The Avowed

The Avowed is an order of scholar monks dedicated to the preservation of knowledge and defense of Candlekeep. The majority of the monks are simple commoners, but their ranks also include a select few clerics, paladins, and wizards devoted to the pursuit of truth and knowledge. To understand the Avowed, one must understand their purpose and their hierarchy.

Structure

Hierarchy of the Avowed

The monastic order of the Avowed has a strict hierarchy. Their ranks, from lowest to highest, are as follows: seeker, scribe, master reader, great reader, first reader, and keeper of the tomes. Each rank has specific tasks and responsibilities crucial to the maintenance of Candlekeep.
Seeker These low-ranking monks carry out the mundane, yet essential, tasks required for Candlekeep to operate as a hub of learning and knowledge. Such tasks include cooking, cleaning, manual labor, and fetching whatever monks of higher ranks desire for their studies. Seekers work twelve-hour shifts, and those who desire to ascend the ranks spend their remaining time each day devoted to study, so that they might one day prove themselves worthy of promotion to the master readers.
Scribe These monks are responsible for copying existing books and for producing new books published by Candlekeep. As a scribe, monks hone their research and writing skills by drawing on existing lore, knowledge, and research on an existing topic, then use it to author all-encompassing tomes of knowledge on these subjects and publish them in the name of Candlekeep. These tomes serve as a means to export knowledge from Candlekeep to libraries all over Faerûn, while also providing a steady stream of revenue for the library fortress.
Master Reader There are few individuals more knowledgeable in written or spoken languages and arcane phrases than master readers, sometimes referred to as Masters of Realmlore by sages and Heralds across Faerûn. It’s rumored that master readers can read or hear a sentence and recall the author and title of any book in which this sentence appears. The master readers debate and determine the true meaning of texts when there is a lack of consensus regarding its interpretation. Master readers are responsible for voting on promoting seekers to the rank of scribe. In addition, master readers carry out magical experimentations and quest for valuable tomes of knowledge scattered throughout Faerûn. It is rare, but possible, to cross paths with a master reader deep in a dungeon seeking a treasured tome.
Great Reader There are never more than eight great readers at any given time. Great readers are chosen based on their merit and contributions to expanding the library of knowledge and lore within the walls of Candlekeep. In addition to serving as great readers, three great readers occupy additional offices of responsibility. These offices, in order from lowest to highest, are the Gatewarden, the Guide, and the Chanter.    The Gatewarden. The Gatewarden is responsible for the security and defense of Candlekeep. Their security force consists of five patrols made up of thirteen heavily armed and battle-tested Avowed. Four of the patrols are commanded by Watchers who lead their patrols all throughout Candlekeep. The fifth patrol is led by the Keeper of the Portal, selected by the Gatewarden to oversee the gate guards, pathways in the caves leading deep into the Underdark, and other magical and secret entrances into Candlekeep.    The Guide. The Guide is responsible for overseeing and developing the curriculum to train acolytes. They also manage Candlekeep’s intricate tutoring program for monks of all ranks, which ensures the vast knowledge of Candlekeep and the secrets in its walls pass through each generation of Avowed.    The Chanter. The Chanter of The Avowed and seekers through Candlekeep as they recite the endless chant of Alaundo’s yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecies. Within the procession, there are three understudies of the Chanter, known as the Voice of the North, the Voice of the South, and the Voice of the East. Each understudy wears an emerald compass around their neck; these compasses are eternally pointed in the direction with which they are associated. By decree of Candlekeep, each Avowed must join this march to recite a minimum of nine of Alaundo’s prophecies per day.










First Reader It is said that the First Reader is the most charismatic, articulate, and knowledgeable monk within the Avowed. Their primary responsibility is to govern the Great Library and oversee the maintenance of all knowledge within Candlekeep. The First Reader is second only to the Keeper of Tomes—the two frequently have an antagonistic relationship, as the personalities that lend themselves to each position can easily lead to conflict.
Keeper of Tomes The Keeper of Tomes’ word is absolute law in Candlekeep. Their edicts are recorded and enshrined in law, and can only be nullified if a future Keeper overturns or retires an edict. The Keeper is the only person allowed to wear robes of pure white within Candlekeep, and the color is forbidden for all others. It’s the responsibility of the Keeper to govern the Avowed and Candlekeep to ensure the knowledge contained within is preserved for all eternity

Military

Although lacking a formal military, there are many members of the avowed who are powerful spellcasters. Usually when a disturbance occurs some low level mages will come to investigate, followed by archmages if the issue cannot be concluded.

Religion

The members of the avowed are monks. However they only worship gods who focus on the pursuit of knowledge. Amongst these are:

Deneir - God of art, cartography, glyphs, images, knowledge, literature and scholars.

Gond - God of craft and smithwork

Milil - Goddess of song, poetry, eloquence, creativity and inspiration.

And most importantly Oghma - God of bards, inspiration, invention, and knowledge.

Type

Religious, Monastic Order

Leader

Melanthios

Controlled Territories

• Candlekeep