The Guildwars took place in Waterdeep between 1256 DR and 1262 DR. They were initiated when the death of Open Lord Ahghairon died and the Council of Guildmasters took power. The guildmasters had killed all of the Lords of Waterdeep whose identities they could discover, and afterwards, they turned on one another. After six years, all but two guildmasters were dead. The survivors, gemcutter Ehlemm Zoar and shipwright Lhorar Gildeggh, agreed to share power and become the Lords Magister of Waterdeep.