Mount Hotenow

Mount Hotenow (pronounced HOE-teh-NOW), known to the ancient dwarves as Glaurimm, was a volcano amid the Crags mountain range, situated to the northeast of the city of Neverwinter on the Sword Coast North, deep in Neverwinter Wood. It was home to a large population of fire elementals, warming the Neverwinter River to the point where it never froze over, even in the heart of winter (hence the city's name).

A shadowy reflection of Mount Hotenow also existed in the Shadowfell. Unlike its Torilian counterpart, the Mount Hotenow of the Shadowfell was always spilling rivers of lava, that flowed to the city of Evernight.

Description
After its eruption, Mount Hotenow looked like a set of serrated teeth many described as a "door to the Nine Hells" (or the Elemental Chaos, according to others). A river made of pure elemental fire followed a serpentine path throughout Hotenow's interior and underneath the surrounding mountains and hills of the Crags.

Geography
Within Mount Hotenow were largely untapped deposits of alum, nitre, and sal ammoniac.

Flora & Fauna
The volcano also had a tendency to attract creatures like fire giants and red dragons to make their homes near it.

Following the Spellplague, creatures that could be found within Mount Hotenow included bloodfire oozes, fire archons, fire bats, fire beetles, galeb duhrs, flamespiders, geonids, magma beasts, salamanders, volcanic dragons, and xorn. While on its slopes could be found elemental weevils.

History
Since Neverwinter‘s founding, Mount Hotenow featured in the bedtime stories and urban legends of the city inhabitants as the home of fire giants, the fearsome red dragon Karrundax, and many other blazing beasts.

In the, a small adventuring party rediscovered the ancient dwarven city of Gauntlgrym beneath the volcano. The party, consisting of Dahlia Sin'felle, Korvin Dor'crae, Valindra Shadowmantle, Athrogate, and Jarlaxle Baenre, made it all the way to the legendary forges. There, the latter two were betrayed by their Thayan allies, with Athrogate hypnotically forced to activate the forge. This briefly awoke the primordial Maegera, who, in a fit of rage, released a burst of energy so powerful that it forced the eruption of the volcano. The resultant earthquake and combination of smoke and lava destroyed much of Neverwinter, killing thousands. The eruption entirely destroyed the settlement of Thundertree.

Over the next few decades the Cult of Maegera led by the mad giant Gommoth emerged within Mount Hotenow, attracting many of its fire-worshipping denizens. Having felt a shared "rapturous awakening" during the volcano's eruption they sought to re-awaken Maegera from her slumber once again.

In the, a dwarven expedition led by Vandra Hillborn ventured into Mount Hotenow in hopes to find an entrance to Gauntlgrym.

Rumors & Legends
Throughout recorded history there had been many legends surrounding Mount Hotenow. Some believed that it sat atop a passage to the Nine Hells or a gateway to the Elemental Chaos. Others claimed that it had a secret entrance to Gauntlgrym. And following the Spellplague, in Neverwinter and Helm's Hold there was an often-told tale that suggested anyone who dared to enter its caves was to cursed to die in a fire within one year.

Notable Locations

 * Landmarks:
 * Caverns of Karrundax, a series of caverns and tunnels that wound throughout the mountain, formed around an underground earthmote claimed by the red dragon after which it was named.
 * Fiery Pit, the chasm within the lowest depths of Mount Hotenow, and the prison of one of the lost Dawn Titans.
 * River of Flame, the flowing river of liquid flame found within the deepest reaches of the mountain.
 * Settlements & Structures:
 * Firecross Bridge, a great bridge that spanned one of the many chasms that wound across the mountain.
 * Fireguard Fortress, an old dwarfhold that dated back to the lost realm of Delzoun.

Notable Inhabitants

 * Karrundax, a young red dragon.
 * Vandra Hillborn, leader of the dwarven expedition seeking Gauntlgrym in 1479 DR.
 * Gommoth, a fire giant and leader of a community of fire creatures who wanted to provoke a more powerful eruption in 1479 DR.
 * Qalthus, an exiled shadar-kai from Xinlenal.

Behind the Scenes
Enow is an archaic version of the modern English word enough. Hence, Hotenow may be a pun on "Hot Enough", as in the idiomatic American phrase, "Hot enough for you?"

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Gauntlgrym
 * Video Games
 * Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir • Neverwinter
 * Board Games
 * Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Begins