Warden Balan Cord is the chief countermage of the Blackened Book. He's one of the most powerful mages in Sharn, and he is responsible for training the other countermages who work for the Book. Balan himself is often called in when high level magic has been displayed, and you want him on your side when the spells start flying.
Balan believes that magic is fundamentally a force for good, and that it has enormous potential to improve lives. He takes it as a personal affront when magic is used as a destructive weapon, turning what should be a source of joy and hope into one of fear.