The Blackstaff

The Blackstaff is the title given to the Archmage of Waterdeep, who by extension was also the master of the eponymous weapon, the selfsame Mage tower, and the namesake Academy attached to said tower. The title itself used to be simply a nickname given to the Chosen of Mystra Khelben Arunsun because of the magical staff he used, but has since stuck to his successors after his death.

The Blackstaff's seat of office is at the Blackstaff Tower, which was located in the Castle Ward of Waterdeep.

As of the current timeframe of the Forgotten Realms, there have been seven archmages who have held the position:

• Khelben Arunsun: The original Blackstaff, and Chosen of Mystra. He gave his life to (secretly) raise the City of Hope Rhynanthiin, in the High Moor. A lot of the trappings of the office lead one way or another back to him.

• Tsarra Chaadren: The second Blackstaff, took over after Khelben died, and actually wore a magical disguise that made people believe that he was still alive for a while, before the Spellplague shattered it. Had to defend herself for two years after as his enemies tried to hunt her down. Tried. She eventually died with the majority of the Moonstars battling a coven of vampire-wizards years later.

• Kyriani Agrivar: Half-drow proprietress of the Selune's Smile, she survived the battle against the coven of vampire-wizards that offed Tsarra and the Moonstars, and returned with the Blackstaff to Waterdeep. Had her own set of wacky adventures BEFORE this, where the conflicting halves of her heritage split her apart into a drow and human, TWICE. (Weirdly, there's actually a spell on Dark Sun that can do this.) Began the tradition of the new Blackstaff magically announcing their ascension to office to the entire city of Waterdeep, and pledging to serve it.

• Krehlan Arunsun: Son of Khelben and fellow Chosen of Mystra (and now Open Lord of Waterdeep) Laeral Silverhand, silver-haired Krehlan inherited his parent's magical aptitude and power, but also Khelben's dark temper. He ruled for twenty-four years before dying in battle against a rival.

• Ashemmon: Half-Elf friend of Krehlan and son of the infamous ex-Zhentarim wizards Semmemnon and Ashemmi, ironically he was known more for his statecraft and diplomacy than being a powerful wizard (though that certainly help matters). He served Waterdeep faithfully for forty years.

Initially every Blackstaff would have their intellect and personalities "copied" into a kiira (think of it as a magical Elf gem external hard drive made specifically to save the memories and personalities of specific people), so that they can advise their successors as sort of magical AI holograms, but the load was too much for a single mind to bear, so Krehlan instead merged it with Blackstaff Tower itself.