One of my players for an upcoming W:DH campaign is a Cleric of Mask who pretends to be a cleric of Waukeen and seeks to gain money to buy his way into the Gray Ribbon. Any cool ways I could incorporate this particular faction in the story? Information on how they are? I'll pen you a lore reply as soon as I can. Some I can do faster than others, despite when they arrive in my lap, because I know exactly where the lore is to answer with. Hang on!
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 12, 2018
1/10) In Waterdeep, the Gray Ribbon is officially absent, and in truth maintains a VERY low profile: spying more than anything else. Past Open Lords (Piergeiron in particular) and the current one (Laeral) have moved swiftly and…#Realmslore https://t.co/QBOUZbdAUp
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
2/10)
…ruthlessly to smash even small thieving cabals (the policy being: “There will be no more thieving guilds in Waterdeep. Period.”) and they have been aided in this by the Blackstaff (no matter who it is at the time), …#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
3/10)
Elminster, Mirt, The Serpent (Elaith Craulnobur), and many Waterdhavians who have connections among fences and smugglers. In other words, they have been thorough and effective. The Watch can’t stop thievery in the Deep, …#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
4/10)
…but they can sure by all the Watching Gods stamp out any thieving organizations (including street gangs of above a certain strength and reach). The lawful guilds of the city all enthusiastically aid in this, as do the…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
5/10)
…nobles, because EVERYONE stands to lose if there’s an effective thieves’ guild operating and rooted in the Deep. The Xanathar survives and succeeds in small part by being “too deep down” to effectively eradicate, and in…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
6/10)
…and in large part by maintaining iron discipline that prevents the Xanathar’s operatives from becoming so big a nuisance that they need to be eliminated, no matter the cost.
The Circle of the Gray Ribbon may be many…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
7/10)
…things, but “stupid” isn’t one of them. Seeing that there’s “no room” in Waterdeep to establish any presence beyond a religious one, they instead treat the Deep as a “viewing gallery” where all they do is watch. Watch… #Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
8/10)
…like hawks. Seeing who owns what, who does what, and who deals with whom. They pounce well away from Waterdeep, using the information gained from spying in Waterdeep, but do nothing except worship Mask (in secret chapels…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
9/10)
…in secret chapels in cellars, attics, and the like) in Waterdeep. So, your cleric is on his own in anything he does to gain coin in the Deep, but will be watched and judged continuously, by more than three spies at all…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
10/10)
…times. The Circle will strongly disapprove of anything that brings unwanted attention to the clergy of Mask or the Circle, but otherwise will merely appraise his performance as a thief, swindler, and (gasp) legit trader.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
My guess: Neverwinter or Baldurs Gate.
But i imagine they have a mutually beneficial relationship with the Knights of the Shield in trading information And both of those guesses would be correct. Luskan, too. And "right out in the open" in Scornubel.
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018
Sooo, What about…. Less-than-savory clerics/paladins? Death domain, oathbreakers, or those in servitude of, say a newly revived members of the Dark Seldarine? Basically “Behave and you’ll have no problems but, we’re watching you.” ? Exactly. Waterdeep is a tolerant crossroads trading city, "where coin is king." If you're not disturbing the peace openly, generally folk will look the other way.
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 13, 2018