Candlekeep
Candlekeep is a famous library-fortress that acts as a bastion of enlightenment and knowledge on the Sword Coast. It houses a magnificent collection of books and scrolls of lore, and is considered the greatest collection of the writings in all of Faerûn.
Purpose / Function
Candlekeep's core goal is to protect, maintain, and collect information from Faerûn and other worlds.
Denizens
The people who work and live within Candlekeep are called The Avowed.
Architecture
Candlekeep is situated upon a rocky outcropping on a narrow peninsula, about 100 ft (30 m) from the cliffside along the Sea of Swords. The path leading to its entrance is called the Way of the Lion, which extended from the Coast Way that ran along the Sword Coast. It's split up into three sections - the Court of Air, the Inner Ward, and the Vault.
Candlekeep is a spectacular sight from the surrounding lands, a formidable fortress of towers of varying heights and styles. The keep's skyline rises high above the coast, set within formidable, 50 ft (15 m) tall walls of stone and iron. Its numerous towers ascended into the skies above, creating a unique silhouette against the skies over the coastal sea.
The Emerald Door
The Emerald Door—the main point of access to the Inner Ward—stands at the western end of the Court of Air. It is fifteen feet tall and made of a translucent dark green stone that glows with an inner light. An arcane lock spell seals the door, which is further warded against all damage. Here, a Keeper of the Emerald Door stands at all times to welcome newly arrived seekers and admit the Avowed. Keepers of the Emerald Door politely dispel any mistaken notions visitors might have about passing through the Emerald Door and exploring the Great Library beyond. The Inner Ward is off limits to seekers without special dispensation, which must come from the Keeper of Tomes, the First Reader, or one of the nine Great Readers.Defenses
The physical defense of Candlekeep's exterior is led by the Gatewarden. They coordinate the protection of the front gate through which all petitioners and visitors pass through. They are aided by monks known as Watcher as well as the Keeper of the Emerald Door. Nearly all of the Avowed whose efforts contribute to the safety of the keep are powerful archmages.
There is also legend of a dragon that slumbers underneath Candlekeep that can be called upon if the library is under attack. However this is just a rumor among the Avowed, as no one has seen a dragon, wyrm, or any large creates like that in Candlekeep in centuries.
Magical Protection
Candlekeep is guarded by layers of magical wards that protect the keep itself, the people within, along with its collection of writings. Among the protections provided by these wards included the restriction of entry by means of teleportation, the preservation of writing from degradation by mold or insect, an inhibition of flames that were larger than those provided by a candle, and prevention of theft of whole books, amongst others. The Candlekeep wards are old and rather unique - employing multiple layers of powerful spells, unlike the living mythals. Alongwith the wards, the keep was additionally protected by a singular mythal, referred to as the Great Shield, a barrier of elven magic that could be activated by the Keeper of Tomes if the need ever arose.Tourism
People from all over Faerûn visit Candlekeep for many reasons, though its research library is its main draw. In order to gain entry to Candlekeep, visitors (or petitioners as the Avowed call them) are required to donate a book, scroll, or similar piece of writing not contained within the library.
Type
Library
Parent Location
Included Locations
Connected Rooms
Characters in Location
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