Module 19
Avernus
🔥 Module Overview
Avernus launched June 30, 2020 as Neverwinter's 19th module. It continues directly from Infernal Descent, sending players beyond the Vallenhas estate and into the open Avernus Wastes.
The Path of the Fallen campaign follows Zariel's history, the Sword of Zariel and the struggle surrounding the Bleeding Citadel. Infernal war machines, treasure maps, hunts and Zariel's Challenge turn the wastes into both a story route and a long-term farming zone.
⚔ At a Glance
- Release: June 30, 2020
- Campaign: Path of the Fallen
- Adventure Areas: Avernus Wastes, Wandering Emporium, Bleeding Citadel
- Trial: Zariel's Challenge
- Historical Event: The Redeemed Citadel
✦ Major Additions
- Open Avernus Wastes adventure area
- Infernal war-machine travel and encounters
- Path of the Fallen campaign
- Avernus treasure maps and hunt system
- Normal and Master Zariel's Challenge
- Time-limited Redeemed Citadel server campaign
📜 Path of the Fallen Campaign
Begin through the Campaign Journal after the Vallenhas story. The campaign follows a sequence of memories and investigations tied to Zariel, Lulu and the Sword of Zariel while gradually opening activities across the wastes.
| Stage | Story / Activity | Player Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Leave Vallenhas | Take the conflict from the estate into the wider Avernus Wastes. | Complete the opening chain and learn infernal travel. |
| 2. Follow Zariel's Past | Investigate memories and locations linked to Zariel's fall. | Advance gold quests before treating the zone as a farm. |
| 3. Work the Weekly Track | Complete eligible campaign tasks and activities. | Check the current weekly cap and milestone costs. |
| 4. Reach the Bleeding Citadel | Push the story toward the Sword of Zariel and its defenders. | Unlock required access through the permanent campaign. |
| 5. Face Zariel | Enter the appropriate version of Zariel's Challenge. | Choose a story-accessible or organized endgame tier. |
| 6. Farm With a Goal | Use maps, hunts and repeatables for a named reward. | Confirm the live source before spending lures or time. |
🏜️ Avernus Wastes & Infernal Travel
The Avernus Wastes are broader and more open than Vallenhas. Infernal war machines turn travel into an active part of the zone, while the Wandering Emporium and Bleeding Citadel anchor major campaign functions.
| Destination | Purpose | Travel Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Avernus Wastes | Public combat, quests, maps, hunts and campaign exploration. | Learn the major roads and landmarks before running a repeatable circuit. |
| Wandering Emporium | Social and service hub connected to the infernal journey. | Use the campaign route or unlocked travel rather than searching the open desert. |
| Bleeding Citadel | Central story location tied to the Sword of Zariel. | Campaign progress controls access to its story functions. |
| Vallenhas | Previous campaign hub and continuing story reference. | Return through the map when tasks cross between Module 18 and 19 content. |
War Machines
Use the zone vehicle to cover long distances and engage eligible roaming content. Vehicle controls are different from normal movement.
Map Awareness
Open terrain can hide elevation changes, broken roads and indirect approaches. Follow landmarks and maintained routes.
Safe Stops
Do not abandon a vehicle in the middle of active combat when a nearby safe path or destination is available.
🎯 Avernus Hunts, Lures & Treasure Maps
Avernus supports several connected farming loops. Treasure maps lead to buried chests, while hunts use dropped components and crafted or exchanged lures to summon specific targets.
| Loop | How It Starts | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Treasure Maps | Eligible enemies drop map items that point to fixed chest locations. | Match the map image to the correct landmark and confirm the desired drop still comes from that chest. |
| Hunt Components | Specific enemies or activities provide components. | Check the exact component and whether it is bound or tradable. |
| Lure Creation | Combine or exchange the required components for a hunt lure. | Confirm target, tier and party ownership before consuming it. |
| Summoned Hunt | Use the lure at the correct location to call the target. | Make sure the intended players are present and eligible before starting. |
| Repeat Route | Cycle only the enemies and locations tied to the chosen goal. | Avoid farming every activity when one source is relevant. |
Protect the Lure
A lure represents prior farming. State loot expectations and group readiness before it is used.
Use Exact Sources
Similar-looking Avernus items can come from maps, hunts, Heroics, campaign stores or trials. Trace the complete source.
Trade Carefully
Check binding and current market value before trading components or buying a shortcut.
⚔️ Zariel's Challenge
Zariel's Challenge is a ten-player trial built around coordinated positioning, survival checks and disciplined phase execution. A more accessible version and a Master version support very different group expectations.
| Version | Best Use | Group Expectation | Archive Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard / Story-facing Version | Learning the broad sequence and completing accessible progression. | Follow calls, stay with the group and resolve visible mechanics. | Use the current queue name and requirement. |
| Master | Organized endgame progression and achievement-focused clears. | Plan tank swaps, healing coverage, damage windows and mechanic assignments. | Launch requirements and class strategies are historical. |
Positioning
Arena placement and group spacing determine whether mechanics remain survivable.
Mitigation Plan
Supports should coordinate major defensive tools instead of overlapping every resource on one check.
Phase Discipline
Hold damage or movement when the mechanic requires control; uncontrolled burst can make transitions harder.
🛡️ Maps, Hunts & Reward Decisions
Avernus rewards are spread across the campaign, treasure chests, hunt targets, stores, the trial and later event history. Begin with a target item and identify the exact source instead of running the zone generally.
| Source | Typical Reward Type | Before You Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign Track | Milestones, boons and permanent unlocks. | Check character completion and current costs. |
| Treasure Chests | Map-specific equipment and resources. | Verify the correct map image and current pool. |
| Hunts | Target- and tier-specific equipment. | Confirm lure recipe, target and drop condition. |
| Campaign / Event Stores | Unlocked purchases and historical event items. | Determine whether the store and currency are still active. |
| Zariel's Challenge | Trial rewards, achievements and tier-specific drops. | Select the correct version and chest source. |
Inspect the Power
Older Avernus gear may still have a distinctive effect, but compare uptime and role value in the current game.
Count the Full Cost
For hunts, include the component farm and lure cost—not only the final target fight.
🕊️ Redeemed Citadel Archive
The Redeemed Citadel was a limited, server-wide restoration campaign tied to the Bleeding Citadel. Its milestones, leaderboards and timed rewards are historical and should not be confused with the permanent Path of the Fallen campaign.
Server-Wide Progress
Players originally contributed to shared restoration phases that unlocked the Citadel over time.
Personal Milestones
Individual participation tracked rewards separately from the server's overall progress.
Limited Rewards
Some items were tied to original phases, purchases or leaderboard conditions and are not automatically permanent sources.
Permanent Story
The Avernus campaign and Bleeding Citadel story remain distinct from the expired restoration event.
Return Possibility
Only a new official announcement can establish a modern source for an old event reward.
Do Not Grind Blindly
If no active Redeemed Citadel track appears in the UI, old contribution instructions cannot advance it.
⚙️ Launch-Era System Changes
The Avernus era included major revisions to healing, mounts, companions and combat-stat presentation. Those systems have continued to evolve, so the important lesson is to recognize the era of a guide before following its numbers.
Healing Changes
Resource use and healing behavior were rebalanced. Old rotations may describe costs or magnitudes that no longer exist.
Mount Changes
Mount bolster, powers and stable value shifted during this era and have changed again since.
Companion Changes
Companion contribution and bolster guidance from 2020 should be checked against current tooltips.
Combat Ratings
Item Level and rating relationships were revised around this period; never copy an old stat target without translation.
Build Videos
Use the upload date as a warning label. The encounter may remain useful even when the build does not.
Live Comparison
Current character-sheet ratings, power tooltips and test results override launch recommendations.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Avernus continue Infernal Descent?
How do I begin Path of the Fallen?
What is the Wandering Emporium?
How do Avernus hunts work?
Where are treasure-map locations?
Is the Redeemed Citadel still active?
Where are Zariel trial mechanics?
Where does the module sequence continue?
🎥 Video & Verified Sources
Avernus Launch Trailer
The official trailer carries the Vallenhas story into the Avernus Wastes and introduces the infernal journey toward Zariel.
PUV Creators Network
For walkthroughs, builds and current community coverage, go directly to the creators who continue to teach Neverwinter content.
Open Creators NetworkOfficial & Archive Sources
Use these destinations for the original visual record and official Neverwinter information.
Watch Official TrailerOfficial NeverwinterNeverwinter Media Archive