‘Brimstone Angels’: Raise a Little Hell in Neverwinter

Erin M. Evans’ new novel Brimstone Angels features a hell of a hero, a young Tiefling (a kind of demonic humanoid for those uninitiated to the world of Dungeons & Dragons) named Farideh who has made a pact with a devil, Lorcan. This particular devil has plans like they all do, but the promise of wondrous power is too appealing to pass up for Farideh. When a trip to the ruins of Neverwinter brings Farideh to the attention of a scheming succubus, she learns to her misfortune that Lorcan’s plans are more extensive than she ever imagined.

Brimstone Angels is one of several novels to explore Neverwinter, one of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting’s most famous – and most dangerous – sites. Once known as the Jewel of the North, the city of Neverwinter enjoyed year-round mild temperatures, abundant natural resources and brisk trade. Then came its doom.

The Spellplague, a magical catastrophe caused by the death of a goddess, warped the land and altered the way magic works forever. Many fell victim to its perilous effects, but none were as famous as Neverwinter. The city fell and its once-beautiful streets became dangerous ruins haunted by monsters. Despite the hazards, the fallen Jewel of the North attracts adventurers of all sorts, all eager to risk their lives in hope of finding treasure beyond their wildest dreams.

Neverwinter has been a part of Dungeons & Dragons since the publication of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting in 1987. Since that time, the city has expanded far beyond the borders of the tabletop game. It was the setting of the first massive multiplayer Online Roleplaying game: AOL’s Neverwinter Nights, online from 1991 to 1997. The city sprung to life again in Bioware’s celebrated Neverwinter Nights I and II, two games lauded for their ease of modification. It also served as the setting for several novels, including author R.A. Salvatore’s Neverwinter Saga. The city’s legacy continues to this day, with a new MMORPG, novels, adventures and board games coming in 2012.

Read Farideh’s adventure as soon as you can, and then prepare to venture forth into the city yourself. Treasure, and danger, await.