Waterdeep	-	The Guilds	-	The North
1st Edition AD&D	-	-	-	Forgotten Realms

34. THE SOLEMN ORDER OF RECOGNIZED FURRIERS &
WOOLMEN

Master: Thoss Bhalein (0 level fighter, merchant, Master
of the Order)
Headquarters: Guildhall of the Order, #34, Waterdeep
Way, Castle Ward
Livery: grey woollen cloaks trimmed with fur (winter),
skullcaps of grey wool with a fur fringe (summer)
Entrance: 25 gp fee upon application to the Master,
refunded if application refused
Dues: 2 gp/month
Contact: Shalrin Meraedos, Gentleman Keeper of the
Order (0 level fighter), Meraedos Fine Furs, #112, The
High Road, North Ward

This guild is rich, long-established, and tight-fisted. Its
members, all of old families, attempt to control all trade
in their field that enters Waterdeep by ruthlessly outbidding
independents. Sabotage (such as mysterious warehouse
fires or even highway banditry) is not unknown.
The current Master, Thoss Bhalein, elected from the
Guild ranks by the Order’s members upon the death of
his predecessor some twenty winters ago, has let no one
join the Order since he took office, and shows no sign of
changing his views, even encouraging wealthy members
of the Order to buy out weaker fellow members, to tighten
the Order’s control. Thoss will be master for life (or
unless he resigns his post, an almost unheard-of event
dying, bedridden Masters have often clung to their titles
for years after real power has passed from their hands),
and is presently sixty-one winters of age, but in good
health. This Order is one of the most lawful and conservative
in the City, and looks upon adventurers (and young,
entrepreneurial merchants in any field) as dangerous,
reckless brigands who by their actions threaten not only
the good name of merchants everywhere, but the very
stability of society.

The “recognized” of the Guild’s title refers to the proud
assertion that no member of the Order deals in secondhand,
doctored, or stolen wares, but is above reproach.
This is largely true, but is a claim occasionally rendered a
myth by certain Guild members.