Force Grey, otherwise known as the Grey Hands, is a group of elite adventurers who work directly for the government of the city of Waterdeep. Their job is to deal with threats to the city that the Guard and the Watch cannot handle without risking significant loss of life. They number around twenty individuals, although they enjoy a regular intake of new members, thanks in part to their high risk of dying.
They are a small band of powerful and highly skilled adventurers who have the talents and experience necessary to deal with the toughest enemies and threats to Waterdeep. Like the other armed forces of Waterdeep, the Gray Hands are expected to enforce law and order on behalf of the Lords of Waterdeep. However, members are not expected to patrol the city for threats nor stand guard, but rather to respond to emergencies and act as an elite strike force for those threats that required a more extreme or specialized approach.
The Gray Hands answer directly to the Lords of Waterdeep. The Blackstaff gives orders to the members of Force Grey but rarely works with them directly unless the threat facing Waterdeep is particularly dire.