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Piergeiron Paladinson (pronounced: /pɪərˈgɪərɒnpeer-GEER-on[6]) was the Open Lord of Waterdeep throughout most of the 1300s DR and leader of the Lords' Alliance.[7] He lived in Piergeiron's Palace in Waterdeep.[2]

Usually, the identities of the Lords of Waterdeep were concealed from the people, but Piergeiron was one of only four whose identities were known as of his tenure. He followed in the footsteps of his predecessors, Open Lords Ahghairon, Baeron, and Lhestyn.[8]

Description[]

Piergeiron was a tall, muscular, and strikingly handsome man with a firm jaw, and dark eyes.[2][1] His hair was curly slightly greying at the temples, adding to the man's regal aura.[1]

Personality[]

Piergeiron did not speak very often, understanding the tact of silence, and when he did, he spoke very slowly weighing his every word. This led to some of those around him nicknaming him "the Thickskull," although never in his presence.[2]

He was aware of the nickname, sometimes even laughing about it. Piergeiron used this misconception of his mental capabilities to his advantage. Having his political enemies underestimate him led to often made slip-ups in the negotiations, giving the Open Lord an upper hand.[9]

Piergeiron did not fear battle, he was quite capable of defending himself thanks to years of service prior to his life as a ruler. He preferred diplomacy to battle, but when he was pressed into a physical confrontation he fought with the knowledge he was blessed by his god.[1]

Activities[]

LordsOfWaterdeep

Piergeiron the Open Lord of Waterdeep.

Every year on Ahghairon's Day, Lord Piergeiron continued the tradition of stopping by a number of inns, taverns, and other establishments in order to offer his good will and best wishes to the Waterdhavian people.[10]

Relationships[]

Piergerion's father Athar, "the Shining Knight", was famed for slaying the great red wyrm Kistarianth the Red.[2]

Piergeiron's first wife, Shaleen, to whom he was married in his youth, died. Piergeiron's second marriage was to Maethiira, but she died as well in the Year of Moonfall, 1344 DR, leaving him with one daughter, Aleena Paladinstar, who left Waterdeep to explore the planes.[2][5]

Due to his position of power in Waterdeep, being above the guild law, he made a lot of enemies, including the Master Mariners' Guild.[1] Due to a number of potential threats, and assassination attempts,[10] Piegeiron was personally guarded by Madeiron Sunderstone, referred to as the "Champion of Piergeiron."[2][11]

Lord Piergeiron maintained strong ties with the royal family of the Moonshae Isles. He was an attendee at the wedding of Queen Alicia Kendrick.[12][13]

Possessions[]

Piergerion's favorite steed was Dreadnought.[14]

He wore a set of full plate mail armor, his magical shining shield +1, decorated with a warhammer and golden scales of Tyr atop its head. His holy avenger sword called Clamorour inherited from Piergerion's father Athar.[1]

Another notable holy avenger sword of his was Halcyon, a beautiful blade decorated with filigreed etchings, extremely effective against doppelgangers.[15]

History[]

Piergeiron was born to Athar, "the Shining Knight, the Arm of Tyr," a famous adventurer, and a paladin whose reputation saw spread throughout the entire Northland. The rumors floated all around the Sword Coast claiming that Athar was once a Lord of Waterdeep, but the truth of the matter was elusive. A lot of people have been saying that Piergeiron was destined for the position of the Lord of Waterdeep himself ever since his childhood.[9]

Piergeiron believed that he would serve Tyr better not wandering the lands adventuring, but establishing a strong central location. After creating a name for himself with heroic deeds and a career in the City Guard, he gained great favor with then Open Lord Lhestyn. Lord Lhestyn designated the brave paladin as his successor; upon the former's death in the Year of the Shadowtop, 1314 DR, Piergeiron accepted the position of the Open Lord of Waterdeep.[16][17]

Even Piergeiron's critics quickly came to understand and appreciate the young Lord'’s value. He became beloved by the general populace of Waterdeep for his diligence and ethics.[9]

Piergeiron was severely wounded in the Year of the Harp, 1355 DR, when Amril Zoar of the exiled noble family maliciously attacked the Lords of Waterdeep, killing two others at the same time.[18]

"Matters of rulership in the Realms are never simple. If you think they are, there's something you've missed. Look behind you quickly, and if no dagger's coming at you, turn back and look again. Harder."
— Piergeiron the Paladinson[19]

In the Year of Shadows, 1358 DR, during the Time of Troubles, a purported avatar of Selûne arrived in Waterdeep. Piergeiron and Khelben Arunsun covertly watched her arrival at the House of the Moon, while discussing the need for caution.[20] The avatar was later invited to a party at Castle Waterdeep, which was attended by Piergeiron and Khelben. Fenn Estelmer introduced Kyriani to Piergeiron, and she shared her concerns. While she spoke more with Khelben, the Dark Army of the Night crashed the party, seeking to kidnap the avatar. Piergeiron ordered the City Guard to stop them, though the avatar took care of them herself. Afterward, Kyriani confronted the avatar, but they fought a spell-battle, only stopped when Piergeiron intervened, commanding even the goddess to restrain herself. He had the City Guard apprehend Kyriani.[21]

Later, a group of lawyers approached Lord Piergeiron with an offer. The lawyers promised to streamline the handling of civil disputes as these took up increasing amounts of the Lord's Court's time. They pushed Piergeiron for an agreement and he unwisely and hastily agreed, signing a contract between the lawyers and the city. Furthermore, Piergeiron received his own attorney. However, the lawyers were more interested in the letter of the law, while Piergeiron simply made rulings based on their recommendations. Khelben hatched a plan to force the lawyers to renege on their contract and evict them from the city.[22]

He was noted as being "well past 50 winters" at the end of the Year of the Shield, 1367 DR, but his actual age was unknown.[23]

In the Year of the Gauntlet, 1369 DR, during Halaster's Higharvestide, Piergeiron slew Kistarianth the Red when the dragon rose again as a dracolich.[24] As of a a century later, his great feat was celebrated on Kythorn 20 as the Waterdhavian holiday known as Dragondown.[25]

Still holding the seat of the Open Lord of Waterdeep in the Year of the Unstrung Harp, 1371 DR,[note 1], Lord Piergeiron was in the middle of a lavish wedding ceremony to Eidola of Neverwinter (who looked a lot like the lord's long-lost love Shaleen), a descendant of the hero Boareskyr. The marriage was to bring prosperity to both Waterdeep and the Boareskyr family by establishing a profitable caravan route to Kara-Tur, crossing the Boareskyr Bridge. In a swirl of conspiracies and murder attempts by ravenous doppelgangers and treacherous members of the Master Mariners' Guild, the wedding was interrupted by a cloud of darkness and a group of summoned basal golems who abducted the bride and disappeared with her into the faraway Utter East.[14] Following the events of the failed wedding, Piergeiron fell mysteriously ill to his daughter's great distress. Aleena Paladinstar joined the rescue team assembled by Khelben Arunsun to rescue both Eidola and Piergeiron himself.[3]

In Tarsakh of the the Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR, Piergeiron, seven of his fellow Lords of Waterdeep, along with other heads of state from across the Heartlands and beyond held council with the Shadovar Prince, Aglarel Tanthul of Thultanthar, to discuss a potential alliance between the returned Netherese city and their new neighbors. The meeting went poorly, due in part to comments and actions made by Masked Lord Brian, but lines of communication between the parties remained open.[26] Despite the diplomatic setback, Prince Aglarel directed Shadovar's allies to aid the Army of the North—led by Waterdeep's own Laeral Silverhand—in its fight against the phaerimm, a demonstration good will to Piergeiron and the Masked Lords. Once again, Lord Brian insulted the Shadovar prince, an affront that Piergeiron did not condemn, and one that could not be forgiven by Aglarel. The Shadovar subsequently recalled their forces from the battlefield and refocused their efforts against the phaerimm elsewhere.[27]

Piergeiron was remained as the Open Lord as of the Year of Lightning Storms, 1374 DR.[16]

In the Year of the Lost Keep, 1379 DR Piergeiron the Paladinson died in office of age and ill health, after several assassination attempts at the hands of those increasingly impatient to replace him with their various stooges.[28]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Novels
ElfsongThe AbductionThornholdRising TideThe City of Splendors: A Waterdeep NovelThe PaladinsThe Siege
Referenced only
Tymora's Luck
Comics
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (#23)
Gamebooks
Spawn of Dragonspear
Video Games
Dungeons & Dragons: Eye of the BeholderLords of Waterdeep
Referenced only
Eye of the BeholderDescent to UndermountainNeverwinter Nights: Darkness over DaggerfordBaldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Board Games
Lords of Waterdeep

Gallery[]

Notes[]

  1. The Abduction, p.6 states that the wedding of Piergeiron the Paladinson and Eidola took place in the Year of the Haunting, 1377 DR. However, that date is implausible. Khelben Arunsun died in 1374 DR as depicted in Blackstaff (novel). Furthermore, Aleena Paladinstar was stated to be gone from Waterdeep by 1372 DR, planeswalking (City of Splendors: Waterdeep). On the other hand, the events of the Descent to Undermountain took place in 1370 DR, during which Aleena was actively banned from adventuring and any danger by her father. In the events of The Paladins, as well as the finale of the DDTS, Aleena took a central role, no longer bound by her father's rules. She later, with all the experience she received from battling the Unseen and hordes of Tanar'ri, felt confident enough to use her magic to traverse the planes. This places DDTS events likely in 1371 DR. This also does not conflict with appearances by Artemis Entreri, and the Neshers.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), p. 92. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 53. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
  3. 3.0 3.1 James M. Ward and David Wise (February 1998). The Paladins. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-0865-3.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), Running the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 40. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 24. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “DM's Sourcebook of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 29. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
  7. Jennell Jaquays (1988). The Savage Frontier. (TSR, Inc), p. 9. ISBN 0-88038-593-6.
  8. Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 67. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Ed Greenwood, et al (1989). Hall of Heroes. (TSR, Inc), p. 93. ISBN 0-88038-711-4.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 15. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
  11. Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 34. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
  12. Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), Running the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 22. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
  13. slade, et al. (April 1996). “The Wilderness”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), p. 10. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
  14. 14.0 14.1 J. Robert King (February 1998). The Abduction. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-0864-5.
  15. J. Robert King (February 1998). The Abduction. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 13. ISBN 0-7869-0864-5.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 11. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
  17. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 134. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  18. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 140. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  19. Ed Greenwood (October 2012). Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 68. ISBN 0786960345.
  20. Dan Mishkin (June 1990). “Selune Rising”. In Elliot S. Maggin ed. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons #19 (DC Comics) (19)., p. 14.
  21. Dan Mishkin (July 1990). “Dark of the Moon”. In Elliot S. Maggin ed. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons #20 (DC Comics) (20)., pp. 4–6, 11, 13, 19.
  22. Dan Mishkin (November 1990). “Lawyers!”. In Elliot S. Maggin ed. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons #23 (DC Comics) (23)., pp. 9–10, 23.
  23. Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 70. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
  24. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  25. Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 186. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.
  26. Troy Denning (December 2009). “The Siege”. Return of the Archwizards (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 280–287. ISBN 978-0-7869-5365-3.
  27. Troy Denning (December 2009). “The Siege”. Return of the Archwizards (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 348–353. ISBN 978-0-7869-5365-3.
  28. Ed Greenwood (Dec 1, 2019). TheEdVerse.
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