Blackstaff Tower

File:Blackstaff-tower.jpg

A Dungeons & Dragons Next Campaign in the Forgotten Realms

Year of the Arch (DR 1353)

The name of Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun, the Archmage of Waterdeep, is known far and wide. An ally of the Harpers and suspected Lord of Waterdeep, the Blackstaff is a force for order in the sometimes wild North.

He is also well-known as a master to a great many wizards of note in the North, including Malchor Harpell and Savengriff. His many apprentices all show a flair for magic that others can only envy, and those who survive training with him inevitably go on to excel at the Art.

Mentorship with him is not easy, of course - he is often away tending to his other responsibilities and agendas. Even when he is in residence in Waterdeep, he is frequently embroiled in one task or another. Not only must his apprentices show willingness to comb through the materials he leaves them to study, but they must also demonstrate the motivation to get out and find their own opportunities to sharpen their mastery of the Art; indeed, it is no wonder that many of his finest apprentices are skilled adventurers in their own right.

But above all, they must demonstrate cunning and resilience, for all too often the enemies that Khelben makes while tending to his interests seek to follow him home - or try to lay waste to what is his in his absence.

Castle Ward

• Northern Swords Street:
  • Blackstaff Tower (Residence)
  • The Flagon Dragon (tavern)
• Southern Street of the Sword:
  • The Crawling Spider (Tavern)
  • The Elfstone Tavern (Tavern)
• Southern Castle Ward:
  • Yawning Portal (Tavern)
  • Azuth's Mug (Tavern)

Sea Ward

• Northern Seawatch Street
  • House Melshimber Estate (Residence)
• Central Street of the Singing Dolphin:
  • House Husteem Estate (Residence)
  • The Dragon Tower of Maaril (Residence)
  • The Crown & Heron (Tavern)
• North Diamond Street:
  • House of Wonder (Temple to Mystra)
  • House Eltorchul Villa & Academy (Residence/Academy)

South Ward

• The Jade Dancer (Festhall)

Languages in the North

In Waterdeep, the most common spoken languages are Common and Chondathan, followed by the Illuskan and Northern tongues, though they are considered rural and backwater-ish. Many merchants speak Alzhedo, as do a number of gnomes and halflings.

• Common Languages: Common, Dethek, Espruar, Undercommon
• Regional Languages: Alzhedo (Waterdeep), Bothii (Uthgardt, Hartsvale), Chondathan ("civilized"), Illuskan (various barbarian tribes, Luskan, Mintarn), Northern (Ten Towns, Neverwinter, Waterdeep, Nesme, Llorkh), Reghedjic (Spine of the World)
• Racial Languages: Aragrakh, Auld Wyrmish, Daraktan (very common), Duergan, Jotun and other Giantish languages, Shanatan (shield dwarves), Sylvan, Yipyak
• Trade Languages: Drueidan, Ruathlek, Thieves' Cant

Player Characters

• Ahmadar Catcatcher, dwarven mage & bounty hunter; played by Chillos
• Evendur Husteem, human cleric & priest of Mystra; played by Jeff
• Ciro Melshimber, human cleric of Deneir & spy; played by Josh
• Glim, Halfling Rogue & Street Urchin; played by Jamie

The People of Waterdeep

Blackstaff Tower

• Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun: Archmage of Waterdeep, in Blackstaff Tower
• Aelandelia: A somewhat shy half-elf weaver, and the Blackstaff's senior apprentice.
• Dran Wands: A boisterous rambletongue of a nobleman, Dran clearly wishes to impress the Blackstaff...although he may wish to impress Aelandelia more.

Waterdhavian Nobles

• House Husteem, a family of nobles who made their fortune by mercenaries and land-owning.
• House Melshimber, one of the oldest noble families in Waterdeep, known for their wines and the secrets whispered over goblets of their best vintages.
  • Andedda Melshimber: Ciro's mother and the main fashionplate in House Melshimber.

House of Wonder

• Temple Magister Meleghost Starseer: High Priest of Mystra. High priest of the temple and an open necromancer, with something of a sinister reputation.
• Ilbrost Mythyl: Overseer of Acolytes. One of the upper echelon of priests, Ilbrost is also the unspoken head of the faction of Mystran priests who are clerics, rather than wizards.

Wanderers

• Imrul Athelzedar: The Magister. A friend of Khelben's.

Realmslore

Language & Writing

• Forgotten Realms Languages: A comprehensive examination of the languages of Faerun.
• Everyday Writings in the Realms: A look at the tools of the scrivener: parchment and ink.
• Daily Dwarf Common in the Realms: A look at some of the Dwarven slang that has entered the Common tongue.

Waterdeep

• The Broadcryers of Waterdeep: A look at "short scrolls" or "broadsheets" - the newspapers of Waterdeep.
• The Small Presses of Waterdeep: A look at popular books and the printing thereof in Waterdeep.
• The City Watch of Waterdeep: A look at the City Watch.
• Wanted Thieves of Waterdeep: A roster of the Wanted posters put out by the Watch, of interest to thief-takers.

Other Lore

• Drugs of the Realms: A look at the narcotics of the Realms.
• Time of Day in the Realms: How Faerunians divide up the hours of the day.
• Calendar of the Realms: The calendar with a focus on the Waterdhavian year.
• Realms Astrology: Includes a means of generating a natal chart for your character!

Resources

• FR Layout Templates