening to the most severe crimes committed against the city and the Waterdhavian people. They also appeared on ocassion when asked to by Waterdhavian lower courts, but always only few in number.

They helped maintain peace and order within the city and beyond, by directing the four branches of the Waterdhavian armed forces, namely the City Guard, the City Watch, the Griffon Cavalry, and the city's naval forces. They also held direct command over the actions of Force Grey, the elite strike force formed of former adventurers and other mighty individuals.

The Lords also held some power over Waterdeep's economic status, controlling the minting of coinage and trade bars. They also possessed sole authority granting nobility to Waterdhavians great wealth and influence that petitioned as such.

They also worked with foreign agents and goverments with matters that pertained to Waterdeep of the surrounding region, such in the cases of a proposed embassies being built within city limits.

Lords' Rule
Every Shieldmeet, the Lords' Rule was reaffirmed.

Anonymity
While no other Lords were formally named, some individuals became the subject of widespread rumors that could even become a general consensus. The penalty for impersonating a Lord, whether by dressing in a set of their identical clothing or by a false claim was punishable by the impostor's immediate execution.

At any time the Open Lord could demand the identity of any Masked Lord, under punishment of death.

Possessions
All Masked Lords wore black formless robes and spoke through the Open Lord, in order to keep their identities secret. These magical items—known as the Lord's ensemble—included the illusion-enhanced robes, a heavily enchanted helm, the numerous magical Lord's Rings, and the Lord's Amulet.

Relationships
The Lords maintained numerous contacts in the less-reputable places, and even beneath in Skullport, to act as their eyes and ears.

History
The first Open Lord Aghairon ascended his role in the, makred by the beginning of the Northreckoning calendar.

The Waterdhavian nobility was first recognized by Aghairon and the Lords in the. This decree proved extremely successful for the Lords and their relationship with the growing number of wealthy merchants in the city and surrounding farmlands. In the years that followed, the two power groups were often at odds with one another, but ultimately the Lords prevented the guilds from gaininag too much influence.

The Lords regained governance over the city in the, and over the course of three years added an additional 14 members to their ranks. Baeron Silmaeril ascended as the Open Lord and the Zoar and Gildeggh noble families were exiled from the city.

Years of peace in Waterdeep ended in the, when two masked Lords were slain by Amril Zoar, favored son of the outcast Zoar family.

The Lords of Waterdeep collectively exiled the Shadow Thieves from the city in the, and took action to limit the power of any criminal organization within the city in the decades that followed. The troublesome thieves' guild subsequently relocated to Amn in the south.

After the Netherese enclave of Thultanthar returned to Faerûn in the, the Lords of Waterdeep began negotiations with Prince Aglarel Tanthul.

In the, the Lords issued the 'Tarnsmoke Proclamation' effectively legaziling bounty hunting within the city and surrounding lands.

Members
Throughout the councils history, there had been between 50 and 80 Lords, four of whom reigned as Open Lord. The Lords came from all walks of life and while they were predominantly human, they had had members of various races from throughout the Realms.

Early Lords

 * Ahghairon, The first Open Lord and founder of the Lords of Waterdeep.
 * Carril Byndraeth, a crime lord and husband of future Lord Brianne Byndraeth.
 * Kerrigan the Arcanist, the first Lord that openly betrayed Waterdeep.
 * Tamaeril Bladesemmer, one of the two Lords killed by Amril Zoar in 1355 DR.
 * Resengar the Whitebeard, the other target of Amril Zoar.

Late 14 Century

 * Piergeiron the Paladinson, the 4 Open Lord of Waterdeep.
 * Caladorn Cassalanter, scion of the wealthy Cassalanter and 5 Open Lord.


 * Brian, the often outpsoken master smith and ammorer
 * Brianne Byndraeth, a sorceress and the widow of the former crime lord Carril Byndraeth.
 * Deliah the White, a thoughtful and cautious Waterdhavian wizard.
 * Durnan, retited adventurer and proprietor of the Yawning Portal, that moonlighted as secret head of the Red Sashes.
 * Khelben Arunsun, chosen of Mystra and the city's first Blackstaff.
 * Kyriani Agrivar, proprietor of Selûne's Smile in the Dock Ward and rumored chosen of Selûne.
 * Nindil Jalbuck, the stylish grocer that was secretly killed and replaced by Hlaavin, a doppleganger, six months prior to this time.
 * Mirt the Moneylender, a wealthy former adventurer that famously delved into Undermountain who found enough success and influence as a trader to become a Masked Lord of the city.
 * Larissa Neathal, a courtesan that was an expert at changing her appearance to suit whatever the need.
 * Nymara "Kitten" Scheiron, a secretive rogue that also frequently disguised her appearance.
 * Sammereza "Sammer" Sulphontis, the skilled Calishite merchant and trader.
 * Texter, the fearless paladin of Tyr.

15 Century
Prior to the Death Masks incident, there had been one Lord through the institution's history who abused his position: Kerrigan the Arcanist. Through subterfuge and hired agents, Kerrigan killed three of his fellow Lords before he was routed by Ahghairon. The conflict resulted in a spell battle within the streets of Waterdeep, which ended in the South Ward with Kerrigan's death.

During this era, twelve Masked Lords were known to have been killed within a short time. These Lords included: Ammasker Gwelt, Avner Ravelmark, Barkheld Haelinghorse, , Belgantur Haelhand, Braethan Cazondur, Dathanscza Meiril,  Gorlar Ieirmeera Stravandar,  Khaliira Arhond,   Landarmyn Voskur, Ondreth Tolvur, Oszbur Malankar

An additional six Lords had their identities revealed. Their status afterwards remained unknown:


 * Gruthgar Hrimmrel: Human male, prominent landlord, and retired shipwright.
 * Lammakh Heirlarpost: Human male who had inherited his business from his mother. He made money by undercutting prices compared to smaller businesses, and being a middle man for guilds and those providing raw materials. He was very overbearing.
 * Kassalra Maremthur: Human female who made ointments which she sold in custom blown glass vials.
 * Sarathue Serendragon: Half-Elf female. She nominated Daranthra Xathnout of Trades Ward as a possible candidate for becoming a Masked Lord.
 * Zereth Keltaerond: Human male who held extensive trading arrangements with Calimshan.
 * Halark Tarncrown: Human male who was a merchant and investor of great success.

There were also four lords chosen immediately to replace some of the Lords assassinated during 1491.
 * Daerrask Querreth: Human male who was a well known investor in Waterdeep.
 * Zuzeena Qeldur: Human female who owned a massive collection of small shops in Waterdeep. Her nomination recommendation was that she would understand the needs of Waterdeep's shopkeepers.
 * Cadraethe Haulhenarr: Human female who became an entrepreneur (only after she was widowed).
 * Vaelra Kallo: Human female dressmaker of North Ward.

Other Lords have also been named.
 * Corylus Thann: Human male noble who employed the Zhentarim to violently prevent non-humans from achieving positions of power in Waterdeep and was in turn blackmailed by the Black Network.
 * Jelenn Urmbrusk: Human female noble who became indebted to and was blackmailed by the Zhentarim.
 * Thardouk Starbuckler
 * Dorgar Adarbrent
 * Berithro Tharlivar: Jovial warehouse owner, shipper, and many-concerns investor.
 * Santar Belrune: Relocated from Tharsult importer and very rich investor, fast becoming a Deep landlord of note.


 * 1032 DR to 1256 DR
 * Ahghairon the Mage is Open Lord.


 * 1256 DR to 1273 DR
 * The position of Open Lord is vacant.


 * 1273 DR to 1308 DR
 * Baeron is Open Lord.


 * 1308 DR to 1314 DR
 * Lhestyn is Open Lord.


 * 1314 DR to Unknown
 * Piergeiron the Paladinson is Open Lord.


 * 1399 DR
 * Caladorn Cassalanter.


 * Unknown
 * In the century up to 1479 DR several Open Lords were killed.


 * 1479 DR
 * Dagult Neverember is Open Lord.​​​​​​


 * 1489 DR
 * Lady Laeral Silverhand supplanted Dagult Neverember as Open Lord.

Lords of Waterdeep in 1479 DR

 * Dagult Neverember, an ambitious noble who served as Open Lord and also High Protector of Neverwinter. He was ousted circa 1489 in favor of Laeral Silverhand.
 * Lilianviaten Dlardrageth (Lilten): High priest and chosen of Beshaba.
 * Nazra Mrays: Masked Lord and possibly spymaster.
 * Lord Arthagast Ulbrinter: Involved in the Tyranny of the Dragons. He was killed by the Cult of the Dragon.
 * Omin Dran: Half-elf owner of Acquisitions Incorporated.

Lords of Waterdeep in 1491 DR
The current Open Lord is Laeral Silverhand, one of the Seven Sisters. She was instructed by Mystra to seek the office of Open Lord to provide stability in the Sword Coast North and to prevent unknown persons from misusing magic, which would lead to the persecution of magic users on a massive scale.

There were five Masked Lords who were not killed in the Death Masks assassinations and kept their identities a secret from the public.
 * Omin Dran: Half-elf male and owner of Acquisitions Incorporated.
 * Mirt: Human Male returned to Waterdeep in 1491 DR after almost a century trapped in a magical weapon.
 * Three unnamed male lords Laeral called the Neutral Lords.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Tymora's Luck • The Siege • Death Masks
 * Video Games
 * Lords of Waterdeep (mobile game)
 * Baldur's Gate
 * Board Games
 * Lords of Waterdeep (board game)
 * Lords of Waterdeep (board game)