Hi. Hanging in there.
Guilds have no influence or purview over property sales or transfers in the Deep. Several of them have tried to gain it, down the centuries, but the Lords always firmly block them. And no Waterdhavian would stand for another attempt now.#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 9, 2019

To all my D&D players and Dungeon Masters, what do you think:

Is entering someone's house illegal? I can't find the concept of Home Invasion in the Code Legal of Waterdeep, but in my opinion it is illegal. What do you think? If it is, what crime would it be?
Thanks!#dnd #ttrpg pic.twitter.com/skKdKiS9Cp

— 🎀❄️ Walkyrja ❄️🎀 (@TheTryxie) December 8, 2019

1)
The Code Legal is a rather simple document, that over the centuries has been extensively bolstered by case law (decisions of magisters or the Lords that add to it by precedent, without formally adding new laws) 2)
In this manner, home invasions have come to be handled in this way: if no forcible entry is made (i.e. someone slips through an unsecured door or window), nothing is taken or damaged, and no one is physically disturbed… #Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 12, 2019

3)
…(i.e. no one gets slapped awake or intimidated, no chamberpots or ewers of wash-water emptied over any sleepers, etc.), a charge of disturbing the peace is made, and the sentence of that crime is applied (“edict” includes… 4)
…public posting of offender[s] identity/identities, and the Watch puts them on local patrol ‘watch lists,’ which can include the Watch wakening offenders in the wee hours to check on what they’re up to. Note: the Watch and…#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 12, 2019

5)
…Guard, or the Open Lord and Palace officials (inspectors, tax collectors, etc.) CANNOT be charged over a home invasion if on official duty; i.e. they can enter premises and it’s not a crime.
If, however, forcible entry is 6)
…made, or property within the domicile is damaged by an intruder, then to the charge of disturbing the peace is added a charge of damaging property or livestock (yes, under the Code Legal, charges can ‘stack;’ whether they…#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 12, 2019

7)
…will or not in any particular case is up to the Lords, because if the Watch ‘hurls the Code’ at an undercover Lords’ agent or someone in favour, the Lords will reduce or eliminate charges ere a magister does any sentencing— 8)
…whereas if it’s someone in disfavour, an accused will face all charges made). On a guilty finding, the usual sentence for damaging property or livestock applies.
If property is stolen, a charge of burglary is added, and the…#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 12, 2019

9)
…usual sentence applies. If persons in the residence are assaulted, a charge of assaulting a citizen is added for each person (if they are citizens of Waterdeep; outlanders are afforded no protection under the Code Legal, but… 10)
…note that if you rent or own real estate property in the city, belong to a city guild, or have paid any recorded levy or tax, you’re a “citizen”). If persons residing on the invaded premises are awakened or threatened and…#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 12, 2019

11)
…“feel fear,” this same charge is leveled for each person affected, but the sentence/punishment is nominal (and often used by magisters to cobble together a sentence that “fits the crime,” so drunks or ‘madwits’ or 12)
…‘wandering-witted’ (dementia) offenders may get a gentle slap on the wrist, but gangs who intimidate, of families building into a feud, get the Code hurled at them). If anyone can be proven to have hired home invaders, they can…#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 12, 2019

13)
…face the same charges (proof can be hard to get, though, in the case of wily nobles or guildmasters or wealthy ‘wannabe nobles.’ However, the Xanathar, the Unseen, rival nobles, and even some unscrupulous Masked Lords have 14)
…been known to fabricate proof in the past, so everything gets closely looked at, and mere verbal claims will only result in an accused getting put on a Watch ‘watch list’ and the attention of undercover agents of the Lords).#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 12, 2019

15)
Hope all of this is of some help!#Realmslore

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 12, 2019

Uh damaging property and robbery would both cover burglary. Quite true, but I'm describing how things have come to be applied in the Deep, by precedent. As in our real world, quite often logic doesn't come into it. ;}

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 12, 2019

Thank you so much for your complete answer!You included all possibilities and I can apply your answers to my case.
I can’t believe you answered my tweet! It’s an honor! My pleasure. This is my life work, answering Realms questions. ;}

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) December 12, 2019