Page 53 - D&D - Player's Handbook

way into, among dwarves and between dwarves and gaping chasm that split the city. Neverwinter was in
non-dwarves. ruins, and external influences- from Netheril to Thay
To other dwarves, Mierren are translators and local to Lord Dagult Neverember ofWaterdeep to the agents
guides and "the people who know the right people" in of the Hells themselves- sought to exert control over
human-dominated cities everywhere along the Sword the city. Many folk fought to stem all these dangers, and
Coast and in much of the Heartlands. Most adult Mier- eventually, a measure of peace fell over Neverwinter.
ren have dealings with a variety of human costers and Since Dagult Neverember was deposed as the Open
merchants, taking care to avoid exclusivity or cultivate Lord of Waterdeep, he has thrown his full attention
too narrow a range of business partners and contacts, and effort into the rebuilding of the city from which he
so they control their own destinies and fortunes. They claims descent. Whatever people's opinions are of his
abhor the thought of humans having the slightest claim to Neverwinter's throne, he has proven a capa-
chance of dominating them. ble, inspiring leader over these last few years, and the
The wealth that flows through Mirabar has not only population has embraced him as Lord Protector. He
extended the reach and worldly knowledge of all Mier- engineered the sealing of the Chasm and the restoration
ren, it has enabled them to indulge all sorts of personal of the High Road, and is seeking other ways to repair
hobbies, such as art collections (statuettes and paintings and improve the city. Even if he can never prove his
in particular). The private living quarters of most Mier- descent from Lord Nasher Alagondar, the people of
ren feature comfortable furniture, painted artwork large Neverwinter have accepted his leadership. (My rumored
and small, statuary, and hanging chimes- often metal- personal dislike of Lord Neverember has nothing to do
lic, but always soft and pleasant, never loud or strident. with my assessment of his leadership; I merely find him
Gems are plentiful in Mierren families and are used an intolerable flirt.)
as currency and in all manner of personal adornment, Neverember's influence radiates outward from the
rather than being hidden away. Semiprecious stones Protector's Enclave, centered at the Hall of Justice. With
line many of the streets in Mirabar, and gorgeous inlays Tyr restored to life and his worship returning to prom-
mark important corners and intersections, some so new inence, the Lord Protector has moved into a modest,
that one can still smell the jeweler's dust. private villa. This sacrifice- and the renewal of Tyr's
Still, despite the city's overall wealth, there are rich faith in the previous center of his operations- is only
and (relatively) poor Mirabarrans. Not everyone shares further proof, to some, that Neverember deserves to rule
in the coin the city's sales bring in, and wage work- Neverwinter. As yet, Castle Never remains a dangerous
ers whose income is determined by a day's labor or a ruin, but Neverember has plans to reclaim and rebuild it
month's output can't hope to expect that a well-worded as a symbol of the city's rejuvenation.
contract by an employer will enrich them in the least. The faithful of Oghma have arrived in Neverwinter to
Wealthy merchants and business owners are careful restore the House of Knowledge to its former glory, but
not to show their success ostentatiously; their clothing beyond that, shrines to all manner of gods have been
might be of richer fabrics, but still in the same styles cobbled together in every corner of the city.
and colors as the garb of poorer folks. Waiting rooms As the city restores itself, there are likely to be
and front halls in the fortified homes of the rich are just requests for ennoblement and the privileges that pro-
as sparsely furnished as those in poorer homes. Keep- vides, and certainly, trading interests will emerge. But
ing up the appearance of relative equality in fortunes Lord Protector Neverember is sure to point out that he
is vital, for if anyone in a position to commit a violent is merely a protector, not a king, and so can't invest or
act- say, a weaponsmith with access to great stores of recognize anyone. Guilds may form, but it is sure to be
swords and axes- knew just how wealthy the wealthiest years, if not decades, before any prove strong enough to
Mirabarrans were, there would very likely be bloodshed persevere over their rivals.
before the offended parties were satisfied. Increasingly, calls come from the citizenry for the
enforcers out of Mintarn to be replaced by respectable,
NEVERWINTER local guards who have a personal interest in the defense
of Neverwinter. This public sentiment has led to some
A short while ago, Neverwinter was beset by all manner
of damage, danger, and gloom. Now, the ores that once
menaced the city have moved east to join their breth-
ren in being crushed by the dwarves. The Chasm that
rent the land has been sealed by powerful magic. The
High Road has been cleared and rebuilt, and trade has
resumed with Waterdeep and realms to the south. What
was the blasted, wounded city of Neverwinter just a
decade ago is now an exciting, humming place, where
folk seem eager to throw off the hardships from which
they have emergeq and create a new, brighter future for
their city.
Nearly half a century ago, Mount Hotenow (the nearby
volcano that perpetually heats the river flowing through
the city) violently erupted, destroying much of Neverwin-
ter, killing thousands, and leaving in its wake a great,