Government: Five
High Captains: Taerl, Baram, Kurth, Suljack, and Rethonor, presumed to be
retired pirates.
Population: 16,000 (humans only!)
Economy: Trade and piracy. In peacetime, the city's warships act as "unsanctioned"
pirates (the High Captains direct them, but pretend they are independents
acting in defiance of Luskan law), trying to make all shippers use only
Luskan ships or only Luskan as a port by preying on all other ships, and
on all shipping that visits Waterdeep.
Militia: The city has a standing army of 200 spearmen, and a navy of 14
warships (dragonships), armed with 70 archers each. Luskan is involved in
an "ego" war with Ruathym. Neither side will admit defeat so clashes continue.
Waterdeep has threatened involvement if the two nations refuse to negotiate
an end to the conflict.
Luskan is a seafaring merchant city, home to fierce, proud and warlike
Northmen. This important northern port city is located at the mouth of
the river Mirar, a swift and icy, cold and rocky, unnavigable river.
Although it seeks merchant trade, visitors are few and often made to
feel unwelcome. This probably has much to do with the fact that Luskan
is a known harbor for northern pirates, if not an outright sponsor of
their activities. Inns that serve travelers are rare; [The Cutlass, a
notorious dive on the docks (a pirate haven no doubt) and the Seven Sails
Inn are the only known lodgings in the city.]
Luskan wages almost constant war against naval powers that it's Captains
feel they can defeat; recently they crushed Ruathym. In the past, they
have been defeated by Mintarn and Orlumbor (supported by Waterdeep and
Amn) and slaughtered on the seas, by the ships of Lantan, who they no
longer even speak of. Luskan warriors often raid inland, particularly
when sea vigilance makes raiding the coast difficult.
The Zhentarim are said to be attempting an alliance with Luskan (but
it as unknown as to their success).
Game Notes: The city of Luskan cannot be reached in Neverwinter Nights.