Luskan
The City of Sails is, with Neverwinter, the dominant coastal city north of Waterdeep. It is the home of fierce, proud, and warlike Northmen who engage in trade and raiding up and down the Sea of Swords. It is a pirate haven for raiders, under the direction of their captains.
Luskan spans the icy River Mirar, which tumbles from the Spine of the World, races past Mirabar, and then plunges toward the sea. The swift river has cut deep here, and Luskan rests atop two escarpments on either side, with sheer, forty-foot bluffs of gray stone rising above the water.
Around the city’s perimeter, thick stone walls with squat towers provide defense. The southern gate, called the Twin Teeth, boasts the most impressive towers, standing twice as tall as the city walls, and bedecked with crenellations and arrow slits enough for numerous defenders, in a show of strength toward the southern approach.
Luskan is ruled by a council of five high captains, all of whom are assumed to be former pirates. However it is rumored that the true power in the city resides with the Arcane Brotherhood, headquartered in the Host Tower of the Arcane. There are temples to Auril, Tempus, and Umberlee within the city walls.
Demographics
The people of Luskan always tended to be tense and paranoid—rightly so, because of the dangers of the tough city—and they were extremely prejudiced against non-humans. In fact, few non-humans were allowed past the city gates.
Government
Oligarchy
Defences
As of 1370 DR, Luskan had an army of 300 spearmen and a navy of 19 dragonships. The dragonships were each armed with 70 archers. The North Gate was guarded by soldiers with spears and crossbows; in the winter they wore fur caps
Industry & Trade
Luskan was the gateway to the lands northward and as such was a perfect market for ore from the Spine of the World and scrimshaw from the Ten Towns in Icewind Dale.3 Luskan traded silver from Mirabar and timber from Lurkwood. It also had a good business in dwarven-made weapons.
As of 1370 DR, Luskan was the main shipyard for Mirabar. Trade with such places as Amn and Calimshan was carried out on the neutral ground offshore from Mintarn because it was not desirable to be associated with Luskan.
As of 1370 DR, the city's market only allowed stalls by permit. These were only given to Luskan companies, and those outsiders who were closely watched. The main offerings at the market were fresh goods, firewood and trinkets.
Districts
Northern Bank
The northern section was walled and was almost entirely made up of warehouses. The Mirabar District (also known as the Mirabar Shield) was a fortified compound operated by the merchants of Mirabar, and it contained the Throat, the city's heavily guarded main water tower, which was situated in a grazing area for sheep. The Red Dragon Trading Post, Luskan's most successful overland trading company as of 1370 DR (but no longer in operation in 1483 DR15), was situated on the northern bank, as was the North Gate, the portal between the northern and southern banks.
The docks on the northern bank were on the sea coast (western part of the city) and consisted of Whitesails Harbor, used exclusively for the Luskan navy, and the unprotected Open Shore, which was situated outside the city walls and was the only place foreign shipping could dock.
Southern Bank
As of 1370 DR, the southern bank consisted of a heavily fortified inner section surrounded by caravan compounds. This area was home to the majority of residents and shops. The southern wall was semicircular, with over a dozen towers. The two towers flanking the South Gate were named the Twin Teeth.17 The southern bank also housed stables, the Captains' and High Captains' Court, the Market and the Prisoners' Carnival, and the town's original harbor, Dragon Beach, a lawless place where even soldiers feared to tread.
Guilds and Factions
Arcane Brotherhood
Piracy
While not at war, Luskan ships of war carried out independent piracy against shipping destined for other ports, with the aim of increasing trade with Luskan. While this contravened Luskan law as of 1370 DR, the pirates were actually supplied and directed by the high captains themselves.
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