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 Faerûn. Neverwinter is regarded by Volo as the most cosmopolitan and civilized city in all of Faerûn. 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 ensured the warm winters are colorful and the summers rich with fresh fruit.
“Neverwinter is a friendly city of craftsmen, who trade extensively via the great merchants of Waterdeep; their water-clocks and multi-hued lamps can be found throughout the Realms. Neverwinter gained its name from the skill of its gardeners, who contrived to keep flowers blooming throughout the months of snow—a practice they continue with pride.” — Elminster's notes on Neverwinter
Geography Neverwinter is on the northern Sword Coast, on the High Road between Waterdeep and Luskan, specifically between Leilon and Port Llast. To the east lays the Neverwinter Wood and, at its heart, the volcanic Mount Hotenow. The Neverwinter River is heated by fire elementals living under the volcano before flowing through the forest and the city. It carries its supernatural warmth with it, keeping the river from freezing up in winter and the gardens green year-round. The heat given off by the river creates a permanent warm climate in the immediate area.
Southeast of Neverwinter is the monastery of Helm's Hold.
Government
Neverwinter is an important and influential member of the Lord's Alliance, the coalition of city-states in Northwest Faerun. Historically, the city has been ruled by a small group of noble families who appoint a singular lord to the throne.
As part of his bid to create a mercantile empire in Neverwinter, Dagult Neverember created the title of "Lord Protector of Neverwinter" for himself, while still serving as the Open Lord of Waterdeep. However, there is a question of whether Dagult was the rightful ruler, as many factions vied for Neverwinter and the citizens were divided in loyalties. As he had to fulfill his obligations being also Open Lord of Waterdeep, Lord Neverember initially left the day-to-day running of the city to General Sabine and Mayor Soman Galt.
However, in the Year of the Warrior Princess, 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 enforces heavy-handed laws. He 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.
Neverwinter has a standing army, the Graycloaks. Composed primarily of archers, spearmen and some heavy cavalry, they serve as a city guard at the walls and harbor, operate as a police force, and patrol the High Road from Port Llast to Leilon. At any one time in peacetime, sixty are on duty, sixty are on leave, and sixty are in training. Much like their city, they have a reputation for quiet efficiency and professionalism. A few independent militia forces assembled by the citizens help to protect the city in times of need. Lord Neverember has also hired adventuring bands to deal with threats to the city that the mercenaries could not handle.
Neverwinter also has its own navy.
Society
Neverwinter is generally known as a friendly, charming, cosmopolitan, and cultured city, without the arrogance or grandiosity of its rival, Waterdeep. Neverwintian peoples usually display a polite, quiet demeanor and value efficiency and dedication. Even merchants from Amn and Calimshan, who have a poor opinion of the cities of the North, consider Neverwinter to be a civilized place. Neverwintians on average are more likely to be well educated or trained in a skilled trade than other city states in the North. They also have a great respect for deadlines, peacefulness, law, and order. Neverwintians tend to be loyal and patriotic toward their city.
Locations
The city is divided into the following districts:
The Protector's Enclave,
The Blacklake District,
The Docks District,
The Neverdeath Graveyard,
The Sealed Chasm and the Arcanist's District,
The River District (also known as the Towers)

Aliases

Eigersstor
City of Skilled Hands
Jewel of the North
Region Sword Coast North, The Steadfast, Northwest Faerûn
Size Large City

Major Imports Crafters, mercenaries
Major Exports Crafts (especially water-clocks and exotic lamps), fish, horticulture, logging, magical innovations
Politics Lordship; Independent City State
Ruler: Lord Protector Dagult Neverember