Luskan

Luskan, also known as the City of Sails, is a port city on the northernmost point of the Sword Coast. It is considered by most to be the furthest reach of civilization. The Spine of the World Mountains which mark what most believe to be the end of the known world (this is of course not true as the Ten Towns of Icewind Dale lie past them) being just a few miles north of the city.

Built on the ruins of the ancient and magical orcish city of Illusk, Luskan has a very intriguing history. Most of its inhabitants, however couldn't care less. Luskan is a port town frequented by pirates, thieves and other disreputable folk interested in only one thing: money. Although you could have been murdered, mugged or kidnapped at any moment within its walls, Luskan was a very lucrative city. Pirates brought in their booty to be sold to the black market, northern traders frequented the place as a rest stop on their way to the aforementioned Ten towns during the warmer months, ready to buy exotic scrimshander ornaments, several taverns did a roaring trade in ale and other spirits, the drugs and slave trade were rife (although obviously sublimated) and information brokers and prostitutes plyed their trade during the night-time.

The city was officially ruled by the five High Captains: Taerl, Baram, Kurth, Suljack and Rethnor (who was succeeded by his second son Kensidan), former pirate lords all. Everyone knows that the true power in the city resided with the Arcane Brotherhood, headquartered in the Host Tower of the Arcane. The 130 loosely affiliated mages used the High Captains as puppet rulers, mostly keeping to themselves and working on their own magical experiments. They encouraged the harassment of the trading routes of small cities such as Longsaddle, Mirabar, and Neverwinter, although they kept well clear of Waterdeep and Amn's routes. They 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 agents to follow strangers personally.

In the autumn of 1376 DR Luskan was attacked by an army of mercenaries led by Lord Brambleberry of Waterdeep and aided by the famous Captain Deudermont. The attack destroyed the Hosttower and the grateful populace installed Deudermont as their governor. Although he tried to rebuild as many homes as possible before winter set in, supplies were scarce and most food came via Ship Rethnor in the form of a strange tangy meat and edible fungus. People were being murdered every day for this food and those who weren't prepared to kill for it, starved. When supplies from Waterdeep were sent to aid Deudermont's new city the land caravans were attacked by bandits paid for by Ship Rethnor and the fleet of trading ships that was supposed to dock was attacked by Arklem Greeth, who had (unknown to all) survived the Hosttower's destruction. Barely any of the supplies arrived and then Kensidan had Suljack murdered, which sparked off a street war among the hungry masses and guards who had been bribed by Ships Rethnor and Kurth. At the same time Arklem Greeth attacked the Sea Sprite. When Deudermont's corpse was found, it was all over. The survivors fled the city, leaving the four remaining captains to rule over the place, though Kensidan and Kurth would dominate Baram and Taerl. Luskan would become a free port. A place of trade where absolutely no questions would ever be asked.

Unknown to most, a lot of the resources and intelligence that led to this outcome were provided by Bregan D'aerthe who, once more led by Jarlaxle wanted to share in the profits the free port would hopefully produce.

In the years after the Spellplague, Luskan fell into ruin. Over the next century, the rulership of the city changed from hand to claw to hand so many times that it would be nigh-impossible to document them in any kind of detail. The result is a mockery of a true city. Most buildings are ruined, murderers and demon-worshipers roam the streets freely, plying their trade in broad daylight. Wretched tribes of goblins and kobolds skulk in the shadows and the fetid bog that was once the estuary of the River Mirar is infested with aquatic horrors. The place has become a haven for escaped criminals who, while escaping punishment for their crimes will likely die on the end of a psycopath's blade or a monster's claw.

The Host Tower of the Arcane
The real power in the city until shortly before the Spellplague was based here. Arklem Greeth presided over around 130 mages in this 4-spired tower. While delegating laws to the High Captains, the arcanists within partook in their studies and bouts of infighting.

The Cutlass
One of the busiest taverns in the city, a haven for the crews of the pirate ships that docked in the harbour as well as the escorts whom they spend their share of the booty on. The famed Barbarian Wulfgar spent some time working here as a bouncer.

Seven Sails Inn
While The Cutlass was a place of raucous fun and drinking, the Seven Sails was an establishment where one could actually get some sleep. However, it was also a place closely watched by the Arcane Brotherhood.

Ruins of Illusk
Some of the ruins of the city that Luskan was built atop of still existed until quite recently. Most folks stayed away from the ruins as wandering undead, restless spirits of Illusk, were known to prey on the drunks and adventurers who got too close to the hidden passageways to the old city.