The Blackstaff was the name for a series of powerful magical staves, created and used by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun and/or his successor.[2][3]
Description[]
- Khelben's Blackstaff
It was believed that Khelben Arunsun, who carried the first Blackstaff title, selected a new Blackstaff every time he left Blackstaff Tower.[4] However, it always appeared as a long wooden staff. It was longer than an average human was tall, roughly seven feet from base to tip. A ring of bulbs circled the staff at about eye level, and the staff was topped by a curved claw shape. The entire staff was pure black in color.[2]
- Samark's Staff
Samark Dhanzscul, the sixth Blackstaff, carried a staff known as the Duskstaff, which was a twisted metal staff with a crystal on top that flashed various colors.[5][6] It was unknown whether this was an iteration of a Blackstaff or a different staff. The Duskstaff could only be moved by the current Blackstaff or by someone wielding Ncral's Ring.[6]
- Vajra's Blackstaff
Vajra Safahr, the seventh Blackstaff, carried a silver-shod Blackstaff.[7] The Blackstaff she carried when proclaiming her status as the new Blackstaff was the "true blackstaff", a large rune-inscribed duskwood staff with silver veins. The whole staff was blackened by use. Atop the staff was a large axe head in the shape of snarling wolf head, which had glowing green eyes.[8]
Known powers[]
The Blackstaff had all the powers of a staff of power.[2]
The staff also had a permanent blackstaff (spell) upon it[2] that could…
- …grant an enhancement when used in melee combat,[2]
- …dispel magic with a touch,[2]
- …cause a spellcaster to loose a spell or expend a bit of their magical power,[2] and
- …channel various mind-affecting spells.[2]
A Blackstaff's Heir needed to touch the Blackstaff in order to be centered in his or her new powers.[7] Only a Blackstaff or the Blackstaff's Heir could safely carry and wield a Blackstaff. As long as a Blackstaff's Heir was touching the Blackstaff, the powers of the actual Blackstaff (person) could be channeled through the staff.[3]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 190. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 275. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Steven E. Schend (September 2008). Blackstaff Tower. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 260. ISBN 0-7869-4913-9.
- ↑ Philip Athans (2008). A Reader's Guide to R. A. Salvatore's the Legend of Drizzt. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 98. ISBN 0-7869-4915-5.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (September 2008). Blackstaff Tower. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 1. ISBN 0-7869-4913-9.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Steven E. Schend (September 2008). Blackstaff Tower. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 139. ISBN 0-7869-4913-9.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Steven E. Schend (September 2008). Blackstaff Tower. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 252. ISBN 0-7869-4913-9.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (September 2008). Blackstaff Tower. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 250. ISBN 0-7869-4913-9.