Nobility of Waterdeep
The Tradition of Coming Out
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.
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.
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.
