Added info from the Companions
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'''Luskan''', also known as the '''City of Sails''', was a port city at the mouth of the [[River Mirar]] on the [[Sword Coast North]].<ref name="VoloN-p111"/> Luskan, despite the presence of the [[Ten Towns]] is considered by many to be civilization's farthest reach.
'''Luskan''', also known as the '''City of Sails''', was a port city at the mouth of the [[River Mirar]] on the [[Sword Coast North]].<ref name="VoloN-p111"/> Luskan, despite the presence of the [[Ten Towns]] is considered by many to be civilization's farthest reach.
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Although once a bustling city, in the days prior to the [[Spellplague]], the city would suffer greatly at the hands of [[Arklem Greeth]]. The resulting disaster would allow the Spellplague to nearly decimate the city, with it having only a fraction of it's former populace.
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Although once a bustling city, in the days prior to the [[Spellplague]], the city would suffer greatly at the hands of [[Arklem Greeth]]. The resulting disaster would allow the Spellplague to nearly decimate the city, with it having only a fraction of its former populace.
==Geography==
==Geography==
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]].<ref name="VoloN-p113">{{cite book/Volo's Guide to the North|113}}</ref> Other than the [[Host Tower of the Arcane]], the city was dominated by two- and three-story buildings.<ref name="RGLoD-142-143" />
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]].<ref name="VoloN-p113">{{cite book/Volo's Guide to the North|113}}</ref> Other than the [[Host Tower of the Arcane]], the city was dominated by two- and three-story buildings.<ref name="RGLoD-142-143" />
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Two inhabited islands sat in the mouth of the river: the island upon which lay the Host Tower of the Arcane (connected to both sides of the river by bridges) and the island that housed Ship Kurth (connected to the southern bank by a bridge).<ref name="RGLoD-142-143" />
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Two inhabited islands sat in the mouth of the river: the island upon which lay the Host Tower of the Arcane (connected to both sides of the river by bridges) and the island that housed Ship [[Kurth]] (connected to the southern bank by a bridge).<ref name="RGLoD-142-143" />
===Northern bank===
===Northern bank===
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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]].<ref name="VoloN-p113"/> The ''[[Red Dragon Trading Post]]'', Luskan's most successful overland trading company as of 1370 DR, was situated on the northern bank, as was the ''[[North Gate (Luskan)|North Gate]]'', the portal between the northern and southern banks.<ref name="VoloN-p115"/>
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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]].<ref name="VoloN-p113"/> The ''[[Red Dragon Trading Post]]'', Luskan's most successful overland trading company as of 1370 DR (but no longer in operation in [[1483 DR]]<ref name="TC-p331">{{Cite book/The Companions|331}}</ref>), was situated on the northern bank, as was the ''[[North Gate (Luskan)|North Gate]]'', the portal between the northern and southern banks.<ref name="VoloN-p115"/>
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.<ref name="VoloN-p115">{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the North|115}}</ref>
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.<ref name="VoloN-p115">{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the North|115}}</ref>
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==History==
==History==
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===Pre-Spellplague===
[[Image:Luskan map.jpg|thumb|left|260px|Map of Luskan before the [[Spellplague]]]]
[[Image:Luskan map.jpg|thumb|left|260px|Map of Luskan before the [[Spellplague]]]]
Built on the ruins of the ancient and magical [[orc]]ish city of [[Illusk]],<ref name="VoloN-p118">{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the North|118}}</ref> Luskan was a port town frequented by pirates, thieves and other disreputable folk interested in money. Although life within its walls was dangerous, Luskan was a very lucrative city. Pirates brought in their goods to be sold to the black market, northern traders frequented the place as a rest stop on their way to the [[Ten Towns]] during the warmer months, ready to buy exotic [[scrimshaw]] ornaments, several taverns traded in ale and other spirits, the drugs and slave trades were rife (although obviously sublimated) and information brokers and prostitutes plied their trade during the night-time.<ref name="VoloN-p111">{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the North|111}}</ref>
Built on the ruins of the ancient and magical [[orc]]ish city of [[Illusk]],<ref name="VoloN-p118">{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the North|118}}</ref> Luskan was a port town frequented by pirates, thieves and other disreputable folk interested in money. Although life within its walls was dangerous, Luskan was a very lucrative city. Pirates brought in their goods to be sold to the black market, northern traders frequented the place as a rest stop on their way to the [[Ten Towns]] during the warmer months, ready to buy exotic [[scrimshaw]] ornaments, several taverns traded in ale and other spirits, the drugs and slave trades were rife (although obviously sublimated) and information brokers and prostitutes plied their trade during the night-time.<ref name="VoloN-p111">{{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the North|111}}</ref>
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Unknown to most, much 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.
Unknown to most, much 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.
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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 was a mockery of a true city. Most buildings were ruined and murderers and demon-worshipers roamed the streets freely, plying their trade in broad daylight. Wretched tribes of [[goblin]]s and [[kobold]]s skulked in the shadows and the fetid bog that was once the estuary of the [[River Mirar]] was infested with aquatic horrors. The place became a haven for escaped criminals who, while escaping punishment for their crimes would likely die on the end of a psycopath's blade or a monster's claw.
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===Post-Spellplaque===
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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 was a mockery of a true city. Most buildings were ruined and murderers and demon-worshipers roamed the streets freely, plying their trade in broad daylight. Wretched tribes of [[goblin]]s and [[kobold]]s skulked in the shadows and the fetid bog that was once the estuary of the [[River Mirar]] was infested with aquatic horrors. The place became a haven for escaped criminals who, while escaping punishment for their crimes would likely die on the end of a psychopath's blade or a monster's claw.{{fact}}
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In [[1483 DR]], the city and its bridges were in disrepair.<ref name="TC-p331">{{Cite book/The Companions|331}}</ref> The rickety [[Upstream Span]] was run by gangs that demanded passage for crossing.<ref name="TC-p333">{{Cite book/The Companions|333}}</ref> The [[Red Dragon Trading Post]] was no longer in operation, but [[Baliver's House of Horses]] still was, housing a pony for 3 silver coins per night.<ref name="TC-p331"/> [[One-Eyed Jax]] was an inn and tavern on the northern bank overtly owned by Ship [[Kurth]].<ref name="TC-p332">{{Cite book/The Companions|332}}</ref>
==Outlook==
==Outlook==
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===Ruins of Illusk===
===Ruins of Illusk===
Some of the ruins of the city that Luskan was built atop of still existed until quite recently, namely on the western side of the South Bank not far from the Host Tower of the Arcane. 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.{{fact}} Crumbled walls and moss-grown statues remained.<ref name="RGLoD-142-143" /> In [[1472]], Arklem Greeth used his lich powers to control the undead and set them to attacking residents of Luskan, effectively turning popular opinion against him.<ref name="TPK">{{Cite book/The Pirate King}}</ref>
Some of the ruins of the city that Luskan was built atop of still existed until quite recently, namely on the western side of the South Bank not far from the Host Tower of the Arcane. 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.{{fact}} Crumbled walls and moss-grown statues remained.<ref name="RGLoD-142-143" /> In [[1472]], Arklem Greeth used his lich powers to control the undead and set them to attacking residents of Luskan, effectively turning popular opinion against him.<ref name="TPK">{{Cite book/The Pirate King}}</ref>
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===[[One-Eyed Jax]]===
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One-Eyed Jax was a post-Spellplague inn and tavern on the northern bank named for [[Jarlaxle]] of [[Bregan D'aerthe]]. It was overtly owned and protected by Ship [[Kurth]] (which was in fact an arm of [[Bregan D'aerthe]]). It was one of the most reliable inns for foreigners, although it was often populated with [[drow]].<ref name="TC-p332"/> In [[1483 DR]], the barkeep was young woman named [[Serena]] who had gray eyes and brown hair. She was "spoken for" by Jarlaxle.<ref name="TC-p335">{{Cite book/The Companions|335}}</ref>
===Other===
===Other===
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* [[Red Dragon Trading Post]], a mercantile company on the North Bank.
* [[Clearlight]], a run-down temple to [[Tymora]] and base of the [[Coin Spinners]] gang.
* [[Clearlight]], a run-down temple to [[Tymora]] and base of the [[Coin Spinners]] gang.
* [[Cliffside Cranny]], a hole in the city wall.
* [[Cliffside Cranny]], a hole in the city wall.
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* [[Whisper]]
* [[Whisper]]
* [[Jierdan]]
* [[Jierdan]]
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* [[Kurth]]
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* [[Rethnor]]
==Appearances==
==Appearances==
===Novels===
===Novels===
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* [[Streams of Silver]]
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* ''[[Streams of Silver]]''
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* [[The Silent Blade]]
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* ''[[The Silent Blade]]''
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* [[The Spine of the World]]
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* ''[[The Spine of the World]]''
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* [[Tangled Webs]]
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* ''[[Tangled Webs]]''
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* [[The Pirate King]]
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* ''[[The Pirate King]]''
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* [[Gauntlgrym (novel)|Gauntlgrym]]
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* ''[[Gauntlgrym (novel)|Gauntlgrym]]''
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* [[Neverwinter]]
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* ''[[Neverwinter]]''
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* [[The Companions]]
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* ''[[The Companions]]''
==References==
==References==
{{refs}}
{{refs}}
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==Further reading==
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===Further reading===
* {{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the North|111-130}}
* {{Cite book/Volo's Guide to the North|111-130}}
* {{Cite book/The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier/Cities and Civilization|22-25}}
* {{Cite book/The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier/Cities and Civilization|22-25}}