D&D 5E How much can I learn about 5E Neverwinter in a week?

[Shaunobi]

We're talking the city here in case that's not clear.

Background: first-time DM, playing the Lost Mines starter adventure with my 3 kids. They decided to head to Thundertree to pursue that Druid adventure hook. After some adventures along the way, they left off last week considering hitting Neverwinter on the way to Thundertree - they are currently about a day away from either one.

I know nothing about Neverwinter.

I read through the Wikia FAQ. I don't consider it to have enough background info to steep me in this city's "lore". I have time to procure and read about 250-400 pages from any published books between now and our next session. Note that I find fiction to be just as good as non-fic for getting the feel of a place. Not really looking for dry facts, more scene description and characters that I can mentally reference as I describe them riding into the city, meeting people, etc.

Should I buy Salvatore's Neverwinter Drizzt book from 2011? Or the Neverwinter Campaign Setting book? Or perhaps the Grand History of the Realms? Read parts of two of these? Read another reference online?

Help me figure out which ~300 pages of Neverwinter material to read this week!

 

[Remathilis]

The Neverwinter Campaign Guide is probably your best bet. There is a lot of info that won't matter much (the 4e info on Bladesinger or subraces) but you should be able to pull a bit of info in time.

 

[pukunui]

Start with the FR wiki's entry on Neverwinter.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Neverwinter Setting. It's also just a great book.

 

[Shaunobi]

Just went to Powell's and grabbed the Neverwinter Campaign Setting. And some Murakami for the SO. A good evening will be had by all

 

[MerricB]

Here's my introduction to the region: http://merricb.com/2015/05/07/an-introduction-to-the-forgotten-realms-the-sword-coast/

Cheers!

 

[Shaunobi]

Hey, thanks!! That's great - hadn't seen that yet.

 

[Mephista]

You could also look over the details of the Neverwinter MMO game. Its got a rough outline of how things are like in a good portion of the city there. Some of the details are wrong for 5e, but it can't hurt to use it to supplement the guide.

The big differences for 5e from the 4e book I can think of is 1) its 10 years in the future, and 2) Lord Neverember is no longer a Lord of Waterdeep, but full time head hancho of Neverwinter now (as of Tyranny of Dragons anyways). Oh, and 3) No more spell plague, so the entire Abolith Sovereignty subplot is now obsolete. Plus, with the gods back, we'll be seeing more priests hanging around.

Yes, and 4) no more earthmotes, so the city is all back to ground level again.

 

[Shaunobi]

Thanks for that - was going to ask what has changed between 4e and 5e, you read my mind.

I have Salvatore's first Neverwinter book as well. Haven't cracked it. Is it 5e or 4e in terms of when it takes place?

Also, I DO have the Tyranny books; maybe I will skim them for info re: that region as well.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

You could also look over the details of the Neverwinter MMO game. Its got a rough outline of how things are like in a good portion of the city there. Some of the details are wrong for 5e, but it can't hurt to use it to supplement the guide.

The big differences for 5e from the 4e book I can think of is 1) its 10 years in the future, and 2) Lord Neverember is no longer a Lord of Waterdeep, but full time head hancho of Neverwinter now (as of Tyranny of Dragons anyways). Oh, and 3) No more spell plague, so the entire Abolith Sovereignty subplot is now obsolete. Plus, with the gods back, we'll be seeing more priests hanging around.

Yes, and 4) no more earthmotes, so the city is all back to ground level again.

Neverember is still a Lord of Waterdeep, he is just no longer the Open Lord. (AKA the person everyone knows is a lord.)