Managing Intellectual Property in Faerûn: How the Waterdeep Trading Company Tracks, Secures, and Preserves Formulas, Notes, and Trade Documents

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December 18, 2025
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In Faerûn, knowledge carries weight equal to coin. A brewing formula, an enchantment sequence, or a trade contract can shape profit for years, or ruin it in a single careless moment. The Waterdeep Trading Company treats intellectual property as a managed asset, recorded, protected, and reviewed with the same discipline applied to inventory, gold, and routes.

This article explains how the company tracks and manages intellectual property, including formulas, research notes, patterns, and formal documents. It also describes how these records are stored in magical virtual archives, ensuring access control, version history, and long-term protection.

What Intellectual Property Is

Intellectual property within the Waterdeep Trading Company includes any nonphysical asset that creates value through knowledge or design. These items may originate as parchment, bound ledgers, or scrolls, but their authoritative form is always the recorded entry held by the company.

Examples include crafting formulas, enchantment notes, pattern schematics, pricing methods, supplier agreements, and internal research records created by staff or licensed from partner guilds.

Why It Matters

If a formula spreads beyond its license, margins disappear. If a document is altered without a record, disputes follow. If access is granted too widely, theft becomes easy.

Managing intellectual property ensures ownership is clear, usage is limited to approved roles, and changes are tracked over time. This protects profit, supports audits, and preserves trust with partners and guilds.

Categories of Intellectual Property

The company groups intellectual property into defined categories so each can be governed correctly.

Each category follows specific access and retention rules.

Ownership and Rights Tracking

Every intellectual property item is recorded with a clear owner and rights status. Ownership may belong solely to the Waterdeep Trading Company, to a partner guild, or be shared under a formal agreement.

This record prevents confusion and supports legal and financial review.

Role-Based Access Control

Access to intellectual property is granted by role, not by rank alone. This limits risk while allowing work to proceed.

Sage Archivists manage records and version history. Arcane Treasurers review IP tied to pricing, royalties, or valuation. Enchantments Officers access magical notes. Procurement officers may view licensed patterns but cannot alter them.

Magical Virtual Archives

Intellectual property records are stored in magical virtual archives rather than relying solely on physical storage. These archives are extradimensional record vaults bound to the company charter and maintained by the Sage Archivists.

Records exist as sealed entries. A user does not remove a document. They view a sanctioned copy that fades once access ends. The authoritative record remains untouched unless an approved edit is sealed.

This approach reduces loss, copying, and tampering.

Why Virtual Archives Are Used

Physical records can be stolen, damaged, or secretly copied. Magical virtual archives enforce rules automatically.

They ensure that only approved roles can access records, that every change is logged, and that unauthorized copying either fails or leaves a trace. This protects trade secrets while still supporting daily operations.

Archive Access Levels

Access is granted through role seals tied to guild authority.

Version Control and Change History

Every approved change creates a new sealed version. Older versions remain intact and cannot be altered.

Version history records when a change occurred, who made it, and why. This allows the company to trace decisions during disputes, quality issues, or license reviews.

Storage and Retention Rules

Active formulas and patterns remain in live archive layers. Retired or expired items are moved to cold vault layers that require senior approval to access.

Research notes are retained even if unused, as future value may exist. Destruction of records is rare and permitted only when explicitly authorized by the company charter.

Worked Example

The Waterdeep Trading Company develops a new heating rune for cooking wares.

A Sage Archivist creates an IP record under Enchantment Notes. Ownership is marked as company-owned. Usage rights are internal only. Access is granted to Enchantments Officers and selected smiths.

When the rune is adjusted to reduce fuel use, a new version is sealed. Prior versions remain locked. Arcane Treasurers review the change to confirm pricing assumptions remain valid.

When production expands, the archive automatically enforces access limits, preventing wider copying of the formula.

Final Thoughts

Intellectual property is quiet value. It does not sit on a shelf, yet it shapes profit, safety, and trust. By combining clear records, role-based access, version control, and magical virtual archives, the Waterdeep Trading Company ensures its knowledge remains protected and functional.

Knowledge that is governed lasts longer than knowledge that is merely written down.

Support the AD&D365 Project on Patreon.  To grow this world, we’ve launched an official Patreon page where supporters can access exclusive content, tools, and training labs, and even influence the project’s future. Your support fuels more than just development; it expands the guildhall, forges new scrolls, and empowers the next generation of configuration wizards.  Begin your journey: https://www.patreon.com/adnd365/

A Grateful Salute to Our Patrons.  To all those who stand behind the vision, thank you for helping bring this world to life. Our Benefactors, Andre Breillatt and Eryndor Fiscairn‡, your boundless generosity fuels the arcane core of this project. Without your magic, the weave would falter. Our Apprentices, the spell engines turn, and the training labs thrive thanks to our current Apprentices: Michael Ramirez and Andreth Bael’Rathyn‡. Special thanks to our past Apprentices, whose contributions helped us get here: Ralf Weber, Wendy Rijners, Shashi Mahesh, Julia Tejera, Ben Ekokobe, Tiago Xavier, Naveen Boyinapelli, Marcos Tadeu Wolf, Kathryn Greene, Jason Brown, Mark Christy, and Ashish Singh. Our Initiates, Jesper Livbjerg, Peter Lorre, Gregory Brigden, and Martin Grahm, your commitment marks the start of the deeper path, stepping beyond mere observation into the active shaping of this realm. Our Followers, your steady presence along the journey is a beacon of encouragement: Rusty Cavalier, Eric Shuss, Sunil Panchal, Sarah D. Morgan, Nick Ramchandani, Daniel Kjærsgaard, and Tomasz Pałys. And our Voyeurs, Harry Burgh, Abdelrahman Nabil, and Basil Quarrell, ever watching from the shadows, clearly intrigued… but not enough to part with a single gold piece. Your silent curiosity is noted and mildly judged.

Want to design your own economic models in Faerûn?  Get your own AD&D365 Environment and guides at adnd365.com/start, and request access to the public view of the current database at https://public.adnd365.com – Login npc@adnd365.com, Password N0nPl@yC#822!

Wagon Wheel and Horseshoe Management in Faerûn: How the Waterdeep Trading Company Tracks Wear and Decides When to Replace Critical Transport Gear

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December 17, 2025
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Across the Sword Coast, trade moves at the pace of hooves and turning wheels. From short runs between Waterdeep wards to long caravan routes toward Baldur’s Gate or Silverymoon, wagons and horses take constant strain. The Waterdeep Trading Company treats wagon wheels and horseshoes as managed assets, not afterthoughts. Poor timing on replacement leads to broken axles, lame horses, lost cargo, and missed contracts. Careful tracking keeps goods moving and costs predictable.

This article explains how the company monitors wear, records inspections, and determines when to replace wheels and shoes before failure.

What This Management Covers

Wagon wheel and horseshoe management is the practice of tracking usage, condition, and service life of the two most-stressed components in overland transport. It applies to company-owned wagons, leased caravans, and draft or riding horses assigned to trade routes.

The goal is simple. Replace parts early enough to avoid breakdowns, but not so early that coin is wasted.

Why It Matters

A failed wheel or a thrown shoe rarely happens near a city forge. Breakdowns delay deliveries, expose cargo to theft, and drive repair costs far above planned maintenance costs.

For the Waterdeep Trading Company, this affects:

  • Route reliability and delivery promises
  • Caravan safety and animal welfare
  • Maintenance budgets and cost control
  • Accurate pricing of long-haul contracts

Tracking Wagon Wheel Wear

Each wagon is assigned a wheel set record. Inspections are logged at defined intervals, typically upon route completion or at set distances traveled.

Wear is judged on rim thickness, spoke cracks, hub looseness, and iron band condition.

Each indicator is marked as Green, Amber, or Red in the maintenance log. Red status blocks the wagon from assignment.

Tracking Horseshoe Wear

Horseshoes are tracked per horse, not per route. Different animals wear shoes at different rates based on weight, gait, and load.

Farriers inspect shoes during rest stops and at stables. Records note nail tightness, shoe thinning, and hoof edge damage.

Any sign of gait change moves the horse to inspection status, even if the shoe looks intact.

Replacement Decision Rules

The company uses clear rules to avoid debate in the field.

Wheels are replaced based on condition, not age. A lightly used city wagon may keep wheels for years, while a mountain route wagon may need them twice a season.

Horseshoes follow shorter cycles and are replaced on a planned schedule unless they show early wear.

These rules allow caravan masters to act without waiting for head office approval.

Worked Example: Luskan Trade Run

A wagon assigned to the Waterdeep to Luskan route returns after 420 miles. Inspection shows rim thinning marked Amber and a minor spoke crack on one wheel.

The wheel is set to Red due to the crack. Replacement is scheduled before the next run. The cost is posted as planned maintenance rather than emergency repair.

At the same time, two draft horses show loose nails but no gait issues. Shoes are reset, not replaced, saving material cost while keeping the animals fit.

Accounting and Records

Maintenance costs are posted to route or fleet cost centers. Planned replacements are budgeted. Emergency repairs are tracked separately to highlight avoidable failures.

This allows Greta Ironfist and the Arcane Treasurers to see which routes cause excess wear and adjust pricing or routing.

Realms Aware Considerations

Road conditions vary sharply across Faerûn. Stone roads near Waterdeep are gentle on wheels but challenging on shoes. Forest tracks damage spokes. Coastal routes rust iron bands faster.

Seasonal weather also matters. Spring mud loosens hubs, winter ice chips hooves. Records always note season and route type.

Final Thoughts

Wagon wheels and horseshoes decide whether trade flows or stalls. By treating them as tracked assets, the Waterdeep Trading Company avoids roadside failures and keeps its promises to customers across the Sword Coast.

Careful inspection, clear rules, and steady records turn simple iron and wood into reliable trade tools.

Support the AD&D365 Project on Patreon.  To grow this world, we’ve launched an official Patreon page where supporters can access exclusive content, tools, and training labs, and even influence the project’s future. Your support fuels more than just development; it expands the guildhall, forges new scrolls, and empowers the next generation of configuration wizards.  Begin your journey: https://www.patreon.com/adnd365/

A Grateful Salute to Our Patrons.  To all those who stand behind the vision, thank you for helping bring this world to life. Our Benefactors, Andre Breillatt and Eryndor Fiscairn‡, your boundless generosity fuels the arcane core of this project. Without your magic, the weave would falter. Our Apprentices, the spell engines turn, and the training labs thrive thanks to our current Apprentices: Michael Ramirez and Andreth Bael’Rathyn‡. Special thanks to our past Apprentices, whose contributions helped us get here: Ralf Weber, Wendy Rijners, Shashi Mahesh, Julia Tejera, Ben Ekokobe, Tiago Xavier, Naveen Boyinapelli, Marcos Tadeu Wolf, Kathryn Greene, Jason Brown, Mark Christy, and Ashish Singh. Our Initiates, Jesper Livbjerg, Peter Lorre, Gregory Brigden, and Martin Grahm, your commitment marks the start of the deeper path, stepping beyond mere observation into the active shaping of this realm. Our Followers, your steady presence along the journey is a beacon of encouragement: Rusty Cavalier, Eric Shuss, Sunil Panchal, Sarah D. Morgan, Nick Ramchandani, Daniel Kjærsgaard, and Tomasz Pałys. And our Voyeurs, Harry Burgh, Abdelrahman Nabil, and Basil Quarrell, ever watching from the shadows, clearly intrigued… but not enough to part with a single gold piece. Your silent curiosity is noted and mildly judged.

Want to design your own economic models in Faerûn?  Get your own AD&D365 Environment and guides at adnd365.com/start, and request access to the public view of the current database at https://public.adnd365.com – Login npc@adnd365.com, Password N0nPl@yC#822!

Employee Expenses in Faerûn: How the Waterdeep Trading Company Records, Reviews, and Pays Worker Expenses

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December 16, 2025
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Across Faerûn, trade does not happen from behind a desk alone. Clerks travel between guild halls, cartographers ride with caravans, and procurement officers cross regions to secure goods. The Waterdeep Trading Company acknowledges that its employees will spend company funds. The risk is not the spending itself, but the loss of control over how it is recorded, reviewed, and repaid.

Employee expense processing exists to solve that problem. It gives the company a straightforward way to let workers spend when needed, while keeping the ledger accurate and auditable. This article explains how employee expenses are handled, how they are coded using expense categories, and how those costs move from receipt to reimbursement within the Waterdeep Trading Company.

What Employee Expense Processing Is

Employee expense processing is the controlled process by which employees submit costs they paid personally for company-related duties. These costs are reviewed, approved, posted to the ledger, and then reimbursed from company funds.

Unlike vendor invoices, these expenses typically begin with a worker and end with a payment to the same worker. Because of this, strict rules and clear coding are required to prevent misuse and to keep costs tied to the correct purpose.

Why It Matters to the Waterdeep Trading Company

The Waterdeep Trading Company operates across cities, regions, and trade routes. Without proper expense processing:

  • Travel costs blend into overhead with no clarity
  • Small purchases disappear from cost tracking
  • Audits become guesswork instead of review
  • Workers lose trust if repayments are late or disputed

A defined expense process protects both the company and its people. It also ensures that travel, trade missions, and field work can continue without delay.

Core Expense Categories and Ledger Coding

Each employee expense must be coded to an expense category. The category controls posting behavior, allowed limits, and review rules.

The following table shows common expense categories used by the Waterdeep Trading Company, with Faerûn-specific flavor and clear accounting intent.

Each category ensures that costs are posted to the correct part of the ledger and can be reviewed by purpose rather than by person.

Expense Submission Flow

The standard flow for employee expenses follows a predictable pattern.

  1. A worker incurs an expense while on an approved company activity.
  2. The worker submits an expense report with dates, amounts, and category codes.
  3. Receipts are attached when required.
  4. A supervisor reviews the expense for the purpose and reason.
  5. Approved expenses are posted to the ledger.
  6. Reimbursement is paid to the worker.

This flow separates responsibility. Workers submit. Managers approve. Treasurer’s post and pay.

Worked Example One: Trade Route Travel

Elira Moonshadow, Special Courier, travels from Waterdeep to Daggerford on company business.

She pays for:

  • Horse hire for two days
  • One night at a roadside inn
  • Meals during travel

After approval, the posting is straightforward:

  • Debit travel, meals, and lodging expense accounts
  • Credit employee reimbursement liability
  • Payment clears the liability

Worked Example Two: Arcane Procurement Expense

Selene Duskbloom, Magical Trade Officer, purchases arcane inks while negotiating a Mage Guild supply contract.

Because arcane components affect regulated costs, this expense requires an additional approval by the Magical Trade Officer role before posting.

Policy Controls and Common Rules

To keep expenses fair and controlled, the Waterdeep Trading Company applies standard rules:

  • Meal costs have daily limits by region
  • Lodging must match approved inns where possible
  • Arcane purchases require role-based approval
  • Missing receipts require a written explanation
  • Personal and company expenses may not mix

These rules protect the ledger and simplify review.

How Expenses Appear in the Ledger

Once approved, expenses no longer belong to the worker. They belong to the company.

From a ledger view:

  • Each category posts to a defined expense account
  • The worker’s balance is cleared upon payment
  • Reports can be run by worker, category, route, or period

This allows the Arcane Treasurers to answer vital yet straightforward questions, such as which routes incur the highest support costs or which roles carry the highest field-expense burden.

Realms Aware Considerations

Faerûn adds its own challenges:

  • Some regions prefer barter equivalents
  • Guild fees vary by city
  • Travel risks change seasonal costs
  • Arcane supplies fluctuate in price due to demand

Expense categories allow these variations to be tracked without breaking structure.

Final Thoughts

Employee expense processing is not about limiting trust. It is about recording truth. The Waterdeep Trading Company succeeds because it allows workers to act quickly while keeping records clean, fair, and clear.

By using defined categories, consistent approvals, and proper posting, expenses support trade rather than obscure it.

Support the AD&D365 Project on Patreon.  To grow this world, we’ve launched an official Patreon page where supporters can access exclusive content, tools, and training labs, and even influence the project’s future. Your support fuels more than just development; it expands the guildhall, forges new scrolls, and empowers the next generation of configuration wizards.  Begin your journey: https://www.patreon.com/adnd365/

A Grateful Salute to Our Patrons.  To all those who stand behind the vision, thank you for helping bring this world to life. Our Benefactors, Andre Breillatt and Eryndor Fiscairn‡, your boundless generosity fuels the arcane core of this project. Without your magic, the weave would falter. Our Apprentices, the spell engines turn, and the training labs thrive thanks to our current Apprentices: Michael Ramirez and Andreth Bael’Rathyn‡. Special thanks to our past Apprentices, whose contributions helped us get here: Ralf Weber, Wendy Rijners, Shashi Mahesh, Julia Tejera, Ben Ekokobe, Tiago Xavier, Naveen Boyinapelli, Marcos Tadeu Wolf, Kathryn Greene, Jason Brown, Mark Christy, and Ashish Singh. Our Initiates, Jesper Livbjerg, Peter Lorre, Gregory Brigden, and Martin Grahm, your commitment marks the start of the deeper path, stepping beyond mere observation into the active shaping of this realm. Our Followers, your steady presence along the journey is a beacon of encouragement: Rusty Cavalier, Eric Shuss, Sunil Panchal, Sarah D. Morgan, Nick Ramchandani, Daniel Kjærsgaard, and Tomasz Pałys. And our Voyeurs, Harry Burgh, Abdelrahman Nabil, and Basil Quarrell, ever watching from the shadows, clearly intrigued… but not enough to part with a single gold piece. Your silent curiosity is noted and mildly judged.

Want to design your own economic models in Faerûn?  Get your own AD&D365 Environment and guides at adnd365.com/start, and request access to the public view of the current database at https://public.adnd365.com – Login npc@adnd365.com, Password N0nPl@yC#822!

Route Types in Faerûn: How the Waterdeep Trading Company Moves Goods Across Faerûn

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December 15, 2025
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Trade in Faerûn is governed by cost control, timing discipline, and careful handling of risk, both mundane and arcane. From the docks of Waterdeep to the long caravan roads leading to Baldur’s Gate and the portal halls of Silverymoon, the Waterdeep Trading Company succeeds because it plans routes with precision. Each route type reflects a specific trade pattern, chosen to balance distance, volume, urgency, and security.

This article explains the most common route types used by the Waterdeep Trading Company and provides worked examples for each. Each example breaks the route into legs, showing distance, pickup and drop-off quantities, and cost per leg. This level of detail supports both logistics planning and ledger review.

What Route Types Are

A route type defines the movement pattern used to transfer goods between locations. It determines whether a caravan travels directly to a single destination, visits several locations in sequence, loops back to its origin, or passes through a central hub. Selecting the correct route type reduces wasted travel, improves delivery timing, and protects valuable or sensitive goods.

Why Route Details Matter

Breaking routes down to the leg level enables the Waterdeep Trading Company to manage operations and finances in tandem. This structure enables caravan masters and Arcane Treasurers to calculate accurate cost-per-segment, track inventory movement by location, allocate expenses for profitability review, and improve loading and unloading control at intermediate stops.

Common Route Types in Faerûn

The table below lists the primary route types used by the Waterdeep Trading Company and the situations in which each is applied.

Worked Examples with Route Legs

Each example below begins with a short scenario, followed by a level-by-level table. Fixed fees are applied after travel costs to show the full route impact.

Direct Route Example

Enchanted swords are shipped from Waterdeep to Baldur’s Gate with no delay permitted.  The table below shows how travel costs accumulate along the route.

Additional costs include a guard fee of 50.00 FSD and a magical stabilizer cost of 25.00 FSD.

The total route cost is 150.00 FSD.

Milk Run Example

A single caravan departs Waterdeep, serves Amphail, Rassalantar, and Secomber, then returns.  This route combines delivery and pickup activity across several stops.

Fixed costs include a guard fee of 60.00 FSD and loading and unloading charges of 30.00 FSD per stop.

The total route cost is 120.00 FSD.

Circular Route Example

A regional loop runs from Waterdeep to Daggerford, onward to Baldur’s Gate, then back to Waterdeep.  This route supports steady regional demand.

Additional costs include guard fees of 100.00 FSD and lodging costs of 40.00 FSD.

The total route cost is 236.00 FSD.

Hub and Spoke Example

Goods move from Waterdeep to a hub in Daggerford, then outward to Amphail, Secomber, Rassalantar, and Goldenfields.

A hub handling fee of 50.00 FSD is applied.

The total route cost is 80.00 FSD.

Portal Route Example

Rare spell kits are transferred from Waterdeep to Silverymoon using an arcane portal.

A portal toll of 200.00 FSD and a magical stabilizer cost of 50.00 FSD are applied.

The total route cost is 250.00 FSD.

Route Comparison Summary

The table below provides a single view of all route options using total distance and total cost. This view is used during planning councils and budget reviews.

This summary highlights how different routing strategies trade distance for fixed fees, consolidation, or speed.

Final Thoughts

Detailed route planning gives the Waterdeep Trading Company complete visibility into how goods and coin move together. By tracking distance, quantities, and cost at the leg level, the company improves control, reduces waste, and supports reliable trade across Faerûn. Milk runs serve small settlements, hub routes scale distribution, direct routes protect valuable cargo, and portal routes support urgent needs. Each route type has a clear place when applied with discipline.

Support the AD&D365 Project on Patreon.  To grow this world, we’ve launched an official Patreon page where supporters can access exclusive content, tools, and training labs, and even influence the project’s future. Your support fuels more than just development; it expands the guildhall, forges new scrolls, and empowers the next generation of configuration wizards.  Begin your journey: https://www.patreon.com/adnd365/

A Grateful Salute to Our Patrons.  To all those who stand behind the vision, thank you for helping bring this world to life. Our Benefactors, Andre Breillatt and Eryndor Fiscairn‡, your boundless generosity fuels the arcane core of this project. Without your magic, the weave would falter. Our Apprentices, the spell engines turn, and the training labs thrive thanks to our current Apprentices: Michael Ramirez and Andreth Bael’Rathyn‡. Special thanks to our past Apprentices, whose contributions helped us get here: Ralf Weber, Wendy Rijners, Shashi Mahesh, Julia Tejera, Ben Ekokobe, Tiago Xavier, Naveen Boyinapelli, Marcos Tadeu Wolf, Kathryn Greene, Jason Brown, Mark Christy, and Ashish Singh. Our Initiates, Jesper Livbjerg, Peter Lorre, Gregory Brigden, and Martin Grahm, your commitment marks the start of the deeper path, stepping beyond mere observation into the active shaping of this realm. Our Followers, your steady presence along the journey is a beacon of encouragement: Rusty Cavalier, Eric Shuss, Sunil Panchal, Sarah D. Morgan, Nick Ramchandani, Daniel Kjærsgaard, and Tomasz Pałys. And our Voyeurs, Harry Burgh, Abdelrahman Nabil, and Basil Quarrell, ever watching from the shadows, clearly intrigued… but not enough to part with a single gold piece. Your silent curiosity is noted and mildly judged.

Want to design your own economic models in Faerûn?  Get your own AD&D365 Environment and guides at adnd365.com/start, and request access to the public view of the current database at https://public.adnd365.com – Login npc@adnd365.com, Password N0nPl@yC#822!

Promotional Events in Faerûn: How the Waterdeep Trading Company Supports Local Fundraisers Through Discounted Goods and Shared Proceeds

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December 12, 2025
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Across the Sword Coast, community halls, temples, schools, and guild shelters often host fundraisers to fund repairs, sponsor apprentices, or support relief efforts after storms or skirmishes. The Waterdeep Trading Company has long participated in these events by supplying goods at a reduced internal price, thereby allowing the fundraiser to retain the surplus from sales. This practice blends goodwill with proper ledger control, giving community groups a safe way to raise coin while keeping company accounts sound.

This article explains how these events are prepared, priced, tracked, and settled within the company. It is written in the style used by the Arcane Treasurers and the Records Office, combining clear trade practice with Faerûnian flavor.

What These Fundraiser Events Are

A fundraiser event is a temporary partnership between the Waterdeep Trading Company and a local group. Goods are supplied at a price below the normal selling price, often at or slightly above cost. The fundraiser sells them at a standard market price during an event such as a harvest fair, temple supper, or guild apprenticeship drive. The fundraising group retains the positive difference, and the company records the revenue reduction as part of its community contribution ledger.

Why This Matters

These events strengthen ties with communities across the Sword Coast. They also require careful accounting, since goods leave company stock at one price yet retail on the street at another. The company must track the inventory, the reduced price, the contribution value, and any unsold items returned from the fundraiser.

How the Company Handles the Process

Event Setup

The Records Office creates an internal event record with:
• Fundraiser name and sponsor
• Dates of the event
• Goods offered
• Discounted fundraiser price
• Expected quantities

The Arcane Treasurer team reviews the discounted price to ensure it covers basic costs.

Pricing and Inventory Release

Goods are transferred from the central storehouse at a special fundraising price. This avoids confusion with regular wholesale or retail orders. Freight or handling costs are either waived or absorbed into the community contribution line.

Sales and Settlement

When the fundraiser concludes, the group submits its sales scroll, which shows quantities sold and coins collected.
The fundraiser retains the surplus between the retail price and the discounted purchase price.
The Waterdeep Trading Company posts revenue only for the discounted amount.  Any unsold goods are returned to stock at the same reduced value.

Components of the Fundraiser Arrangement

The table below introduces the core elements of these events, enabling all clerks to reference them during setup, and outlines the key components of the fundraiser setup and how each supports the event.

Worked Example

A temple in the North Ward hosts a winter cloak drive. The Waterdeep Trading Company agrees to supply wool cloaks at a reduced price.

The retail price of each cloak is 20.00 FSD.
The fundraiser price is 12.00 FSD.
The temple sells them for full price and keeps the surplus.

This table walks through the financial results using simple numbers.

The temple raises 320.00 FSD to help residents in need.
The Waterdeep Trading Company reports fair revenue from the reduced price and records the support in its community contribution ledger.

Realms Aware Considerations

Regional demand affects which goods are best for fundraisers. Cloaks do well in the North. Lanterns do well in Luskan. Dry goods or herbal kits resonate in smaller towns. The principle remains the same across all provinces: provide suitable goods, apply a responsible discount, and maintain clean accounts.

Final Thoughts

Fundraiser promotions demonstrate how trade can serve the common good while adhering to proper accounting practices. Community groups gain needed support, and the Waterdeep Trading Company strengthens its standing across Faerûn through dependable and fair dealings.

Support the AD&D365 Project on Patreon.  To grow this world, we’ve launched an official Patreon page where supporters can access exclusive content, tools, and training labs, and even influence the project’s future. Your support fuels more than just development; it expands the guildhall, forges new scrolls, and empowers the next generation of configuration wizards.  Begin your journey: https://www.patreon.com/adnd365/

A Grateful Salute to Our Patrons.  To all those who stand behind the vision, thank you for helping bring this world to life. Our Benefactors, Andre Breillatt and Eryndor Fiscairn‡, your boundless generosity fuels the arcane core of this project. Without your magic, the weave would falter. Our Apprentices, the spell engines turn, and the training labs thrive thanks to our current Apprentices: Michael Ramirez and Andreth Bael’Rathyn‡. Special thanks to our past Apprentices, whose contributions helped us get here: Ralf Weber, Wendy Rijners, Shashi Mahesh, Julia Tejera, Ben Ekokobe, Tiago Xavier, Naveen Boyinapelli, Marcos Tadeu Wolf, Kathryn Greene, Jason Brown, Mark Christy, and Ashish Singh. Our Initiates, Jesper Livbjerg, Peter Lorre, Gregory Brigden, and Martin Grahm, your commitment marks the start of the deeper path, stepping beyond mere observation into the active shaping of this realm. Our Followers, your steady presence along the journey is a beacon of encouragement: Rusty Cavalier, Eric Shuss, Sunil Panchal, Sarah D. Morgan, Nick Ramchandani, Daniel Kjærsgaard, and Tomasz Pałys. And our Voyeurs, Harry Burgh, Abdelrahman Nabil, and Basil Quarrell, ever watching from the shadows, clearly intrigued… but not enough to part with a single gold piece. Your silent curiosity is noted and mildly judged.

Want to design your own economic models in Faerûn?  Get your own AD&D365 Environment and guides at adnd365.com/start, and request access to the public view of the current database at https://public.adnd365.com – Login npc@adnd365.com, Password N0nPl@yC#822!

Catchweight and Variable Measure in Faerûn: How the Waterdeep Trading Company Distinguishes Two Similar but Separate Tracking Methods

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December 11, 2025
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Across Faerûn, merchants and guilds work with goods that rarely behave in uniform ways. Some arrive with uneven cuts, some stretch or shrink when handled, and others flow or coil into shapes that defy standard form. Two tracking methods address these challenges within the Waterdeep Trading Company. These are catchweight and variable measures. The two are often confused, yet each follows a distinct tradition rooted in long-standing trade customs from the Sword Coast to the inland markets.

This expanded article explores how each method works, why they diverge, and how the company applies them to tangible goods.

What Catchweight Is

Catchweight is used when an item is traded and inventoried as a single unit, yet its value depends on its actual weight. The piece is counted as one, but no two pieces weigh the same. The ledger must therefore carry both the count and the weight for every item received. This method applies to goods shaped by hand, harvested in uneven portions, or carved from natural materials.

Boar meat from farms near Daggerford offers a clear example. Hunters deliver each haunch as a single piece, but the weight of each cut varies. The company must accept the count as a whole unit and price the cut based on its recorded weight. The same applies to the stone blocks quarried in the Western Heartlands. Each block is counted as a single unit, yet the density of the stone and the irregularity of its cut make the accurate measure of value. Even cheese wheels brought in from Amn follow this rule. Farmers shape them by hand, and each wheel comes out slightly different. Merchants rely on weight to ensure fair payment between buyers and suppliers.

In all these cases, the company treats each item as one object, one unit in stock, yet uses weight as the companion measure for valuation. This duality is central to catchweight.

This table highlights the essential traits of catchweight and why it is applied to certain goods.

What Variable Measure Is

Variable measure is used when an item has no practical piece count at all. Instead, its measure is the only value that matters. These goods are destined to be cut, poured, stretched, or shaped during use. A piece means nothing. Only the remaining measure matters.

Cloth from the Waterdeep Weaver’s Guild is a perfect example. A bolt may arrive with forty-five yards, and tailors may cut ten yards for a robe, two yards for a sash, or a fraction for lining. The bolt does not shrink as a piece. It simply loses length. The ledger tracks the remaining yards until the entire bolt is consumed. Rope coils behave the same way. A sailor may cut a short length for a rig, and the ledger only needs to record how many yards remain in the coil. Timber beams brought from the Western Heartlands also fall under this method. A carpenter trims a beam to fit a frame, yet there is no expectation that the leftover sections be counted as separate pieces—only the remaining length or volume matters.

Variable measure places complete focus on the unit of measure. It assumes goods will change form and size through regular use. No count is required, and no record of pieces is ever created.

This table outlines the essential traits of variable measure and why it differs from catchweight.

Why These Methods Are Not the Same

Catchweight and variable measure appear similar because both acknowledge irregular goods. Yet their rules diverge sharply.

In catchweight, the piece is the item’s core identity. A smoked boar cut is one cut. A cheese wheel is one wheel. A quarry stone is one block. The weight varies, and this variation affects the cost and selling price. The ledger, therefore, carries two values at all times: the count and the weight. Workers know that the item cannot be freely divided without changing its identity. A cheese wheel cut in two is no longer a single wheel, and the tracking method fails. The item must remain whole.

Variable measure takes the opposite approach. The item has no identity as a piece. A bolt of cloth is not one object in the same sense as a cheese wheel. It is simply forty-five yards of fabric. Cutting it into sections does not change its identity. A rope coil does not become two pieces in the ledger when a length is cut. It becomes a smaller total measure. Pieces do not matter because pieces do not exist.

This fundamental difference shapes how the company handles stock, cost, and issue.

Expanded Examples

The Cheese Wheel: When a caravan from Amn arrives with six cheese wheels, the ledger records six units, each with its individual weight. One wheel may weigh twelve pounds, another thirteen, and a third eleven and a half. The workers stack all six wheels together, yet the enchanted scales beneath the receiving table track each weight precisely. Later, when the cheese is sold to taverns in the Dock Ward or noble kitchens in the Sea Ward, the invoice reflects the recorded weight, not a fixed price per wheel. The identity of each wheel remains whole. Cutting the wheel would force it out of its tracking method, so the guild sells wheels intact unless a special arrangement is made.

The Cloth Bolt:  A bolt arriving from the Weaver’s Guild is handled quite differently. A forty-five-yard bolt is logged simply as forty-five yards. When tailors request fabric for company uniforms or mage robes, they draw the exact length required. After cutting, the ledger updates the remaining measure. No one records the number of cuts taken from the bolt. When it is finally used up, there is no history of pieces, only a record of how many yards were issued and to which workshop. The bolt’s design allows division, so the tracking method supports it without penalty.

The Stone Block:  Stone quarried in the Western Heartlands is carried to Waterdeep as single blocks. Each block is heavy and irregular. Workers measure its weight upon receipt, then use that value in both cost and freight calculations. A mason could reshape the block later, yet the original count and weight must be preserved for audit purposes. This reinforces the rule that the block is a single-tracked unit, and the ledger will not follow every future chip removed by masons. It cares only about the original block.

The Rope Coil:  A coil of rope behaves in the exact opposite way. A sailor or warehouse worker needs only a length sufficient to secure a load or repair a harness. Cutting the rope is expected, repeated, and unremarkable. The remaining coil remains unchanged. The ledger reflects only the new measured total. No worker needs to track how many pieces the rope becomes divided into.

Side-by-Side Comparison

This table compares how the ledger treats the two methods and why they are not interchangeable.

Why the Company Keeps Them Separate

Each method influences freight rules, vendor contracts, customer pricing, and internal cost control. Catchweight affects transport fees because heavier items cost more to haul. Variable measures affect workshop planning because cuts must be tracked precisely during production runs.

The Waterdeep Trading Company separates these methods to avoid confusion in mixed cargo shipments, ensure fair valuation when trading with coastal guilds, and maintain clarity when issuing goods across its workshops. The distinction also prevents disputes when merchants, adventurers, or craftsmen question why prices differ even when goods look similar.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between catchweight and variable measure is essential for any merchant working with goods that do not conform to standard forms. In Waterdeep, this knowledge keeps ledgers clean, contracts clear, and trade flowing without delay. Across Faerûn, it marks a merchant as trained, careful, and ready to stand behind every recorded measure.

Support the AD&D365 Project on Patreon.  To grow this world, we’ve launched an official Patreon page where supporters can access exclusive content, tools, and training labs, and even influence the project’s future. Your support fuels more than just development; it expands the guildhall, forges new scrolls, and empowers the next generation of configuration wizards.  Begin your journey: https://www.patreon.com/adnd365/

A Grateful Salute to Our Patrons.  To all those who stand behind the vision, thank you for helping bring this world to life. Our Benefactors, Andre Breillatt and Eryndor Fiscairn‡, your boundless generosity fuels the arcane core of this project. Without your magic, the weave would falter. Our Apprentices, the spell engines turn, and the training labs thrive thanks to our current Apprentices: Michael Ramirez and Andreth Bael’Rathyn‡. Special thanks to our past Apprentices, whose contributions helped us get here: Ralf Weber, Wendy Rijners, Shashi Mahesh, Julia Tejera, Ben Ekokobe, Tiago Xavier, Naveen Boyinapelli, Marcos Tadeu Wolf, Kathryn Greene, Jason Brown, Mark Christy, and Ashish Singh. Our Initiates, Jesper Livbjerg, Peter Lorre, Gregory Brigden, and Martin Grahm, your commitment marks the start of the deeper path, stepping beyond mere observation into the active shaping of this realm. Our Followers, your steady presence along the journey is a beacon of encouragement: Rusty Cavalier, Eric Shuss, Sunil Panchal, Sarah D. Morgan, Nick Ramchandani, Daniel Kjærsgaard, and Tomasz Pałys. And our Voyeurs, Harry Burgh, Abdelrahman Nabil, and Basil Quarrell, ever watching from the shadows, clearly intrigued… but not enough to part with a single gold piece. Your silent curiosity is noted and mildly judged.

Want to design your own economic models in Faerûn?  Get your own AD&D365 Environment and guides at adnd365.com/start, and request access to the public view of the current database at https://public.adnd365.com – Login npc@adnd365.com, Password N0nPl@yC#822!

Accounting for Gambling When the Waterdeep Trading Company Serves as the Gaming Accountant: How Coin, Odds, and Ledger Control Work in a Regulated House of Chancer

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December 10, 2025
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Across Faerûn, gambling brings life to fairs, taverns, trade routes, and festival grounds. Chance games draw crowds, and well-managed wagers support guild events across the Sword Coast. While the Waterdeep Trading Company typically limits gambling to keep workers safe, there are sanctioned moments when the company itself serves as the Gaming Accountant. These events pose risks to the company, so every wager must follow strict accounting controls.

When the Waterdeep Trading Company accepts wagers, it does not act as a private gambler. It serves as the Gaming Accountant with full responsibility for posting odds, collecting stakes, paying winners, and recording the final surplus. This creates temporary liabilities, short-term obligations, and controlled revenue flows that must be tracked with the same care as inventory, tenders, and contractual work across the organization.

What It Means to Serve as the Gaming Accountant

Serving as the Gaming Accountant means the company places itself at the center of the wager cycle. All bets run through the company records. All odds are fixed before the contest begins. All coin is held in trust until the event ends. Workers involved in record-keeping are not permitted to participate in the games. These rules preserve fairness and create a clean ledger trail for later review.

The company uses the same record discipline already present across its system setup. This includes clear account codes, tracking of obligations, accurate closing of liabilities, and a structured posting flow that mirrors the treatment of other deferred revenue.

Why This Matters

Gambling events can generate revenue, but their real value lies in building guild relations and community presence. When the Waterdeep Trading Company serves as the Gaming Accountant, its reputation depends on accuracy, fairness, and follow-through. Poorly tracked wagers erode trust. Strong accounting strengthens the company’s standing far beyond the contest grounds.

Treasury manages wagers and exposure. Records logs all entries. Security ensures there is no coercion or unauthorized collection. Each group works together to create a clear, controlled cycle.

The Accounting Structure Behind Gaming Accounting

The model follows four steps.

First, wagers are collected and posted as deferred revenue.

Second, the company’s odds create a payout liability equal to the maximum possible winnings.

Third, actual payouts are issued after the event.

Fourth, any remaining coin becomes gambling revenue.

This prevents early revenue recognition and allows each step to be reviewed in isolation during audits or guild inspections.

The key accounts include Cash on Hand, Gaming Deferred Revenue, Gaming Payout Liability, Gaming Odds Exposure Expense, and Gambling Revenue. Together, they create a complete and straightforward flow.

Worked Example One: Highharvestide Foot Race in Waterdeep

The following table presents the complete set of ledger entries from a significant event held during the Highharvestide Fair.

This event drew a large crowd and produced clear patterns useful for training and review.

This cycle ensures that wagers remain obligations until all outcomes are settled.

Only then may the surplus be treated as income.

Worked Example Two: Dock Ward Dice Event

The following table shows a smaller event held inside the Dock Ward warehouse.

Such events are ideal for training treasury clerks, since the stakes are lower but the accounting flow remains the same.

These two examples show the same rhythm.

Hold coin, track exposure, settle obligations, then recognize income.

This pattern protects the company and preserves trust among workers and patrons.

Realms Aware Considerations

Gaming practices vary across the Realms. Luskan games can change without warning. Calimport wagers mix coins with favors that require careful valuation. Silverymoon contests often involve magical audits, which reduce uncertainty. The Waterdeep Trading Company adapts to each region while maintaining a consistent core accounting structure.

  • Every wager must be logged.
  • Every payout must be confirmed.
  • Every surplus must be recognized only after liabilities reach zero.

This approach enables the company to operate as a stable, respected Gaming Accountant across the Sword Coast.

Final Thoughts

When the Waterdeep Trading Company serves as the Gaming Accountant, it holds the confidence of the crowd and the guilds. Its duty is not only to manage coin, but also to preserve fairness in every sanctioned contest. With clean accounting and careful oversight, the company maintains honor in chance and coin alike.

Support the AD&D365 Project on Patreon.  To grow this world, we’ve launched an official Patreon page where supporters can access exclusive content, tools, and training labs, and even influence the project’s future. Your support fuels more than just development; it expands the guildhall, forges new scrolls, and empowers the next generation of configuration wizards.  Begin your journey: https://www.patreon.com/adnd365/

A Grateful Salute to Our Patrons.  To all those who stand behind the vision, thank you for helping bring this world to life. Our Benefactors, Andre Breillatt and Eryndor Fiscairn‡, your boundless generosity fuels the arcane core of this project. Without your magic, the weave would falter. Our Apprentices, the spell engines turn, and the training labs thrive thanks to our current Apprentices: Michael Ramirez and Andreth Bael’Rathyn‡. Special thanks to our past Apprentices, whose contributions helped us get here: Ralf Weber, Wendy Rijners, Shashi Mahesh, Julia Tejera, Ben Ekokobe, Tiago Xavier, Naveen Boyinapelli, Marcos Tadeu Wolf, Kathryn Greene, Jason Brown, Mark Christy, and Ashish Singh. Our Initiates, Jesper Livbjerg, Peter Lorre, Gregory Brigden, and Martin Grahm, your commitment marks the start of the deeper path, stepping beyond mere observation into the active shaping of this realm. Our Followers, your steady presence along the journey is a beacon of encouragement: Rusty Cavalier, Eric Shuss, Sunil Panchal, Sarah D. Morgan, Nick Ramchandani, Daniel Kjærsgaard, and Tomasz Pałys. And our Voyeurs, Harry Burgh, Abdelrahman Nabil, and Basil Quarrell, ever watching from the shadows, clearly intrigued… but not enough to part with a single gold piece. Your silent curiosity is noted and mildly judged.

Want to design your own economic models in Faerûn?  Get your own AD&D365 Environment and guides at adnd365.com/start, and request access to the public view of the current database at https://public.adnd365.com – Login npc@adnd365.com, Password N0nPl@yC#822!

Facility Maintenance in Faerûn: Keeping the Waterdeep Trading Company’s Halls, Workshops, and Storehouses in Working Order

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December 9, 2025
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Facility maintenance across Faerûn is a constant effort. Weather from the Sea of Swords wears down roofs and stonework. Workshops hum with arcane devices that need careful inspection. Storehouses carry goods from every coast, and their upkeep protects both inventory and reputation. The Waterdeep Trading Company depends on steady maintenance to keep its halls safe, its warehouses efficient, and its trading operations uninterrupted.

This article explains how facility maintenance works within the company, why it matters to both accounting and logistics teams, and how the company structures its routine and long-term upkeep across the Sword Coast.

What Facility Maintenance Is

Facility maintenance covers all tasks that keep property, structures, and equipment in proper condition. In Waterdeep, that means stone repairs, timber replacement, arcane ward checks, chimney sweeps, roof inspection after storms, and routine upkeep of forges and loading areas.

These tasks fall into three main groups.

  • Planned maintenance occurs on a schedule.
  • Reactive maintenance corrects failures or damage.
  • Capital improvements enhance the property’s long-term value.

The Waterdeep Trading Company treats each group differently through its ledgers, work orders, and supply planning.

Why Facility Maintenance Matters

Strong buildings keep workers safe and goods protected.

Predictable upkeep prevents costly failures during peak trade seasons.

Precise financial tracking allows the company to separate expenses, investments, and losses.

Accurate records help the guild justify labor costs for city inspections.

Maintenance also supports merchants’ trust in secure storage facilities.

Location and Asset Hierarchy

The Waterdeep Trading Company maintains a structured hierarchy to manage every facility, room, and piece of equipment. This hierarchy helps clerks assign work orders, track maintenance history, and record costs at the correct property level.

The hierarchy is built in four levels.

  • The Site represents the city location, such as Waterdeep or Baldur’s Gate.
  • The Facility represents each central operational building.
  • The Area groups rooms or working spaces.
  • The Asset represents the specific item requiring upkeep.

Below is a view of the hierarchy used across the Sword Coast.

This table shows an example hierarchy for the Waterdeep primary operations area.

A second example of arcane equipment follows.

This table shows how magical assets are grouped within the Trades Ward workshop.

These structures ensure maintenance orders are always posted against the correct area and asset. They also enable the company to generate reports that show where failures recur or where investment is needed.

Components of Facility Maintenance

The company organizes upkeep into four areas.

  • Structural upkeep includes walls, floors, beams, doors, and roofs.
  • Utility systems include lantern lines, water pumps, heating runes, and ventilation.
  • Operational equipment includes hoists, lifts, carts, loading arches, and warded vault doors.
  • Grounds upkeep includes yard areas, stable maintenance, and perimeter inspection.

This table lists common cost types used in planning and reviewing maintenance.

Maintenance Types and Their Use

This table helps overseers select the proper work classification for each job.

Worked Example

Below is a sample roof repair at the Dock Ward storehouse.

Realms Aware Considerations

Faerûn presents special conditions that influence upkeep.

  • Salt air from the Sea of Swords causes fast corrosion.
  • Arcane flux near magical districts requires routine stabilizer checks.
  • Forest settlements face creature interference.
  • Seasonal storms strain roofs and drainage.

These conditions guide the company’s maintenance calendar and supply plans.

Final Thoughts

Facility maintenance keeps the Waterdeep Trading Company steady through every trade season. Strong buildings support safe storage, stable operations, and predictable financial results. A clear hierarchy, proper classification, and careful planning help the company control costs while protecting the value of its assets.

Support the AD&D365 Project on Patreon.  To grow this world, we’ve launched an official Patreon page where supporters can access exclusive content, tools, and training labs, and even influence the project’s future. Your support fuels more than just development; it expands the guildhall, forges new scrolls, and empowers the next generation of configuration wizards.  Begin your journey: https://www.patreon.com/adnd365/

A Grateful Salute to Our Patrons.  To all those who stand behind the vision, thank you for helping bring this world to life. Our Benefactors, Andre Breillatt and Eryndor Fiscairn‡, your boundless generosity fuels the arcane core of this project. Without your magic, the weave would falter. Our Apprentices, the spell engines turn, and the training labs thrive thanks to our current Apprentices: Michael Ramirez and Andreth Bael’Rathyn‡. Special thanks to our past Apprentices, whose contributions helped us get here: Ralf Weber, Wendy Rijners, Shashi Mahesh, Julia Tejera, Ben Ekokobe, Tiago Xavier, Naveen Boyinapelli, Marcos Tadeu Wolf, Kathryn Greene, Jason Brown, Mark Christy, and Ashish Singh. Our Initiates, Jesper Livbjerg, Peter Lorre, Gregory Brigden, and Martin Grahm, your commitment marks the start of the deeper path, stepping beyond mere observation into the active shaping of this realm. Our Followers, your steady presence along the journey is a beacon of encouragement: Rusty Cavalier, Eric Shuss, Sunil Panchal, Sarah D. Morgan, Nick Ramchandani, Daniel Kjærsgaard, and Tomasz Pałys. And our Voyeurs, Harry Burgh, Abdelrahman Nabil, and Basil Quarrell, ever watching from the shadows, clearly intrigued… but not enough to part with a single gold piece. Your silent curiosity is noted and mildly judged.

Want to design your own economic models in Faerûn?  Get your own AD&D365 Environment and guides at adnd365.com/start, and request access to the public view of the current database at https://public.adnd365.com – Login npc@adnd365.com, Password N0nPl@yC#822!

Stock-Based Compensation in Faerûn: A Follow-Up to the Equity Shares Chronicle

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December 6, 2025
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Equity shares explain how ownership is recorded in the Waterdeep Trading Company. Stock-based compensation extends this structure by granting workers who guide the company each season a future claim to ownership. Greta Ironfist uses these awards to reward commitment, attract skilled treasurers, and maintain stable long-term plans.

This follow-up article explains how these awards work, how they connect to the existing equity accounts, and how the ledger captures the cost of service through clear accruals.

What Stock-Based Compensation Represents

A stock-based award grants a worker the right to receive shares at a later date. Some vest with time. Some require completing a trade route or a season of substantial surplus. All create an obligation for the company. As the worker provides service, a portion of that award becomes earned. This earned portion is recognized as an expense.

Because these awards settle in shares rather than coins, the accounting flows through equity. The Waterdeep Mercantile League provides fair value scrolls to help treasurers measure each grant at the moment it is offered.

Why These Awards Matter

Workers who hold a chance at future ownership feel a stronger bond to the company. They take care of the ledgers, caravans, and contracts as if they already have a place in the long history of the guild. Stock-based compensation supports worker retention and encourages a stable culture across the company.

For the ledger, these awards must be handled with precision. The service cost must be recognized each season. The equity obligation must be increased over the vesting period. When the award vests, the reserve converts into the appropriate share class.

Equity Accounts Used for Stock-Based Awards

Stock-based compensation builds on the existing share accounts. Two new reserve accounts are added to track the accrual during the vesting period.

This table shows the core accounts used when awards are granted, accrued, and vested.

These accounts integrate fully with the chart of accounts used in the prior article.

How the Company Measures Fair Value

At the grant date, the arcane treasurers rely on Waterdeep Mercantile League valuation scrolls. These scrolls consider guild reputation, seasonal surplus, trade route strength, supply conditions, and historical demand for company shares. This value becomes fixed for accounting purposes and does not change with later events.

The fair value is then spread evenly across the vesting period, unless service terms require a different pattern.

Worked Example: Four-Year Vesting Award

A senior archivist is awarded a fair value of 2,400.00 FSD. The award lasts for over four years.

Annual expense equals 2,400.00 divided by 4. This is 600.00 FSD per year.

Below is the progression of expense and reserve growth.

Journal Entries During the Vesting Period

The following entries repeat each year until vesting is complete.

This records the cost of service and increases the equity obligation.

Journal Entry Upon Vesting

When the award vests, the reserve is transferred to the appropriate equity account.

If the award settles into common shares:

If the nominal share value is less than the award value, a portion may be posted to Share Premium instead.

Special Faerûn Notes

Some provinces classify stock-based awards as guild benefits and require scroll filings before vesting. The Scriveners’, Scribes’, and Clerks’ Guild must seal the grant scroll for the award to be recognized. Magical contracts tied to planar trade may require performance conditions rather than time-based vesting.

The Waterdeep Trading Company stores all award terms in the Arcane Ledger to ensure that each accrual aligns with the service provided.

Final Thoughts

Stock-based compensation links the strength of the Waterdeep Trading Company to the dedication of its workers. These awards are both a reward and a responsibility. When recorded with care, they present a clear story of service, growth, and shared ownership. The seasonal expense and the growing reserve keep the ledger accurate. The final conversion into shares marks the worker’s lasting place in the company.

Support the AD&D365 Project on Patreon.  To grow this world, we’ve launched an official Patreon page where supporters can access exclusive content, tools, and training labs, and even influence the project’s future. Your support fuels more than just development; it expands the guildhall, forges new scrolls, and empowers the next generation of configuration wizards.  Begin your journey: https://www.patreon.com/adnd365/

A Grateful Salute to Our Patrons.  To all those who stand behind the vision, thank you for helping bring this world to life. Our Benefactors, Andre Breillatt and Eryndor Fiscairn‡, your boundless generosity fuels the arcane core of this project. Without your magic, the weave would falter. Our Apprentices, the spell engines turn, and the training labs thrive thanks to our current Apprentices: Michael Ramirez and Andreth Bael’Rathyn‡. Special thanks to our past Apprentices, whose contributions helped us get here: Ralf Weber, Wendy Rijners, Shashi Mahesh, Julia Tejera, Ben Ekokobe, Tiago Xavier, Naveen Boyinapelli, Marcos Tadeu Wolf, Kathryn Greene, Jason Brown, Mark Christy, and Ashish Singh. Our Initiates, Jesper Livbjerg, Peter Lorre, Gregory Brigden, and Martin Grahm, your commitment marks the start of the deeper path, stepping beyond mere observation into the active shaping of this realm. Our Followers, your steady presence along the journey is a beacon of encouragement: Rusty Cavalier, Eric Shuss, Sunil Panchal, Sarah D. Morgan, Nick Ramchandani, Daniel Kjærsgaard, and Tomasz Pałys. And our Voyeurs, Harry Burgh, Abdelrahman Nabil, and Basil Quarrell, ever watching from the shadows, clearly intrigued… but not enough to part with a single gold piece. Your silent curiosity is noted and mildly judged.

Want to design your own economic models in Faerûn?  Get your own AD&D365 Environment and guides at adnd365.com/start, and request access to the public view of the current database at https://public.adnd365.com – Login npc@adnd365.com, Password N0nPl@yC#822!

Equity Shares in Faerûn: How the Waterdeep Trading Company Records Ownership and Seasonal Profit Rights

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December 5, 2025
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Ownership in Faerûn carries weight in both coin and standing. A share in the Waterdeep Trading Company grants a vote in council meetings, a portion of seasonal surplus, and a clear place within the guild’s long history. Greta Ironfist relies on equity shares to invite investment while keeping the company’s direction firm and stable.

This article explains how shares work within the company, how they support expansion across the Sword Coast, and how equity accounts in the Faerûn Standard Chart of Accounts record every change in ownership.

What Equity Shares Are

An equity share represents a unit of ownership. Common shares grant one vote and a portion of surplus. Preferred shares grant early surplus rights but no vote. Guildmaster shares belong only to Greta Ironfist and carry weighted voting strength.

Shares allow the company to raise funds for new routes, enchanted storage, and protection contracts. They also create a path for dedicated workers to share in long-term success.

Why Equity Shares Matter

Shares determine who guides the company. They allow outside investors to support major plans while keeping authority in the hands of confirmed shareholders. They help fund caravan lines, warehouse expansions, and arcane upgrades without drawing on moneylenders.

The share ledger maintained by the arcane treasurers keeps every transfer clear. The Scriveners’, Scribes’, and Clerks’ Guild verifies each scroll before it enters the official record.

Share Classes Used in the Company

The Waterdeep Trading Company uses three classes of shares.

This table shows how each class participates in votes and surplus.

This structure encourages investment without weakening leadership.

Equity Accounts Used for Share Management

Ownership activity is recorded in a series of equity and liability accounts. These accounts come from the Faerûn Standard Chart of Accounts and include both existing accounts and new ones created to support preferred shares, guildmaster shares, surplus tracking, and treasury share activity.

This combined table brings all share-related accounts together, making the overall structure clear.

This structure supports transparent reporting in both regular seasons and expansion periods.

Worked Example: Preferred Share Issue

The council votes to open a new trade route to Calimport. To fund the enchanted crates, caravan guards, and advance payments to Rashemi traders, the company issues 500 preferred shares at 100.00 FSD each. The nominal value is 80.00 FSD, and the remaining 20.00 FSD per share becomes share premium.

This strengthens the company’s position without altering council control.

Worked Example: Surplus Declaration

At season’s end, the council declares a surplus distribution of 12,000.00 FSD.

Payment later clears the liability.

Realms Aware Notes

Share values may rise or fall with supply routes, arcane costs, seasonal demand, or shifting regional tariffs. Trade lines in Luskan or the North may require preferred share structures to attract outside backing.

The Scriveners’, Scribes’, and Clerks’ Guild must seal every transfer scroll before it becomes valid. This keeps the ledger clean and reduces disputes in high-value share exchanges.

Final Thoughts

A strong share structure supports the Waterdeep Trading Company as it grows. These accounts keep every change in ownership clear, protect decision-making rights, and ensure that surplus is shared fairly. With a unified ledger and well-defined share classes, the company stands ready to expand across Faerûn with confidence.

Support the AD&D365 Project on Patreon.  To grow this world, we’ve launched an official Patreon page where supporters can access exclusive content, tools, and training labs, and even influence the project’s future. Your support fuels more than just development; it expands the guildhall, forges new scrolls, and empowers the next generation of configuration wizards.  Begin your journey: https://www.patreon.com/adnd365/

A Grateful Salute to Our Patrons.  To all those who stand behind the vision, thank you for helping bring this world to life. Our Benefactors, Andre Breillatt and Eryndor Fiscairn‡, your boundless generosity fuels the arcane core of this project. Without your magic, the weave would falter. Our Apprentices, the spell engines turn, and the training labs thrive thanks to our current Apprentices: Michael Ramirez and Andreth Bael’Rathyn‡. Special thanks to our past Apprentices, whose contributions helped us get here: Ralf Weber, Wendy Rijners, Shashi Mahesh, Julia Tejera, Ben Ekokobe, Tiago Xavier, Naveen Boyinapelli, Marcos Tadeu Wolf, Kathryn Greene, Jason Brown, Mark Christy, and Ashish Singh. Our Initiates, Jesper Livbjerg, Peter Lorre, Gregory Brigden, and Martin Grahm, your commitment marks the start of the deeper path, stepping beyond mere observation into the active shaping of this realm. Our Followers, your steady presence along the journey is a beacon of encouragement: Rusty Cavalier, Eric Shuss, Sunil Panchal, Sarah D. Morgan, Nick Ramchandani, Daniel Kjærsgaard, and Tomasz Pałys. And our Voyeurs, Harry Burgh, Abdelrahman Nabil, and Basil Quarrell, ever watching from the shadows, clearly intrigued… but not enough to part with a single gold piece. Your silent curiosity is noted and mildly judged.

Want to design your own economic models in Faerûn?  Get your own AD&D365 Environment and guides at adnd365.com/start, and request access to the public view of the current database at https://public.adnd365.com – Login npc@adnd365.com, Password N0nPl@yC#822!