Dragon Heist / Dungeon of the Mad Mage

Blackstaff Tower (previously Arunsun Tower; renamed by Khelben in 1322 DR) was the home of Khelben “Blackstaff” Arunsun in Waterdeep and is not the home of his successors to the title of Blackstaff. The foreboding structure was one of the most recognizable landmarks in Waterdeep's Castle Ward.

Blackstaff Tower's main entrance is on Swords Street. There is also rumoured to be an apprentice's gate, through which apprentices can gain access by touching the gate with a left palm. The tower is surrounded by a 20‑foot (6.1‑meter) wall.

The tower appears to be made out of smooth black stone, with no windows or doors. From the outside, the structure appears to be a three-story stone tower, but inside, there are ´rumoured to be at least a dozen more levels, and some of these can 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.

The three levels visible from the outside are all freely accessible via simply using the stairs.

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

From the inside, windows appear to show what was going on outside, but these are illusions.

Rooms are connected to the central stairwell and entry hall, which is full of floating doors and arches.

Many alcoves and shelves cover the walls of the stairwell, displaying magical items and artifacts, and although they seem unprotected, a command word is most likely needed to remove any of them. The items change on a regular basis, so returning to the same stairwell on another day might result in seeing different items.

Force Grey uses the Tower as their base of operations.

Blackstaff Academy is a loosely organized group of elite apprentices and students who study under the (at the time current) Blackstaff at Blackstaff Tower in the 14th and 15th centuries DR.

The Blackstaff serves as the mistress of the school, under whom trains senior apprentices who are 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.

The school trains wizards and sorcerers who seek to learn from the Blackstaff, and those who train at the school are 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 stresses alchemy, literacy, and the study of history, the planes, and general arcana. These assorted talents means 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 offers 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 is a priority to make sure that no student is treated badly or is not given the opportunity to keep busy with studies. This is done to ensure that graduates will continue to regard the Academy as allies, and so even when an apprentice decides to leave, the Academy helpes them to establish themselves in their new endeavors. As of the mid-to-late 14th century DR, this strategy has proven to be effective at minimizing any treachery within the school.

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

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

The school is 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 moves on.

Acceptance to the Academy is predicated on either demonstrating extraordinary magical aptitude (those who can not cast arcane spells were very rarely admitted) or having a particularly compelling personal history. Joining the Academy is free, however monthly dues are required to continue attendance. These fees start at 10 gp per month and increase as a student gains seniority and requires more advanced tutelage.

In addition, it is a requirement that any new spell that is discovered or researched by an apprentice has to be added to Blackstaff Tower's library.