Nobility of Waterdeep

The Coming Out Event

Nobles under the age of 17 tend not to appear at large noble social engagements, unless that engagement is thrown by their family. The reason for this is simple: they have not yet had official Coming Out events yet. Coming Out events are the formal means by which Waterdhavian nobility introduce their newly adult scions to the rest of Waterdhavian society. They are always grand, festive affairs, with the degree of opulence matching the scion's position in the House, and that House's position in Waterdhavian society. They are the go-to social events, particularly for younger folk, and with good reason - everyone wants to meet the new player on the board, whether to simply make a new friend, scout them out for romantic potential, judge their fitness for use in intrigues and schemes, or even to evaluate for potential future marriage.

There is, of course, nothing stopping an eager young Waterdhavian noble from showing up to social events before their official Coming Out, save for a simple truism - "The face already known is not eagerly sought after". That is, there's no practical reason to attend the Coming Out of a young noble who everyone has already met informally while they've snuck out to events they oughtn't be at. A poorly-attended Coming Out is a disastrous introduction to society that some people work their entire lives to recover from, socially speaking, and the nobility of Waterdeep are vicious. If they had to wait for their formal Coming Out, anyone else who does not do so will undoubtedly feel their scorn.

Coming Out events are always scheduled for after the Presentation Ball, held in Piergeiron's Palace on Mirtul the 4th. To host a Coming Out before then is simply not done, unless the family in question intends a grievous social insult to the Open Lord of Waterdeep (though, in all fairness, the few times this has happened, Piergeiron seems not to have noticed at all). After that date, though, is a flurry of parties and events. The closer an event is held to the Presentation Ball, the more confidence in their importance the family in question is expressing, for their party is bound to be in competition with others, and it is a tragic and ill-omened thing to have a Coming Out event poorly attended.

The Game

All nobles play the Game, whether they intend to or not. Indeed, the actions of those most contemptuous or abjurative of the Game can often influence it all the more. In simplest terms, the Game is about which House has the most social standing, relative to the other Houses. It is social currency, and those at the Crown of the Game are wealthy in it no matter their worldly coin.

The board upon which this Game is played is the Waterdhavian Social Season, a series of parties and other social events intended to permit the Houses opportunities to show off, show up their rivals, and in general make an impression.

The Throne

Houses who "sit the Throne" are the current winners of the Game. They are esteemed, mimicked, and courted in all things, and they have social currency to spare. Since it takes social currency to get there, there are some Houses that rise to the Throne over and over again. Generally speaking, no more than five Houses ever occupy this place, and there are never fewer than two who do so.

The Court

Houses that "bide the Court" are well-regarded, even if they're not on the very top of everything. These Houses are the most dangerous to those that sit the Throne, for they are hungry to take that position for themselves. There are usually anywhere from ten to twenty or so Houses that occupy this spot

The Body

Most Houses occupy this position in the Game - they fail to stand out in any way, blending into the seething morass that is the population of little nobles in Waterdhavian society.

The Dregs

These Houses are the true misfortunates within the game. They are at the very bottom of the heap: ridiculed, scorned, and ignored. Those Houses that occupy this place are often those who have either earned the continued vehement scorn of one of the Throne Houses, or they are a House that actively ridicules the notion or has made enemies of the other Houses in some way.

1354 DR Rankings

• The Throne: Three of the Houses from previous seasons continue to hold great sway over the Game: the Amcathras for their political acumen and fine wines, the Cassalanters who are simply masters of playing the Game with money and influence, and the Tespers for their willingness to foster duels of all kinds, from one-on-one bouts of swordsmanship to entire parties intended to usurp the prominence of their rivals. Of new interest, though, are the rise of the Ilzimmers, replacing the Belabrantas, and the Melshimbers, who return to the heights of the Game after a few years of complacency, displacing the Roaringhorns.
• The Court: Adarbrent • Anteos (a rise thanks to the new social prominence of one of their cousin scions and his exclusive parties) • Belabranta (a fall, after being shown up by the Ilzimmers) • Eltorchul • Hawkwinter • Hunabar • Lathkule (after the masterful establishment of garnets as last season's gem-of-choice) • Majarra • Manthar • Massalan • Moonstar • Roaringhorn (a fall, after a few disastrous parties and a scandal run amuck) • Ruldegost • Snome • Thann • Thorp (after a season of thoroughly extravagant dinners and parties) • Wands
• The Body: Agundar • Ammakyl • Artemel • Assumbar • Bladesemmer • Brokengulf • Brossfeather • Cragsmere • Crommor • Dezlentyr • Durinbold • Eirontalar • Emveolstone • Estelmer • Gauntyl • Gost • Gralhund • Gundwynd • Helmfast • Hiilgauntlet • Ilvastarr • Irlingstar • Jardeth • Jhansczil • Kothont • Lanngolyn • Margaster • Nandar • Phull • Phylund • Raventree • Rosznar • Silmerhelve • Stormweather • Sultlue • Talmost • Tarm • Tchazzam • Thongolir • Thunderstaff • Ulbrinter • Urmbrusk • Wavesilver • Zulpair
• The Dregs: Eagleshield • Hothemar • Husteem • Illitul • Kormallis • Maerklos • Maernos • Nesher • Piiradost • Zun

Of Noble Interest

• Wines of Waterdeep: The five vintner Houses of Waterdeep have a rivalry as fierce as any over their vintages. This is a look at the wines they bring to the table.

The Reinvestment

With the many tragedies that befell Waterdeep starting with the Spellplague, many noble houses lost their fortunes and – by means of actually selling off their titles – their nobility itself. When Laeral supplanted the treacherous Dagult Neverember in 1489 DR, the first thing she did is turn to the remaining nobles and enjoin them to help her and the Masked Lords properly rebuild Waterdeep. To prove her good faith, she stripped the newcomer houses – the majority of whom had treated Waterdeep as their own personal playground, stripping it for what was valuable and using it as their own midden pit – of both title and wealth in the city, and reinvested it with the old families.

Many families who went extinct during this time were suddenly brought back, thanks to the exhaustive lineages of the Heralds. As such, Waterdeep's nobility are back in force, with a number of very vital, strong patriarchs and matriarchs suddenly in power and looking to jockey for influence and power. The noble houses are no longer the entrenched, fat hedonists of old Waterdeep; they are a new generation who are both lean and hungry. The Open Lord Laeral has made it very clear that so long as their intrigues, investments, and plots ultimately benefit Waterdeep's growth, she is inclined to turn a forgiving eye to their undertakings.

"For Waterdeep!" has become the unofficial family motto of every one of Waterdeep's houses, with the unspoken recognition that as far as each noble house is concerned, they themselves are Waterdeep.

The Houses

Founding of the Houses

The Waterdhavian noble Houses are not all the same age. There have been multiple points in which Waterdeep's nobility have brought others into their fold in the city's long and storied history, and the age of a given House can sometimes influence its place in the Game.

Pre-Waterdeep (Before 882 DR)

• House Marrekh (-1021 DR, Netheril; becomes House Marrek in 1248 DR)
• House Uthtower (168 DR; becomes House Ruldegost in 1151 DR)
• House Rosznar (479 DR, Amn; recognized in Waterdeep in 1252 DR)
• House Lushpool (605 DR; becomes House Sultlue in 1138 DR)
• House Harpshield (659 DR, Delimbyr; 697 DR; Delimbyr royalty; becomes House Majarra in 1248 DR)
• House Talmost (659 DR, Delimbyr; 694 DR, Delimbyr royalty; recognized in Waterdeep in 942 DR)

942 DR

• House Talmost

948 DR

• House Roaringhorn

952 DR

• House Belabranta

985 DR

• House Moonstar

973 DR

• House Wands

1097 DR

• House Gauntyl

1103 DR

• House Zun

1112 DR

• House Ulbrinter

1116 DR

• House Agundar

1138 DR

• House Sultlue (formerly House Lushpool)

1142 DR

• House Amcathra

1149 DR

• House Tchazzam

1151 DR

• House Ruldegost (formerly House Uthtower; House Gost splinters off in 1197 DR)

1158 DR

• House Bladesemmer

1167 DR

• House Eltorchul

1170 DR

• House Hunabar

1178 DR

• House Piiradost

1182 DR

• House Nandar

1187 DR

• House Thunderstaff

1190 DR

• House Melshimber

1197 DR

• House Gost (splinters off from House Ruldegost)

1205 DR

• House Emveolstone

1220 DR

• House Brossfeather

1222 DR

• House Crommor

1230 DR

• House Dezlentyr

1233 DR

• House Artemel

1235 DR

• House Tesper

1248 DR

• House Ammakyl
• House Anteos
• House Brokengulf
• House Cassalanter
• House Cragsmere
• House Durinbold
• House Eagleshield
• House Hiilgauntlet
• House Hothemer
• House Husteem
• House Ilitul
• House Ilvastarr
• House Ilzimmer
• House Irlingstar
• House Jardeth
• House Jhansczil
• House Kothont
• House Lathkule
• House Marrek (formerly House Marrekh; becomes House Maerklos in 1332 DR)
• House Majarra (former House Harpshield)
• House Margaster
• House Massalan
• House Raventree
• House Thann
• House Thongolir

1249 DR

• House Tarm

1251 DR

• House Gundwynd
• House Stormweather
• House Wavesilver

1252 DR

• House Rosznar

1254 DR

• House Urmbrusk

1258 DR

• House Kormallis

1259 DR

• House Silmerhelve

1260 DR

• House Gralhund

1265 DR

• House Manthar

1273 DR

• House Assumbar
• House Snome

1276 DR

• House Hawkwinter

1282 DR

• House Eirontalar

1291 DR

• House Nesher

1292 DR

• House Helmfast

1293 DR

• House Estelmer

1295 DR

• House Phylund

1309 DR

• House Lanngolyn

1310 DR

• House Phull
• House Zulpair

1317 DR

• House Adarbrent

1332 DR

• House Maerklos (formerly House Marrek)

	House Adarbrent A house of wanderers and travelers, with interests in shipping, navigation, cartography, and exploration. Members: 22 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Valkur • Ennobled: 1317 DR
	House Agundar A house of swordwrights, with interests in mercenary fighting, warrior training, and sword-smithing. Members: 29 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Talos • Ennobled: 1116 DR
	House Amcathra A house of politicians, with interests in wine, sword-smithing, horse-breeding and -training. Members: 17 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Tymora • Ennobled: 1142 DR
	House Ammakyl A house of rustics, with interests in agriculture and wine-making. Members: 45 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Chauntea • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Anteos A house of ruffians, with interests in trading, money-changing, and barter (and formerly in slaving). Members: 28 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: None • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Artemel A house of hunters, with interests in hunting (boar and monsters), and money-lending. Members: 31 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Malar, Waukeen • Ennobled: 1233 DR
	House Assumbar A house of craftsmen, with interests in carpentry (including the design of exotic and splendid carriages) Members: 19 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Siamorphe • Ennobled: 1273 DR
	House Belabranta A house of griffon-breeders, with interests in griffon-breeding and -training, and in hunting. Members: 21 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Mielikki • Ennobled: 952 DR
	House Bladesemmer A house of swordsmen, with interests in fencing, sword-smithing, and designing of exotic body armor. Members: 22 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Tempus • Ennobled: 1158 DR
	House Brokengulf A house of explorers, with interests in exploration, guiding, and the hunting and procuring of exotic beats. Members: 17 • Faith: None • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Brossfeather A house of foresters, with interests in forestry, lumbering, fur-trapping, and guiding. Members: 29 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Silvanus • Ennobled: 1220 DR
	House Cassalanter A house of usurers, with interests in banking, money-lending, information-gathering, and rumor-mongering. Members: 34 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Waukeen • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Cragsmere A house of banksmen, with interests in land-owning, and money-lending. Members: 34 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Tymora • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Crommor A house of braziers, with interests in brasswork (particularly musical instruments) Members: 19 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Lathander • Ennobled: 1222 DR
	House Dezlentyr A house of caravaneers, with interests in caravan trading and shipping, exploration, island settlement, and establishment of harbors. Members: 22 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Selûne • Ennobled: 1230 DR
	House Durinbold A house of agriculturalists, with interests in mercenary fighting, cattle-rearing, and sheep-farming. Members: 32 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Tempus • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Eagleshield A house of husbanders, with interests in tack-making, mercenary fighting, and animal husbandry. Members: 24 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Tempus • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Eirontalar A house of hunters, with interests in hunting, tracking, and guiding. Members: 18 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Mielikki • Ennobled: 1282 DR
	House Eltorchul A house of arcanists, with interest in mage schooling, magical research, and the procuring of rare substances and items. Members: 21 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Mystra • Ennobled: 1167 DR
	House Emveolstone A house of smiths, with interests in ironmongery and curio trading. Members: 15 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Gond • Ennobled: 1205 DR
	House Estelmer A house of scholars, with interests in heraldry, sage-lore, and printing. Members: 27 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Oghma • Ennobled: 1293 DR
	House Gauntyl A house of prospectors, with interests in mercenary fighting, exploration, and mining. Members: 29 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Tempus • Ennobled: 1097 DR
	House Gost A house of traders, with interests in caravan-mastering, trading, and armor-smithing. Members: 17 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Lathander • Ennobled: 1197 DR
	House Gralhund A house of soldiers, with interests in mercenary fighting and weapons-crafting. Members: 26 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: None • Ennobled: 1260 DR
	House Gundwynd A house of hippogriff-breeders, with interests in the capture, training, and breeding of hippogriffs (and other creatures as aerial steeds). Members: 35 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Tyr • Ennobled: 1251 DR
	House Hawkwinter A house of defenders, with interests in soldiering, garrisons, and guardianship. Members: 41 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Helm • Ennobled: 1276 DR
	House Helmfast A house of shipwrights, with interests in shipping and ship-crafting. Members: 32 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Selûne, Gond • Ennobled: 1292 DR
	House Hiilgauntlet A house of soldiers, with interests in mercenary fighting and military outfitting. Members: 21 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Kossuth, Tempus • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Hothemar A house of caravaneers, with interests in trading and ownership of fleets of caravan wagons. Members: 17 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Shaundakul, Waukeen • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Hunabar A house of fashion-wrights, with interests in textiles trading and importation of fashion. Members: 37 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Gond • Ennobled: 1170 DR
	House Husteem A house of ruffians, with interests in mercenary fighting and land-owning. Members: 19 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: None • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Ilitul A house of herders, with interests in goat-raising and -herding, and mercenary fighting. Members: 34 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Tempus • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Ilvastarr A house of tamers, with interests in beast-taming and -breeding, and preparation of exotic meats. Members: 23 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Tymora • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Ilzimmer A house of genteelfolk, with interests in horse-breeding and -racing, making and collecting maps, and the designing of gowns and jewelry. Members: 42 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: None • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Irlingstar A house of wayfarers, with interests in caravan-running and ship-building. Members: 17 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Selûne • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Jardeth A house of garrisoneers, with interests in soldiering, garrisons, and guardianship. Members: 41 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Helm • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Jhansczil A house of traders, with interests in trading, horse-breeding, and mercenary fighting. Members: 29 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Tempus • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Kormallis A house of soldiers, with interests in the recruiting and training of mercenaries, outfitting groups of travelers (former slave trade). Members: 14 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Tyr • Ennobled: 1258 DR
	House Kothont A house of trappers, with interests in herd farming and fur-trapping. Members: 27 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Chauntea • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Lanngolyn A house of shippers, with interests in textiles and shipping. Members: 12 • Ethnicity: Lantanna • Faith: Gond • Ennobled: 1309 DR
	House Lathkule A house of lapidaries, with interests in jewelry, gem-mining and -prospecting, and gemcutting. Members: 25 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Gond • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Maerklos A house of rustics, with interests in swine-herding, beer-brewing, and seership. Members: 36 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Mystra, Savras • Ennobled: 1332 DR
	House Majarra A house of musicians, with interests in harping and harp-training, instrument-craftings, and silver mining. Members: 17 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Oghma, Milil • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Manthar A house of luxurists, with interests in fine metals and perfumes, and mercenary fighting. Members: 41 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: None • Ennobled: 1265 DR
	House Margaster A house of traders, with interests in trading and shipping. Members: 26 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Selûne • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Massalan A house of lapidaries, with interest in jewelry. Members: 52 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Gond • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Melshimber A house of trend-setters, with interests in sage-lore, research and information-gathering, secrets, and fine wines. Members: 24 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Oghma • Ennobled: 1190 DR
	House Moonstar A house of explorers, with interests in guiding, cartography, exploration, and caravan-mastering. Members: 33 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Selûne • Ennobled: 985 DR
	House Nandar A house of builders, with interests in house construction and bridge-building. Members: 27 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Malar • Ennobled: 1182 DR
	House Nesher A house of foresters, with interests in hawking, lumbering, and wood-making. Members: 31 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Mielikki • Ennobled: 1291 DR
	House Phull A house of fishers, with interest in fishing. Members: 37 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Selûne • Ennobled: 1310 DR
	House Phylund A house of exoticists, with interests in the training, procuring, and breeding of fearsome monsters. Members: 14 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Helm • Ennobled: 1295 DR
	House Piiradost A house of herdsfolk, with interests in horse-breeding and cattle-raising. Members: 17 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Waukeen • Ennobled: 1178 DR
	House Raventree A house of shippers, with interests in ship-building and procurement of rare foods. Members: 24 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Selûne • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Roaringhorn A house of horsemen, with interests in horse-raising and mercenary fighting. Members: 82 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Tymora • Ennobled: 948 DR
	House Rosznar A house of agriculturalists, with interests in land-owning and winemaking. Members: 15 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: None • Ennobled: 1252 DR
	House Ruldegost A house of bankers, with interests in banking, mercenary fighting, bounty-hunting, and caravan-mastering. Members: 19 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Waukeen, Tempus • Ennobled: 1151 DR
	House Silmerhelve A house of defenders, with interests in guardianship, warrior-training, and pandering. Members: 34 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Helm • Ennobled: 1259 DR
	House Snome A house of distillers, with interests in brewing, distilling, beer and liquor importing. Members: 62 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Lliira • Ennobled: 1273 DR
	House Stormweather A house of seafarers, with interests in shipping and naval exploration. Members: 28 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Auril, Umberlee, Talos • Ennobled: 1251 DR
	House Sultlue A house of soldiers, with interests in mercenary fighting, horse-breeding and -trading. Members: 17 • Ethnicity: Tashlutan • Faith: None • Ennobled: 1138 DR
	House Talmost A house of clothiers, with interests in textiles, fashion clothing, and furs. Members: 23 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Sune • Ennobled: 942 DR DR
	House Tarm A house of horsemen, with interests in caravan-mastering, horse-breeding and -training. Members: 45 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Mielikki • Ennobled: 1249 DR
	House Tchazzam A house of hunters, with interests in archery, hunting, bowyers and fletchers. Members: 22 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Mielikki • Ennobled: 1149 DR
	House Tesper A house of duelists, with interests in guardianship and skill-at-arms. Members: 19 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: None • Ennobled: 1235 DR
	House Thann A house of landowners, with interests in land-owning, merchant shipping, and fine wines (former slave trade). Members: 25 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: None • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Thongolir A house of scriveners, with interests in calligraphy, limning, and printing. Members: 37 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Deneir • Ennobled: 1248 DR
	House Thorp A house of soldiers, with interests in caravan-mastery and mercenary fighting. Members: 4 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Tempus • Ennobled: 1267 DR
	House Thunderstaff A house of arcanists, with interests in magecraft, mercenary fighting, and caravan mastering. Members: 34 • Faith: Mystra • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Ennobled: 1187 DR
	House Ulbrinter A house of seafarers, with interests in shipping and ship-building. Members: 28 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Waukeen • Ennobled: 1112 DR
	House Urmbrusk A house of landowners, with interests in land-owning and moneylending. Members: 72 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: None • Ennobled: 1254 DR
	House Wands A house of arcanists, with interests in mage schooling, magical research and adventuring, dweomercraft-for-hire. Members: 22 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: None • Ennobled: 973 DR
	House Wavesilver A house of seafarers with interests in merchant shipping. Members: 18 • Ethnicity: Chondathan • Faith: Selûne • Ennobled: 1251 DR
	House Zulpair A house of seafarers with interests in merchant shipping. Members: 27 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Umberlee • Ennobled: 1310 DR
	House Zun A house of herders, with interests in cattle-farming and mercenary fighting. Members: 31 • Ethnicity: Tethyrian • Faith: Tempus • Ennobled: 1103 DR

Former Houses

House Maernos A house of bankers, with interests in moneylending, banking, financial administration. Members: 1 • Ethnicity: Illuskan • Faith: Selûne (and many others) • Ennobled: 1248 DR