High Captains of Luskan

The city is ruled by the Five High Captains (1st High Captain, 2nd High Captain, etc.). The 5 of them take turns as leader of the council (i.e. First High Captain) with the coming of every new moon and low tides to keep the five captains from becoming overly ambitious and battling to become the leader. They also oversee the trade and ambitions of Luskan.

They are under an alliance called the Lord's Alliance with Waterdeep and a few other small cities. I believe they also have a larger alliance called the Captain's Alliance with Waterdeep and the island Nation of Ruathym (west off the Sword Coast). Waterdeep forced Luskan and Ruathym to stop warring one another and to keep peace.