Luskan

Luskan, is also known as the City of Sails, was a city of about 5,000 inhabitants in the north of the sword coast. It used to be much more before it was sacked by Orcs many times throughout the ages. The recent boom in population is thanks to a force of mages called the Arcane Brotherhood

The city occupied both North and South bank of the Mirar river, as well as several tidal islands in the trackless sea. Most goods and materials from Mirabar and further upriver pass through this busy trading port. The North bank was mostly warehouses, caravan yards and workspaces. The notable exception was Mirabars Shield, a walled district which protected Mirabar s trading interests within the city. Tall walls and as many as 90 armed guards ensured the noble dealing of Mirabars traders don't fall under the sway of Illuskan foul-play.

The South Bank housed many of the cities residents and smaller businesses. Generally considered the bad area, it made up for about 75% of the city.

The Ships of Luskan
With no formal government to speak of, most of the City was a haven for pirates, thieves and ne'er-do-wells. Order was kept by groups of 5 pirate gangs called "Ships" (not to be confused with actual ships, each Ship gang commands several seagoing vessels). The 5 captains take the name of their ship (more of a title than an actual name, its a position that is held for life). Kurth, Baram, Rethnor, Taerl and Suljack were the 5 ships, and a strict division of duties exists among them:

Kurth - Docks and trade. Making them the most powerful and profitable.

Baram - fishing. Vital the the cities welfare

Suljack - piracy and raiding. Suljack pirates were formidable fighters

Taerl - workers and sailors, they take on any duties deemed menial and handed down from above them

Rethnor - Guard duties. Essentially roughing up anyone in the city who isn't suitably protected by themselves or other powerful gangs/organisations.

The ships were in constant competition with each other, but would band together if their city or way of life is threatened.

Law and Order
Law is decreed by a group of magisters, one magister elected by each of the Ships, although the law is applied quite loosely, thus it was considered favourable to be a member or associate of a powerful Ship. All of this was meaningless in the eyes of the Arcane Brotherhood, who held the real power in the city.

Religion
Many of the pirates of Luskan worship the goddess Auril. Her temple, the Winter Palace, was located in the eastern part of the city.