Lords of Waterdeep

The Lords of Waterdeep were the ruling council of the city of Waterdeep, who had reigned for almost three centuries by 1372 DR Throughout that time, 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. A full council comprised 20 Lords, though this number might vary from 16–29.

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 imposter's immediate execution.

The Lords only appeared in public when deliberating on high crimes or when asked to by the lower court but even then only four generally appeared and one was always the Open Lord. All Closed Lords wore black formless masks and robes and spoke through the Open Lord, in order to keep their identities secret.



Open Lord
The Open Lord of Waterdeep is the sole member of the Lords of Waterdeep whose identity is publicly known. There is only one Open Lord at any one time, but when the previous one dies or steps down, he or she is replaced by a new one.

History
There has been one Lord through the institution's history who has 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.

Lords of Waterdeep (1491 DR)

 * Laeral Silverhand: Open Lord, 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.


 * Original Lords who were not killed in the Death Masks assassinations.


 * Lords who still have identities secret from the public.
 * Omin Dran, a half-elf male who felt safe enough after the deaths of other Lords that he did not seek to hire bodyguards like his fellow lord, Landarmyn Voskur.
 * Mirt : Human Male returned to Waterdeep in 1491 DR after almost a century
 * Three unnamed lords called The Three Neutral Lords


 * Lords who have been compromised by having their identities made public.
 * Gruthgar Hrimmrel : Human Male and prominent landlord, also was a retired shipwright. His identity as a Masked Lord was revealed during a volatile Lordsmoot to which he was forced to attend unmasked.
 * 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. His identity as a Masked Lord was revealed during a volatile Lordsmoot to which he was forced to attend unmasked.
 * Kassalra Maremthur Human Female made ointments which she sold in custom blown glass vials. Merchants in the Heartlands could not keep her products in sufficient stock due to their popularity. Her identity as a Masked Lord was revealed during a volatile Lordsmoot to which she was forced to attend unmasked.
 * Sarathue Serendragon : Half-Elf Female . She nominated Daranthra Xathnout of Trades Ward as a possible candidate for becoming a Masked Lord Her identity as a Masked Lord was revealed during a volatile Lordsmoot to which she was forced to attend unmasked.


 * There were also six lords chosen to replace certain lords assassinated during the Death Masks Assassinations.


 * New Secret Lords.
 * Daerrask Querreth, a human male who was a well known investor in Waterdeep.
 * Zuzeena Qeldur, a 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, a human female who became an entrepreneur (only after she was widowed).
 * Vaelra Kallo of North Ward, a human female dressmaker


 * Additional Compromised Lords.
 * Zereth Keltaerond, a human male who held extensive trading arrangements with Calimshan. His identity as a Masked Lord was revealed during a volatile Lordsmoot to which he was forced to attend unmasked.
 * Halark Tarncrown, a human male who was a merchant and investor of great success. His identity as a Masked Lord was revealed during a volatile Lordsmoot to which he was forced to attend unmasked.


 * Lords who were killed in the year 1491 DR during the Death Masks assasinations.
 * Avner Ravelmark Assasinated
 * Gorlar Assasinated
 * Barkheld Haelinghorse : Human Male was a miser. He was also a drinking buddy of former Open Lord Dagult Neverember. He was found murdered by his companion Thraelra.
 * Ondreth Tolvur : Human Male was very fat and ugly. He was a smuggler of contraband, which he and Ammasker Gwelt hid in Mistshore before its destruction. He was also a landlord in the North and Castle wards. He was murdered by Lady Tasheene Melshimber and Darleth Drake.
 * Ammasker Gwelt : Human Male who was killed in a fire set by Lady Tasheene Melshimber.
 * Braethon Cazonder : Human Male landlord of properties on the northside of Waterdeep. He was also an investor. He spoke methodically, but had a quick mind. He was killed by the Mind flayer Suthool.
 * Landarmyn Voskur : Human Male shipping fleet owner and investor in trade along the Sword Coast. He was killed by Braethon Cazonder
 * Belgantur Haelhand : Human Male, described as a "mountain of a man", owner of about a dozen iron-smelters and casters (run mainly by halflings and gnomes) in Secomber which exported finished goods to Waterdeep. He was a retired swordsmith. He was killed by Braethon Cazonder
 * Oszbur Malankar : Human Male merchant of high priced wines. His family came to Waterdeep from Sembia fleeing persecution by the Netherese. He was cynical when conducting business, but was quite gullible when it came to a pretty face. He was also an investor. He was murdered by Roysark Cuthbarrel.
 * Dathanscza Meiril Half-Elf Female who was a sorceress. She made and sold stained glass windows, with matching scented tapestries and curtains. She was stabbed to death by Lady Tasheene Melshimber.
 * Ieirmeera Stravandar Human Female who was killed by Darleth Drake.
 * Khaliira Arhond Human Female who was killed by the wizard Vaerontevor Qasmult.

Lords of Waterdeep (1479 DR)

 * Laeral Silverhand: Open Lord, one of the Seven Sisters, consort of Khelben "Blackstaff"


 * Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun: Masked Lord of Waterdeep, Chosen of Mystra. Khelben revealed himself as a Masked Lord in 1367 DR, and resigned, presenting the Masked Lord Danilo Thann as his successor (Danillo Thann had become a Lord of Waterdeep as early as 1364 DR). In truth, Khelben remained a Lord, (although his resignation was genuine, if brief), he still serves now as a Masked Lord.
 * Piergeiron the Paladinson: Retired as Open Lord of Waterdeep. Now serves as Masked Lord, granted longevity as a Chosen of Tyr
 * Danilo Thann: Masked Lord, nephew of Khelben Arunsun.
 * Durnan "the Wanderer": Gruff, yet prudent Masked Lord.
 * Kyriani Agrivar: A recent addition to the Lords of Waterdeep, (and rumored Chosen of Selune). Proprietor of 'Selune's Smile' an Inn in the Dock Ward
 * Larr Stormont: Rumored to be a Masked Lord.
 * Lilianviaten Dlardrageth (Lilten): High priest and chosen of Beshaba.
 * Mirt the Moneylender: Also known as Mirt the Merciless and the Old Wolf, Mirt rose to wealth first as an adventurer in Undermountain and later as a successful trader, gaining enough influence to become a Masked Lord of the city. Mirt was trapped in a magical hand axe, purported to be a prisoner for one of the Nine, and freed in 1479 DR by Marlin Stormserpent.
 * Nazra Mrays: Masked Lord and possibly spymaster.
 * Lord Arthagast Ulbrinter: A lord involved in the Tyranny of the Dragons. He was killed by the Cult of the Dragon.
 * Ominifis Dran: A Masked Lord.

Deceased lords as of 1372 DR (Third and 3.5 edition Forgotten Realms)

 * Ahghairon: The first Open Lord and founder of the Lords of Waterdeep.
 * Carril Byndraeth
 * Kerrigan the Arcanist: A deceased Lord who was the only one to betray Waterdeep.
 * Nindil Jalbuck: A deceased Masked Lord who was replaced by a greater doppelganger.
 * Lady Tamaeril Bladesemmer: Killed by Amril Zoar in 1355 DR.
 * Resengar the Whitebeard: Killed by Amril Zoar in 1355 DR

Deceased as of 1479 DR (fourth edition Forgotten Realms)


 * Brian the Swordmaster: An aging master smith of of Waterdeep as well as a Masked Lord.
 * Brianne Byndraeth: Masked Lord.
 * Caladorn Cassalanter: Masked Lord.
 * Deliah the White
 * Larissa Neathal: A friend and confidante of Durnan who is currently gathering information on the other Lords.
 * Nymara "Kitten" Scheiron: Nymara was recruited to become a Masked Lord by Durnan and Mirt over 25 years ago, for her understanding of the common folk.
 * Sammereza "Sammer" Sulphontis: A skilled merchant and trader.
 * Texter: A fearless paladin.