The Archmage of Menzoberranzan is the head of Sorcere. His role is to advise and serve the ruling Council (especially in devising magics for the defense of the city), and to help the inhabitants of the city to keep track of time in the lightless Underdark by casting a lingering heat enchantment on Narbondel. This duty, incidentally, keeps him tied to the city and under the watchful eye of its priestesses. The Archmage is almost always a wizard of House Baenre, who use their influence to ensure that one of their own occupies the position. The Archmage of Menzoberranzan is seldom of less than 13th level as a wizard, and is usually of 17th to 20th level (the current office-holder, Gromph Baenre, is 19th level).
The Archmage of Menzoberranzan is known to posess a brooch allowing him to cast a lingering heat enchantment, an amulet of eternal youth, and an ornate, powerfully enchanted piwafi.