Murder Hobo Games @MurderHGames@TheEdVerse Question: While there are doubtless many petty rivalries and grudges between noble houses in Waterdeep, are there any that are truly epic in 5E times, say spanning generations?
Thanks as always.— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 30, 2020
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There are far too many petty rivalries, grudges, and even outright feuds to list on several Twitters running full-tilt, but one of the most epic is the dispute between House Massalan and House Sultlue. Which has been going on 2)
…for at least two centuries and has resulted (so far) in the deaths of nigh fifty noble folk and over three hundred retainers and hired guards or bullyblade mercenaries. Including six Massalan heirs (at the time of their…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 30, 2020
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…deaths) and one matriarch (Lady Halangalan, in 1253 DR), and seven Sultlue heirs. It involves one all-out assault on the Massalan villa of the time (during which its stables was utterly destroyed and the villa partially 4)
…burned down, in a night-long battle that involved three hired mages and resulted in over a hundred deaths, including neighbors and curious onlookers), one sword-brawl at a noble revel in which two Sultlue heirs…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 30, 2020
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…(Onstlur Sultlue and then his younger brother Braegel) perished in swift succession, and one mercenary dirty-tricks explosion that destroyed House Massalan’s best ornate coach with three family members inside (six servants 6)
…two bodyguards, and half a dozen horses also died; the head of one of the latter was found on a nearby balcony, much to the horror of the old lady who liked to sun herself there). Even today, Massalans and Sultlues bristle at…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 30, 2020
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…the sight of each other, try not to attend the same revels, and turn on heel and leave clubs and eateries if they see members of the other noble house already there (retainers don’t count).
Ere he died (of old age and gout), 8)
…as a ‘wastrel uncle,’ Haerym Massalan was wont to tell anyone who’d listen that the Massalans had “won” the feud, because he’d personally managed a swindle that cost the Sultlues three ships (good cargo cogs, all) and several…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 30, 2020
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…valuable properties in Athkatla. The Sultlues dismissed his claims with scorn, of course, but that didn’t stop them from trying to arrange his “accidental” death at least seventeen unsuccessful times.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) January 30, 2020
That's quite the financial expenditure… What caused such a long-running and expensive feud? And how did the Lords act, in response to such things?
— Greysil (@Greysil_Tassyr) February 1, 2020
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The Lords left them to it, as they usually do if noble feuds don’t extend to losses to others (if that fire had spread, for example). As for what caused it…you’ll have to ask nobles of both families who are long dead, unless you witnessed the advent of the feud. 2)
Some details I don't know due to unreliable narrators (such as Elminster or Volo). Why leave such gaps? It makes it much easier for DMs to tailor matters to storylines in their own Realms campaigns. What made it so long-running? Pride and stubborness (refusing…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 1, 2020
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…to back down); a common affliction among nobles and individuals used to power in the Realms and our real world. Used to getting their own way = DETERMINED to get their own way in this matter.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 1, 2020