Neverwinter

Neverwinter, also known as the City of Skilled Hands or the Jewel of the North, is a metropolis sitting on the northwestern Sword Coast of Faerûn. The video games Neverwinter Nights and Neverwinter Nights 2 take their name from the city. Neverwinter is regarded by many, including the erudite travel writer Volo, as the most cosmopolitan and the most civilized city in all of Faerûn, quite a reputation, considering the breadth and variety of the continent. The city is a member in good standing of the Lords' Alliance and Lord Nasher has ensured that the city is well defended, both physically and magically, against attacks or infiltration from Luskan, Neverwinter's warlike rival. Maps of the city, which has a maze of meandering streets, are not distributed, as part of an effort to thwart Luskan spies.

The city of Neverwinter is so named because, even though the town is situated in the cold north of Faerûn, the Neverwinter River that flows through it is heated by fire elementals living under the nearby Mount Hotenow in the Neverwinter Wood. The heat given off from the river creates a permanent warm climate in the immediate area; without the elementals, the river, and subsequently the city's water supply, would freeze over.

Pre-Spellplague
The city is ruled fairly and justly by Lord Nasher Alagondar, an aging, veteran adventurer and devout worshiper of Tyr. As such, although Neverwinter is prosperous, its master-craftsmen making lamps of multi-coloured glass, precision water clocks and exquisite jewelry, its Tyrran faith promotes justice and fairness and greed is frowned upon.

Post-Spellplague
With the death of Lord Nasher in the Spellplague, there was none to succeed the royalty and thus the city succumbed to chaos and was left in utter ruins. However, Dagult Neverember, the open lord of Waterdeep, is the illegitimate heir of Nasher and hopes on unifying the city under rule of Waterdeep. However, it is wrong to say, even though Neverember has been elected Lord Protector of Neverwinter, that Dagult is the ruler as many factions vie for Neverwinter and the citizens are divided in loyalties.

Description
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.

Trade Routes


Neverwinter is one of the cities on the trade route, The High Road.

History
The first settlement in the Savage Frontier was an elven kingdom known as Illefarn. Illefarn would become a bustling nation around the time of the Crown Wars. Illefarn would last long enough to see the founding of Gauntlgrym and the harnessing of Maegera the Inferno beneath its lands. Eventually, Illefarn would be divided into three nations, of which Iliyanbruen was the most prominent.

Ilyanbruen would constantly be at war with Illusk, which was powered by the Netherese. The Netherese city of Xinlenal would then crash in Ilyanbruen territories where it would remain hidden for thousands of years. Ilyanbruen would be weakened by Orc invasions, which would pave the path to allow for Eigersstor, the first settlement of the area which would later be called Neverwinter. The renamed city would also be attacked by Orc invasions, namely the Black Horde, which would sack the city and hold it for sixty years until Waterdeep could liberate it.

During the Time of Troubles, Neverwinter would be plagued by such catastrophes as the King of Shadows and the magical malady known as the weeping death. From the latter of the two attacks, the city would not recover until a decade's time had passed. The Black Garius would also later threaten the city's safety with Luskan, though his plots for war would fail.

By the time of the Spellplague, the return of Netheril and the search for Xinlenal would have Netherese tiefling Herzgo Alegni infiltrate the power ranks of the city. Alegni's advances would be stopped by the Red Wizards of Thay who would cause an eruption at Mount Hotenow, destroying Neverwinter. By 1467 DR, Dagult Neverember would arrive and would begin the New Neverwinter propoganda movement.

Military
Neverwinter has a standing army of 400 archers and spearmen. It is their job to guard the city walls and the docks and patrol the High Road from Port Llast to Leilon 100 miles south of the city. During peacetime, 60 of these soldiers are assigned to the city watch, 60 are on leave for R&R and 60 are busy retraining. If the city's walls are threatened by orcs or Luskan the defenders catapult a veritable hail of explosive missiles down on the attackers. Both missiles and the specially designed catapults were devised by the best 'skilled hands' of the city's namesake. In desperate situations, Lord Nasher can call upon the guild of the Many-Starred Cloak's wizards.

Trivia
The city of Neverwinter serves as the origin of the phrase "By the clocks of Neverwinter", used when one is solemnly swearing, a reference to the precision of its timepieces.

Appearances

 * Neverwinter Nights (AOL)
 * Neverwinter Nights
 * Neverwinter Nights 2
 * Neverwinter series
 * Dungeons & Dragons: Neverwinter