The Wintershield watchmen was a policing force that served as the city watch of Neverwinter in the late years of the 15th century DR.[1][2]
Activities[]
The Wintershield watchmen were charged with maintaining peace and order within the city.[1][2] Their ranks were made up mostly of local Neverwintians who were both responsible as well as invested in the protection of the city.[3] They were directed to understand the neighborhoods and citizens whom they were protecting in hopes that this would make the populace more compliant, and thus lead to few bloody altercations.[2]
The Wintershield watchmen were trained by veteran members of the Neverwinter Guard and hosted observers from the Guard among their ranks. They were funded by taxes levied on local commerce and residents.[2]
History[]
Prior to the formation of the Wintershield watchman, Lord Protector Dagult Neverember relied on the Neverwinter Guard to serve as the city watch. This group was mostly made up of mercenaries from Mintarn, and their harsh methods made the people fear and hate them.[2][3][4]
By the Year of the Warrior Princess, 1489 DR, more accountable and local solutions to policing the streets were being called for, and some neighborhoods had even formed their own makeshift militias that threatened to clash with the Guard. Seeking to avoid this, Neverember began to reduce his dependence on mercenaries in favor of locals who had grown up defending The Wall.[3] He thus created the Wintershield watchmen to patrol the city's streets while the Neverwinter Guard evolved into the city's military force.[1][2][5] Soon, even members of the Sons of Alagondar—Neverember's staunch opposition—began to volunteer themselves to serve in place of the outgoing mercenaries.[3]
As of the Year of the Duplicitous Courtier, 1496 DR, there was dissatisfaction in Neverwinter with the attitude of the city guards, who were seen as being willing to lazily pin crimes on their usual suspects rather than work to solve them.[6][note 1]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Canon material does not provide a year for the events described in Acquisitions Incorporated, but Jerry Holkins answered a question via Twitter and stated the year was 1496 DR. Unless a canon source contradicts this assertion, this wiki will use 1496 DR for events related to this sourcebook.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 145. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Ed Greenwood. Ed's Twitter. Retrieved on 2023-01-30.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 51–52. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
- ↑ Matt Sernett, Erik Scott de Bie, Ari Marmell (August 2011). Neverwinter Campaign Setting. Edited by Tanis O'Connor. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 140–141. ISBN 0-7869-5814-6.
- ↑ Cryptic Studios (June 2013). Neverwinter. Perfect World Entertainment.
- ↑ Jerry Holkins, Elyssa Grant, Scott Fitzgerald Gray (June 18, 2019). Acquisitions Incorporated. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 120. ISBN 978-0786966905.