City Watch (Waterdeep)

The City Watch of Waterdeep served as the police force within the city. Its strict code of conduct and well trained operatives made the Watch one of the most trusted police forces in Faerûn.

Activities
The City Watch performed everyday policing duties. They never acted outside the walls of the city. They were a peacekeeping force, also responsible for solving crimes and apprehending criminals.

During particularly busy hours at important intersections, the Watch also employed traffic wardens to manage the flow of people and vehicles. Traffic wardens carried two flags: one blue, which signaled for traffic to proceed, and one yellow, which signaled for it to stop. They also employed whistles to call the attention of passersby, if necessary.

Tactics
When within the walls of Waterdeep, the City Watch typically patrolled in groups of four, with two patrolmen, one armar, and one civilar.

In calmer districts such as the Castle Ward, those detachments were even smaller, often consisting of only two officers. Conversely, locations such as the Dock Ward were patrolled by groups of eight during the day and twelve at night.

Many spellcasters within the City Watch were trained in the use of the spell trembling horn, which was developed for the organization by Thyri Snome. It allowed watchmen place an invisible, magical tracer that caused alarm-like effects that were widely recognizable among the Waterdhavian populace.

Base of Operations
There were multiple City Watch posts in Waterdeep. They were usually not located on the main streets, but were all identified by a green and gold lantern that hung outside, permanently lit by a continual flame spell. These posts served as local headquarters, armories, stations for people to report crimes, and temporary jailhouses to hold prisoners until they were moved to a courthouse. Watch stations were always led by a captain.

Possessions
Members of the City Watch typically wore leather and chain armor and carried sturdy rods like clubs, short swords, and daggers. Many of them also carried unique sounding horns, that functioned along with specific spells unique to the members of their organization.

In the 14 century DR, City Watch captains carried an amulet of the Watch, a magic item that allowed the wearer to summon reinforcements from the Watch or from the City Guard. In the 15 century DR, officers who achieved the rank of captain were awarded a badge of the Watch, a magic item that provided the wearer with additional protection against attacks and allowed the Open Lord to immediate know the wearer's location. Only the Open Lord could award badges of the Watch.

14 century
Circa 1372 DR, members of the City Watch held the following ranks:

15 century
By 1492 DR, the active ranks of the City Watch were the following: The Watch also included a Senior Armsmaster in charge of supplies, who reported directly to the Commander of the Watch.

Notable Members

 * Derek Windsfire
 * Emmer Jundhyl
 * Captain Jalester Silvermane
 * Captain Hyustus Staget

Appearances

 * Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
 * Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage (mentioned only)