New Neverwinter

New Neverwinter is a proposed 'city' being built around the ruins of Neverwinter, but in reality it is a simple propaganda movement by Lord Dagult Neverember to annex the city to Waterdeep. The movement to create New Neverwinter is being headed by Neverember, whose titles include the Open Lord of Waterdeep, the Lord Protector of Neverwinter, and the heir of Nasher. The propaganda has gone on from 1462 DR to 1480 DR.

The backplot of the movement is headed by a war between the nations of Thay and Netheril caused due to the activation of a Dread Ring in Neverwinter Wood. This 'shadow war' also serves as the basis for the Ashmadai and Waterdeep's activities in Neverwinter.

Factions
There are many factions involved in the New Neverwinter movement, with Waterdeep being the faction that started the movement, taking advantage of the doings of the Ashmadai, Shadovar and those of Thay. All four factions are the main powers in New Neverwinter, though others such as the Aboleths and Many-Arrows are also involved.

Shadovar-Thay War
The Shadovar-Thay War was the conflict that resulted during the New Neverwinter movement. Ironically, while the two main participants were Netheril and Thay, the war was actually an all out war between several factions for the jewels of Neverwinter. As a result, while all the conflict in the war was undoubtedly centered around the Netherese and Thayans, there were in fact, several factions all at war with each other.

The War Starts
1451 DR: The city of Neverwinter was crumbling due to the Spellplague. Seeing potential in the area, Szass Tam commissioned the elven warrior Dahlia Sin'felle to create a Dread Ring for Thay around the area. Around the same time, the Shadovar received reports that Xinlenal could potentially be located somewhere within Neverwinter Wood. Although aware of the boons it could provide to Netheril, the Shadovar were preoccupied by High Imaskar and the attempts of Brennus Tanthul to find Vasen Cale. Thus, Draygo Quick was given the privilege of choosing who would lead the excavation. Selecting Herzgo Alegni, Quick sent the tiefling to Neverwinter. There Alegni decided to opt for a more legal approach, forcing the Lord of Neverwinter to rename the Winged Wyvern Bridge the Herzgo Alegni Bridge to allow him unlimited access to Neverwinter Wood. Dahlia, however, allied herself with Korvin Dor'crae and Valindra Shadowmantle to find a way to create the Dread Ring. Arriving at Gauntlgrym, with the help of Jarlaxle and Athrogate, Dahlia activated the primordial Maegra who proceeded to destroy Neverwinter. This was the first bit of conflict between the Shadovar and the Thayans, as the destruction of Neverwinter effectively negated Alegni his claim on Neverwinter. It also allowed Sylora Salm to take control of the Thayan operation.

1462 DR:

For eleven years, the Netherese remained idle, preoccupied in their own machinations, while Salm finally completed the Dread Ring. In order to strengthen it, however, she tried to reawaken Maegra and in order to re-access Gauntlgrym, Salm forged an alliance with the Ashmadai. Sending Valindra to Gauntlgrym, the Ashmadai summoned the Pit Fiend Bealtimatuche who killed Thibbledorf Pwent and fought the death with Bruenor Battlehammer. The Ashmadai and Valindra both remained in service to Salm, although Dahlia began to plot against her with Drizzt Do'Urden. By this time, Alegni and Barrabus the Gray had returned to reclaim Neverwinter. When Valindra Shadowmantle and the Ashmadai attacked the city, Barrabus led the Shadovar against them, marking the first conflict between the two groups in eleven years. With war officially declared, the Shadovar took the first victory. The Winged Wyvern Bridge was renamed the Walk of Barrabus, granting Alegni the claim to search for Xinlenal. Resuming his identity as Artemis Entreri, Barrabus joined up with Dahlia and helped kill Sylora Salm. This marked the most significant event in the war thus far as Thayan power was transferred to Valindra Shadowmantle, whose temporary retreat caused relatively few Ashmadai to remain loyal to Szass Tam.

Due to Sylora's aggression against Netheril and Alegni's operation being close to the Dread Ring, the tiefling was able to seize control and become the lead general of the Shadovar against Szass Tam. Tyrannically taking lordship over Neverwinter, Alegni decided to forge an army to fight Valindra with and created the White Guard, led by Jelvus Grinch, and the Shadow Guard, led by his Netherese lieutenants. Another player had entered the war by this time, the Abolethic Sovereignty. Invadiah had sent Arunika to corrupt the Sovereignty's Brother Anthus, but she had been corrupted instead. Arunika proceeded to work with Thay and seduced Herzgo Alegni. Eventually, Entreri, Do'Urden and Dahlia attacked Alegni, defeating him and forcing him to forfeit Charon's Claw. Arriving at Gauntlgrym once more, the Shadovar started an assault against House Xorlarrin as Entreri destroyed Charon's Claw. There, Dahlia also killed Herzgo Alegni, stalling Shadovar advances, forcing them out of Neverwinter. Brother Anthus later killed Arunika for her relationship with Alegni.

Although the war against Thay had been stalled, Draygo Quick and Effron were given the option of continuing it immediately. Instead, due to Effron wanting to leave the Shadovar and Quick being more interested in finding Chosen for Telamont Tanthul, the Netherese were left with no general against Valindra.

Waterdeep Arrives
1467 DR:

Arriving in the city was Dagult Neverember, who on behalf of the Lords of Waterdeep, immediately took control of the situation. Stirring up the New Neverwinter propaganda movement, Neverember took advantage of the damage once caused by the Thayans and Netherese with his hired hands and goons rebuilding the city. Neverember's New Neverwinter movement was pure propaganda to stir up nationalistic feelings within the population. Although Neverember desired to take the crown of Neverwinter, he was aware that simply doing so would cause his support to dry. Desiring to make the people of Neverwinter feel indebted and feel gratitude towards him, Neverember hoped to offer the people new facilities, market opportunities, access to goods, work and safety. He hoped to do this so that when the time was right, the people would beg him to be king.

However, to anyone not critically involved in his planning, Neverember did not disclose his plans for the throne. Aware that if any possible heirs to the throne came forth his chances at becoming king would be ruined, Nevermber kept a reliable network of spies to watch and report on any such heirs. Neverember's savants managed to trace his own lineage back to Vers Never, a bastard son of Nasher Alagondar and give him a direct claim to the throne. Aware though that his word alone would not be enough, Neverember ordered the creation of books to link him to the royal line.

Taking his role as Lord Protector seriously, Neverember sent his mercenaries to oust the orcs in the River District and the plaguechanged monstrosities at the Wall. Beyond establishing laws and keeping peace, Neverember considered it a goal of his to root out any rebels. Aware that installing forces from Waterdeep would fuel the rebellion, Neverember relied on soldiers from Mintarn led by Sabine. A natural delegator, Neverember left the city's policing, defense and security to Sabine, who ruthlessly quashed disturbances and eradicated leaders. In addition, Neverember installed Soman Galt as the mayor of the city. However, with his power in Neverwinter growing, Neverember ultimately relinquished much power in Waterdeep, visiting the Masked Lords irregularly.

Aware of the implications of finding Gauntlgryrm, Neverember began to send scouts out to find the ancient Dwarven homeland.

Completely unaware of the work of the Abolethic Sovereignty, Neverember was unaware that the Aboleths were sending minions to keep him busy. The most he knew was that the plaguechanged were Spellplague monstrosities.

The Ashmadai made huge overtures to Neverember, which he in large mostly accepted. Since he knew little about the Ashmadai though, Neverember did not reveal much to them. Grossly underestimating their power, Neverember believed he could use them. Inversely, the Ashmadai began to turn Neverember's own people to their cause - controlling most of the mercenaries guarding the Chasm and wooing a handful of Neverember's close retainers. The Ashmadai's effort to seduce Neverember's allies went all the way to the top, with Mordai Vell personally pursuing Sabine. Ultimately, Vell hoped to induct Neverember himself. Although Vell did allow other cults, including the Glaysans, to operate in the city - he made sure that none of them could become powers.

After hearing reports that the Thayans had returned to the city, Neverember sent Sabine out to investigate the reports.

Completely ignorant of Netherese interests in the region, Neverember had unwittingly hired several Shadovar agents to conduct discrete assassinations.

1474 DR]:

The biggest movements of the war happened as Sabine began to take the lead in the fight against Thay. However, while Thay began to infiltrate Neverember's operation, some citizens, among which there was a member of the Harpers known as Cymril, began to openly oppose the Waterdhavian, and formed the Sons of Alagondar. Neverember quickly mounted reprisals which resulted in the death of Cymril. Their relationship with the Harpers shattered, the rebels quickly split into two groups: the Nashers and the Graycloaks. The Nashers then took residency in Neverwinter's Blacklake District, which Neverember had not secured. The Thayans instilled a Red Wizard, Dhafiyand, as Neverember's spymaster. Thus, while Neverember strived to rebuild Neverwinter, the Abolethic Sovereignty wanted to manipulate the Spellplague, the Thayans wanted to raise their undead army and the Netherese desired to raise Xinlenal. By this time, the war had erupted from it's original petty squabble into a gigantic war. Although the citizens of Neverwinter knew little of the war, the battles were happening not only in Toril, but also Shadowfell. It was ironic, as despite the severity of the war, the citizenry remained completely oblivious to it. In order to cover their fights with Thay on Toril, Clariburnus forged an alliance with the Gray-Wolf Uthgardt barbarian tribe. Through the Gray-Wolves, the Netherese also managed to attack and learn more of Helm's Hold. King Obould XVII also took an interest in Neverwinter and sent his scouts, but was unaware the Abolethic Sovereignty began to corrupt them.

By 1478 DR, Neverember's plan had been working, with Sabine's successful campaign against Valindra resulting in Thay becoming little more than a bedtime story. A spy in the employ of Neverember, Seldra Tylmarande created a fake crown of Neverwinter. As the year went on, sightings of the Red Wizards of Thay became more and more popular. Unaware that his spymaster Dhafiyand was a Red Wizard, Neverember ordered the man to take down the Nashers. To do so, Dhafiyand hired Rucas Sarfael, and ordered him to infiltrate the Nashers through Elyne Tschavarz. A Red Wizard, Tolivast, attempted to steal this crown for Valindra but failed. With the crown, Seldra created the persona of the Lost Heir and began to try and take control of the city. The Nashers, led by Arlon Bladeshaper, began growing desperate and forged an alliance with the Dead Rats and the Lost Heir. Rucas Sarfael succesfully infiltrated the Nashers and was present when the alliance with the Dead Rats happened. Due to Tolivast, however, the crown cursed Seldra and began to turn her insane. When plaguewrought abominations attacked Neverwinter, the Lost Heir descended and saved the day. General Sabine then recruited adventurers to look into the Lost Heir on behalf of Neverember. Manipulated by Seldra, the adventurers were sent on a false direction and sent to investigate the Dead Rats. While the heroes fought the Dead Rats, the Lost Heir urged Bladeshaper to attack Protector's Enclave to oust Neverember. After defeating the Dead Rats, the heroes were taken to Bladeshaper himself and allowed audience with the Lost Heir. The heroes defeated the Lost Heir and after a pursuit, learned of the villain to be none other than Seldra. After she revealed to the heroes the crown as being false, Seldra awakened a white dragon. The dragon was defeated by the adventurers. When the Nashers attempted to get the Crown of Neverwinter, they were attacked by a Red Wizard, whom Rucas Sarfael realized to be Dhafiyand. When the Red Wizard attacked Neverember, it announced Valindra's first public attack against Neverwinter in years. Sarfael was subsequently made the leader of the Black Blades.

Heart of War
As a result of Dhafiyand's attack, Neverember became more open to the idea that the Thayans could be active in Neverwinter. As a result, he ordered Sabine to try and take care of it. However, Neverember remained ignorant to those he dealt with and unwittingly began to deal with Shadovar agents. As a result, the Ashmadai began to split off from the Thayans. Under Favria, a sect of Thayans remained loyal to Valindra but under Mordai Vell, the group began to become a rival power to Thay. While Valindra was not ignorant to Vell, the tiefling continued to pay lip service to her all while corrupting Neverember and seducing Sabine.

In 1478 DR, Tam Zawad, Aubrin Crownsilver, Mehen, Farideh and Havilar arrived in Neverwinter. Arunika's sister, Rohini, was also sent by Invadiah to cause capture an Aboleth. To do this, she killed Anthus, seduced Brother Vartan but was angered to discover Farideh in her city. In the conflict that ensued, the Ashmadai slaughtered Glaysans, Farideh and Havilar killed one of Mordai Vell's top lieutenants, Yvon Claven and Vartan used the Hex Locus to convert Rohini into an agent of the Aboleths - just like her sister had been made one years ago. Rohini was attacked directly by Invadiah but after losing the battle retreated into the Chasm. Resurfacing, Rohini sought out and converted Soman Galt and made him an agent of the Aboleths.

In 1484 DR, several aspects of the war had settled down. Bregan D'aerthe had stopped operating in the city and was split between Luskan and Menzoberranzan for the Darkening, which had also resulted in the cessation of interest in Neverwinter of the Many-Arrows orcs. Primarily, the Netherese interests had shifted elsewhere and they used their forces of Sembia to capture Archendale. With the deaths of Rivalen Tanthul and Brennus Tanthul, it could be assumed that on the Netherese end, the war began to dissipate. In 1487 DR, the mind of Aglarel Tanthul was shattered, Vattick Tanthul was killed and Clariburnus had been recalled to Thultanthar. With Telamont Tanthul being assassinated and Netheril falling into disarray, the Netherese had been taken out of the war by outside circumstances. It was unknown if Clariburnus survived the fall of Thultanthar, but if he did, was likely recuperating. In any case, Clariburnus would never be able to renew his activities in Neverwinter Wood as his nieces and Arcanist Gwelt had seized of Netheril as the Court of Three.

As a result of most of the factions being forced out of Neverwinter, the war between the Shadovar and the Thayans was won by Neverwinter, as Neverember managed to keep holding the city until 1489 DR.

Significant Leaders
During the entire war, several leaders have arisen:
 * Dahlia Sin'felle - Representing Thay, 1451 DR
 * Sylora Salm - Representing Thay, 1451 DR - 1462 DR
 * Valindra Shadowmantle - Representing Thay, 1462 DR - Ongoing
 * Herzgo Alegni - Representing Netheril, 1451 DR, 1462 DR
 * Clariburnus Tanthul - Representing Netheril, 1467 DR - Ongoing
 * Dagult Neverember - Representing Waterdeep, 1467 DR - Ongoing
 * Soman Galt - Representing Waterdeep, 1467 DR - Ongoing
 * General Sabine - Representing Waterdeep, 1467 DR - Ongoing