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We all know ourselves as the Order of the Hydra, but that is not what others call us. To some, who know the members of our little group as undisciplined rakes, parasites, and spoiled children, we are known as the Low Wharf Gang. To others... especially those who have found room in their hearts for a few ambitious, if unlucky teens trying to find themselves in a world filled with daily struggles, we are known as The Waterdeep Boy’s Club. No matter what we call ourselves, and even less what others call us, the fact of the matter is that we all are in reality, a group of orphans, runaways, and misunderstood misfits who have found companionship and acceptance in an environment of peers. Each of us have our own stories and reasons for joining the gang, but we all share a common bond of trust, and the belief that we all can find answers to who, or what we are through association and interaction with the members of our own little family... the family known as the Waterdeep Boy’s Club. A Short History of the Waterdeep Boys Club The original Waterdeep Boy’s Club was made up of a group of thieves, waifs, outcasts, and orphans that had sought refuge together in a small section of the city of Waterdeep near Blacklock Alley. A Dwarven cleric by the name of Angel chanced upon the decrepit gang of unfortunates and was touched by the suffering and abuse that these orphans and misfits had suffered. But he was equally impressed by their dedication, selflessness, and single mindedness in regards to each other, despite the overwhelming odds against them. So he decided to do something about it. He located and renovated an abandoned warehouse in the same area of Waterdeep and began fixing it up to be used as a home for the outcasts. The original group consisted of Angel and the following members of the gang known in kinder circles as ‘The Waterdeep Boy’s’ Club: Onyx, a half-Elven bard, Slimmer a half-Drow fighter/thief, Blue Shoes an Elven fighter/mage, Gimp a human mage, Pug, a Dwarven fighter/cleric, Thorn, a half-Drow ranger, and Mist, a Drow fighter/bounty hunter/cleric. The original band eventually became wealthier, better equipped, and highly skilled in their chosen professions due to their new environment and the renewed hope offered by Angel. They eventually sought out other outcasts and orphans and began taking them in and caring for them. Soon, they adopted the practice of giving new members a nickname as a symbolic method of indicating a rebirth into the womb of the Club, distancing the new members from their pasts. That way, they could start lives anew. A new name was the first step. It filled a psychological need, and underscored the fact that they were indeed a new person. Once the idea was picked up, the choosing of a nickname became an anxiously awaited initiation in any ‘newbie’s’ life. It represented acceptance and understanding to every abused or neglected soul who ever managed to find his way into the Shangri-La known as the Waterdeep Boy’s Club. Angel was the driving force behind this outpouring of compassion, and his methods and practices soon became the credo of the newly formed cadre of unfortunates. The older kids taught the younger ones the skills they needed or were best at, and so began teaching them the way of the streets. Once, during a ‘Field Trip’ into Undermountain, they even fought a monstrous Hydra and defeated it. At that point they began calling themselves The Order of the Hydra, as if they were some noble group of knights on a crusade to make life better for all the orphans and outcasts in Waterdeep. Especially Blacklock Alley. Everyone else still sarcastically called them the Waterdeep Boy’s Club, though. They just figured that the club was nothing more than another ragtag gang trying to take control of the alley. Especially a rival gang of indigo clad ruffians who called themselves the Dead Heads. But life on the streets was still hard. Many of the gang enjoyed gambling and playing the odds. Adventuring and dungeoneering in Undermountain became their passion. Some of the older kids died playing those dangerous games, while others grew to be legends to the younger ones. Younger members like Pipsqueak, a gnome fighter/illusionist, Lynx, a half-Drow ranger, Lucky a Dwarven fighter/cleric, Televis, a Halfling burglar, Elborn an Elven ranger, Delrock a Dwarven ranger, Weezer, a half-Elven fighter/thief, Stonefist, a human barbarian, Ranne, a human mage, and Nightstar a half-Elven mage. Then one day the senior group went on a mission and never returned. No one knows for sure if they were killed, or maybe even captured by slavers. It was rumored that they were on a mission to free someone from the slavers, so there is an all too real possibility that they have indeed been captured. But again, no one really knows for sure. So, a second group of kids had to take leadership roles and begin taking the club in a new direction - One of pure survival. Without the senior group to bring in money and supplies it was up to this new generation to steal food and money just to keep all the kids together. The new group began as mercenaries, adventurers, and dungeoneers. New kids such as Pwent Pugson, a half-Dwarven fighter/mage, Indigo a half-Drow mage/monk, Edge, a half-Elven fighter, Nemesis, an Elven ranger/monk, Stonewall a Dwarven cleric. Flametongue, a human barbarian shaman, Jet, a half-Drow fighter/mage, Whisper, a human thief, Gema, a half-orc cleric, Zumeg, a human mage, Dealer, an Elven fighter/thief, Mongo, a human fighter, Delstrom, an Elven ranger, Sara, a human Paladin, Links, a kender fighter/thief, Grond, a half-ogre fighter, Dorak, a Dwarven fighter/thief, Finkster, a Fremling cleric, and Lefty, an Elven fighter. This group took high casualties as a result of their inexperience and bravado. Many went into Undermountain and never returned, or were carried back by their comrades. Because of this, leaders such as Zumeg and Jet began a training program in the basement of the clubhouse. It was up to the older kids to teach the younger ones skills in both melee and magical combat. Training was also conducted in trap finding and picking locks. But the casualty rate for the group was still high, many had died, and yet another large group of adventurers had never returned. Some think it is time to search Undermountain for those lost groups as well, and bring them back. Others feel that they are dead and they shouldn’t waste their time or their lives looking for them. But a select group of gang members, including Zumeg, Jet, Mongo, Delstrom, Dorak, and Gema want to acquire enough money, magic items, and enough skill to find the senior group. They want to find out for sure what happened to them. They want to know if they are dead or have been captured as slaves. So it has been suggested that the gang be split up into two groups, one made of junior members that will call themselves the Waterdeep Elite, Blacklock Alley Adventurers and Dungeoneers (WEBAAAD). They will consist of members of first through fourth levels with very little experience and magic items. The second group will be those who have attained at least fifth level of experience, have killed a rival dead head gang member in single combat, and have personally been involved in the slaying of a hydra. Once these goals have been accomplished, they will become part of an initiation to advance to The Order Of The Hydra. Once they attain those goals, they would receive a tattoo of a hydra on their left arm, receive a special dagger made from a tooth of the hydra they helped slay, and earn the right to choose their own room in the clubhouse. This would also include the knowledge to access the sub basement that is ‘Holy Ground’ to the members of the Gang collectively known in other circles as The Waterdeep Boy’s Club. A roster would be kept of the members WEBAAD and certificates given to those who advance to TOOTH. That is what it means to belong to the Order of the Hydra! Luck has nothing to do with it! * Indicates Original Members
Current Membership The Lost BOYS Jailed Boys Dead HEROES
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