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The Lords' Alliance, also known as the Council of Lords, was a partnership of merchant cities founded in the early 14th century DR.[6][7] Its members were from the Sword Coast, the North and Western Heartlands,[8] including Waterdeep, Silverymoon, Baldur's Gate, and Neverwinter, as well as other free cities and towns in the region, which made up the bulk of the organization.[4] It was formed to oppose the growing influence of the Black Network in the North, the Shadow Thieves of Amn,[1][3][9] rampaging hordes of orcs, and Northlander raiders.[10]

For a century and a half, and more, the Lords' Alliance has stood as the most important and influential group in the North. Its power has kept towns safe from the predations of larger powers, has kept the ambitions of Luskan in check, and has taught the rulers of many cities that it is better to cooperate, even for a time, then to merely shut one's doors and allow the storms to rage outside.
— Andew Cururen, a Lords' Alliance agent of note.[10]

Organization[]

Depending on who was asked, the Lords' Alliance was considered either a strong coalition,[8] or unsteady pact of political powers. While the Alliance was said by some to be a collective of aggressive and self-serving figureheads,[11][12] others insisted they were among the most secure governing bodies in the west.[8] The truth, as it usually was, lay somewhere between the two extremes. While the members often held opposing views and held interests that conflicted with their peers, these rivalries were set aside when true danger emerged to threaten their collective safety and prosperity.[4] The true strength of the alliance, it was said, manifested when its members banded together on collaborative endeavors.[8]

While some of these cities and city-states held more influence than others,[4] they aligned their goals for the greater good and prosperity of the whole alliance.[8] Collectively they believed in the preservation of civilization for the better of their people.[10]

The alliance's emblem was a golden crown set over a field of red.[13]

Alliance Members and Leaders[]

These were the member states and their leaders as of 1489 DR.[14][15]

Activities[]

Member-states of the Lords' Alliance served to better the collective regions of the North and the Western Heartlands as a whole. They achieved this through well-wrought mercantile treaties and official pledges to ensure their collective safety,[16] especially along prominent trade routes.[11][17] The collective group bargained with foreign trading partners and even regulated preferred relations and treatment of certain groups long-feared by many people of the Coast and the North, such as goblinoids and orc tribes.[3]

The alliance often took charge whenever it was necessary to take military action in campaigns that arose across the North or the Heartlands.[4]

The Lords Alliance also maintained the prison of Revel's End, an isolated panopticon in the Frozenfar that housed some of most heinous criminals from across the North and Sword Coast.[18]

Tactics[]

The alliance usually hired adventurers to work for them in the past for tasks ranging from gathering simple information, or even for use in raids against Zhentarim strongholds and outposts. Local adventurers could quickly gain status, as well as powerful friends by helping the alliance, but can just as easily make enemies of the sinister Zhentarim as a result.[1][3]

Relationships[]

Lords' Alliance signet ring

A 15th century DR Lords' Alliance signet ring.

Among the orders with which the Lords' Alliance maintained a pledge of mutual assistance in times of need were a group of spellcasters known as the Guardians of the Weave.[19]

The Order of Tye was the prestigious knightly organization that served as guards for ranking Lords' Alliance members during their travels outside the walls of the allied cities and accompanied them on dangerous mission. Lord Peneshay led the organization circa 1372 DR.[20]

While they did not view the Red Wizards of Thay as enemies, the Lords' Alliance treated the Thayan spellcasting society with much mistrust.[21]

History[]

14th Century[]

The Lords' Alliance was formed in the Year of the Great Harvests, 1325 DR, when a collective of towns and cities across the Sword Coast North banded together to oppose overreach from the powerful merchant houses of Amn.[22] Interest in joining the alliance was strongest in the North at first, but gradually spread south over the course of the following years.[10]

Just over three decades later, in the Year of Shadows, 1358 DR, the Lords' Alliance of Waterdeep expels Luskan troops from Ruathym by using both military and diplomatic pressures.[23][24] They were forced into outright military conflict just three years later, when Luskan finally conquered the island off the coast.[25][26]

The Lords' Alliance committed their forces to combat the forces of evil during the Second Dragonspear War in the Year of the Wyvern, 1363 DR.[27] Following the war, the Lords' Alliance redoubled their efforts to make safe the Trade Way, and ensure commerce along the coast went unimpeded.[28]

When a number of Waterdhavian vessels were sunk during their voyages from the Sword Coast to Maztica, in the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR, the Lords' Alliance worked diligently to collect evidence against the suspected culprits: the nation of Amn.[29]

After the Sharn Wall beneath Evereska was breached in Nightal of the Year of the Unstrung Harp, 1371 DR, the Last Home of the elves was rapidly overrun. An army of the Lords' Alliance led by Laeral Silverhand marched to the city in relief. Unfortunately, they did not arrive at Evereska for some months.[30]

15th Century[]

When Cult of the Dragon plot to release Tiamat in Faerûn, in the 1480s DR,[note 1] the Alliance was one of the many factions who rose up to oppose the dragon goddess attempt at freedom.[31] During the crisis, the Lords' Alliance dispatched seven of its members to the Council of Waterdeep.[4]

Around that same time, members of the Alliance took note of strange goings-on in the regions of the Underdark beneath the North and the Sword Coast. Many places of note within ceased communication with each other and the surface world. The little information that did come out, revolved around cults of demon-worshippers.[8]

When the ordning of the giant-kind of Faerûn collapsed, rumors circulated that the Lords' Alliance was responsible for the disappearance of Hekaton, king of the storm giants.[12]

Following the collapse of the Silver Marches, in the Year of Dwarvenkind Reborn, 1488 DR,[32] the Lords' Alliance focused inwards and began restricting new members from beyond the borders of the North.[10]

Some time during or around the Year of the Scarlet Witch, 1491 DR, Lords' Alliance agents operating in the Moonsea region began looking into unusual activities in and around Mulmaster.[33] Their involvement in city business led production talks with members of the city's Blades,[34] and the Hawks,[35] which they hoped to leverage into the admittance of Mulmaster into the alliance, or at least adherence to its tenets.[36] When the Cult of the Eternal Flame set off explosions in the city, agents of the Lords' Alliance sprang into action to help restore order.[37]

Members[]

Lords' Alliance agent

An agent of the Lords' Alliance.

Admittance into the Lords' Alliance was permissible in certain cities, depending on citizenship and personal history. It was, for example, possible to join the Alliance as a Waterdhavian citizen with a criminal history, so long as one could prove their loyalty to the city.[38]

Member States[]

The following cities and towns were part of the Lords' Alliance: Amphail,[10][39] Baldur's Gate,[1][40][41] Berdusk,[1][3] Daggerford,[42] Elturel,[1][40] Everlund (for a time),[43] Goldenfields, (unofficially as of about 1370 DR),[44] Gundarlun Island, (only island member of the alliance)[45] Iriaebor,[1] Leilon,[46] Longsaddle,[46][47][48] Mirabar,[1][49][50][51] Mithral Hall,[52] Neverwinter,[1][3][53] Silver Marches,[3] Silverymoon,[1][54][55] Sundabar,[1][56] Waterdeep,[1][3] and Yartar.[57][58][59]

Individuals[]

All manner of goodly folks joined the Lords' Alliance as agents and representatives. They came from all walks of life, and included erudite bards, battle-hardened warriors, powerful spellcasters, and even righteous holy paladins.[3][4]

Notable Members[]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. Canon material does not provide a year for the Tyranny of Dragons storyline, but in a forum post, Greg Marks stated it was set in 1489 DR. However, the events of the Tyranny of Dragons are discussed in the novel Archmage, which is set in 1485/1486 DR and has events that necessarily put it after The Rise of Tiamat. Since this inconsistency has not been cleared up, this wiki will use the vague term "1480s DR" for events related to this storyline, though it is most likely no latter than 1486 DR.

Appearances[]

Adventures
The Rise of TiamatPrinces of the ApocalypseOut of the AbyssStorm King's ThunderTomb of AnnihilationWaterdeep: Dragon HeistWaterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad MageIcewind Dale: Rime of the FrostmaidenKeys from the Golden Vault: Prisoner 13
Referenced only
Dead in ThayBaldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
Novels
Tangled WebsRealms of the Deep: Lost CauseThe Siege
Video Games
Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of ZehirNeverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford
Board Games
Dungeons & Dragons Dice Masters: The ZhentarimDungeons & Dragons Dice Masters: Adventures in Waterdeep
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
Tyranny of Dragons (Outlaws of the Iron RouteTyranny in PhlanRaiders of the Twilight MarshThe Scroll ThiefCorruption in Kryptgarden)Rage of Demons (Bane of the TradewaysThe WaydownDeath on the WallAssault on Maerimydra)Elemental Evil (City of DangerEmbers of ElmwoodMayhem in the Earthspur MinesOubliette of Fort IronThe Sword of SelfarilBlack Heart of VengeanceMulmaster Undone)Storm King's Thunder (The Black RoadDurlag's TowerDurlag's TombParnast Under SiegeHartkiller's Horn)Tomb of Annihilation (Over the EdgeWhispers in the DarkFire, Ash, and RuinIn Search of SecretsCauldron of Sapphire)Waterdeep (Once in WaterdeepChaos in the City of Splendors)
Referenced only
Shadows over the MoonseaPool of Radiance ResurgentThe Drowned TowerBounty in the BogEye of the TempestThe Howling VoidBoltsmelter's BookThe Occupation of Szith MorcaneQuelling the HordeA Dish Best Served ColdGiant DiplomacyForgotten TraditionsA City on the EdgeFester and BurnPutting the Dead to RestTurn Back the Endless NightReclamation of PhlanStopped at the GateInfernal InsurgencyBurying the PastVile BountyUnsafe HarborageNight Thieves

Further Reading[]

References[]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Jennell Jaquays (1988). The Savage Frontier. (TSR, Inc), p. 9. ISBN 0-88038-593-6.
  2. Matt Sernett, Erik Scott de Bie, Ari Marmell (August 2011). Neverwinter Campaign Setting. Edited by Tanis O'Connor. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 86–88. ISBN 0-7869-5814-6.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 275–276. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 Steve Winter, Alexander Winter, Wolfgang Baur (November 2014). The Rise of Tiamat. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 13–14. ISBN 978-0786965656.
  5. Jason Carl, Sean K. Reynolds (October 2001). Lords of Darkness. Edited by Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 119. ISBN 07-8691-989-2.
  6. Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn. Edited by Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 141. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
  7. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 137. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters (September 1, 2015). Out of the Abyss. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 128. ISBN 978-0-7869-6581-6.
  9. Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds (Nov. 2005). Champions of Valor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 102. ISBN 0-7869-3697-5.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 43. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Richard Baker, et al. (April 2015). Princes of the Apocalypse. Edited by Michele Carter, Stacy Janssen. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 15–16. ISBN 978-0-7869-6578-6.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  13.  (February 2023). “Prisoner 13”. Keys from the Golden Vault (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 978-0-7869-6896-1.
  14. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  15. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 15. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  16. Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds (Nov. 2005). Champions of Valor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 74. ISBN 0-7869-3697-5.
  17. Ed Greenwood (October 2012). Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 68. ISBN 0786960345.
  18. Christopher Perkins (September 2020). Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 978-0786966981.
  19. Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds (Nov. 2005). Champions of Valor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 84. ISBN 0-7869-3697-5.
  20. Ossian Studios (June 2018). Neverwinter Nights: Darkness over Daggerford. Beamdog.
  21. Jason Carl, Sean K. Reynolds (October 2001). Lords of Darkness. Edited by Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 60. ISBN 07-8691-989-2.
  22. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 137. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  23. Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn. Edited by Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 142. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
  24. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 142. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  25. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 146. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  26. Jason Carl, Sean K. Reynolds (October 2001). Lords of Darkness. Edited by Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 109. ISBN 07-8691-989-2.
  27. Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (March 2006). Power of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 27. ISBN 0-7869-3910-9.
  28. Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 65. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
  29. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  30. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 151. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  31. Wizards of the Coast (2014). Heroes Isteval. What is D&D?. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2014-12-09.
  32. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  33. Daniel Helmick (2015-03-13). Embers of Elmwood (DDEX2-02) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Elemental Evil (Wizards of the Coast), p. 15.
  34. Greg Marks (2015-05-01). Breath of the Yellow Rose (DDEX2-06) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Elemental Evil (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7.
  35. Greg Marks (2015-07-01). Oubliette of Fort Iron (DDEX2-11) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Elemental Evil (Wizards of the Coast), p. 6.
  36. Daniel Helmick (2015-08-01). The Sword of Selfaril (DDEX2-14) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Elemental Evil (Wizards of the Coast), p. 6.
  37. Bill Benham, Chris Lindsay, Alan Patrick, Travis Woodall (2015-06-04). Mulmaster Undone (DDEP2) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Elemental Evil (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 8–11.
  38. Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 16. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.
  39. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 173. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  40. 40.0 40.1 Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 144. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  41. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 45. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  42. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 80. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  43. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 81, 83. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  44. Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 44. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  45. slade, et al. (April 1996). The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier. Edited by James Butler. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
  46. 46.0 46.1 Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 108. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  47. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 97. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  48. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 48. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  49. Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 153. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  50. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 98. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  51. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 50. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  52. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 99. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  53. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 101. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  54. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 108. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  55. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 54. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  56. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 110. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
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  58. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 115. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  59. Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 58. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  60. The GM Tim (2019). Infernal Insurgency (DDAL09-06) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Avernus Rising (Wizards of the Coast), p. 2.
  61. 61.0 61.1 Steve Winter, Alexander Winter, Wolfgang Baur (November 2014). The Rise of Tiamat. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 15. ISBN 978-0786965656.
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  63. Jerry Holkins, Elyssa Grant, Scott Fitzgerald Gray (June 18, 2019). Acquisitions Incorporated. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 106. ISBN 978-0786966905.
  64. Greg Marks (2016-01-03). Death on the Wall (DDEX314) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Rage of Demons (Wizards of the Coast), p. 13.
  65. Daniel Helmick (2015-03-13). Embers of Elmwood (DDEX2-02) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Elemental Evil (Wizards of the Coast), p. 6.

Connections[]

The Five Factions
Emerald EnclaveHarpersLords' AllianceOrder of the GauntletZhentarim
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