Nezznar (/ˈnɛzˌnɑːr/ NEZ-nahr)
Nezznar, The Black Spider
Nezznar, better known as the Black Spider, was a shadowy figure who opposed the Hat Gang in their quest to rescue Gundren Rockseeker and uncover the lost mine at Wave Echo Cave. Nezznar was a powerful drow wizard in service of the god Vhaeraun. To help in acheiving this goal, he created the Black Spider Network and forged a number of alliances with other parties, including numerous doppelgangers, the Cragmaw Tribe, Iarno "Glasstaff" Albrek of the Lord's Alliance, and Bolton Bornes.
Eventually, the Hat Gang tracked down the Black Spider to his lair within Wave Echo Cave, where they fought him alongside his guards and tamed giant spiders. After a difficult battle, Nezznar was brutaly slain by the enraged "Evil Boston," a sinister counterpart to Boston Bornes, and was laid to rest on his throne.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Planning Ahead
The Black Spider had apparently been operating in the Sword Coast region for several years, embedding his network within import settlements like Neverwinter and Luskan, keeoing itself hidden until Nezznar could locate an artifact of sufficient power to empower his army. At some point mid 1491 DR, the Black Spider learned that the Rockseeker Brothers had found a map leading to the long lost mine at Wave Echo Cave, said to house the Forge of Spells. Nezznar sought to claim the mine for himself, capturing the dwarves and destrying all copies of the map, so nobody could challange his claim to the mine. Unfortunately for him, his capture of Gundren Rockseeker by Cragmaw goblins caught the attention of his hired escorts, including Boston Bornes, Elarnya, Jensen Astria-Wagner, and Nissany. At the time humble mercenaries, this group of adventurers would soon bring about his downfall.Enemy of the Hat Gang
They first learned of the Black Spider himself through note from the Spider that they found in Iarno Albrek's study beneath Tresendar Manor. Later, after saving the party from being killed by Brughorr-Band orcs, the orog revealed to the party that the Black Spider wanted to capture them, alive. Dymera questioned the orog, now revealed to be a doppelganger, further after she had mortally wounded him. The spy was reluctant to share information but did say that the Spider would "build a home for his people," then Dymera burned him. The agent of his who interracted the most with the Hat Gang was a doppelganger named Vyerith, who befriended the party disguised as the human barmaid Greta. "Greta" worked at the Stonehill Inn in Phandalin and gathered information of the party whilst they were staying there through asking about their adventures. She also encouraged them to pursue quests unrelated to the Black Spider, both to keep them out of her master's way, and because she had developed attachments to members of the party, especially Boston. In a particularly brazen quest, "Greta" convinced the party that she had been robbed by wererats from Mountain's Toe, leading the party to find the Red Wizards of Thay hiding in the gold mine. The Red Wizards presented a threat to Nezznar and his plans, and he had recently lost contact with one of his agents who had infiltrated them. Arriving at the mine, the party found the doppelganger spy dead, and eliminated the leader of the wizards, just as the Black Spider had planned.Wave Echo Cave
The party learned the location of Wave Echo Cave when Dymera pickpocketed a copy of the map from Vyerith as she fled Cragmaw Castle with an unconcious Gundren Rockseeker, soon after she had faked the death of her "Greta" persona. After this, the party were easily able to travel to the location marked on the map and eventually made it through the Black Spider's defences, finally coming face-to-face with their nemesis. The two parties conversed for a moment, before the cleric of Talos Thokk Verantor became bored and initiated combat, attempting to blind Nezznar. The Spider was soon aided by his two guards, a doppelganger named Vhalak and a bugbear ripper. Although they proved challenging, the adventurers aventually defeated both guards.Death
Jensen returned to Boston his wedding ring, causing him to transform into "Evil Boston," which shifted the odds in the Hat Gang's favor. "Evil Boston" stabbed Nezznar as he tried to escape, then kicked him to death as he bled out. He then picked up the drow's corpse and threw him onto his own throne.
Current Status
Deceased
Date of Death
6th of Hammer, 1492 DR
Circumstances of Death
Stabbed through the chest and beaten to death by "Evil Boston"
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Purple
Hair
White
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Gray
Height
5'6"
Weight
123 lbs.
Belief/Deity
Vhaeraun
Aligned Organization
Related Reports