Neverwinter
Neverwinter, also known as the City of Skilled Hands or the Jewel of the North, is a multi-racial city-state sitting on the northwestern Sword Coast of Faerûn.
Neverwinter was regarded by Volo as the most cosmopolitan and the most civilized city in all of Faerûn. The city is a member in good standing of The Lord's Alliance
Government
Previously the city was ruled fairly and justly by Lord Nasher Alagondar, an ageing, veteran adventurer and devout worshiper of Tyr. As such, the Neverwintans followed a Tyrran faith that promoted justice and fairness, with greed being frowned upon. Lord Nasher ensured that the city was well defended before his death, both physically and magically, against attacks or infiltration from Luskan, Neverwinter's warlike rival. Maps of the city were not allowed to be made as part of an effort to thwart Luskan spies.
While Lord Nasher was the nominal leader of Neverwinter, the real power in the city was held by the Many-Starred Cloak, an order of good-aligned wizards that supported the rule of Lord Nasher.
The city is now ruled by Dagult Neverember, Open Lord of Waterdeep. Seeing an opportunity to add to his financial empire, Lord Neverember would hire artisans and carpenters to help rebuild the city and mercenaries to protect it from monsters; he would eventually create the title of Lord Protector of Neverwinter, held by Neverember himself. However, it is wrong to say that Dagult is the ruler as many factions vie for Neverwinter and the citizens are divided in loyalties.
Defences
As of 1479 DR, the army of the city, known as the Neverwinter Guard, was composed mostly by the Mintarn mercenaries hired by Lord Neverember, and a few independent militia forces assembled by the citizens also 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 in the late years of the 1480s DR, many of the Sons of Alagondar volunteered themselves to serve in the Neverwinter Guard, making Lord Neverember to depend less on the services of the mercenaries. Lord Neverember still hired adventurers and mercenaries to help to protect Neverwinter and train the local troops rather than to accept the help of the armies of the Masked Lords of Waterdeep, who he felt had betrayed him.
Industry & Trade
Neverwinter controls much of the mining trade from dwarf and gnome outposts from the nearby Underdark by using hidden ways in various warehouses in the city. It also has a large fishing economy, and did good trade in logging from the Neverwinter Wood. Neverwinter traded mostly with the nearby city of Waterdeep.
However, Neverwinter's true assets are its importance as a center of craftwork, learning, and magical innovation. Merchants and crafters usually practice their works in buildings dedicated for such tasks. Street vendors were rarely seen in Neverwinter.
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 foodstuff, can become wealthy just by selling their goods in the city. Likewise, there is a demand for many jobs, and those who want to offer their services either as workers or as apprentices have plenty of options despite the high competition.
Infrastructure
In addition to having an unnaturally warm climate, Neverwinter is a picturesque city and boasts such sights as its three spectacular, intricately carved bridges: the Dolphin, the Winged Wyvern and the Sleeping Dragon. Under these, the waters of the Neverwinter River cascade over small, gentle waterfalls as they course into the city's bustling harbour. Neverwinter's magnificent gardens (the phrase "The City of Skilled Hands" refers to Neverwinter's accomplished gardeners) ensure the warm winters are colourful and the summers are rich with fresh fruit. The city is replete with beautiful and ingeniously designed buildings, many of which are famous in their own right, such as The House of Knowledge, and Neverwinter's tall and many-windowed temple of Oghma. In addition, the reputations of such unique taverns as the Moonstone Mask and The Fallen Tower reach far beyond the Neverwinter's walls and further add to the city's distinction.
Founding Date
87 DR
Alternative Name(s)
Eigersstor, City of Skilled Hands, Jewel of the North
Type
City
Population
24 000
Inhabitant Demonym
Neveren or Neverwintian
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