Post by Kai Wren on Apr 28, 2019 16:54:38 GMT
Waterdeep is a city full of intrigue. From the shadows and brightly-lit ballrooms, wars are waged entirely through words; though the odd dagger in the night is often employed to help smooth things along.
Faction membership is earned through adventures which prove the loyalty of the character. Performing great works for the Factions of Waterdeep can be an easy justification for obtaining new magic items and other rewards your GM wants to give you as part of an adventure.
Bregan D'aerthe
Jarlaxle Baenre's personal mercenary outfit of misfits, only renegade Drow can officially become part of Bregan D'aerthe, however many sellswords have wound up in the pocket of Jarlaxle without ever knowing it.
Bregan D'aerthe currently operates out of The Sea Maiden's Fayre, a series of three trading vessels docked in Waterdeep's harbour. The Fayre has become popular for its raucus parties and parades, and is overseen by the flamboyant businessman 'Zardoz Zord' - who is truly Jarlaxle in disguise.
Bregan D'aerthe is primarily interested in the infiltration of the various criminal enterprises which operate in Waterdeep. Jarlaxle is an opportunist first and foremost, and is always looking for ways to make quick coin and increase the wealth of himself and his many businesses. Those with a keen eye for such things are often able to do very well through an association with Bregan D'aerthe, whether they know it or not.
Emerald Enclave
The Emerald Enclave exists in order to protect nature and restore those areas which have been damaged to health once more. Naturally, druids and rangers are drawn to the Emerald Enclave, but any soul who is willing to place their life on the line for the health of the world as a whole is welcome within the Enclave.
Within Waterdeep, the Enclave is represented primarily by Jeryth Phaulkon, a noblewoman who ascended to demigod status, and Melannor Fellbranch, her groundskeeper. Jeryth is more concerned with the existential threats that face the natural world, and her demigodhood grants her a number of useful powers and a unique perspective on such matters. Melannor is more practical, and acts as her eyes, ears, and occassionally her hand as she is unable to extend her influence far beyond the estate of Phaulkonmere.
Force Grey
Established under the auspices of the Blackstaff, the supreme magical authority in Waterdeep, Force Grey is an organisation composed of ex-City Guard or City Watch members who left those organisations but did not leave the obligation they felt to keeping the City safe from harm.
Force Grey answer directly to the Blackstaff and the Open Lord, acting as Waterdeep's most elite of elite forces. Only those individuals who have demonstrated truly exceptional skill and prowess can join their ranks, and they can only do so if they are willing to swear a binding oath to defend Waterdeep, its Citizens, and its Laws with their lives. Force Grey are a weapon of last resort, used only when there is no other option, but they ever stand ready and vigilant to ensure that Waterdeep never suffers the dire fates which have befallen so many other cities down the generations.
Harpers
The Harpers are an altruistic alliance of goodly souls who have little direct authority but much influence in the shadows. The Harpers are everywhere, their network of spies and informants is vast, and they are dedicated to ensuring that power remains as far away from tyrannical hands as possible. The Harpers are, unsurprisingly, often welcoming to bards, but they also prize magical knowledge as they recognise that such is vital in the protection of the common folk.
Lord's Alliance
The Lord's Alliance is a formal declaration among the cities and townships of Waterdeep, Balder's Gate, Mirabar, Mithral Hall, Neverwinter and Silverymoon that they will come to one another's aid should they be attacked. Of all the invested parties, Waterdeep has led the way in providing material support to what could have been a merely theoretical notion, and the Open Lord - Laeral Silverhand - has publicly spoken of her belief that the Lord's Alliance will usher in a new age of peace and prosperity for the Sword Coast.
Laeral keeps tabs on all adventurers who enter Waterdeep, whether they know it or not, and those who place the interests of the City above themselves are likely to find themselves approached by agents of the Lord's Alliance for further work. Pass a few tests of loyalty, and a formal offer may be made to allow a worthy adventurer to become an Agent of the Lord's Alliance, granting them some measure of trust from authorities across the Sword Coast - and enmity from those who would see the Coast burn.
Order of the Gauntlet
Primarily formed from Clerics and Paladins of Helm, Torm or Tyr, the Order of the Gauntlet has one overriding mission: to seek out and destroy evil before it causes harm.
The Order of the Gauntlet is proactive and zealous in its pursuit of Good. The Order does not have a great deal of official authority, but it does have the respect of many individuals and there are more who privately agree that the Order's actions are for the betterment of all and should be supported.
Unsurprisingly, for such a direct and forthright faction, the Order values those who pursue the same values as themselves and do so with vigor and determination. Any soul who smites evil and seeks it out where it festers is likely to eventually come to the notice of the Order, and find in it a band of brothers and sisters who have dedicated themselves to the same tireless, eternal task.
Xanathar Guild
One of the largest criminal organisations in Waterdeep, the Xanathar Guild is an innately evil and corrupt organisation ruled over by a fanatical, terrifying Beholder, though this fact is far from common knowledge even in the shadows of the City.
Among the various gangs and criminal enterprises, the Xanathar Guild manages to stand out for its ruthlessness. Xanathar has equal interest in elaborate heists, and the petty crimes and muggings of which he takes a cut. From the City's sewers, Xanathar directs a network of criminals and monsters which the authorities would dearly love to root out and destroy.
Zhentarim
The Zhentarim are one of the world's most successful mercenary organisations, renowned for providing the best of the best, albeit at exorbitant prices. Also known as the Black Network, the Zhentarim have been at the centre of countless intrigues over the years, and exist purely for the financial betterment of its upper echelons. Whilst not common knowledge, most adventurers are also aware that the Zhentarim traffic with devils, murder rivals, and will go to any length required to maintain their prominent position.
The Zhentarim have been trying for years to gain a foothold in Waterdeep, but the Masked Lords and other agents have thus far worked successfully to keep their influence in the City minimal. Unknown to many, the leader of the Zhentarim - its founder Manshoon - still lives, and dreams of the day he can overthrow the Masked Lords and use mastery of Waterdeep and the Zhentarim to rule the world. Thankfully, despite his great power, Manshoon's enemies are many, and he must work in extreme secrecy.
At present, the Zhentarim and the Xanathar Guild are embroiled in a war between the two evil organisations, with the Zhentarim hoping that should they expose and destroy Xanathar, they will finally obtain the political power they desire. Those wise to the true nature of the Zhentarim know that such would only be the beginning of the end.
Faction membership is earned through adventures which prove the loyalty of the character. Performing great works for the Factions of Waterdeep can be an easy justification for obtaining new magic items and other rewards your GM wants to give you as part of an adventure.
Bregan D'aerthe
Jarlaxle Baenre's personal mercenary outfit of misfits, only renegade Drow can officially become part of Bregan D'aerthe, however many sellswords have wound up in the pocket of Jarlaxle without ever knowing it.
Bregan D'aerthe currently operates out of The Sea Maiden's Fayre, a series of three trading vessels docked in Waterdeep's harbour. The Fayre has become popular for its raucus parties and parades, and is overseen by the flamboyant businessman 'Zardoz Zord' - who is truly Jarlaxle in disguise.
Bregan D'aerthe is primarily interested in the infiltration of the various criminal enterprises which operate in Waterdeep. Jarlaxle is an opportunist first and foremost, and is always looking for ways to make quick coin and increase the wealth of himself and his many businesses. Those with a keen eye for such things are often able to do very well through an association with Bregan D'aerthe, whether they know it or not.
Emerald Enclave
The Emerald Enclave exists in order to protect nature and restore those areas which have been damaged to health once more. Naturally, druids and rangers are drawn to the Emerald Enclave, but any soul who is willing to place their life on the line for the health of the world as a whole is welcome within the Enclave.
Within Waterdeep, the Enclave is represented primarily by Jeryth Phaulkon, a noblewoman who ascended to demigod status, and Melannor Fellbranch, her groundskeeper. Jeryth is more concerned with the existential threats that face the natural world, and her demigodhood grants her a number of useful powers and a unique perspective on such matters. Melannor is more practical, and acts as her eyes, ears, and occassionally her hand as she is unable to extend her influence far beyond the estate of Phaulkonmere.
Force Grey
Established under the auspices of the Blackstaff, the supreme magical authority in Waterdeep, Force Grey is an organisation composed of ex-City Guard or City Watch members who left those organisations but did not leave the obligation they felt to keeping the City safe from harm.
Force Grey answer directly to the Blackstaff and the Open Lord, acting as Waterdeep's most elite of elite forces. Only those individuals who have demonstrated truly exceptional skill and prowess can join their ranks, and they can only do so if they are willing to swear a binding oath to defend Waterdeep, its Citizens, and its Laws with their lives. Force Grey are a weapon of last resort, used only when there is no other option, but they ever stand ready and vigilant to ensure that Waterdeep never suffers the dire fates which have befallen so many other cities down the generations.
Harpers
The Harpers are an altruistic alliance of goodly souls who have little direct authority but much influence in the shadows. The Harpers are everywhere, their network of spies and informants is vast, and they are dedicated to ensuring that power remains as far away from tyrannical hands as possible. The Harpers are, unsurprisingly, often welcoming to bards, but they also prize magical knowledge as they recognise that such is vital in the protection of the common folk.
Lord's Alliance
The Lord's Alliance is a formal declaration among the cities and townships of Waterdeep, Balder's Gate, Mirabar, Mithral Hall, Neverwinter and Silverymoon that they will come to one another's aid should they be attacked. Of all the invested parties, Waterdeep has led the way in providing material support to what could have been a merely theoretical notion, and the Open Lord - Laeral Silverhand - has publicly spoken of her belief that the Lord's Alliance will usher in a new age of peace and prosperity for the Sword Coast.
Laeral keeps tabs on all adventurers who enter Waterdeep, whether they know it or not, and those who place the interests of the City above themselves are likely to find themselves approached by agents of the Lord's Alliance for further work. Pass a few tests of loyalty, and a formal offer may be made to allow a worthy adventurer to become an Agent of the Lord's Alliance, granting them some measure of trust from authorities across the Sword Coast - and enmity from those who would see the Coast burn.
Order of the Gauntlet
Primarily formed from Clerics and Paladins of Helm, Torm or Tyr, the Order of the Gauntlet has one overriding mission: to seek out and destroy evil before it causes harm.
The Order of the Gauntlet is proactive and zealous in its pursuit of Good. The Order does not have a great deal of official authority, but it does have the respect of many individuals and there are more who privately agree that the Order's actions are for the betterment of all and should be supported.
Unsurprisingly, for such a direct and forthright faction, the Order values those who pursue the same values as themselves and do so with vigor and determination. Any soul who smites evil and seeks it out where it festers is likely to eventually come to the notice of the Order, and find in it a band of brothers and sisters who have dedicated themselves to the same tireless, eternal task.
Xanathar Guild
One of the largest criminal organisations in Waterdeep, the Xanathar Guild is an innately evil and corrupt organisation ruled over by a fanatical, terrifying Beholder, though this fact is far from common knowledge even in the shadows of the City.
Among the various gangs and criminal enterprises, the Xanathar Guild manages to stand out for its ruthlessness. Xanathar has equal interest in elaborate heists, and the petty crimes and muggings of which he takes a cut. From the City's sewers, Xanathar directs a network of criminals and monsters which the authorities would dearly love to root out and destroy.
Zhentarim
The Zhentarim are one of the world's most successful mercenary organisations, renowned for providing the best of the best, albeit at exorbitant prices. Also known as the Black Network, the Zhentarim have been at the centre of countless intrigues over the years, and exist purely for the financial betterment of its upper echelons. Whilst not common knowledge, most adventurers are also aware that the Zhentarim traffic with devils, murder rivals, and will go to any length required to maintain their prominent position.
The Zhentarim have been trying for years to gain a foothold in Waterdeep, but the Masked Lords and other agents have thus far worked successfully to keep their influence in the City minimal. Unknown to many, the leader of the Zhentarim - its founder Manshoon - still lives, and dreams of the day he can overthrow the Masked Lords and use mastery of Waterdeep and the Zhentarim to rule the world. Thankfully, despite his great power, Manshoon's enemies are many, and he must work in extreme secrecy.
At present, the Zhentarim and the Xanathar Guild are embroiled in a war between the two evil organisations, with the Zhentarim hoping that should they expose and destroy Xanathar, they will finally obtain the political power they desire. Those wise to the true nature of the Zhentarim know that such would only be the beginning of the end.
