So, judging from Volo's Enchiridion, foreign nobles in Waterdeep have no extra rights. Is this so? Here's my dilemna, there is an npc in my campaign, who is a foreign noble, but is a long-term resident of Waterdeep So while she's not a Waterdavian noble, she's, if Waterdeep has a concept of citizenry, a citizen noble and arguably a foreign dignitary to the Lord's Alliance. The problem then becomes negotiating modern concepts of statehood with a fantasy world.
What special rights would you think she might have, if any?
I would guess she has the same rights on paper of any citizen of the city, in addition to having those unwritten rights that come from having a boatload of powerful friends, political influence, and a lot of money.
Like, she doesn't get to walk into the palace and tell the cook to make her a sandwich, but she just happens to be an acquaintance of Silverhand who happens to invite her to lunch where she happens to have a sandwich. Does that make sense? She doesn't get to have a company of armed men, but the City Watch takes a special interest in keeping her street quiet and safe.
I mean, I don't know what special rights you think she needs for your game, but just open a paper and look at how rich people with connections seem to live in a universe devoid of the physics of consequences. Is it because she's a corrupt influence peddler? Is it because she's a dazzling celebrity? That's up to you. But whatever special rights are granted by official station, those results can usually be duplicated with money and favor-trading.
It's not that I think she needs special rights, but the demarcation of the status of nobles of Waterdeep and nobles in Waterdeep (a little callback to the crown of Prussia, I guess) is a bit vague. Especially considering how... some source, I seem to recall making a point that Waterdavian nobility isn't static -- some families fall from prominence and some rise to prominence. (see edit) I like your distinction though.
Like I said, the character doesn't need special rights, but knowing what rights she would be entitled to helps better describe the world around the character. Like would the guards have her heraldry on their equipment? Would she be allowed to openly carry a weapon? It's details like this that would probably not be noticed or appreciated, but sometimes its just good to know these things. It's especially muddied because the character is ... a foreign dignitary? The idea is that the character is a liaison to the Lord's Alliance from Cormyr. And the Enchiridion does make it known that foreign dignitaries do have special rights. Effectively, as a sort of officer for the Lord's Alliance, she would likely have some sort of permit to be armed, but hardly a character who is above the law.
As I said though, I think you have the right of it. More, and mostly informal, allowances and connections and less overt differences between other citizens or residents of Waterdeep.
edit: It was during the reign of the last open lord, but since then the practice of selling titles has come to an end. (Swordscoast Adventure's Guide, pg 57)
So, judging from Volo's Enchiridion, foreign nobles in Waterdeep have no extra rights. Is this so? Here's my dilemna, there is an npc in my campaign, who is a foreign noble, but is a long-term resident of Waterdeep So while she's not a Waterdavian noble, she's, if Waterdeep has a concept of citizenry, a citizen noble and arguably a foreign dignitary to the Lord's Alliance. The problem then becomes negotiating modern concepts of statehood with a fantasy world.
What special rights would you think she might have, if any?
I would guess she has the same rights on paper of any citizen of the city, in addition to having those unwritten rights that come from having a boatload of powerful friends, political influence, and a lot of money.
Like, she doesn't get to walk into the palace and tell the cook to make her a sandwich, but she just happens to be an acquaintance of Silverhand who happens to invite her to lunch where she happens to have a sandwich. Does that make sense? She doesn't get to have a company of armed men, but the City Watch takes a special interest in keeping her street quiet and safe.
I mean, I don't know what special rights you think she needs for your game, but just open a paper and look at how rich people with connections seem to live in a universe devoid of the physics of consequences. Is it because she's a corrupt influence peddler? Is it because she's a dazzling celebrity? That's up to you. But whatever special rights are granted by official station, those results can usually be duplicated with money and favor-trading.
Thanks for the reply.
It's not that I think she needs special rights, but the demarcation of the status of nobles of Waterdeep and nobles in Waterdeep (a little callback to the crown of Prussia, I guess) is a bit vague. Especially considering how... some source, I seem to recall making a point that Waterdavian nobility isn't static -- some families fall from prominence and some rise to prominence. (see edit) I like your distinction though.
Like I said, the character doesn't need special rights, but knowing what rights she would be entitled to helps better describe the world around the character. Like would the guards have her heraldry on their equipment? Would she be allowed to openly carry a weapon? It's details like this that would probably not be noticed or appreciated, but sometimes its just good to know these things. It's especially muddied because the character is ... a foreign dignitary? The idea is that the character is a liaison to the Lord's Alliance from Cormyr. And the Enchiridion does make it known that foreign dignitaries do have special rights. Effectively, as a sort of officer for the Lord's Alliance, she would likely have some sort of permit to be armed, but hardly a character who is above the law.
As I said though, I think you have the right of it. More, and mostly informal, allowances and connections and less overt differences between other citizens or residents of Waterdeep.
edit: It was during the reign of the last open lord, but since then the practice of selling titles has come to an end. (Swordscoast Adventure's Guide, pg 57)