Blackstaff

## General

The Blackstaff is a storied and powerful role based in the City of Waterdeep, older than the city itself and peerless in its esteem and arcana. In a city brimming with multitude gangs (some with the backing of ancient gods, shadow governments, or all the powers of the Underdark), the political arm of Waterdeep required an equalizing force - one which could keep all other factions in check. That equalizing force is, in many respects, the role of the Blackstaff.

For millennia, the various Blackstaffs have served as Waterdeep's supreme arcane authority and advisor. They act primarily as a forefront protector for the city's Open Lord, and a consultant on matters of magic. And in times of great need, they have each served and protected the interests of the city directly - often to devastating and legendary effect.

But what makes the Blackstaffs most distinct from other arcane advisors is the use of their eponymous artifact, the Blackstaff. This legendary tool stores the essences of all previous Blackstaffs who wielded it before; these spirits can be called upon by the current Blackstaff who seeks counsel, knowledge, power, or any such experience from their predecessors. In essence, the Blackstaff becomes the sum of all others who came before them, and their own eventual addition to the artifact strengthens the next Blackstaff who follows.

So long as Waterdeep endures, a Blackstaff will be there.

## Roster

A list of all individuals who have held the position of Blackstaff in sequential order:

* Khelben Blackstaff (Originator of the title as well as creator of the titular artifact)
* Tsarra Chaadren
* Kyllrani Agrivar
* Fenlan Arusun
* Ashemmon
* Samark Dhanszcul
* Alexander Carim
* Vjara Saphir (Currently operating in the position)

## Powers/Abilities

Each Blackstaff is afforded certain powers and knowledge which place them head-and-shoulders above most other arcanists. Each wields their eponymous artifact, the Blackstaff: a monumentally powerful tool and arcane focus which greatly enhances the power of any arcane spellcaster who can attune to it. Further, each wielder of the Blackstaff can use it to commune with the spirits of all previous wielders - allowing for a host of novel abilities:

* **Spirit Medium:** A wielder of the Blackstaff may speak directly with the spirits of the staff's previous users, which are all contained within the artifact. Additionally, whosoever wields the Blackstaff may be (willfully) possessed by one of the spirits which inhabits the staff. To do either of these, the wielder must be within physical contact of the Blackstaff.
* **Spirit Projection:** A wielder of the Blackstaff can project the spirit of one of the staff's previous users into the physical world, which may speak/act independently of its wielder.
* **Symbol of Power:** The potency of the Blackstaff is such that it has become a symbol of power and authority for its wielder. This authority extends beyond the political, however, and allows whoever wields the Blackstaff to command control over the various Walking Statues which protect Waterdeep. Using the power of this artifact, wielders may summon, direct, and dismiss the colossi at will.

Further, each Blackstaff is equipped with the Arcane Ledgermain. This is a weighty tome which contains all arcana the Blackstaffs have encountered and recorded throughout the history of the role. Consequently, this means that the Arcane Ledgermain maintains records of hundreds (perhaps thousands) of spells, many of which have otherwise been lost to time and forgotten. Hundreds of spells which may be cast freely by the Blackstaff, as the Arcane Ledgermain functions primarily as a wizard's spellbook.