Sandboxing the Dragon Coast [3.5 or 4e]

[vartan]

ITT: I ask for the Playgrounds guidance in creating a sandbox game for the Dragon Coast of the Forgotten Realms.

Idea: Centering on Westgate and Sembia with some nautical adventures, but mostly tales of intrigue (from the multiple unsavory groups that call Westgate home).

What I need:
Names (preferably broken down by gender/race)
Advice on constructing NPCs for the area
Hooks
Encouragement

Does anyone know:
how far a ship with sails would travel in a day with like... average wind?
where the Quivering Thumb arena is actually located?
anything awesome about the area that I should know? (I've read a history of Westgate that came from Candlekeep iirc and the WotC articles on Sembian business)

Also, if anyone bought the 4e FRCG... What happens to Westgate?

[Saintjebus]

This is 4e, but Westgate is still there, and thriving. Night Masks are gone, replaced by the Fire Knives. Don't know alot about them.

[vartan]

Fire Knives were the assasins in Cormyr that got exiled to West Gate, but the idea that they drove out the Night Masks... wow.