History of Waterdeep

Waterdeep was originally 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.

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.