Hello everybody Jorphdan here the PH is silent.
Continuing on with more factions of Faerun let’s dive into the Lords Alliance, also
known as The Council of Lords.
Founded in 1325 DR, The Year of the Great Harvest, it was established in Waterdeep
with membership coming from most of the cities and settlements of the Sword Coast North.
It was originally founded to help merchants in the north compete with the aggression from
Amn.
Amn was controlling most of the trade coming from the south so it was decided by the merchants
of the north to increase trade in the North.
Making it more self sufficient and taking Amn out of the equation.
In short they wanted to unify the defense of northern cities and promote their economic
interests.
Started in Waterdeep the Lords’ Alliance includes many cities in the North.
Silverymoon, Baldur’s Gate, Mirabar, Neverwinter and other free cities and towns within the
region.
Partially formed to increase trade within the North but also created to oppose the growing
influence of the Black Network in the North as well as the Shadow Thieves of Amn.
The Black Network being the Zhentarim which we’ll get into more next week!
The Shadow Thieves is a guild in Athkatla which is located in Amn.
Originally a thieves guild in Waterdeep the Lords of Waterdeep routed them out and they
moved to Athkatla making an arrangement with the council of six, which is the governing
body of Amn.
The Lords Alliance and the Zhentarim do not get along, and often members of the Lords
Alliance will execute raids against Zhentarim strongholds and outposts.
The Lords Alliance strives to keep the trade routes along the Sword Coast as safe as possible,
and free from Zhentarim influence.
Not all cities have decided to join the alliance.
Luskan has remained out of the alliance as well as southern lands such as Amn and Calimshan,
who rightfully so feel troubled about this in trading with the north only.
The cities within the Lords’ Alliance communicate through carrier pigeons and magic.
They have a military composed of militia from these cities and smaller villages nearby.
Large cities not only patrol their own lands, but aid smaller towns and support their local
militia to keep the lands safe and the trade routes open.
There are complaints from locals in the city that the Lords are wasting money on grubby
peasants, but the information coming in from these smaller villages has proven valuable.
This creates a great feeling of security within the walls of the city as well as for those
who pioneer the wilderness.
Adventurers are also hired to help out with security and exploration.
As of 5th edition the Lords’ Alliance has collectively agreed that evil needs to be
kept at bay.
Seek out and destroy threats to the homeland, is the calling for all agents of the Lords’
Alliance.
You’ll find bards, paladins, mages, and fighters all join the ranks of the Alliance.
Often they are decked out too, using quality equipment that was backed by the wealthy and
privileged of their respected city.
They are highly trained members.
They fight for glory and security of their people, and the Lords who rule over them.
Their beliefs are solid.
If civilization is to survive, all must unite against the dark forces that threaten it.
Glory comes from protecting one’s home.
The best defense is a strong offense.
They accomplish these goals by forming a strong coalition against whatever threatens the cities
of the north.
These threats are to be eliminated whenever they arise.
Join the cause and become a champion for your people.
Although the Lords’ Alliance does a lot of good, in its roots it was created to oppose
the Zhentarim.
Adventurer's are hired to raid Zhentarim strongholds and scout out their activity.
Now the Lords’ Alliance is that safety net for the people of the Sword Coast and the
North.
Despite the leaders and nobles of Faerun having conflicting goals and long-standing rivalries.
These can be put aside as they band together to face events that are too big for any one
of them to handle.
They can pull together when their survival depends on it.
Although the poor and common folk do benefit from this alliance, it is important to note
that the Lords’ Alliance represents the interests of the rich and the most powerful
armies on the Sword Coast.
Their unspoken goal is to control wealth that can hire mercenaries, to ensure loyalty, and
bribe whoever else.
Even while working together members of the Lords’ Alliance are advancing their own
agenda.
I mentioned earlier some of the members such as fighters, mages, paladins.
You’ll find plenty of those classes in a larger city.
You won’t find often barbarians, druids, or rangers that join the Lords’ Alliance.
They just don’t fit in with city life and often will join the Emerald Enclave instead.
Protecting nature and the balance rather than pleasing a nearby Lord.
This has lead to strained relations with the Emerald Enclave, their world views just don’t
sync up very well.
If anything the Lords’ Alliance has taught the cities of the north that it is better
to cooperate than fight.
Despite Luskan not joining the Alliance it’s malicious activities have been kept in check
thanks to neighboring cities being part of the Alliance.
This has also lead to stopping threats such as Orc Hordes and Northlander pirates.
The Lords’ Alliance was one of the factions that joined together to oppose the Cult of
the Dragon’s plot to release Tiamat.
Made popular in the Rise of Tiamat adventure.
And that’s it for today.
You could really take this alliance and make an entire game about it.
Perhaps there are those trying to do some political intrigue and upset the Alliance.
It’s your job to stop these rumors, and weed out the group attempting to destroy it.
Left with the question why would anyone want to destroy the Lords’ Alliance and create
possible war between these cities?
Thanks for watching everyone, if you want more information on the Lords Alliance you
can click my references section in the description below.
I’ll be back next week with a video on the Zhentarim.