Westgate is known as the City of Coin to many. Some say this is because the city is incredibly wealthy, acting as the gateway to the west for commerce flowing through the Sea of Fallen Stars. Others say it's because of the crime and corruption that runs rampant within the city; everyone and everything having their price.
The city is ruled by the Council of Lords, made up of representatives from each of the eight noble houses. From these representatives, one of them was elected to be the First Lord of the city, to act as the first amongst equals on the Council. Until recently, the First Lord of Westgate was Jaundamicar Bleth. However, he was assassinated a few years back. Since then, the Council of Lords has adopted a Waterdhavian attitude, with the identities of each house's representative being a closely guarded secret, even from each other. However, the nobles operating under cover of secrecy is nothing new.
As well as ruling through the Council of Lords, the nobility have also ruled by the Fire Knives. This gang of spies, assassins, extortionists and enforcers controls much of the city's criminal underworld. Various members of the noble families hold high-ranking positions within it, but House Bleth ultimately controls the Fire Knives, giving them leverage over the other houses. For some time, the Fire Knives were the undisputed masters of the city's criminal underworld. However, that has slowly started to change, with various other criminal factions moving in to seize their portion of the wealth and power in Westgate. Chief amongst their adversaries are the Night Masks. This pack of criminals used to be the masters of Westgate and dark things are muttered about their practices, before being forced out by the Fire Knives. Some claim that the original Night Masks were completely wiped out, and this group of Night Masks is just a new guild using an old guild's name. Whatever the truth of the matter, though, one can't deny their effectiveness.
Another major competitor of the Fire Knives is the Nine Golden Swords. They are a criminal organisation comprised of Shou. Unsurprisingly, they are based in the Shou Quarter, the eastern section of Westgate, where the overwhelming majority of Shou reside. Supposedly, they formed as a means to protect Shou migrants from outside threats but, if that's the case, they quickly devolved into a band of petty extortionists.
Similar in alleged origin to the Swords is the Eye of Justice. This group of worshippers of Torm, Helm and Tyr, supposedly formed to combat crime and corruption in Westgate. However, in fighting against crime and corruption, they are often said to have had to dirty their own hands. Rumour has its priests are actually worshippers of Mask, Cyric, and Bhaal, but this seems rather far fetched. This faction is popular amongst the desperate and the downtrodden.
One final faction is the pirate kings of the Sea of Fallen Stars. While they don't have much
power within the city itself, they have a great degree of naval power. They also know that
Westgate is highly prosperous and highly fractured. With all the factions busy fighting one
another, some pirate kings are undoubtedly wondering whether now is the time to make their
move.