1491 DR - Now
The current year is 1491 Dalereckoning. You live in a world shaped by ashes, war, and stubborn hope. The great tragedies are in the past, but their shadows are long. The future is unwritten, and it will be written by those with the courage to grasp it.
The State of the North
Neverwinter: The Jewel, Reforged
Neverwinter stands again, but it is a city of contrasts.
- Scaffolds still cling to older buildings, and new constructions rise daily.
- The divide between “Old Neverwinter” families and “New Neverwinter” settlers colors every political decision.
- Lord Neverember’s rule is stable but not unchallenged. The city is a hub of trade, intrigue, and opportunity.
- It is safe within its walls, but its influence beyond them is still secured by coin and sword.
The Frontier: A Tenuous Grasp
East of Neverwinter, civilization’s hold is fragile.
- Phandalin and a handful of other settlements exist as islands of light in a sea of wilderness.
- Trade moves along the Triboar Trail, but only with heavy guard or great risk.
- Ancient ruins dot the landscape, untouched for centuries, whispering of older powers and forgotten wealth.
- This is a land where monsters rule until proven otherwise.
The Wilderness: Unbroken and Watchful
The wild places have not forgiven the incursion of settlers.
- Neverwinter Wood remains deep, dark, and full of old magic and older threats.
- The Sword Mountains hide goblin tribes, lone monsters, and the remnants of fallen kingdoms.
- The High Road along the coast is patrolled, but the inland trails are the domain of beasts and bandits.
- Nature here is not passive; it is waiting.
The Mood of the Age
A Generation of Recovery
Your parents and grandparents survived cataclysm and war. You have grown up in the long, slow climb back from the brink. This has bred a generation that is:
- Practical, not poetic.
- Cautious, but not without ambition.
- Hardened to hardship, but still capable of hope.
Opportunity and Danger Are Twins
In the North today, risk and reward are two sides of the same coin.
- A ruined tower may contain a monster’s hoard—or the monster itself.
- A sealed dungeon may hold ancient treasure—or an ancient curse.
- A frontier town may offer a chance to become a founding hero—or a nameless grave.
The Adventurer’s Era
This is a golden age for adventurers.
- City governments hire freelancers to handle problems their guards cannot.
- Merchants pay well for safe passage and recovered goods.
- Mysteries abound, and those who solve them earn more than gold—they earn legends.
The Unresolved Past
The past is not dead. It lingers in:
- The prejudice half-orcs face from those who remember the Orc Wars.
- The ash that still drifts from Mount Hotenow on windy days.
- The ruins of kingdoms that fell long before Neverwinter burned.
- The grudges held by dwarves, elves, orcs, and humans over battles fought centuries ago.
History here is not a book; it is a wound that has not fully healed.
What This Means for You
You begin your journey in a moment of balance.
- Civilization is expanding, but the wilderness pushes back.
- Peace exists, but it is maintained by vigilance and violence.
- Legends of the past are everywhere, but the legends of tomorrow have yet to be written.
You are not just passing through history—you are here to make it.
Whether you seek wealth, glory, knowledge, or simply a place to call your own, the Sword Coast in 1491 DR offers it all. But it will not be given. It must be taken, defended, and earned.
The road ahead is dangerous. The rewards are real. The choice to walk it is yours.
Next: Review where your journey begins geographically in Sword Coast, or start at the beginning with the Timeline.