Hawkwinter Villa

The Hawkwinter Villa (North Ward, Waterdeep), is the family home of House Hawkwinter.

The city villa of this quietly powerful Waterdhavian noble family is the site of many splendid parties.

On a strategic corner location in a block of fine merchants’ houses and luxury apartments, the walled Hawkwinter compound consists of three spired, balconied stone houses made in the likeness of miniature castles— with crenelations, gargoyle-shaped downspouts and arched windows only found in the uppermost reaches of the walls. The only exceptions to this design lie in the tall-peaked tiled roofs, which shed copious snow down onto passersby in winter. Some folk believe the downspouts are real gargoyles that the family can release to defend their home. These are kept immobile by strong enchantments controlled by the Hawkwinters.

These miniature castles are linked by winding garden paths, overhung by many old, carefully tended trees, hung with lamps.

When parties are thrown, many-hued driftglobes light every corner of the gloomy halls, passages, and cellars of the castles, and perfume is added to the lamps amid the trees. Musicians play in chambers here and there, and mages are hired to perform minor illusions —either of languid beauty in the early evening or of mystery danger, and spice later, when those who celebrate until the dawn chase each other around the balconied rooms and dungeons.

Oh, yes, these castles have dungeon cells. They cells are very clean and lit with red torches for show but functional-—and, I doubt not, used from time to time.

Conversation and tales from afar are valued to stave off the boredom that threatens nobles, so adventurers and those newly arrived in the city are welcome as guests. The doors are not open to all, though. Waterdhavian nobles invite a select list of folk: usually Piergeiron, out of courtesy although he but rarely attends such fetes; other nobles with whom the family is on speaking terms; mages and other fashionable or powerful personages, such as guildmasters; and the occasional very successful merchant in some sort of dignified trade.

These guests are expected to bring their spouses or an escort, and from two to six guests each— who may be anyone, such as the aforementioned adventurers and other walking entertainment. Those with ideas of slipping such feasts (elsewhere in Faerun, the term crashing is often used) are warned that noble's’ doorwards and bouncers are mighty, experienced, quick, and reinforced by magic and might of arms that even successful adventurers respect-—from a safe distance?

Want to get invited? Let it be known around the city that you’'re newly arrived and either an adventurer of import or that interesting things befell you that you can tell or, even better, show something about. With a smile or two from the gods, someone will invite you. A young, ardent female escort invited me to the party I attended, on the condition that I wear a rather humiliating outfit and address her in an extremely deferential manner. In the interests of seeing what would otherwise be denied me, I agreed—and was treated to a wild evening of flirtation, drink, splendid food, and gossip.

As to the goings-on, let me say merely that on such occasions, the nobles of Waterdeep are ruled by their whims. Fancy costumes, exotic food and drink, even more exotic entertainment-—let me tell you, tales you may have heard in your local tavern of the decadence and wild ways of Waterdeep are all true.

As to the gossip: At parties, nobles can meet-—to exchange items, for example—-without eyes noticing or tongues whispering, but rarely conduct important business. That'’s what they have large walled houses with many closed doors for. They do use parties to meet with, manipulate, and arrange future meetings and business with underlings, outsiders, and newcomers. I saw more than two adventuring bands hired in the time it took me to drain a tiny glass of firewine at the feast I attended.

Also, such parties are the only place that outsiders and common folk are likely to hear nobles gossiping about nobles firsthand. The alert listener can learn a lot from a tone of voice, raised eyebrow or lip, or when and how long someone pauses when they are speaking.

The folk who attend Hawkwinter parties are eccentric and powerful-—and, if they’'re noble, up to something all the time. The scent of masked danger is always in the air.

Truly, a Waterdhavian noble’s feast is something all should enjoy. If you manage to acquire an invitation to one, by all means go out of your way to ensure that you get to go. However, I plan to attend my next one in my own clothes—-or at least in a slightly more dignified outfit.