Neverwinter
Neverwinter, also known as the City of Skilled Hands and the Jewel of the North, is a bustling, cultured, and cosmopolitan city-state in northwest Faerún. Neverwinter is regarded by Volo as the most cosmopolitan and civilized city in all of Faerún. The city is a member in good standing of the Lords' Alliance. Known for its craftsfolk and gardeners, the city's multi-colored-glass lamps, precision water clocks, exquisite jewelry, and magnificent gardens ensure the warm winters were colorful and the summers are rich with fresh fruit.
The city was originally named Eigersstor, which is an Illuskan word. The name "Neverwinter" is the Chondathan translation.
A number of legends explained where the city's name came from, but they contradicted each other. Some believed the city was founded by a sun elf named Halueth Never, who led the elves of Iliyanbruen against an Illuskan invasion in −10 DR. Surrounded by enemies, he chose the site where the river met the sea to make his last stand, naming the place "Never's Winter", believing he would die in the ensuing battle. However, human allies arrived just in time and together they defeated the Illuskans. Never founded the city, keeping the name, and over the years it was shortened to "Neverwinter".
Others, such as Volo and Elminster, reported the name came from its gardens, for Neverwinter's gardeners were acclaimed throughout the Realms for keeping their gardens growing and flowers blooming even through winter snow. This was also the source of the city's moniker, "the City of Skilled Hands".
Others, however, believed the city was named for its unusually warm climate and how its harbor remained ice-free in the winters.
Demographics
As of 1479 DR, the city is cosmopolitan, with members of many races living alongside the common human and half-elven families. The rare eladrin and even tieflings were common sights among the citizens. The River District was invaded by a tribe of orcs from Many-Arrows, and although most left when they were recalled by their compatriots in the north, around 1484 DR, a few orcs and half-orcs are still living in Neverwinter.
Government
In the Year of the Warrior Princess, 1489 DR, Lord Neverember was exiled from Waterdeep and replaced as Open Lord by Laeral Silverhand. Afterward, Neverember focused all his attention on Neverwinter. Due to his commitment and help given to Neverwinter, the Neverwintans finally accepted Lord Neverember as their rightful leader. But bitter over being exiled from Waterdeep, Neverember has become more despotic and enforced heavy-handed laws. He has levied heavy taxes to noble families living in Neverwinter, preventing them from gaining significant power, while enacting harsh laws that prohibited the formation of new guilds and limited the power of existing ones.
Defences
As of 1479 DR, the standing army were the Neverwinter Guard, which was composed mostly of the Mintarn mercenaries hired by Lord Neverember. A few independent militia forces assembled by the citizens helped to protect the city in times of need. Lord Neverember also hired adventuring bands to deal with threats to the city that the Mintarn mercenaries could not handle.
With the city rebuilding, many of the Sons of Alagondar have volunteered to serve in the Neverwinter Guard, causing Lord Neverember to depend less on the mercenaries' services and infact disband many of their number. Lord Neverember still hires adventurers and mercenaries to help protect Neverwinter and train local troops rather than accept the help of the armies of the Masked Lords of Waterdeep, whom he feels have betrayed him.
Industry & Trade
Without guilds to restrict trade or construction, those who want to start a business in Neverwinter can simply do so, and those traders who deal with basic products, such as foodstuffs, can become wealthy just by selling their goods in the city. Likewise, there is demand for many jobs and those who offer their services either as workers or as apprentices have plenty of options despite the high competition.
Infrastructure
Among its most prominent landmarks are its three spectacular, intricately carved bridges: the Dolphin, the Winged Wyvern, and the Sleeping Dragon, considered the city's emblems by its inhabitants. Under these, the Neverwinter River cascades over small, gentle waterfalls as they coursed into the city's bustling harbor.
The city is full of beautiful and ingeniously designed buildings with many famous in their own right, such as the House of Knowledge, Neverwinter's tall and many-windowed temple of Oghma; the Hall of Justice, the temple of Tyr and the public office for the rulers of the city; and Castle Never, the castle of the ruler of Neverwinter. In addition, the reputations of such unique taverns as the Moonstone Mask, the Shining Serpent Inn, and the Fallen Tower reach far beyond the city's walls and further add to the city's distinction.
After Neverember began rebuilding the city further inns and taverns such as Driftwood tavern and the Beached Leviathan became popular across the Sword Coast.
Districts
The Merchant Quarter, the central region of the city.
The Docks District, the main port.
The Blacklake District, located in the northeastern quadrant.
The Beggar's Nest, located in the southeast quadrant.
The Arcanist Quarter, located in the southeast quadrant.
Guilds and Factions
Only the oldest and established guilds exist and surive in Neverwinter. With Lord Neverember outlawing the formation of new guilds these are the only guilds legally able to exisit in Neverwinter.
Merchantile Guild
Adventurers Guild
Scholars Guild
Theives Guild
Performers Guild
Arcane Guild
History
The first settlement in the Savage Frontier was an elven city known as Illefarn, a bustling nation after the time of the Crown Wars. Eventually, Illefarn was divided into three nations, of which Iliyanbruen was the most prominent. Iliyanbruen was weakened by orc invasions, which paved the way for Eigersstor, the first multi-racial settlement in the area, which would later be called Neverwinter.
Neverwinter became a center of civilization, peace, and culture and was widely viewed as a marvel by visitors. This trend lasted, seemingly unbroken since its founding until the Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR when a disease known as the Wailing Death laid low most of the city's inhabitants. Then, in the Year of Blue Fire, 1385 DR, the Spellplague struck both Neverwinter and all of Faerún.
The century that followed saw the rise in power of a new Netheril. Netherese loyalists infiltrated the power structure of the weakened Neverwinter, but their efforts were sidetracked by the eruption of Mount Hotenow in the Year of Knowledge Unearthed, 1451 DR, laying the city to waste and killing the ruling Alagondar family.
In the Year of the Three Heroes United, 1467 DR, Lord Dagult Neverember, seeing an opportunity to add to his financial empire, hired workers to help rebuild the city and Mintarn mercenaries to protect it from monsters and bandits. Claiming to be a descendant of Neverwinter's former rulers and thus the rightful "Lord Protector" of the city, Dagult started the New Neverwinter movement. Lord Neverember invested a great deal of his own fortune to rebuild the city's infrastructure, buy the interest of merchants to send their caravans again to Neverwinter, and even ensure Neverwintan refugees had enough food and gold in hand. By 1491 DR, Neverember's efforts to rebuild the city proved successful, and Neverwinter had slowly been restored as a center of civilization in the Sword Coast North.
Type
City
Location under
Included Locations
- Arcane Acquisitions
- Castle Never
- Dependable Defensibles
- Driftwood Tavern
- Fishers Float
- Hall of Justice
- House of a Thousand Faces
- House of Knowledge
- Moonstone Mask
- Neverdeath
- Pirates Skyhold
- Priscillas Perfumes and Potables
- Swift Heat Sundries
- The Beached Leviathan
- The Cloak Tower
- The Fallen Tower
- The Shard of the Moon
- The Sharp Edge
Owner/Ruler
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Primary)
Related Reports (Secondary)
