Blackstaff Tower Faction

Blackstaff Tower

Membership

Common Descriptors: Arcane, inquisitive, meddlesome

Primary Classes: Wizards (primarily), any other (arcane spellcasting preferred)

Alignments: LN (primary), LG, NG, N, CG

Locations

Blackstaff Tower, Castle Ward, Waterdeep

Ranks

• Ally or Apprentice: Rank 1. You have a close alliance with Khelben, and are welcome at Blackstaff Tower. He may be watching you to see if you would be a good apprentice, or you may simply find your aims in alignment with his own. Alternately, you may be an apprentice that has withdrawn from active participation in Blackstaff Tower's goings-on. • Apprentice: Rank 3. You are an active apprentice to Khelben. You have access to the Tower as a resident, including permission to attune to the Tower as a whole. • Senior Apprentice: Rank 7. You are considered one of Khelben's senior apprentices and lieutenants. Even though you may dwell elsewhere, you retain Khelben's trust and affection. If you are local to Waterdeep, you may be asked to occasionally teach some of the apprentices, or to watch over the Tower while Khelben is elsewhere. If you are not local, you may be recruited for occasional aid, either by Khelben or by other apprentices passing through the area. By the same token, Khelben seriously considers taking on any promising apprentices you send him. • The Blackstaff: Rank 10. You are the Archmage of Waterdeep, the master of Blackstaff Tower.

“A spell uncast that might have been put to good benefit is as useless as a spell wastefully cast.”

A network of former and current apprentices of Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun, and those the Blackstaff values as allies and friends.

Overview

A new but surprisingly influential group, Blackstaff trains his apprentices to do more than wield magic. He inculcates in them with his own philosophy: that mages ought to be using magic as a common tool, but also to protect those without the Art from those who have it. As such, Blackstaff's apprentices (current and former) very frequently present themselves in opposition to those who use their magic to take advantage of common or non-magical folk.

Goals and Philosophy

Overall, the goals and philosophy of the Blackstaff are simple: see that magic does not become the sole province of the powerful and rich, ensure its proliferation throughout the world, and act against those who would use slavery to enslave, tyrannize, or kill others.

Blackstaff's apprentices are expected, above all things, to do the following:

• To further the proliferation of arcane magic into the hands of those without access to it.
• To protect those without magic from those mages who would take advantage of them.
• To assist Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun in his goals and aims.

Activities

By and large, Blackstaff's apprentices tend to their studies and engage in exploration and experimentation intended to further their understanding of arcane lore. As they are often deeply involved in such things, they are also in positions to note when mages and others use their magic tyrannically or to take advantage of others, and often to take steps to stop them.

Quests undertaken by agents of the Blackstaff might include the following:

• Investigate magicians rumored or feared to be using their magic to others' detriment.
• Uncover lost magical secrets in ruins or the lairs of monsters.
• Assist other magicians in their endeavors toward acquiring magical lore.

Perks

Apprentices of Blackstaff Tower in good standing might receive the following benefits:

• Friends at the Tower: Rank 1+. Even those who are not active apprentices know they can find friends willing to aid them in some capacity at Blackstaff Tower. They can usually find a wizard or other arcane spellcaster willing to cast most wizard spells of up to 2nd level with ease, and at no cost (unless the spell has a cost).
• Friend of the Blackstaff: Rank 1+. Though it doesn't mean free and ready access to powerful spellcasting on your behalf, your friendship with Khelben does ensure his willingness to hear you out and to possibly leverage his influence in your favor.
• Apprentice's Library: Rank 3+. You have a fine library suitable for most of the magical research you might need. This library is considered of Good Quality for Lore (Arcane), Formula, and Schema research actions, and Modest Quality for Lore (History) research actions. It also has the following bonuses:
  • Extra-planar Lore: Gain a +5% to all Arcane Research involving the planes, and a 5% to all Formula and Schema Research involving magics that transport one through the planes.
  • Elvish Sorcery Lore: Gain a +8% to all Arcane and History Research involving elven magic, and a +5% to Formula and Schema Research involving rare elven spells and magic items.
  • Abjuration Lore: Gain a +4% to Formula Research for any abjuration spell.
  • Staves Lore: Gain a +10% to Arcane Research involving magical staves, and a +10% to Formula and Schema Research involving staves in some capacity.
• Affinity for the Tower: Rank 5+. Your continued affinity for the magical power of Blackstaff Tower means that you can continue to be attuned to the Tower's magic without it consuming one of your normal magic item attunements.
• Tower Accommodations: Rank 3+. Full-time apprentices are given quarters and meals equivalent to Modest Lifestyle, but it comes with the expectation of a great deal of hands-on learning and apprentices' tasks around the Tower as well.
• The Master's Library: Rank 7+. x
• Graduate of the Tower: Rank 7+. x
• The Blackstaff: Rank 10. Khelben sits at the pinnacle of this organization, with incredible magical power and influence at his beck and call, and a small network of students - both former and current - willing to lend him help.

Important Members

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