I just wrote an epic Reddit post on Waterdeep real estate prices and why Volo gave away Trollskull Manor away in Dragonheist.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, especially if your name is @ChrisPerkinsDnD or @TheEdVerse https://t.co/ZornO3uxA5#ttrpg #dnd #dungeonsanddragons
— RPG Match – connecting TTRPG players (@RpgMatch) September 12, 2021
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Great thread!
Yes, Waterdeep has annual realty taxes.
See my Twitter answers for Feb 20/20: “The nobles ignored that, so the Lords paid out of city coffers, and added it to the taxes of the two noble houses (which is, sadly, …2)
…standard procedure in the city; nobles, like anyone else, who don't pay taxes in full get property seized in lieu).”
And for Apr 25/20, re. 1375 DR: “Buildings in Waterdeep didn't have numerical addresses then. (They did have…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) September 13, 2021
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…”roll numbers” in the Palace tax records and floorplan registry.)”
And for Apr 29/90: “The city provides a subsidy in the form of a per-head daily ‘credit’ against temple taxes (temples are buildings, and attract a realty tax… 4)
…like all other city properties) that in almost all cases wipes out annual taxes and leaves most temples in the black (yes, in such situations they do receive coins or more often trade-bars from the Palace coffers).”#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) September 13, 2021
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And (same reply thread, Apr 29/20): “The city also licenses (approves of) construction work, wines and other consumables, and the operating fitnesses of coaches, wagons, and carriages (not handcarts) to maintain public safety. 6)
It also steps in to pay for emergency repairs when roof deterioration or some other cause threatens to result in the collapse of a private building (seizing the property if the owner won’t pay or can’t be found, and working…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) September 13, 2021
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…out a slow-repayment-over-time deal, otherwise).”
And on May 8/20: “a selection of scribes to quickly copy something, draw up a contract or trade agreement in quadruplicate (a copy to each party, plus a temple copy for the… 8)
…temple holding the money, plus a tax-record-remittance copy for the Palace).”
And on August 9/20, re. privileges of noble houses of Waterdeep: “certain tax deferrals in return for specific investments in civic works programs.”#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) September 13, 2021
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Your construction costs for Waterdhavian buildings (twice the average base of most other places) are spot-on. Plus building permit costs, which rise substantially if a street has to be blocked off for any length of time… 10)
…(you’re inconveniencing not just neighbours, but traffic flow and therefore commerce in the city).
(The same inflated prices also apply in cities where space is at a premium due to lack of room for expansion [or expansion…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) September 13, 2021
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…within the city walls], or where guilds are strong and therefore rates are high, and in cities that have always been expensive, like Athkatla.)
Your taxes for North Ward are too low: it’s equal to Castle Ward, not 5 percent… 12)
…less, and rises above that “equal” in the first two rows of city blocks (heading east) immediately adjacent to Sea Ward.
And back taxes owed is EXACTLY why Volo gave Trollskull Manor away.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) September 13, 2021