Athkatla

Athkatla, also known as the City of Coin, is the oldest settlement and capital of the mercantile nation of Amn. It is one of the wealthiest countries in all of Faerûn, where nearly every aspect of life revolves around money and commerce. The concept of affluence is so well-connected with Athkatla there are rumors in foreign lands that the city's streets are paved with gold.
The streets of Athkatla are well lit in the evenings, thanks to the massive, halfling-sized street oil lamps known as "storm-lanterns". They are kept aflame by patrols of six civil servants armed with double-hooked metal poles and vats of oil.
Government The City of Coin is always abuzz with peddlers and hustlers, hard-haggling merchants who are as competitive as they are ruthless in their pursuit of coin. The city offers a stark contrast between those who hold power, i.e. money, and those who do not. Organizations that run the city's economy, such as the oppressive Cowled Wizards, the enigmatic Shadow Thieves guild or obscenely wealthy mercantile houses can act with complete authority and near impunity. For the weak and the poor in the slums of the River District, life in the city is an overwhelming affair where danger looms at nearly every turn.
Athkatla is ruled by the Council of Five (formerly the Council of Six). Although council positions were once held anonymously, the council members rule openly as of the late 15th century DR. The five council positions are currently held by: House Selemchant who sponsored the Cowled Wizards of Athkatla, House Dannihyr which belonged to the Shadow Thieves, House Alibakkar, House Ophal and House Nashivaar which was closely allied with the church of Cyric.
Decadence and overindulgence are a common pastime for the wealthier of Athkatla's citizens, especially those living in the Gem District. When someone are and drank too much in a night of revelry, or after seafood that had expired, they may engage in "straking" or the forceful emptying of their stomach.
Just about anything is acceptable in Athkatla and actions that would be illegal or immoral in other lands are tolerated. The law permits nearly anything including lewdness and slavery. Minor laws may be broken, so long as the corresponding fine is paid, which often occurs before the offense. Thieves within the city operate under written contracts more than anywhere else in Faerûn.
Magic The practice or use of arcane magic is explicitly illegal within the city of Athkatla, a ban which dates back to a royal decree by the young King Dhanar the late 13th century DR. Spellcasting by wizards or sorcerers are limited to a select few who are licensed by the High Houses of Amn, or their magical enforcement agency, the Cowled Wizards, who act as little more than mercenaries and spies for House Selemchant.
Districts The city has six outer gates, that, save for the Sparandar, require a toll of "any one coin" as a fee to pass through. Typically a fandar was given to the toll-taker but if any unrecognizable currency was used, they would demand a coin of silver or gold. The city is divided into the following districts:
Bridge District
Center District
Gem District
Grave District
Guards District
River District 
Scepter District
Temple District
Trades District
Waves District

Region West Faerun, Amn
Size Metropolis
Demonym Athkatlan
Politics Oligarchy Ruler: Council of Five, Shadow Thieves