Embark on an extraordinary journey through the City of Splendors with Volo's Guide to Waterdeep, now accessible in PDF format on AnyFlip. This comprehensive guide, penned by the renowned (and occasionally unreliable) traveler Volothamp Geddarm, offers an unparalleled exploration of Waterdeep, the jewel of the Sword Coast. Whether you are a seasoned adventurer, a curious scholar, or simply a traveler seeking to uncover the secrets of this magnificent city, Volo's insights are your key to unlocking Waterdeep's myriad wonders.
Castle Ward
As the administrative heart of Waterdeep, Castle Ward stands as a testament to the city's power and grandeur. Dominated by the imposing Mount Waterdeep and the majestic Castle Waterdeep, this ward is the first glimpse most visitors have of the city's splendor. Its significance is well-documented, making it a focal point for anyone delving into Waterdeep's rich tapestry.
Landmarks
The most iconic landmarks, Mount Waterdeep and Castle Waterdeep, are visible from afar, their presence a constant reminder of the city's strength and resilience. Piergeiron’s Palace, now famously known after the city’s First Lord, serves as the bustling center of Waterdeep’s political life, hosting courts and embassies.
Access to the Palace is primarily through the Main Gate, with Horn Gate, Sally Gate, and Guard Gate serving specific functions. Within its marble halls, a detailed scale model of Waterdeep offers a breathtaking overview of the city’s intricate layout. Ascending the grand stairs leads to Piergeiron’s court, the epicenter of Waterdhavian governance.
North of the Palace, the Mountain Tower, a strictly private structure, and Ahghairon’s Tower, shrouded in magical defenses, stand as silent sentinels. Near Ahghairon’s Tower, a skeletal figure serves as a grim warning, a wizard petrified by the tower’s magic. Further along Julthoon Street, the Gull Leap cliff offers panoramic sea views, once a strategic point for defense and now home to the stoic Walking Statue of Waterdeep, a towering golem created by Khelben “Blackstaff” Arunsun, ever vigilant against unseen threats.
Places of Interest in Castle Ward
Homes
House of Loene: This walled residence, belonging to the celebrated adventuress Loene, resembles a miniature castle. Its unique architecture, featuring towers and turrets, reflects Loene’s penchant for circular designs. Magical defenses, including an electrified iron fence, protect it from unwanted intrusions.
House of Shyrrhr: The elegant home of Lady Shyrrhr, a confidante of Piergeiron, is a haven of discreet diplomacy. Rumored to be connected to the Palace via secret tunnels, it is a place of quiet influence and strategic counsel.
Shops
Aurora’s Whole Realms Shop Catalogue Counter: A branch of the ubiquitous Realms-wide retail chain, this Castle Ward outlet provides convenient access to a vast catalogue of goods, ensuring quality and reliability for discerning shoppers.
Balthorr’s Rare and Wondrous Treasures: Located on the Street of the Sword, this shop offers a curated collection of curios, coins from across Toril, gems, and regalia, catering to wealthy collectors and adventurers alike.
The Golden Key: Ansilver the Locksmith’s shop on Warriors’ Way specializes in custom locks and security devices, guaranteeing unique and impenetrable solutions for safeguarding valuables.
Halambar Lutes & Harps: Renowned throughout the Sword Coast, this shop on the Street of the Sword offers exquisite stringed instruments, including the legendary Harp that Sings by Itself, a magical artifact of immense value and mystery.
The Halls of Hilmer, Master Armorer: Hilmer’s shop on the Street of Bells is synonymous with the finest plate armor in Waterdeep, custom-crafted for discerning warriors and protected by animated armor constructs.
Olmhazan’s Jewels: This opulent shop on the High Road showcases a dazzling array of gems, guarded by baatezu mimics, ensuring only serious buyers dare enter.
Phalantar’s Philtres & Components: A mysterious apothecary on the Street of Bells, Phalantar’s shop offers rare herbs, spell components, and esoteric ingredients, catering to mages and alchemists with discerning needs.
Taverns
The Blue Jack: Known for its speed and affordability, The Blue Jack on the High Road is a bustling tavern favored for quick meals and drinks, though less for leisurely gatherings.
The Crawling Spider: This uniquely themed tavern on Waterdeep Way recreates a subterranean ambiance, attracting dwarves, adventurers, and even thrill-seeking priests with its distinctive atmosphere and nightly fare.
The Dragon’s Head Tavern: A more refined establishment on Waterdeep Way, The Dragon’s Head caters to older Waterdhavians and diplomats, offering a quieter setting for conversation and contemplation over brandies and rare drinks.
The Elfstone Tavern: An elven enclave on the Street of the Sword, this tavern serves as a haven for elves and half-elves, offering exotic elven wines and serenades amidst living trees and soft, blue lights.
The Red-Eyed Owl: A comfortable neighborhood tavern on Rainrun Street, The Red-Eyed Owl provides a welcoming atmosphere and hearty fare, popular among locals seeking a relaxed evening.
The Sailors’ Own: Located on Sail Street, this dockside tavern is a rough-and-tumble establishment catering exclusively to sailors, offering strong drink and basic meals amidst the salty air of the harbor.
The Singing Sword: A lively tavern on Bazaar Street, The Singing Sword boasts an extensive menu and entertainment by a magical sword that sings ballads, making it a popular destination for diners and revelers.
The Sleepy Sylph: This tavern on Rainrun Street offers a more upscale experience, attracting visitors with its risqué décor, scantily clad waitresses, and skewered fowl, accompanied by live music and drifting colored lights.
Inns
The Jade Jug: Waterdeep’s most luxurious inn, The Jade Jug on the High Road, offers unparalleled pampering and opulent accommodations, catering to nobles and wealthy travelers with impeccable service.
The Pampered Traveler: This distinctive inn on the corner of Selduth Street and the Street of Bells provides comfortable and quietly luxurious lodging, appealing to scholars and discerning guests seeking a refined stay.
Festhalls
Mother Tathlorn’s House of Pleasure and Healing: The most famous festhall in Waterdeep, located on Gem Street, offers a wide array of pleasures and healing services, staffed by skilled professionals and catering to a diverse clientele.
The Smiling Siren Nightclub & Theater: This venue on Sirenis Lane hosts traveling troupes, vaudeville acts, and private performances, providing lively entertainment and nocturnal diversions for Waterdhavians and visitors alike.
Alleys
Asmagh’s Alley: Running south off Selduth Street, Asmagh’s Alley is named after a notorious poisoner, a grim reminder of Waterdeep’s darker undercurrents.
Buckle Alley: This busy east-west passage, once a haven for thieves, now serves as a bustling thoroughfare for tradesmen and deliveries, a testament to Waterdeep’s evolving character.
Cat Alley, a.k.a. Cats Alley: A winding and confusing alley, Cat Alley is known for its twists and turns, and recently, for a masked assailant who preys on women after dark.
The Cat’s Tail: The southernmost loop of Cat Alley, The Cat’s Tail is brightly lit and patrolled, offering relative safety and gossip from the watchful guards.
Duir’s Alley: Branching off the Street of Bells, Duir’s Alley is often the site of magical displays from patrons of the nearby Elfstone Tavern, adding an element of unpredictable wonder.
Elsambul’s Lane: This short alley off Lamp Street is known for its cryptic graffiti, a legacy of the priest of Mask, Elsambul, offering a glimpse into Waterdeep’s clandestine communications.
Howling Cat Court: Infamous as a clandestine meeting spot, Howling Cat Court is frequented by street gangs and ladies of the evening, a place of shadowy encounters and frequent city watch patrols.
Jesters’ Court: North of Howling Cat Court, Jesters’ Court once hosted jugglers and comics, now a quieter locale, occasionally used for impromptu dances under magical lights.
Lemontree Alley: A unique alley off Shadows Alley, Lemontree Alley is home to lemon trees sustained by magic, guarded by a zombie bear, offering a surprising tropical respite in the city.
Lhoril’s Alley: Running parallel to Duir’s Alley, Lhoril’s Alley provides access to the rear of buildings on the Street of the Sword, a less-traveled but essential passage.
The Prowl: Looping off Alnethar Street, The Prowl is named for a nobleman’s pet panthers, a reminder of the city’s eccentric inhabitants and hidden dangers.
The Reach: A steep side way off Lackpurse Lane, The Reach is popular with sailors and brawlers, a place of rough encounters and maritime tales.
Sevenlamps Cut: Linking Swords Street and the Street of Silks, Sevenlamps Cut is well-lit and frequented by apprentice wizards and underpriests offering spellcasting services.
Shadows Alley: Once haunted, Shadows Alley is now a discreet passage for nobles and merchants seeking clandestine meetings and nighttime revelry.
Turnback Court: A western extension of Selduth Street, Turnback Court is a heavily patrolled area, dominated by a mysterious warehouse rumored to hold powerful magical items.
Zeldan’s Alley: Winding south from the Crawling Spider, Zeldan’s Alley is named after a Gond-worshipping merchant, and is rumored to contain dangerous, experimental mechanical traps from his era.
Explore Waterdeep further with Volo’s comprehensive guide, available in PDF format on AnyFlip. Delve into the depths of each ward, uncover hidden gems, and immerse yourself in the rich lore of the City of Splendors. Your adventure awaits!
