Neverwinter

Neverwinter, also known as the City of Skilled Hands and the Jewel of the North, was 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 was a member in good standing of the Lords’ Alliance.
The City of Skilled Hands lies in northwest Faerun where the High Road crosses the mouth of the Neverwinter River. The city’s nickname praises the gardeners of Neverwinter who are known to keep their crops green all year round with the help of the river’s warm waters. Heated by elemental forces beneath the nearby volcano, Mount Hotenow, the river rarely ices over in winter. The formal name, Neverwinter, is thought to come from a Chondathan translation of its old Illuskan name, Eigersstor, or from an Iliyanbruen sun elf military leader, Halueth Never, said to have called the place “Never’s Winter” in a desperate battle centuries ago.

Government

Lordship Formerly: Royalty

Defences

The modern city of Neverwinter is protected by stone walls and an army of Mintarn mercenaries. At the people’s request these soldiers are gradually being replaced by locals often trained by adventurers, as Neverember refuses to hire officials from Baldur’s Gate or Waterdeep. Hardened by destruction, Neverwintans are determined to protect their city, and many worship Tyr the Even-Handed, but the overall diverse population has temples dedicated to many deities.

Industry & Trade

Imports Crafters, mercenaries Exports Crafts (especially water-clocks and exotic lamps), fish, horticulture, logging, magical innovations

Districts

The southwest quarter, or the Protector’s Enclave, is the political center. It contains the Neverdeath Graveyard, the cathedral-like  temple of Oghma called the House of Knowledge, and the Hall of Justice, which serves both as the primary public office and the  temple of Tyr. The Protector’s Enclave shares the river docks and Neverwinter’s three bridges (the Dolphin, the Winged Wyvern,  and the Sleeping Dragon) with the northwest Blacklake District. This quarter contains the mostly empty Castle Never, and it was  named after the Blacklake within, though the lake was recently renamed Bluelake as part of Neverember’s rebuilding. The Chasm  dominates the southeast quarter, and the northeast quarter is known as the River or Tower District.

History

Neverwinter flourished under Lord Nasher Alagondar and his descendants (between crises such as the Wailing Death and the Spellplague) until the entire royal family was killed during the Hotenow eruption of 1451 DR. Also called “the Ruining,” this eruption devastated the Jewel of the North; killing  thousands, forming a massive canyon, and laying waste to smaller settlements in the region. In 1467 DR Lord Dagult Neverember of Waterdeep proclaimed himself an Alagondar heir and started the New Neverwinter movement to rebuild the city with his own fortune. After Neverember was exiled from Waterdeep, the self-titled Lord Protector of Neverwinter centralized his power through high taxes on the nobility and heavy regulation on guilds.

Points of interest

Popular inns of Neverwinter include the Driftwood Tavern, the Beached Leviathan, the Moonstone Mask, the Shining Serpent Inn,  and the Fallen Tower.

Geography

The city is roughly circular and bisected by the Neverwinter River as it runs east to west into the Sea of Swords.

Maps

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  Neverwinter

Type

Capital

Population

23,192 in 1372 DR

Inhabitant Demonym

Neverwintans

Location under

Sword Coast

Characters in Location

• Gadrille
• Iarno Albrek
• Lord Protector Dagult Neverember
• Velleen Firecrow