Guild Listing

Guild Characteristics

All guilds within Waterdeep have certain similar characteristics.

Guildhalls

Each of the guilds of the city has a headquarters of sorts, the guild hall. The guild hall acts as a showcase of the guild’s trade or products, a meeting place for guild members, the central clearinghouse for guild business, and the offices of the officers of the guild. For some guilds, halls are often places of business run by the guild.

Guild Law

Guild Law, the rules under which specific trades are conducted, are distinct from city law but can never conflict or override city law or the known intent of such laws. Guilds pay careful attention to all that is said by any Lord, and govern their affairs accordingly. Waterdeep is often called ‘The Open City’ when trade and guilds are discussed, because its guilds are not all powerful, and cannot restrict trade to their members alone; the Lords and Magisters are strict and vigilant about this.

Guild Fees

Guilds charge members monthly or yearly dues that vary; members can pay their dues on a monthly or annual basis, depending on the guild. A guild can expel a member for any number of reasons, not the least of which is failing to pay dues.

Guild Type

The majority of Waterdhavians, living in a city of contracts, negotiations, and commerce, are required to interact with trade guilds; although few guilds control their field of interest absolutely. Most guilds merely use their strength of numbers to do better than independent merchants.

Guilds are broken down into four categories: artisan guilds, service guilds, owners guilds, broker guilds, and other guilds. Each type has a slightly different structure and advancement criteria.

Membership Requirements

Most guilds typically are only open to characters with specific skill sets, either with proficiency in a certain piece of equipment, skill, or having specific background experience. The most common requirements are noted in the guilds’ descriptions under the guild name; however, this is not an all-inclusive list. If a character meets any requirement, the guild is likely willing to accept them as a member.

Applying For a Guild

To join a guild, one must possess a background, a proficiency, or a status that the guild values. For example, a character with the sailor background is welcome to join the Master Mariners' Guild.

Whether it takes downtime to learn a skill or the skill is one the character started off with one that fits a guild the character would like to be a member of, joining is as simple as applying with the guild.

One can practice a profession and not be a guild member, but such autonomy carries a cost.

The guilds do everything they can to entice new members to join and pay for membership, and they go out of their way to hinder independent business owners, up to and including driving them out of business. If you practice a trade or operate a business without becoming a member of the appropriate guild, word spreads, and you'll find that your coin isn't good as you thought it was. Materials for your craft are more expensive, and your sales will suffer. For example, a baker who refuses to join the Bakers' Guild might find her flour supply cut off, while a wizard who refuses to join the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors might be denied access to sages, libraries, and other useful resources.

Artisan Guilds

These category represents the majority of guilds in Waterdeep and includes crafting and artistic-oriented guilds.

Artisan Guild Ranks

Most artisan guilds have three ranks: apprentice, journeyman, and master. These ranks represents a combination of training, skill, and seniority. In some cases (such as for actors and musicians), it purely represents seniority, where the senior members get the best jobs. Each rank comes with additional benefits, to include the benefits of prior ranks.

Apprentice

An apprentice is a trainee who is becoming formally trained and qualified in a particular type of trade.

Becoming an apprentice. To become an apprentice in Waterdeep, a character must complete a four workweek training program, this does not have to be completed in consecutive workweeks. This program provides instruc-tions and training on both the various city codes, regulations, and various permitting requirements. This training costs 25 gp per workweek and is required for all characters, regardless of background or experience. For some trades, such as actors, this training program is largely just a formality to get in the door, but is nonetheless required.

Benefits. Upon completion of the training program, the character has:

• 10 percent discount on supplies typically used by the guild.
• A set of guild livery clothing.
• Training in a language or tool. This typically takes ten workweeks, but the time is reduced by a number of workweeks equal to the character’s Intelligence modifier (a penalty doesn’t increase the time needed). Training costs 15 gp per workweek.

Journeyman

A journeyman is an experienced professional who can work on their own under the general guidance of a master. He or she may also do service work and troubleshoots problems.

Becoming a journeyman. To become a journeyman in Waterdeep, a character needs to be at least level 5 and have worked for two years (144 workweeks) as an apprentice under the general supervision of a master. If a character has the guild artisan or clan crafter back-ground, up to one year of experience can be applied to the two year work requirement.

Benefits. Upon becoming a journeyman, the character has:

• A journeyman license, allowing the character to do guild work for 14 gp per workweek of downtime spent working (net of guild fees).
• Expertise in a primary tool or skill of the trade for which the character already has proficiency in (a character can only receive this benefit once in its life).

Master

A master develops projects; lays out designs; gets permits for construction, installations, or performances; and oversees the work of jour-neymen and apprentices.  

Becoming a master. A journeyman character needs to have worked for an additional two years (144 additional workweeks) of trade experience with a guild in Waterdeep to qualify as a master. Work experience obtained from a character’s guild artisan background can not be applied towards this work requirement.

Benefits. Upon becoming a master, the character has:

• A master license, allowing the character to open his/her own business in Waterdeep.
• Eligibility to apply for a leadership position in the guild.

Artisan Guilds of Waterdeep

The following is a list of currently registered artisan guilds in Waterdeep. While some guilds find themselves unable to leverage their collective power and fade away, but most of the listed guilds have stood the test of time.

Guild of Apothecaries & Physicians
Splendid Order of Armorers, Locksmiths & Finesmiths
Bakers' Guild
League of Basketmakers & Wickerworkers
Fellowship of Bowyers & Fletchers
Guild of Butchers
Carpenters', Roofers' & Plasterers' Guild
Cellarers' & Plumbers' Guild
Guild of Chandlers & Lamplighters
Order of Cobblers & Corvisers
Coopers' Guild
Guild of Fine Carvers
Guild of Glass-Blowers, Glaziers & Spectacle-Makers 
Jesters' Guild
Jewellers' Guild
Council of Musicians, Instrument-Makers & Choristers
Guild of Trusted Pewterers & Casters
Saddlers' & Harness-Makers' Guild
Most Diligent League of Sailmakers & Cordwainers
Scriveners', Scribes', and Clerks' Guild
Order of Master Shipwrights
League of Skinners & Tanners
Most Careful Order of Skilled Smiths & Metalforgers
Guild of Stonecutters, Masons, Potters & Tile-makers
Loyal Order of Street Laborers
Surveyors', Map- & Chart-Makers Guild
Order of Master Tailors, Glovers, & Mercers
Vintners' Distillers' & Brewers Guild
Wagonmakers' & Coach Builders' Guild
Most Excellent Order of Weavers & Dyers
Wheelwrights' Guild

Service Guilds

Several job functions in Waterdeep have been collectively organized by guilds, with the goal of gaining general respect by the city’s residence, gain collective bargaining power, or to control the labor market for those jobs.

Service Guild Ranks

As most labor guilds have only one guild master, there are generally two achievable ranks, based on seniority. Each rank comes with additional benefits, to include the benefits of prior ranks.

Apprentice

An apprentice is a trainee who is joins the guild on a trial basis and can be kicked out at any time.

Benefits. Upon being accepted into the guild as an apprentice, the character has:

• An apprentice license to begin working for a guild, which pays 9 gp per workweek of downtime spent working (net of guild fees).
• A set of guild livery clothing.
• Free room and board at either a guild house, or a local inn that is closely related to the guild.

Journeyman

A journeyman has been with the guild for at least two years (144 workweeks) as an appren-tice under the general supervision of a jour-neyman or master.

Benefits. Upon becoming a journeyman, the character has:

• A journeyman license, allowing the character to do guild work for 14 gp per workweek of downtime spent working (net of guild fees).
• A perk specific to that guild, noted in the guild description.

Service Guilds of Waterdeep

The following is a list of currently registered service guilds in Waterdeep.

Dungsweepers' Guild
Fishmongers' Fellowship
Launderers' Guild
Fellowship of Salters, Packers & Joiners
Guild of Watermen

Owners Guilds

On some occasions, business owners have chosen to form guilds to improve the competitive landscape or implement rules for the collective benefit of their businesses.

Owners Guild Ranks

Ranks in owners guilds are titled more as a custom of guilds than an indication of actual role within a guild and are determined by a combination of the assets owned by a member, and their length of time in the guild. Each rank comes with additional benefits, and includes the benefits of prior ranks.

Apprentice

An apprentice is a someone who has qualifica-tions desired by the guild, but who may not own any assets applicable to the guild (such as a character with a background as a sailor that doesn’t actually own a boat may be an appren-tice in the Mariner’s Guild).

Benefits. Upon being accepted into the guild as an apprentice, the character has:

• An apprentice license to begin working for a guild, which pays 9 gp per workweek of downtime spent working (net of guild fees).
• A set of guild livery clothing.

Journeyman

A journeyman is someone who owns assets applicable to the guild (such as a ship owner may be a journeyman in the Mariner’s Guild).

Benefits. Upon becoming a journeyman, the character has:

• A perk specific to that guild, noted in the guild description.
• Guild membership increases an owner’s busi-ness by an amount necessary to cover guild fees.

Master

Masters are elected (largely a popularity vote) with at least four years of membership.

Benefits. Upon becoming a master, the character is allowed to vote on significant decisions of the guild, which normally require majority vote. There is no limit on the amount of masters within an owners guild.

Owners Guilds of Waterdeep

The following is a list of currently registered owners guilds in Waterdeep.

Fellowship of Carters & Coachmen
Fellowship of Innkeepers
Master Mariners' Guild
Stablemasters' & Farriers' Guild

Broker Guilds

Several times in Waterdeep’s history, attempts have been made to control commodities coming in and out of the city. For the most part, these attempts fizzle out within a few years; however, a few guilds have been able to gain significant control of a specific market and can influence the movement and prices of those goods throughout the city, although these guilds are still not able to claim a monopoly.

Broker guilds focus on buying from suppliers outside the city and selling to businesses inside the city at wholesale prices.

Broker Guild Ranks

As most broker guilds have only one guild master, there are generally two achievable ranks based on seniority. Each rank comes with additional benefits and includes the benefits of prior ranks.

Apprentice

An apprentice is a trainee who is joins the guild on a trial basis and can be kicked out at any time.

Benefits. Upon being accepted into the guild as an apprentice, the character has:

• An apprentice license to begin working for a guild, which pays 9 gp per workweek of downtime spent working (net of guild fees).
• A set of guild livery clothing.
• 10 percent discount on goods controlled by the guild.

Journeyman

A journeyman has been with the guild for at least two years (144 workweeks) as an apprentice under the general supervision of a journeyman or master.

Benefits. Upon becoming a journeyman, the character has:

• A journeyman license, allowing the character to do guild work for 14 gp per workweek of downtime spent working (net of guild fees).
• A perk specific to that guild, noted in the guild description.

Broker Guilds of Waterdeep

The following is a list of currently registered broker guilds in Waterdeep.

Council of Farmer-Grocers
Solemn Order of Recognized Furriers & Woolmen

Other Guilds

This category is for guilds that are relatively unique unto themselves.

Watchful Order of Magists & Protectors