Blackstaff (spell)

Blackstaff was a spell applied to a staff or quarterstaff that enhanced its combat effectiveness, and gave it the ability to dispel magic or cause a spellcaster it struck to lose a prepared spell.

Effects
When cast, this spell bestowed upon the target non-magical staff, polearm or club, a +4 enchantment.

When the blackstaff struck a magical item or any person, it dispelled magic and in the case of spellcasters, caused them to forget spells they had memorized. In some instances, the spell even disrupted the minds of individuals with psionic talents and drained a small amount of life force from beings it struck.

The effects of blackstaff could not be dispelled and the staff absorbed any spells cast directly at it.

None of the effects of the blackstaff could harm the caster in any way.

History
This spell was created by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun and was part of the reason why his common appellation was Blackstaff, as he carried a staff of power that had this spell cast on it with permanency.

The blackstaff spell was found in Laeral's Libram, a spellbook written by the wizard Laeral Silverhand. Laeral lost the spellbook sometime during her madness induced by the Crown of Horns, and it was not been seen since. Khelben only shared this spell with those he trusted implicitly.

However, by the, the spell blackstaff was known and in use across the Realms.