Forgotten Realms Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Forgotten Realms Wiki
Forgotten Realms Wiki
53,920
pages
in: Articles needing citation editions, Buildings, Locations,
and 7 more

Changes: Blackstaff Tower

Back to page
Edit
No edit summary
Tag: Visual edit
Tag: Visual edit
(One intermediate revision by one other user not shown)
Line 30: Line 30:
   
 
The tower had the ability to repair itself, along with its outer walls and gates, when damaged, and this process could be helped along by [[Laeral Silverhand]].<ref name="B-p53">{{Cite book/Blackstaff/MMP|53}}</ref> After an attack in which a wall was demolished,<ref name="B-p31">{{Cite book/Blackstaff/MMP|31}}</ref> the tower was back to normal the same day.<ref name="B-p53" />
  
The tower had the ability to repair itself, along with its outer walls and gates, when damaged, and this process could be helped along by [[Laeral Silverhand]].<ref name="B-p53">{{Cite book/Blackstaff/MMP|53}}</ref> After an attack in which a wall was demolished,<ref name="B-p31">{{Cite book/Blackstaff/MMP|31}}</ref> the tower was back to normal the same day.<ref name="B-p53" />
−  
−
Intruders that posed a threat to the tower could potentially trigger a [[Walking Statue of Waterdeep|Walking Statue]] to form out of the roof. Prior to [[1479 DR]], this had not happened in recent memory.<ref name="BST-p273">{{Cite book/Blackstaff Tower|273}}</ref>
  
   
 
===Interior===
  
===Interior===
Line 49: Line 47:
 
In [[1415 DR]], the fourth Blackstaff, [[Krehlan Arunsun]], modified Blackstaff Tower using the ''[[kiira N'Vaelhar]]'' to allow templates of the spirits of each former Blackstaff to communicate with anyone in the tower, and with the Blackstaff where he or she was. The templates were a permanent illusion of the spirit of each Blackstaff; in visible form, the template appeared as the Blackstaff did in life but with a green glow.<ref name="BST-p253">{{Cite book/Blackstaff Tower|253}}</ref> While in the tower, the Blackstaff was also aware of every person in the tower or within a few feet of the tower.<ref name="BT" />
  
In [[1415 DR]], the fourth Blackstaff, [[Krehlan Arunsun]], modified Blackstaff Tower using the ''[[kiira N'Vaelhar]]'' to allow templates of the spirits of each former Blackstaff to communicate with anyone in the tower, and with the Blackstaff where he or she was. The templates were a permanent illusion of the spirit of each Blackstaff; in visible form, the template appeared as the Blackstaff did in life but with a green glow.<ref name="BST-p253">{{Cite book/Blackstaff Tower|253}}</ref> While in the tower, the Blackstaff was also aware of every person in the tower or within a few feet of the tower.<ref name="BT" />
   
−
==Known apprentices==
 +
==Known apprentices of the [[Blackstaff Academy]]==
−
While the tower may have had 50 of so apprentices at any time{{fact}}, the following were known apprentices:
 +
While the tower may have had 50 of so apprentices at any time<ref name="CoSW-P23">{{Cite book/City of Splendors: Waterdeep|23}}</ref>, the following were known apprentices:
 
* [[Achem el Zalath]]<ref name="CoSW-P23">{{Cite book/City of Splendors: Waterdeep|23}}</ref>
  
* [[Achem el Zalath]]<ref name="CoSW-P23">{{Cite book/City of Splendors: Waterdeep|23}}</ref>
 
* [[Aleena Paladinstar]]<ref name="CoSW-P24">{{Cite book/City of Splendors: Waterdeep|24}}</ref>
  
* [[Aleena Paladinstar]]<ref name="CoSW-P24">{{Cite book/City of Splendors: Waterdeep|24}}</ref>

Revision as of 06:48, 10 February 2019

This article is about the wizard tower. For the novel, see Blackstaff Tower (novel).

Blackstaff Tower (previously Arunsun Tower; renamed by Khelben in 1322 DR[1]) was the home of Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun. The forbidding structure is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Castle Ward of Waterdeep.[2] It was also the home of his apprentices and his consort Laeral Silverhand.[3] The tower was protected against scrying magic.[4]

Structure

Exterior

Blackstaff Tower's main entrance was on Swords Street. There was also an apprentice's gate, through which apprentices could gain access by touching the gate with a left palm.[5] The tower was surrounded by a 20-foot wall.[6]

The tower appeared to be made out of smooth black stone, with no windows or doors.[7] From the outside, the structure appeared to be a three-story stone tower, but inside, there were at least a dozen more levels, and some of these could only be reached by magical means. Everything connected to the central stairwell, although magical passwords were required to transport to certain areas of this stairwell.[8] The three levels visible from the outside were all freely accessible via simply using the stairs.[9]

The tower had the ability to repair itself, along with its outer walls and gates, when damaged, and this process could be helped along by Laeral Silverhand.[10] After an attack in which a wall was demolished,[11] the tower was back to normal the same day.[10]

Interior

From the inside, windows appeared to show what was going on outside, but these were illusions.[8] The interior (but not the exterior) of the tower was warded against magical intrusion.[12]

Rooms were connected to the central stairwell and entry hall, which was full of floating doors and arches.[13] Many alcoves and shelves covered the walls of the stairwell, displaying magical items and artifacts, and although they seemed unprotected, a command word was needed to remove any of them. The items changed on a regular basis, so returning to the same stairwell on another day might result in seeing different items.[14] Leaving the dormitories without issuing a command word would lead to the second level's stairwell.[15] Saying the command word nhurlaen in the stairwell took one to the study.[16]

On the top floor of the tower was a study and a scrying chamber.[17] There was also a parlor where Khelben displayed his art. In the library was one-way dimensional door to Candlekeep (the other side of the door led to Jester's Court nearby[18]).[19] As of 1374 DR, the tower's entry chamber contained a wardrobe that Khelben was able to use to access almost any closet in the tower.[20] In the tower's kitchen, Khelben liked to serve cups of roasted chicory.[21]

Tunnels linked the tower's basement to Piergeiron's Palace and other locations in Waterdeep, which could be accessed by uttering the command word: Vhuarm.[8][22] One such tunnel could be accessed at Northspur Rock on Northspur Landing on the Talltumble Stairs in Mountainside.[23]

In 1361 DR, Danilo Thann moved the elfgate portal to Evermeet to Laeral's chambers in order to facilitate more quality time between her and Khelben.[24]

History

After the death of Khelben, his heirs to the title of Blackstaff used the tower as both a home and a place of power. In fact, the tower became so linked to the Blackstaff that, upon the death of their master, the heir must immediately travel to the tower. On at least two occasions, the Blackstaff died outside of the tower and the heir was driven insane until they returned to the tower.[25]

In 1415 DR, the fourth Blackstaff, Krehlan Arunsun, modified Blackstaff Tower using the kiira N'Vaelhar to allow templates of the spirits of each former Blackstaff to communicate with anyone in the tower, and with the Blackstaff where he or she was. The templates were a permanent illusion of the spirit of each Blackstaff; in visible form, the template appeared as the Blackstaff did in life but with a green glow.[26] While in the tower, the Blackstaff was also aware of every person in the tower or within a few feet of the tower.[25]

Known apprentices of the Blackstaff Academy

While the tower may have had 50 of so apprentices at any time[27], the following were known apprentices:

Artifacts

The tower contained The Fanged Tome of Lykanthus Szar, The Annals Adamarus, and Alaundo's Loop.[14] The elfgate to Evermeet (created by Amnestria with Arilyn's moonblade) was located in Laeral's chambers after 1361 DR.[24]

Appendix

Appearances

Novels

Video games

References

  1. ↑ Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 31. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
  2. ↑ Uncredited (December 1989). The City of Waterdeep Trail Map. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 978-0880387583.
  3. ↑ Template:Cite book/Elfshadow/2000
  4. ↑ Warning: edition not specified for Swords of Eveningstar
  5. ↑ Steven E. Schend (July 2006). Blackstaff. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 978-0786940165.
  6. ↑ Template:Cite book/Elfshadow/2000
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Elaine Cunningham (April 2003). Windwalker (Hardcover). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 69. ISBN 0-7869-2968-5.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Steven E. Schend (July 2006). Blackstaff. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 21. ISBN 978-0786940165.
  9. ↑ Steven E. Schend (July 2006). Blackstaff. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 22. ISBN 978-0786940165.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Steven E. Schend (July 2006). Blackstaff. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 53. ISBN 978-0786940165.
  11. ↑ Steven E. Schend (July 2006). Blackstaff. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 31. ISBN 978-0786940165.
  12. ↑ Template:Cite book/Elfshadow/2000
  13. ↑ Steven E. Schend (September 2008). Blackstaff Tower. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 245. ISBN 0-7869-4913-9.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Steven E. Schend (July 2006). Blackstaff. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 24. ISBN 978-0786940165.
  15. ↑ Steven E. Schend (July 2006). Blackstaff. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 23. ISBN 978-0786940165.
  16. ↑ Steven E. Schend (September 2008). Blackstaff Tower. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 202. ISBN 0-7869-4913-9.
  17. ↑ Template:Cite book/Elfshadow/2000
  18. ↑ Template:Cite book/Elfshadow/2000
  19. ↑ Template:Cite book/Elfshadow/2000
  20. ↑ Steven E. Schend (July 2006). Blackstaff. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-0786940165.
  21. ↑ Template:Cite book/Elfshadow/2000
  22. ↑ Template:Cite book/Elfshadow/2000
  23. ↑ Steven E. Schend (September 2008). Blackstaff Tower. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 201. ISBN 0-7869-4913-9.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Template:Cite book/Elfshadow/2000
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Steven E. Schend (September 2008). Blackstaff Tower. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-4913-9.
  26. ↑ Steven E. Schend (September 2008). Blackstaff Tower. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 253. ISBN 0-7869-4913-9.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 23. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
  28. ↑ 28.00 28.01 28.02 28.03 28.04 28.05 28.06 28.07 28.08 28.09 28.10 28.11 28.12 Eric L. Boyd (June 2005). City of Splendors: Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 24. ISBN 0-7869-3693-2.
  29. ↑ Elaine Cunningham (April 2000). Elfshadow. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-1660-5.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms