Trade embargo? Corruption??
Kythorn 7, 1493 DR After the City Watch barracks at the River Gate in the Trade Ward were recently attacked and overrun, there have been pamphlets posted throughout the city--on City Watch stationary, and spattered with blood--which read as follows: City Watch Memorandum From: Laeral Silverhand To: City Watch Captains (eyes only) Men, everything is proceeding according to plan. Keep up the good efforts. Our glorious city will soon be rid of these merchants. Our plan to blockade the city of all ships is going well. Remember to continue harassing merchants on entry into Waterdeep, until they have no desire to return to this city. We will soon have complete control over all trade coming into Waterdeep. Speculation is running rampant in the City. Some claim these pamphlets are obvious forgeries. While others note that there has been a dramatic reduction of shipping into Waterdeep in recent months--with rumors of a new pirate Lord who is attacking many ships heading north to Waterdee