Mount Hotenow

Mount Hotenow Was a volcano amid the Crags mountain range, situated to the northeast of the city of Neverwinter on the Sword Coast North, deep in Neverwinter Wood. It was home to a large population of fire elementals, warming the Neverwinter River to the point where it never froze over, even in the heart of winter (hence the city's name). The volcano also had a tendency to attract creatures like fire giants and red dragons to make their homes near it. A shadowy reflection of Mount Hotenow also existed in the Shadowfell. Unlike its Torilian counterpart, the Mount Hotenow of the Shadowfell was always spilling rivers of lava, that flowed to the city of Evernight. After its eruption, Mount Hotenow looked like a set of serrated teeth many described as a "door to the Nine Hells" (of the Elemental Chaos, according to others). A river made of pure elemental fire followed a serpentine path throughout Hotenow's interior and underneath the surrounding mountains and hills of the Crags.
History Since Neverwinter foundation, Mount Hotenow featured in the bedtime stories and urban legends of the city inhabitants as the home of fire giants, the fearsome red dragon Karrundax, and many other blazing beasts. In 1451 DR, a small adventuring party rediscovered the ancient dwarven city of Gauntlgrym beneath the volcano. The party, consisting of Dahlia Sin'felle, Korvin Dor'crae, Valindra Shadowmantle, Athrogate, and Jarlaxle Baenre, made it all the way to the legendary forges. There, the latter two were betrayed by their Thayan allies, with Athrogate hypnotically forced to activate the forge. This briefly awoke the primordial Maegera, who, in a fit of rage, released a burst of energy so powerful that it forced the eruption of the volcano. The resultant earthquake and combination of smoke and lava destroyed much of Neverwinter, killing thousands.In 1479 DR, a dwarven expedition led by Vandra Hillborn was exploring Mount Hotenow in hopes to find an entrance to Gauntlgrym.