History of Waterdeep

Waterdeep is on the site of an elven settlement called Aelinthaldaar, which was the capital of Illefarn at the time, and dates from around -8500 DR.

In -1288 DR, Melairbode was created in the mountain beside and underneath Aelinthaldaar by the dwarven King Melair I, who began mining mithral there. As more and more "Melairkyn" arrived, the dwarves expanded their home to include areas nearer and nearer to the surface, which made the elves uneasy. In exchange for a large amount of mithral being mined by the Melairkyn dwarves, the elves created a magical effect on the plateau on which their city stood. This effect ensured that no matter what occurred below, the surface would remain unaffected and no collapse would occur there.

Aelinthaldarr was razed in -1100 DR after the elves inhabiting the city retreated to Evermeet. It was soon taken over by barbarian tribes who used it as a trade center, doing business with peoples further south. The deep natural harbor on the site made it a particularly good point to hold trademoots because large ships were able to load and unload goods. Eventually, tribes made the area their permanent home rather than revisiting for each trademoot. Conflict was common due to the lucrative trade opportunities, but the area was eventually secured by a tribe of people led by Nimoar, who named the town "Waterdeep," or "Nimoar's Hold."

Due to massive orc uprisings and population growth in the north, trolls were forced out of their homes and pushed south, into the area now known as the Trollmoors, and into conflict with the humans. The war lasted around a decade but was ended decisively by the magic of the mage Ahghairon. Following the conflict, a walled keep was constructed on the slopes of the mountain, and the walls continued to expand as more and more people from the surrounding area came to it for protection. At this time, the "Free City of Waterdeep" was ruled by War Lords.

Warlord Raurlor became the Warlord of Waterdeep, and aimed to use the city's wealth to create a vast empire in Northwest Faerûn. Ahghairon strongly opposed this, and Raurlor ordered that he was to be arrested. When Ahghairon used his magic to prevent his own arrest, Raurlor struck out at him, but Ahghairon turned Raurlor's sword into a snake, which bit him, poisoning and killing him. Ahghairon declared himself the first Lord of Waterdeep, and created the current system of government whereby all Lords but one have hidden identities.

Under Ahghairon, Waterdeep secured the areas to the north for the humans and built new roads to interconnect them, while continuing to grow to five times its size, becoming more and more prosperous. The city developed the nickname "the Crown of the North." As crime and deceit began to develop in Waterdeep, Ahghairon ordered the creation of guilds, a trend from cities in the south, to prevent the further spread of problems. Eventually, even Ahghairon's magic could not keep him alive, and he died. He was buried in his own tower, which was sealed off and protected by magic. It is believed that his resting place has remained undisturbed ever since.

Turmoil followed Ahghairon's death while the merchants of Waterdeep bickered over who would assume power. Nothing was heard from the masked Lords of Waterdeep, either because they could not communicate without revealing their identities now that Ahghairon was gone, or because their identities had already been compromised and they had been murdered. In fact, the only survivors amongst the masked Lords were the woodworker Baeron and the apprentice wizard Shilarn. After two months, power was taken by the Guildmasters who had been appointed by Ahghairon. The following six years were termed "the Guildwars" because of the violence and murder that occurred, often between private armies, ultimately leaving only two surviving Guildmasters.

The surviving guildmasters, gemcutter Ehlemm Zoar and shipwright Lhorar Gildeggh eventually tired of bloodshed and agreed to rule together, as "Lords Magister." They did not agree on much else, and continued to argue, leading to continuing tensions within the city. Without warning, the Lords Magister were visited by Baeron and Shilarn who had concealed themselves underneath cloaks. Shilarn ordered the Lords Magister to leave the city. When they refused, she struck them down with magic, killing them both, and she and Baeron, the two remaining former masked Lords, took power.

The Gildeggh and Zoar houses were banned from Waterdeep. The other noble houses were given the choice either to leave the city, or to obey the new rulers. Baeron publicly revealed his identity, assuming the role of the Lords of Waterdeep. The original form of government, whereby Waterdeep is led by one Open Lord and a number of Masked Lords, was restored. In order to further prevent the discovery of the identities of the Masked Lords, a group of Magisters named "the Black Robes" were instated as judges and dispensers of the law.

In present-day Waterdeep (circa 1374 DR), the only remnants of the long-razed Aelinthaldaar are crypts beneath the Pantheon Temple of the Seldarine, and the magic that prevents the plateau from collapsing.