Nezznar — The Black Spider

The Black Spider — his true name Nezznar — was the primary antagonist of the Phandalin arc. A drow wizard who orchestrated the kidnapping of Gundren Rockseeker, manipulated the Redbrand gang (via his agent Glasstaff/Iarno Albrek), and sought control of the Forge of Spells in Wave Echo Cave.

History

• Hired bugbears and used the Kragmaw goblin tribe as agents
• Kidnapped Gundren Rockseeker to obtain his map to Wave Echo Cave
• Placed Iarno Albrek ("Glasstaff") as the Redbrands' leader to destabilize Phandalin
• Had agents in the Frost Giant queen Gertie's court (the cloaked spider-emblemed figure who directed her to Phandalin was part of his network)
• Was captured alive by the Forge Wardens per Vajra Safahr's explicit orders

Defeat and Capture

Captured at Wave Echo Cave. Escort mission: Neverwinter → Revel's End by sea, as ordered by the Blackstaff.

At Revel's End he was handed over by the warden with the words: "Brought here to be forgotten." Designated Prisoner 243. His formal sentence was never determined.

Death — Revel's End

Nezznar was killed by Kavu at Revel's End as a deliberate part of the party's escape plan. He never stood trial. He was brought to be forgotten, and he was — by everyone except the party who killed him.

Unresolved Threads (closed by death)

• His Chardalyn map and connection to Icewind Dale — he was carrying information that died with him
• Who was he ultimately working for? His network's principals never got what they wanted from him
• Whether the spider-emblemed figure at Gertie's court was a full agent or opportunistic ally remains unknown