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 Alternately, you may be an apprentice that has withdrawn from active participation in Blackstaff Tower's goings-on.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.
• Signature Magic: Rank 3+. In addition to gaining access to the Blackstaff Apprentice Feat, you may also learn any of the Blackstaff's signature spells as part of normal level advancement or research.
• 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.
• 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. If you also have the Blackstaff Apprentice Feat, you can "bundle" attunement with a magical staff into this free attunement slot as well.
• The Master's Library: Rank 7+. Khelben's most trusted assistants have access to his personal library, a vast repository located somewhere in the Tower (its exact location an oft-gossiped about topic by younger apprentices). This library is considered of Legendary quality for Lore (Arcane) and Formula research actions, and of Impressive Quality for Lore (History), Lore (Religion), and Schema research actions. It also doubles the miscellaneous bonuses of the Apprentice's Library.
• 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.

Blackstaff Apprentice (Feat)

Prerequisite: Wizard levels • Blackstaff Tower Faction (Rank 3+)
You have trained as an apprentice of Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun. His skill in magic is regarded Realms-wide, and many well-known mages learned their Art at his tower in the city of Waterdeep.

• You gain proficiency in one of the following skills: Arcana, History or Religion.
• You may "store" a spell you can prepare as a wizard into a staff focus you own; this spell may not be higher in level than your Intelligence bonus.
  • For all intents and purposes, this spell is considered to be a spell you have prepared for as long as you are in physical contact with your staff.
  • You may change out the spell contained in the staff during a short rest.
  • You can have a number of these "spellstaves" prepared at a time equal to your proficiency bonus.
• You have a +1 bonus to AC while you wield a staff in (at least) one hand.
• You can "bundle" your attunement to Blackstaff Tower into attunement with a magical staff. Being attuned to both the Tower and the staff count as just a single "attunement."

Important Members

• Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun: Archmage of Waterdeep (Rank 10). The master of the Tower is an archmage of immense magical power and political influence.

The Tower Apprentices

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Former Apprentices & Agents

• Malchor Harpell: The Longsaddle Mage (Rank 9). One of Khelben's most trusted apprentices and dearest friends, Malchor is a member of the Harpell family of Longsaddle, though he dwells in a tower in Neverwinter Wood. Though he departed formal apprenticeship with Khelben in 1339 DR, he is still an occasional visitor to this day.
• Savengriff: Crazed Venturer (Rank 8). A skilled adventurer wizard originally of the Company of Crazed Venturers. He now wanders the North, some say as an agent of the Harpers. He departed the Tower in 1344 DR.
• Maliantor: "Blackstaff's Eyes" (Rank 8). A secretive and battle-worthy wizardess who left the Tower in 1351 DR, Maliantor is generally agreed to be one of Khelben's main active agents.
• Ilistar Maeringuld: (Rank 7). A Tethyrian wizard who left the Tower in 1342 DR, Ilistar continues to remain in contact with Khelben.
• Kiirma Blackmane: Wanderer (Rank 2). A former apprentice who remains on good terms with Khelben, Kiirma is a half-elven rogue/wizard, known to be in Amn of recent. She departed the Tower in 1349 DR.
• Achemel Zalath: Almraiven Guildmage (Rank 1). Though he departed in 1352 DR, Achemel carried away many good lessons which stood him in good stead. He has risen to a noteworthy position in the Guild Arcane of Almraiven.
• Dran Wands: Noble Dilettante (Rank 2). A cousin of Khelben's and member of the Wands noble family, Dran often interacts with Khelben on his family's behalf. He departed apprenticeship at the tower in 1353 DR.
• Aelandelia Swiftleaf: Weaver Enchantress (Rank 1). Another apprentice who departed in 1353 DR, Aelandelia maintains cordial but distant interactions with Khelben and his Tower, though many of its appentices are still her friends. She is an enchantress who is part of the Weavers' Guild of Waterdeep.