Neverwinter
Neverwinter is a city located in the Sword Coast North, notable as a cosmopolitan city and member of the Lords' Alliance. However, in 1451 DR, the nearby Mount Hotenow erupted and laid waste to much of the city. The city has since been rebuilt under the leadership of Lord Dagult Neverember, who currently rules the city. Modern Neverwinter is notable for its high taxes on the wealthy and nobility, as well as a prohibition on the formation of guilds, leading to a recent explosion in trade.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Demographics
Although the population of Neverwinter was once primarily human and half-rlf (with small moon elf and shield dwarf minorities), the demographics of the city have changed substantially since the Ruining. Humans and half-elves are still the most common race, but have been joined by many newcomers. Tieflings, a rare sight in many other settlements, are merely uncommon in Neverwinter. Many of the dragonborn mercenaries hired by Lord Neverember to supplement his Mintarn mercenaries have opted to settle in the city, and some of their opponents - orcs and half-orcs from the Many-Arrows - elected to integrate with the city instead of leaving to fight a doomed war.
All in all, Neverwinter is considered one of the most racially diverse and cosmopolitan cities of the North. This attitude is reflected by its inhabitants, who are often welcoming of races undesired elsewhere.
All in all, Neverwinter is considered one of the most racially diverse and cosmopolitan cities of the North. This attitude is reflected by its inhabitants, who are often welcoming of races undesired elsewhere.
Government
As of the late 15th century DR, the undisputed ruler of Neverwinter is Lord Protector Dagult Neverember. He claims legitimacy as an alleged heir of the Alagondar family, though this has been disputed by many outside Neverwinter - and few inside. His possession of the Crown of Neverwinter, the allegiance of mercenaries and the Wintershield Watch, and a lack of any viable alternative have secured his position in recent years. Despite this, he remains as the self-proclaimed "Lord Protector" of the city - specifically not the King. He has claimed that he will step down for any legitimate heir of the Alagondar dynasty, but thus far, none have appeared.
The security of the city is handled by General Sabine and the Neverwinter Guard. The Neverwinter Guard was initially formed of Mintarn (and later dragonborn) mercenaries hired to secure the city. More recently, it has been joined by volunteers, many of whom are former members of the Sons of Alagondar resistance group. Since their arrival in 1469 DR, the Neverwinter Guard have been viewed as an authoritarian force that often tramples on the rights of the city's citizens. To improve its image, Lord Neverember created the civilian Wintershield Watch as a policing force, recruiting directly from residents of the city.
Day-to-day operation of the city is handled by its mayor, which has been the dwarf Soman Galt for some decades. When Lord Neverember took over Neverwinter, he created a political movement called New Neverwinter. This organisation can be joined by common citizens, providing a focus for the city and stirring patriotic feelings about the city. Due to this, despite Neverember's dictatorial rule, the citizens of Neverwinter are far more politically active than in most other cities.
The security of the city is handled by General Sabine and the Neverwinter Guard. The Neverwinter Guard was initially formed of Mintarn (and later dragonborn) mercenaries hired to secure the city. More recently, it has been joined by volunteers, many of whom are former members of the Sons of Alagondar resistance group. Since their arrival in 1469 DR, the Neverwinter Guard have been viewed as an authoritarian force that often tramples on the rights of the city's citizens. To improve its image, Lord Neverember created the civilian Wintershield Watch as a policing force, recruiting directly from residents of the city.
Day-to-day operation of the city is handled by its mayor, which has been the dwarf Soman Galt for some decades. When Lord Neverember took over Neverwinter, he created a political movement called New Neverwinter. This organisation can be joined by common citizens, providing a focus for the city and stirring patriotic feelings about the city. Due to this, despite Neverember's dictatorial rule, the citizens of Neverwinter are far more politically active than in most other cities.
Industry & Trade
Throughout history, Neverwinter has been known as the "City of Skilled Hands". It has been famed for fine jewelry, glassworks, lamps, and especially its water-powered clocks. The phrase "by the clocks of Neverwinter" is used throughout Faerûn to declare that something is completely honest, true, accurate, precise, or perfectionist. Neverwinter also exports substantial quantities of wood, felled in the nearby Neverwinter Wood.
Due to the Ruining, Neverwinter was cut off from trade with the rest of the Sword Coast for several decades. After the restoration of the city's ports by Lord Neverember, it quickly resumed its status as a powerful trading city in the North. Aside from its own exports, it acts as a hub for other cities in the North to transport their goods by sea, such as the nearby dwarven city of Gauntlgrym.
Due to the ban on forming new guilds and restrictions on existing ones, there are few barriers in Neverwinter to establishing new businesses. Indeed, Lord Neverember encourages business and investment in the city in order to improve its economy.
Like many other cities, Neverwinter mints its own currency (once every decade or so). It also accepts standard currencies like copper, silver, and gold, as well as trade bars.
Unlike other cities, the government Neverwinter offers banking services. The city will store valuables in its vaults, but levies a small tax on deposits and withdrawals. The city also imposes fees for building permits, docking ships, warehouse space, and has an annual head tax on all residents. Landlords are charged an additional tax on their rents. Since his ousting from the position of Open Lord of Waterdeep in 1489 DR, Neverember has additionally imposed heavy taxes on the wealthy to prevent a nobility from establishing itself in the city.
Due to the Ruining, Neverwinter was cut off from trade with the rest of the Sword Coast for several decades. After the restoration of the city's ports by Lord Neverember, it quickly resumed its status as a powerful trading city in the North. Aside from its own exports, it acts as a hub for other cities in the North to transport their goods by sea, such as the nearby dwarven city of Gauntlgrym.
Due to the ban on forming new guilds and restrictions on existing ones, there are few barriers in Neverwinter to establishing new businesses. Indeed, Lord Neverember encourages business and investment in the city in order to improve its economy.
Like many other cities, Neverwinter mints its own currency (once every decade or so). It also accepts standard currencies like copper, silver, and gold, as well as trade bars.
| Coin | Description | Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Tharn | Copper coin | 1 copper piece |
| Bult | Silver coin | 1 silver piece |
| Sea-Shee | Electrum coin | 5 silver pieces |
| Dragon | Gold coin | 1 gold piece |
| Fairsail | Platinum coin | 1 platinum piece |
Infrastructure
Protector's Enclave
The Protector's Enclave is a fortified part of the city, located where the old City Core, Peninsula District, and Merchant Quarter once stood. It was the only part of the city to survive the Ruining msotly unscathed, and as such still contains many old buildings. For many years, the Protector's Enclave was separated from the rest of the city by a fortification simply known as the Wall, which has since been demolished once the city was reclaimed.Bluelake District
Formerly known as the Blacklake District, the Bluelake District contains the northwest portions of the city, as well as the northern docks. Following the Ruining, the Blacklake District was a stronghold of the Sons of Alagondar, who used it as a base of operations from which they could disrupt the activities of New Neverwinter. They were eventually pushed out, and the district was claimed for Lord Neverember's rule. Once it was rebuilt, the district was renamed to the Bluelake District.The Chasm
The Chasm is not a district, but the dilapidated southeastern section of Neverwinter. During the Ruining, a massive chasm opened to the Underdark in this section of the city, swallowing the Arcanist Quarter and Beggar's Nest, and monsters of all sorts poured out. However, the chasm was magically sealed at great expense in 1485 DR by the city authorities. Due to the fact that the district is mostly in ruins, land is extremely cheap to buy up and build on.Tower District
Also known as the River District, the Tower District is the Northeastern section of the city. It was invaded by orcs of the Many-Arrows in the 1460s DR, who sought to conquer the rest of the city. They occupied it for decades, eventually leaving in the 1480s DR to rejoin their clans and fight wars against the dwarves. Those who remained were quickly crushed by the Neverwinter Guard, and the district was reclaimed for the city. The district is named for the Neverwinter clock tower, which rises above the rest of the buildings.Guilds and Factions
Following his ousting from the position of Open Lord of Waterdeep, Lord Neverember enacted a total ban on all new guilds, along with restrictions on existing ones. One of the few that continues to exist is the Waterclock Guild, which represents the craftsmen that create the city's famed waterclocks. It is placed under severe restrictions, and possibly faces dissolution if it ever acts against the interests of the Lord Protector.
The Order of the Many-Starred Cloak is another guild that was formed prior to the ban, and is a group of mages dedicated to the defence of the city. Historically, the guild was viewed as the true power behind the Alagondar dynasty, but it was destroyed during the Spellplague when its wizard tower vanished for six months. The Order was refounded in the late 15th century DR, and plays an important role in both protecting and rebuilding the city. Recently, they have been particularly focused on the town of Leilon.
One cannot mention modern Neverwinter without also discussing New Neverwinter. A political movement set up by Neverember in the wake of his arrival in 1469 DR, it is a patriotic organisation meant to get the ordinary citizens of the city involved with its reconstruction and politics. Many join it simply to express their loyalty and patriotism to both Neverwinter and the Lord Protector personally. In previous decades, it was opposed by a resistance group called the Sons of Alagondar, but the Sons have recently begun to pledge loyalty to New Neverwinter.
While the city is a member of the Lords' Alliance, it is also a stronghold of the Order of the Gauntlet. Members of the Order in Neverwinter are typically followers of Helm, Torm, and Tyr, and preach their gods' teachings to the inhabitants of the city. While the Order disapproves of the heavy-handed rule of Lord Neverember, they nevertheless work with him to guide his policies onto a more suitable path. In return, Lord Neverember enjoys their approval as a form of legitimacy, as well as their protection of the city.
The Order of the Many-Starred Cloak is another guild that was formed prior to the ban, and is a group of mages dedicated to the defence of the city. Historically, the guild was viewed as the true power behind the Alagondar dynasty, but it was destroyed during the Spellplague when its wizard tower vanished for six months. The Order was refounded in the late 15th century DR, and plays an important role in both protecting and rebuilding the city. Recently, they have been particularly focused on the town of Leilon.
One cannot mention modern Neverwinter without also discussing New Neverwinter. A political movement set up by Neverember in the wake of his arrival in 1469 DR, it is a patriotic organisation meant to get the ordinary citizens of the city involved with its reconstruction and politics. Many join it simply to express their loyalty and patriotism to both Neverwinter and the Lord Protector personally. In previous decades, it was opposed by a resistance group called the Sons of Alagondar, but the Sons have recently begun to pledge loyalty to New Neverwinter.
While the city is a member of the Lords' Alliance, it is also a stronghold of the Order of the Gauntlet. Members of the Order in Neverwinter are typically followers of Helm, Torm, and Tyr, and preach their gods' teachings to the inhabitants of the city. While the Order disapproves of the heavy-handed rule of Lord Neverember, they nevertheless work with him to guide his policies onto a more suitable path. In return, Lord Neverember enjoys their approval as a form of legitimacy, as well as their protection of the city.
History
Iliyanbruen
The site of modern day Neverwinter was originally controlled by the elven realm of Iliyanbruen, a splinter of the once-powerful realm of Illefarn. Following the collapse of ancient Netheril in -339 DR, human refugees established the city of Illusk where modern-day Luskan now stands. Illusk would experience many waxes and wanes over the century, often warring with Iliyanbruen. They would be forced to fight together in -111 DR, when multiple orc hordes emerged from the Spine of the World and threatened to conquer the North. This event, known as the Orc Marches, caused the creation of an alliance of humans from Illuskan, elves from the splinters of Illefarn, and the dwarves of Delzoun. Although the alliance would emerge victorious, Illusk was crippled, and Delzoun would collapse a decade later.Eigersstor
With the coast of the North unclaimed, human settlers from the island of Ruathym claimed the mouth of what is now called the Neverwinter River. The river was magically warmed by the nearby Mount Hotenow, a glowing volcano that housed the powerful titan Maegera - long trapped there in a state of semi-slumber by the dwarves of Delzoun. The first settlement at the mouth of the river was established in 87 DR, named Eigersstor, around an abandoned elven castle built in -10 DR. This castle, named Castle Never for the elven general Lord Halueth Never, would be the home of the rulers of Neverwinter for centuries to come.As raids by orcs and the warrior Uthgar devastated settlements to the north (particularly Illusk and Gauntlgrym, both of which changed hands many times), many refugees fled to the relative safetly of Eigersstor. The elves of Iliyanbruen massed an army and retook Illusk from orcs occupying it in 177 DR, but the effort cost most of their strength. The inhabitants of the kingdom left for Evermeet or the southern realm of Ardeep, and by 180 DR, the Neverwinter Wood was unoccupied. Eigersstor was renamed Neverwinter around 187 DR, translating the name to Chondathan from Illuskan.
Orcs and Wizards
As human settlements sprung up in the wake of the departure of the elves, they would come under further attack by orcs. Neverwinter was no exception, coming under siege several times, such as in 306 DR by the Thousand Fangs horde. In order to stabilise the North and prevent future orc attacks, a group of four wizards known as the Covenant founded the School of Wizardry in Neverwinter in 457 DR. The Covenant was able to lessen the effects of orc invasions for some centuries, training wizards from across Faerûn.Neverwinter once again came under siege in 611 DR, this time by the Everhorde orcs. Neverwinter's allies of Phalorm and Uthtower came to its aid, as did the powerful gold dragon Palarandusk. Palarandusk was the self-appointed protector of Neverwinter, and would remain so until 940 DR when a group of adventurers attacked him while he was in human form, destroying his manor. The Everhorde was defeated in 612 DR, at great cost.
Although it had long protected Neverwinter and the North, the Covenant would become embroiled in an event known as the Orcgates Affair in 955 DR. A massive army was assembled in the North to combat an orc horde that was alleged to be emerging from the Spine of the World. When the horde failed to materialise, the Covenant was blamed for the waste of time and resources. Upon investigation, the Covenant discovered that the Red Wizards of Thay had been behind the Orcgates Affair. Their investigation was set back when one of the founding wizards of the Covenant was killed. The Covenant began a campaign of sabotage against the Red Wizards, subtly working against them for over a century.
The Red Wizards uncovered the hand of the Covenant in their misfortunes in 1081 DR, and they launched an attack on the Neverwinter School of Wizardry. The wizard Aganazzar, one of the founders of the Covenant, was killed, sparking an open war between the two factions that lasted for two decades. In 1101 DR, the two remaining founders of the Covenant departed through portals to destinations unknown, killing many Red Wizards that attempted to follow them. With the Covenant no longer present in Neverwinter, the city was forced to endure orc attacks without their aid.
Illusk would fall to a nine-year siege by orcs of the Bloody Tusk tribe in 1244 DR, using it as a base from which to conduct raids across the North. The city would not be retaken until nearly six decades later in 1302 DR, when a mercenary army sponsored by Neverwinter and Waterdeep retook the city. The city was renamed Luskan, in an attempt to dissociate the ruined city from its long history of devastation.
Alagondar Rule
With the threats to its security handled, Neverwinter was in a prime position to become one of the most prosperous cities of the North. Thanks it its ports, free of ice even in winter, it became a hub for trade from Waterdeep to the south and Luskan to the north. Neverwinter was one of the founding members of the Lords' Alliance, helping found the faction in 1325 DR. In 1329 DR, the famed and popular adventurer Nasher Alagondar came to rule the city. Although many wished to crown him king, he refused the title until toward the end of his reign.By the Time of Troubles in 1358 DR, the older districts of the city became increasingly home to criminals and even monsters. This caused a response by both the city and citizens to restore the crumbling parts of the city, tearing down and rebuilding structures where possible. Later that year, the city was gripped by panic after several ambassadors were kidnapped by the Kraken Society, causing the city to be locked down. Three years later, in 1361 DR, Neverwinter would aid the Lords' Alliance in forcing the withdrawal of Luskan from the island of Ruathym with the threat of war.
In 1372 DR, the city was suddenly afflicted by a disease called the Wailing Death. Beginning in the Beggar's Nest district on 30 Tarsakh, clerics and healers were unable to treat it, as the disease resisted both mundane and magical healing. Although a cure was eventually found by hired adventurers, the casualties had been catastrophic. In response to Neverwinter's moment of weakness, Luskan (which had been Neverwinter's rival for some decades) invaded the city. However, thanks to the Lords' Alliance and the same adventurers that cured the Wailing Death, the invasion was repelled. The Wailing Death and the invasion by Luskan would leave the city weakened for the next decade.
The Ruining
An assassination attempt against Nasher Alagondar in 1374 DR and his wounding in a battle in the same year caused great concern over the line of succession for Neverwinter. Following this, he was crowned king of Neverwinter. When Faerûn was struck by the Spellplague in 1385 DR, Neverwinter was mostly spared. Nasher died shortly afterwards, succeded by his son Bann. The Alagondars continued to rule the city for decades, until their power was weakened by the Lords of Waterdeep. This soft coup effectively put Lord Hugo Babris in charge of the city as of 1451 DR.Lord Babris' short reign, and the long reign of the Alagondars, would be violently and dramatically cut short in 1451 DR. A group of adventurers discovered ruined Gauntlgrym, an ancient dwarven city beneath Mount Hotenow. They accidentally awoke the primordial Maegera from its state of semi-slumber, which caused the volcano to erupt. The earthquake and volcanic eruption utterly devastated Neverwinter, killing many of its citizens and opening a giant rift Chasm inside the walls. From the Chasm emerged ash zombies and plaguechanged, having been formed by the creation of plaguelands in the Underdark below Neverwinter during the Spellplague. The city's government, including the entire Alagondar family, was killed during what became known as the Ruining.
Unbeknownst to the citizens of Neverwinter, the Red Wizards of Thay had been infiltrating the city's power structure since the Spellplague. Their plan was to use Neverwinter as a base of operations on the Sword Coast, but their plans were cut short by the Ruining. Instead, their backup plan involved using their fortress hidden in the Neverwinter Wood, a place called a Dread Ring, to funnel the power of Maegera (as well as necromantic sacrificial rituals of Neverwintan citizens) into usable magical power. However, their plans were foiled once more in 1462 DR by Drizzt Do'Urden and his allies, when they sealed Maegera back inside Mount Hotenow. Still, this would not dissuade the Red Wizards from their goal of dominating the North.
The destruction caused by the Ruining also cut Neverwinter off from trade. Only small parts of the city were livable, sections guarded from encroaching monsters by a well-patrolled wall. The roads north and south of the city were cut off, and slowly deteriorated as they saw little use. There were several attempts to create governance in the city, including a short-lived "First Citizen", but nobody was able to reconquer, let alone rebuild the city.
New Neverwinter
Dagult Neverember was born in Neverwinter, but grew rich in Waterdeep. Thanks to his connections and immense wealth, he was proclaimed Open Lord of the city in 1468 DR. Perhaps seeing an opportunity to expand his business empire, or perhaps out of a sense of patriotism to his homeland, Neverember opted to rebuilt Neverwinter himself. With the aid of a hired company of Mintarn mercenaries, Dagult Neverember entered the city in 1469 DR, proclaiming himself the city's 'Lord Protector'. In order to establish his legitimacy as ruler, he claimed to be a descendant of a man named Vers Never, who he alleged was an illegitimate son of Nasher Alagondar. Although his evidence could not be substantiated, he set to work recovering the city.Lord Neverember had two prongs from which he rebuilt the city. The first was his immense wealth and the establishment of the 'New Neverwinter' movement - a patriotic society made to encourage participation in his new order. His second prong was his iron-fisted rule through his Mintarn mercenaries, effectively establishing a police state over the parts of the city he controlled. In response to his heavy-handed policies, a resistance group calling itself the Sons of Alagondar formed in 1474 DR. Shortly before Lord Neverember's arrival in the city, several northern districts had been occupied by orcs of the Kingdom of Many-Arrows. Unable to dislodge them, Neverember signed a peace agreement with them.
Despite constant setbacks from monsters, renegade orcs, Red Wizards, pirates, the Sons of Alagondar, and even the Abolethic Sovereignty, Neverember was able to effectively reconstruct the city. Part of the city called the Protector's Enclave was fully cleared of monsters in 1474 DR, and Lord Neverember declared it as safe as any other city. The city's ports were reconstructed by the end of the 1470s DR, and trade was re-established with the other cities of the Sword Coast. The Many-Arrows orcs were eventually pushed out, and the city was entirely cleared of monsters. The mercenaries hired by Lord Neverember were relegated to military duties, and replaced in policing duties by the newly-formed Wintershield Watchmen.
In 1478 DR, Lord Neverember survived an assassination attempt by his spymaster, who was secretly working for the Red Wizards of Thay. He was aided by a group of the Sons of Alagondar, who the spymaster had sought to frame for the assassination. The next year, in 1479 DR, a half-elf named Seldra Tylmarande entered the city, wearing what appeared to be the (supposedly) lost Crown of Neverwinter. She claimed to be a descendant of the Alagondars, and as Lord Neverember had promised to step down if a true heir to the dynasty came forth, public opinion rapidly turned against him. However, when Neverember employed adventurers to investigate the supposed heir, they discovered that the Crown was fake, and the entire event was a ruse. The adventurers were able to defeat Seldra, who had been driven insane by a curse on the fake Crown, and she was sent to Helm's Hold for treatment.
In actuality, Lord Neverember was in possession of the true Crown throughout the entire saga. Despite several thefts of it, he continues to keep it safe in his personal vaults. Following the revelation of the false heir, public support once again fell firmly in favour of the New Neverwinter movement.
Modern Neverwinter
Even though Lord Neverember is viewed by many as a tyrant, his creation of a 'New Neverwinter' has made him incredibly popular within the city. By the time of the Second Sundering, Neverwinter had returned to its pre-spellplague glory. With the aid of magic, the Chasm was sealed, ending the final threat to the city. The roads to Luskan and Waterdeep were re-established, and settlements as far as Leilon came under the influence of Neverwinter as it funded their reconstruction. The Sons of Alagondar eventually began to accept Neverember's rule, with many volunteering as replacements for the Mintern mercenaries. Investment from Waterdhavian nobles has begun in earnest in the 1490s DR, with the still-somewhat-empty city being viewed as a much safer opportunity than it had been during the 1470s DR.In 1489 DR, the city joined the Council of Waterdeep in opposing the threat of the Cult of the Dragon. Lord Neverember was reportedly a driving force behind many of the decisions of the Council, but was removed as Open Lord of Waterdeep during the crisis. As such, he has spent most of his time solely focused on Neverwinter.
Founding Date
187 DR
Alternative Name(s)
Eigersstor
City of Skilled Hands
Jewel of the North
City of Skilled Hands
Jewel of the North
Type
City
Population
20,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Neveren or Neverwintian
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Related Plots
Craftwork, fishing, and logging
Imports
Construction materials, grain, livestock, leather, and ore
Exports
Clocks, glass, jewlery, lamps, and timber
Comments