New Neverwinter
The setting for the campaign.
"Neverwinter is a friendly city of craftsmen, who trade extensively via the great merchants of Waterdeep; their water-clocks and multi-hued lamps can be found throughout the Realms" - Elminster on Neverwinter
Demographics
Mostly Human, but with a sizeable dwarvish and elvish population, with Dwarves from kryptgarden and Mithral Hall, and elves from the high forest and Silverymoon.
Government
A council of 11 called the parliament of peers.
Defences
They have the vast walls of the Old city, with cannon around the top. To protect the outer city, a series of towers are placed to spot attackers and muster soliders.
"…in such numbers that it seemed a hailstorm." - Eyewitness account of Neverwinter's missiles
Industry & Trade
Neverwinter controlled much of the mining trade from dwarf and gnome outposts in the nearby Underdark via hidden ways in various warehouses in the city. It also had a large fishing economy and did good trade in logging from the Neverwinter Wood. Neverwinter traded mostly via the merchants of the nearby city of Waterdeep. The was city was famed for its accurate clocks, coloured glass, and fine jewelry.
Imports:
Crafters, mercenaries, food
Exports:
Crafts (especially clocks and exotic lamps), logging, magical innovations, refined metals (especially adamantine), glass, concrete. However, Neverwinter's true asset was its importance as a center of craftwork, learning, and magical innovation. Merchants and crafters usually practiced their works in buildings dedicated to such tasks. Street vendors are a relatively new addition to Neverwinter, and are a consequence of a political and cultural shift towards personal business.
Crafters, mercenaries, food
Exports:
Crafts (especially clocks and exotic lamps), logging, magical innovations, refined metals (especially adamantine), glass, concrete. However, Neverwinter's true asset was its importance as a center of craftwork, learning, and magical innovation. Merchants and crafters usually practiced their works in buildings dedicated to such tasks. Street vendors are a relatively new addition to Neverwinter, and are a consequence of a political and cultural shift towards personal business.
Infrastructure
The famous spin network which transmits power thoughout the city, much like an electrical grid!
Districts
Old City:
Bluelake The most affluent area of the old city, with the towering Castle Never at its centre. The bardic college is also located in this district, as well as any visiting nobles. The district is named for the large lake in the centre of it, recently connected to the wider river. Wealthy and Aristocratic backgrounds would be from here.
River District This district used to be known as the Arcanum, as it’s where the Order of the Many Starred Cloak’s tower was. Comfortable and modest backgrounds would be from here
Gondton Named after the God of wisdom and innovation, this district is the economic hub of New Neverwinter. At the exact centre of the city stands the House of Wonders, and the House of Knowledge, two buildings which are both part of the Guild of Machinists. Comfortable and wealthy backgrounds would be from here
Protectors Enclave This area houses the old city's ports, and also the Hall of Justice, the high court of Neverwinter. Leonus boulevard runs through this district, with the statue of him at castle bridge. Wealthy and comfortable backgrounds would be from here
Manorborn Manorborn has large, luxurious houses for the rich, new-money entrepreneurs of Neverwinter, as opposed to the old money aristocracy of Bluelake. As well, there’s a walled off lake in this district. Rumours are it leads to the low lantern, but is entirely flooded. Comfortable, Wealthy and aristocratic backgrounds can be from here.
Outer City:
Norchapel With fisheries and small churches, this quaint middle class district doesn’t have the luxury of the old town, but at least isn’t riddled with industry like neighbouring rivington. Modest and poor backgrounds would be from here
Seatower It seems every day a new dock is built in seatower, so named for its towering lighthouse. Skilled shipwrights and fishermen work here every day, supplying the navy and merchants of the Lords Alliance. Poor, modest and comfortable backgrounds would be from here
Heapside The beating industrial heart of New Neverwinter, where chimneys spring up like weeds. From brickworks to slate quarries to steel mills, if there’s industry, it’s likely here. The poorest workers live in slums alongside the factories, while a few live in townhouses along the edge of the district, as far from the factories as possible. The worst parts of Heapside are squalid, but most are simply poor, and few eek out a modest living.
Blackgate The road leading to the coal mines and forests runs through Blackgate, and so raw materials are always pouring in through the gates, stained black with soot. Poor and modest backgrounds are from here.
Rivington Like Heapside, but slightly nicer. As the prevailing wind blows northerly over Neverwinter, there are fewer heavy industries here, and many of the factories are powered by the spin network or the new cut which runs through this district. Poor and modest backgrounds are from here.
The Low Lantern This district is built into the caverns and caves under Neverwinter. First opened up during the second sundering, then reopened during the soul sweeping, these caverns contain old order laboratories and disused mines. The very poorest live here, criminals, outcasts and the most misfortunate. Squalid and wretched backgrounds are from here.
Bluelake The most affluent area of the old city, with the towering Castle Never at its centre. The bardic college is also located in this district, as well as any visiting nobles. The district is named for the large lake in the centre of it, recently connected to the wider river. Wealthy and Aristocratic backgrounds would be from here.
River District This district used to be known as the Arcanum, as it’s where the Order of the Many Starred Cloak’s tower was. Comfortable and modest backgrounds would be from here
Gondton Named after the God of wisdom and innovation, this district is the economic hub of New Neverwinter. At the exact centre of the city stands the House of Wonders, and the House of Knowledge, two buildings which are both part of the Guild of Machinists. Comfortable and wealthy backgrounds would be from here
Protectors Enclave This area houses the old city's ports, and also the Hall of Justice, the high court of Neverwinter. Leonus boulevard runs through this district, with the statue of him at castle bridge. Wealthy and comfortable backgrounds would be from here
Manorborn Manorborn has large, luxurious houses for the rich, new-money entrepreneurs of Neverwinter, as opposed to the old money aristocracy of Bluelake. As well, there’s a walled off lake in this district. Rumours are it leads to the low lantern, but is entirely flooded. Comfortable, Wealthy and aristocratic backgrounds can be from here.
Outer City:
Norchapel With fisheries and small churches, this quaint middle class district doesn’t have the luxury of the old town, but at least isn’t riddled with industry like neighbouring rivington. Modest and poor backgrounds would be from here
Seatower It seems every day a new dock is built in seatower, so named for its towering lighthouse. Skilled shipwrights and fishermen work here every day, supplying the navy and merchants of the Lords Alliance. Poor, modest and comfortable backgrounds would be from here
Heapside The beating industrial heart of New Neverwinter, where chimneys spring up like weeds. From brickworks to slate quarries to steel mills, if there’s industry, it’s likely here. The poorest workers live in slums alongside the factories, while a few live in townhouses along the edge of the district, as far from the factories as possible. The worst parts of Heapside are squalid, but most are simply poor, and few eek out a modest living.
Blackgate The road leading to the coal mines and forests runs through Blackgate, and so raw materials are always pouring in through the gates, stained black with soot. Poor and modest backgrounds are from here.
Rivington Like Heapside, but slightly nicer. As the prevailing wind blows northerly over Neverwinter, there are fewer heavy industries here, and many of the factories are powered by the spin network or the new cut which runs through this district. Poor and modest backgrounds are from here.
The Low Lantern This district is built into the caverns and caves under Neverwinter. First opened up during the second sundering, then reopened during the soul sweeping, these caverns contain old order laboratories and disused mines. The very poorest live here, criminals, outcasts and the most misfortunate. Squalid and wretched backgrounds are from here.
Founding Date
1493
Founders
Alternative Name(s)
City of Skilled Hands / Jewel of the North
Type
Large city
Population
175000
Inhabitant Demonym
Neveren
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Related Tradition (Primary)
Comments