Luskan, also known as the City of Sails, is a port city at the mouth of the River Mirar on the Sword Coast North. Luskan, despite the presence of the Ten Towns, is considered by many to be civilization's farthest reach.
Tucked like a gold filling (or some would say a pus-filled abscess) at the mouth of the River Mirar, Luskan is a city of merchant princesses, swarthy bandit princes, and the most diverse, cutthroat, and fractured cabal of pirates on Toril. Torn into factions, these piratical groups are known as "Ships".
As of 1370 DR, the city was split into northern and southern halves by the River Mirar, and these were connected by the bridges Dalath's Span, Harbor Cross, and the Upstream Span. Other than the Host Tower of the Arcane, the city was dominated by two and three-story buildings.
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 DR), 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
After Bregan D'aerthe took over the city, they began trading Netherese artifacts to Menzoberranzan.
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. 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.
Points of Interest
• Winter Supply Shop
• The Cutlass
• The Royal Arms Inn
• Seven Sails Inn
• Red Dragon Trading Post
• Baliver's House of Horses
As of 1372 DR, the city was officially ruled by the five High Captains, all former pirate lords and each of which led a faction called a "ship" named after its respective captain: Ship Taerl, Ship Baram, Ship Kurth, Ship Suljack and Ship Rethnor. The true power in the city resided with the Arcane Brotherhood. The High Captains encouraged the harassment of the trading routes of small cities such as Mirabar, Neverwinter, and Ruathym, and made sure to avoid conflict with Waterdeep and Amn because they were too powerful.
The Arcane Brotherhood also encouraged local traders to treat travelers with disdain and suspicion, due to the possibility that they may be spies for their enemies, often sending low-level agents to follow strangers personally. Luskan was rumored to be allied with the Zhentarim but no evidence of this was ever presented.
By 1480 DR there was no true functioning government and gangs (including the Ships of the High Captains) carved out territories within the city. Some time after 1485 DR, the five High Captains who ruled the city started to conduct legal sea trade across the Sword Coast. They also protected the city and raided the island kingdoms to the west. Secretly, the High Captains were under the sway of Jarlaxle and the Bregan D'aerthe.
