Blackstaff Spells

The following is simply a small collection of the sorts of unique spells known to be employed by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun, the Archmage of Waterdeep. These spells are considered to be available to any apprentice of Khelben's to learn without the need for research.

3rd Level

Amanuensis

3rd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 ft
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 10 minutes
This spell causes writing from one source (such as a book) to be copied into a book, paper, or parchment. It copies as much or as little of the text as the caster wishes, producing one page per second, creating a perfect duplicate of the original. The spell copies only nonmagical text, not illustrations or magical writing. If the target text contains both nonmagical and magical writing (such as a book trapped with runes), it copies only the nonmagical text, leaving conspicuous blank spaces where the magical text is in the original text. It does, however, trigger any such writing-based magical traps being copied.

The caster must provide sufficient blank surface for the spell to copy onto; the spell ends if it runs out of such material. Once a work has been copied, the caster may direct the spell to begin copying other text, if sufficient duration and available scribing material is on hand.

If this spell is used to copy a spell from a spellbook, the caster must still provide the rare inks and other materials that permit the recording of such notations. This spell does not translate copied writing.

Variant: This spell is also a cleric spell of 3rd level, granted by any of the Gods of Knowledge (Oghma, Deneir, Gond, or Milil)

6th Level

Gemjump

This spell provides the ability to teleport to the location of a specially prepared magical stone. Though the caster may possess only a single stone, wizards may exchange the "details" of their stones in order to permit others to use the location of their stones as viable targets for these spells.

7th Level

Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion

Khelben's Mansion

Khelben's version of this spell does not differ from the normal casting of the enchantment. Being the fastidious person he is who prefers order (a tendency others have grossly mischaracterized as "appallingly predictable"), Khelben simply uses the same configuration for the mansion every time he casts it.

• It features a comfortable tavern, stables and hot baths on the first floor, a parlor, dining hall, and card room on the second floor, and a drawing room on the third floor, as well as eleven bedrooms, most of which have a pair of comfortable beds (Bed 11 has only one, and is usually Khelben's domicile), as well as barracks-style Garrett Quarters that can hold up to a dozen comfortably.
• It also generates a bevy of pleasant, androgynous human servants dressed in crisp white and light blue livery marked with Blackstaff's sigil, and rich, heavy food of the sort that is favored by hunters and foresters, featuring plenty of meat, warm cheeses, roasted vegetables, rich stews, and piled loaves of crusty, nut-and-cheese filled breads.

8th Level

Blackstaff

Khelben's signature spell enchants a staff as a potent weapon, surrounding it with crackling black lightning. Strikes from this staff damage magic as well as bodies. He shares this spell only with his apprentices and those he trusts implicitly, and expects his apprentices to likewise keep these spells to themselves.

9th Level

Alamanther's Return

A potent spell allowing the caster to duplicate the effect of any one spell or magical ability. Alamanther of Aglarond, its creator, was once a consort of the Simbul, the Witch-Queen of Aglarond. He was slain in battle with the Red Wizards of Thay.