Blackstaff Academy

Blackstaff Academy was a loosely organized group of elite apprentices and students who studied under the Blackstaff at Blackstaff Tower in the 14 and 15 centuries DR.

Organization
The Blackstaff served as the master/mistress of the school, under whom trained senior apprentices who were responsible for most of the day-to-day running of the academy, including the conducting of lessons for junior students, as well as the defense of the Academy against monsters and hostile mages.

Activities
The school trained wizards and sorcerers who sought to learn from the Blackstaff, and those who trained at the school were able to master more spells more quickly than their counterparts without such elite mentors and resources. In addition to instruction in arcane magic and spellcraft, the school also stressed alchemy, literacy, and the study of history, the planes, and general arcana. These assorted talents meant that the apprentices might be called upon by folk in Waterdeep to identify or research ancient magic items or relics.

Studying under the purview of the Blackstaff offered students access to some rare or even unique spells designed by the Blackstaff or other notable members of the Academy, including blackstaff, Khelben's dweomerdoom, Khelben's suspended silence, Laeral's cutting hand, and Laeral's silver lance.

It was a priority to make sure that no student was treated badly or was not given the opportunity to keep busy with studies. This was done to ensure that graduates would continue to regard the Academy as allies, and so even when an apprentice decided to leave, the Academy helped them to establish themselves in their new endeavors. As of the mid-to-late 14 century DR, this strategy had proven to be effective at minimizing any treachery within the school.

Base of Operations
The Academy operated out of Blackstaff Tower, and in particular, in its dozen or more secret sublevels reachable only by magic. These areas included multiple libraries and laboratories.

The role of protecting the Tower fell to the senior apprentices, who were always well-trained in defensive magics.

History
The school was founded following the arrival of Laeral Silverhand to live at Blackstaff Tower with the original Blackstaff, Khelben Arunsun, in the. Magic practitioners flocked to seek apprenticeship under the two legendary mages, and as those apprentices took on their own students in turn, they formed an elite yet makeshift and informal school that came to be known as Blackstaff Academy. In those initial years, Khelben and Laeral held the titles of master and mistress of the school. The school was in operation by the 1360s DR, and as of the, Laeral had assumed most of the administrative duties of the Academy, which boasted 54 students and apprentices.

Wizards continued to train with the Academy after Khelben's death and into the late 15 century DR when Vajra Safahr took up the mantle of Blackstaff in the. Vajra continued to train wizards at Blackstaff Tower, and made it her mission to see the Academy become the center of magical studies in Faerûn, even pursuing multiple plans at once to make this a reality. She was known to roam the Academy wearing magically silent boots, which allowed her both to avoid disrupting the apprentices' studies or to make a sudden appearance for a pop quiz or to provide crucial insight. She was rumored to invite particularly talented apprentices to read and copy spells from her own spellbook, and sometimes extended the even greater honor of having them add a spell of their own invention to it.

At one point during Laeral Silverhand's tenure as Open Lord of Waterdeep in the late 15 century DR, a group of adventurers in her service recovered a sample of Frostsilver armor from Frostsilver Mines, and sent it to the Academy at Laeral's behest in hopes that the students would be able to learn its secrets.

Members
The school was made up of an everchanging roster of about fifty apprentices and students to the Blackstaff, with new arrivals always ready to replenish the ranks as graduates moved on.

Acceptance to the Academy was predicated on either demonstrating extraordinary magical aptitude (those who could not cast arcane spells were very rarely admitted) or having a particularly compelling personal history. Joining the Academy was free, however monthly dues were required to continue attendance. These fees started at 10 gp per month and increased as a student gained seniority and required more advanced tutelage. In addition, it was a requirement that any new spell that was discovered or researched by an apprentice had to be added to Blackstaff Tower's library.

Apprentices prior to 1372 DR

 * Turth Anczibul, a Neverwinterian mage who died before 1372 DR.
 * Kiirma Blackmane, a member of the Shadow Thieves of Amn.
 * Illius of Silverymoon, a sorcerer and adventurer.
 * Ilistar Maeringuld, a Tethyrian wizard who mascaraded as a member of Cormyr's Rowanmantle family.
 * Aleena Paladinstar, daughter of Open Lord Piergeiron Paladinson.
 * Danilo Thann, a notable Waterdhavian nobleman.
 * Aznar Thrul, a Zulkir of the Red Wizards of Thay.
 * Sharlarra Vendreth, a star elf adventurer.
 * Achem el Zalath, who became a member of the Guild Arcane of Almraiven.

Apprentices as of 1372 DR

 * Tammert Landral, a brilliant youth.
 * Sydon Gundwynd, an Illuskan wizard.
 * Maresta Rhanbuck, a "motherly whirlwind" who helped to run Blackstaff Tower.
 * Jalarra Sakrel, a Tethyrian wizard.
 * Araeralee Summerstar, an orphan who was raised in the Tower.
 * Savengriff, who refounded the Covenant.
 * Tamar Harpell Wands, a wizard raised in Longsaddle who had been sent to Waterdeep to study.

Apprentices as of 1374 DR

 * Elkord, a tall Tethyrian male.
 * Tarik al Farid al Fuqani, a Tethyrian human from Myratma.
 * Chaid al Farid al Fuqani, a Tethyrian human mage.
 * Fhaornik, a male sun elf.
 * Lhoris, a fiery-tempered human from Fireshear.
 * Maeralya, a female sun elf.
 * Pikar Salibuck, a male halfling.
 * Sarshel, an apprentice.
 * Traya Ginara, a shy female human.
 * Trehgan, a male wizard from barbarian lands.
 * Triam, a male wizard.
 * Walaxyrvaan, a copper elf from the Elmanesse tribe in Tethyr.

Apprentices as of the 1490s DR

 * Corlin Cardin, a kind and loyal apprentice of Vajra.
 * Eiruk Weskur, a young human wizard.
 * Shevarith Kendia, a Rashemi wizard who worked as an adventurer for Open Lord Laeral Silverhand in the late 15 century DR.