Neverwinter
Neverwinter, also known as the City of Skilled Hands and the Jewel of the North, was a bustling, cultured, and cosmopolitan city-state in northwest Faerûn. Neverwinter was regarded by Volo as the most cosmopolitan and civilized city in all of Faerûn. The city was 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 were colorful and the summers were rich with fresh fruit.
Demographics
As of 1370 DR, Neverwinter was inhabited mostly by humans, half-elves, and a minority of dwarves. They occupied a small dwarf quarter.
As of 1479 DR, the city was more cosmopolitan, with members of many races living alongside the common human and half-elven families. The rare eladrin and even tieflings were common sights among the citizens. A sizable delegation of dragonborn mercenaries had been hired by Lord Neverember alongside the Mintarn ones. The River District was invaded by a tribe of orcs from Many-Arrows, and although most left when they were recalled by their compatriots in the north, around 1484 DR, a few orcs and half-orcs were still living in Neverwinter as of 1491 DR
Defences
Details on walls, moats, towers, ballistas, moats, etc here
Districts
The city's layout was roughly the shape of an eye, with the Neverwinter River as a long axis running roughly east–west. At one end was the harbor and at the other was the Upland Rise, and beyond that the Neverwinter Wood. Four gates penetrated its walls, in the northwestern, northeastern, southwestern, and southeastern corners.
Neverwinter was divided into the following districts:
- The Protector's Enclave, located where the City Core, the Peninsula District, and the Merchant Quarter once stood.
- The Blacklake District located in the northwestern section of the city.
- The Docks District became part of the Protector's Enclave to the south, and the Blacklake District to the north.
- The Neverdeath Graveyard was built as the main graveyard of the city.
- The Arcanist Quarter and the Beggar's Nest were completely destroyed, being replaced by the Chasm. The Chasm was sealed around 1485 DR.
- The River District, also known as the Towers District, located in the northeastern portion of the city.
Guilds and Factions
Many of the organizations that operated in Neverwinter took on more prominent roles by 1479 DR.60 As of 1491 DR, many of these factions still vied for control of the city.53 Among the most important were:
- The Covenant, an order of wizards that operated out of Neverwinter during its earlier years.28
- The Many-Starred Cloak, an order of wizards that supported the rule of Lord Nasher Alagondar in the 1370s DR.34
- The Graycloaks militia that protected Neverwinter during the rule of Lord Nasher Alagondar.10
- A cell of the Harpers that operated in Neverwinter in the 1360s DR.10
- The New Neverwinter movement started by Lord Neverember in 1461 DR.12
- The Neverwinter Guard, the army of Neverwinter in the late years of the 15th century.17
- The Wintershield Watchmen, the police force of Neverwinter in the late years of the 15th century DR.4445
- The dreaded Abolethic Sovereignty, which pulled the strings from behind the scenes since the eruption of Mount Hotenow.31
- The Ashmadai, who gained great renown in Neverwinter in the late 15th century.13
- A Thayan cell under Valindra Shadowmantle, operating in Neverwinter in the late 15th century to advance Szass Tam's agenda in the region.61
- The Dead Rats of Luskan, who had gained a foothold in Neverwinter in the late 15th century.62
- The Sons of Alagondar insurgent movement that opposed Neverember's rule,63 but was mostly disbanded by 1491 DR.33
- A cell of Bregan D'aerthe, under the direct leadership of Jarlaxle Baenre himself.64
- A cell of the Order of the Gauntlet that became prominent in Neverwinter around 1491 DR.
Points of interest
Among its most prominent landmarks were its three spectacular, intricately carved bridges: the Dolphin, the Winged Wyvern, and the Sleeping Dragon, considered the city's emblems by its inhabitants. Under these, the Neverwinter River cascaded over small, gentle waterfalls as they coursed into the city's bustling harbor.
The city was full of beautiful and ingeniously designed buildings with many famous in their own right, such as the House of Knowledge, Neverwinter's tall and many-windowed temple of Oghma; the Hall of Justice, the temple of Tyr and the public office for the rulers of the city; and Castle Never, the castle of the ruler of Neverwinter. In addition, the reputations of such unique taverns as the Moonstone Mask, the Shining Serpent Inn, and the Fallen Tower reached far beyond the city's walls and further added to the city's distinction.
Geography
Neverwinter stood on the northern Sword Coast, on the High Road between Waterdeep and Luskan, specifically between Leilon and Port Llast. To the east lay the Neverwinter Wood and, at its heart, the volcanic Mount Hotenow. The Neverwinter River was heated by fire elementals living under the volcano before flowing through the forest and the city. It carried its supernatural warmth with it, keeping the river and harbor from freezing up in winter and the gardens green year-round. The heat given off by the river created a permanent warm climate in the immediate area.
Southeast of Neverwinter stood the monastery of Helm's Hold, further south down the High Road stood the village of Vilnask, to the east – the village of Floodblest on the shores of Neverwinter River, and the villages of Windycliffs and Rothé Valley to the north.
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