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Westgate was a seedy and squalid metropolis—with a history in piracy, powerful crime syndicates, and nameless vampiric crime-lords. Westgate thrived on black-market trade and corruption, and was perhaps one of the most sordid cities in all of Faerûn. The legacy of scoundrels and spies was found in every alley, and danger lurked for the unprepared in every corner.[16] Despite this, it was the largest and most powerful city on the Dragon Coast.[17]

It was an open city that welcomed all travelers and citizens alike as long as they abided by the local laws and, of course, had enough coin.[12]

It was probably the oldest, richest and most corrupt port on the Sea of Fallen Stars. It received the nickname "Gateway to the West" from its role as the Inner Sea's most prolific port city.[18]

Ah, Westgate. They say that this is the city where anything goes and everything has a price, and that's pretty much the truth. It's the most powerful city on the Dragon Coast and the most ruthless. My advice is to watch your back at all times, or get someone to do it for you.
— The First Mate of the Sea Serpent.[19]

Society[]

Religion[]

Westhavians tolerated the worship of a wide variety of gods, including evil gods, and were proud of their openness.[20] The city's corruption extended to religious matters also, with clerics of some temples secretly pocketing donations.[21] Many temples were all to happy to sell spellcasting services or healing potions to adventurers, as a way to earn coin.[20]

Demonym[]

A person from Westgate was known as a Westar or a Westhavian.[22]

Culture[]

One local chapbook of note was a mean-spirited Ambritur's Whip. The publication was penned by anonymous contributors and focused on negative coverage of local establishments and events, as well as spreading gossip and rumors.[23]

Government[]

For over a thousand years, Westgate was ruled by various kings, but since Year of the Cockatrice, 1248 DR Westgate has been ruled as a republic. While in theory this allowed rule by the common people, in practice the corruption and criminality of Westgate allowed for continued rule by an oligarchy of merchant lords.[citation needed]

History[]

Main article: History of Westgate

This area of the Dragon Coast was first settled by humans from the Vilhon Reach roughly 1,000 years before the Standing Stone was erected in Cormanthor. The largest settlment was the human town of Westgate, ruled cruelly by the great topaz dragon Kisonraathiisar.[24]

In the Year of Bold Poachers, −349 DR, Saldrinar destroyed Kisonraathiisar and became Westgate's first human king.[25]

In the Year of Foul Awakenings, −286 DR, the vampire Orlak and a small army of mercenaries captured the city in a single night.[26] Orlak proclaimed himself the Night King and ruled until he is defeated by a group of Lathander-worshiping paladins in the Year of Many Harvests, −157 DR.[27]

In the Year of the Speaking Mountain, 257 DR, pirates from the Pirate Isles invaded Westgate and began the 200-year-long reign of the Pirate Kings.[28]

In the Year of the Cat's Eye, 429 DR the Chondathan mercenary captain Mulsantir Illistine attacked Westgate and overthrew the pirate kings.[9]

In the Year of Lightning Storms, 1374 DR, Westgate faced unrest caused by a guild war between the infamous Night Masks and a new organization knows as the Ebon Claws. The two gangs erupted the streets of Westgate in violence at night so new visitors to the city were warned.[19]

After the Spellplague, the Sea of Fallen Stars began to drain into the Underdark. The lower water level caused the shoreline to recede and, for a time, the harbor of Westgate was left high and dry. The docks were rebuilt on the new shoreline and the new dock area was known as Tidetown.[29]

With the rise of the Abolethic Sovereignty, Westgate came to be known as the only port on the Sea of Fallen Stars that had never come under attack from the aboleths. By the late 15th century DR, this had led to rumors of dark deals having been made to ensure the city's safety,[4] and indeed it did seem to enjoy some measure of special protection.[30]

During the Second Sundering the Great Rain caused the level of the Sea of Fallen Stars to rise, making flooding in Westgate commonplace. These tidal floods caused many structures to collapse, which in turn revealed the formerly hidden entrances to dungeons built in Tidetown.[31]

Foreign Policy[]

By the Year of the Ageless One, 1479 DR, Westgate was one of the few free cities left on the Dragon Coast not occupied by either Cormyr or Sembia. In order to preserve its independence Westgate played both powers against each other, perhaps even supporting insurrections within Cormyr's borders to stem its expansionism.[32]

Later, in the Year of the Rune Lords Triumphant, 1487 DR, following the collapse of the Shadovar-controlled Sembians, the primary foe of Westgate was Cormyr.[6]

Local expressions[]

Slang[]

Pigeon pinch
An ambush during which a courier is attacked by two groups of enemies: one to distract the target and its allies, the other to steal whatever it's carrying.[33]

Notable Locations[]

Inns, Taverns, and Festhalls[]

Shops[]

Temples to Good Gods[]

Temples to Neutral Gods[]

Westgate Arena

The arena in the Quivering Thumb.

Temples to Evil Gods[]

Other Locations[]

  • Westlight: The Harbor Tower lighthouse.
  • Westgate's stout city walls had six gates. Counter-clockwise from the northernmost gate: The Water Gate, The West Gate, Mulsantir's Gate, The South Gate, The River Gate, and The East Gate.
  • The Shore: A slum district, just outside The Water Gate.
  • Shou Quarter: District home of many immigrants from Shou.
  • Castle Thalavar: Gedrin Thalavar's childhood home and headquarters of the Eye of Justice.
  • Lair of the Night Masters: Formerly the lair of the vampire Orbahk.[38]
  • Tidetown: New dock district built after the sea level of the Sea of Fallen Stars dropped.
  • Darkdance Manor: Home of House Darkdance and ancestral home of Myrin Darkdance.[39]
  • Timeless Blade: A Fencing school.
  • The Quivering Thumb: Gladiatorial games with gambling.[12]

Notable Inhabitants[]

Westgate Regent

A vampire of Westgate

Organizations and Factions[]

Noble Houses[]

  • Athagdal: symbol is a set of russet weighing scales
  • Bleth: symbol is seven suns
  • Cormaeril: symbol is a red wyvern and a silver horn
  • Dhostar (defunct): symbol was a wagon wheel topped with three stars
  • Guldar: symbol is a black hawk
  • Malavhan: symbol is a red sun
  • Ssemm: symbol is an ivory bird's claw
  • Thalavar: symbol is a green feather
  • Thorsar: symbol is a blue hand holding corn
  • Urdo: symbol is a yellow eye
  • Vhammos: symbol is a steel-gray open hand

Appendix[]

Map[]

Appearances[]

Adventures
Curse of the Azure Bonds
Referenced only
Swords of the Iron LegionAnauroch: The Empire of ShadeStorm over Neverwinter
Novels
Azure BondsThe Reaver
Referenced only
The Ring of WinterCormyr: A NovelTymora's LuckBlackstaffPlague of Spells
Licensed Adventures & Organized Play
Dragon's Honor

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 117. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  2. Chris Tulach (October, 2009). “RPGA Update”. Dragon #381 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 115.
  3. Ed Greenwood (August 1992). “The Everwinking Eye: Words To The Wise”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #74 (TSR, Inc.), p. 14–15.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 116. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
  5. Erik Scott de Bie (October 2013). “Backdrop: Westgate”. In Miranda Horner ed. Dragon #428 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 6.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Erik Scott de Bie (October 2013). “Backdrop: Westgate”. In Miranda Horner ed. Dragon #428 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12.
  7. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  8. 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 86. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  9. 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 85. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  10. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 85–86. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 116. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 143. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Richard Lee Byers (Feb 4, 2014). The Reaver. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 79. ISBN 0786964588.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Erik Scott de Bie (October 2013). “Backdrop: Westgate”. In Miranda Horner ed. Dragon #428 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7.
  15. 15.0 15.1 Richard Lee Byers (Feb 4, 2014). The Reaver. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 63. ISBN 0786964588.
  16. Erik Scott de Bie (October 2013). “Backdrop: Westgate”. In Miranda Horner ed. Dragon #428 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 4.
  17. John Terra (February 1996). Warriors and Priests of the Realms. Edited by Steven E. Schend. (TSR, Inc), p. 30. ISBN 0-7869-0368-6.
  18. Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 117. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  19. 19.0 19.1 Ossian Studios (April 2009). Designed by Luke Scull. Neverwinter Nights 2: Mysteries of Westgate. Atari.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Erik Scott de Bie (October 2013). “Backdrop: Westgate”. In Miranda Horner ed. Dragon #428 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8.
  21. Erik Scott de Bie (October 2013). “Backdrop: Westgate”. In Miranda Horner ed. Dragon #428 (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 8–9.
  22. Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 73. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  23. So Saith Ed Oct – Dec 2006. (25-11-2021). Retrieved on 25-11-2021.
  24. Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 144. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  25. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 47. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  26. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 51. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  27. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 85. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  28. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 144. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  29. Mel Odom (2009). Wrath of the Blue Lady. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 9780786951925.
  30. 30.0 30.1 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 117. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
  31. Erik Scott de Bie (October 2013). “Backdrop: Westgate”. In Miranda Horner ed. Dragon #428 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 10.
  32. Richard Baker (August 11th, 2008). The one and only "Ask the Realms authors/designers thread" 4. Retrieved on January 8th, 2009.
  33. Graham Robert Scott (September 2001). “Thirds of Purloined Vellum”. In Chris Thomasson ed. Dungeon #88 (Wizards of the Coast) (88)., p. 51.
  34. Jason Carl, Sean K. Reynolds (October 2001). Lords of Darkness. Edited by Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 49. ISBN 07-8691-989-2.
  35. Erik Scott de Bie (September 2012). Eye of Justice. (Wizards of the Coast), loc. 5312. ISBN 978-0-7869-6135-1.
  36. Richard Lee Byers (Feb 4, 2014). The Reaver. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 84. ISBN 0786964588.
  37. 37.0 37.1 Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 116. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
  38. Erik Scott de Bie (September 2012). Eye of Justice. (Wizards of the Coast), loc. 2370. ISBN 978-0-7869-6135-1.
  39. Erik Scott de Bie (September 2012). Eye of Justice. (Wizards of the Coast), loc. 546. ISBN 978-0-7869-6135-1.
  40. Erik Scott de Bie (April 2009). Downshadow. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 978-0-7869-5128-4.
  41. Curtis Scott (March 1992). Pirates of the Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 978-1560763208.
  42. Steven E. Schend, Sean K. Reynolds and Eric L. Boyd (June 2000). Cloak & Dagger. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 158. ISBN 0-7869-1627-3.
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 51. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
  44. Erik Scott de Bie (September 2012). Eye of Justice. (Wizards of the Coast), loc. 3071. ISBN 978-0-7869-6135-1.
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