The Avowed
The Avowed are a group of non-denominational, cloistered researchers who tend to and protect the great library-fortress of Candlekeep. They come from all walks of life; from clerics of the deities who personified the search for knowledge to wizards and even some warrior-monks. These researchers, librarians, and monks are united in their scholarly pursuits and their duty to preserve the collected knowledge and lore of the Realms, in all its forms
Structure
The majority of the Avowed are assistants, scribes, sages and master sages, and technicians.
The highest ranking members of the Avowed are the Keeper of Tomes, the First Reader, and the Great Readers.
Some other important members of the Avowed are:
- Master Readers - These learned Avowed oversee the scribes and teach the adjutants. They possess tremendous institutional knowledge.
- Chanter - A chosen group of Avowed maintains a constant recitation of the prophecies of Alaundo the Seer. The Endless Chant, as it is called, travels throughout the keep day and night. It’s led by either the Chanter or a hand-picked subordinate. The current Chanter is a middle-aged shield dwarf priest of Milil (god of poetry and song) named Benedora Stoneforge.
- Gatewarden - A group of Avowed maintain security at the front gates, through which all visitors must enter. The current head of the Gatewarden is Kalan Strongbranch, a human archmage.
Culture
The Avowed live beyond the Inner Ward of Candlekeep in Exaltation. Visitors are not welcome in this area unless they’ve made an extraordinary donation or performed a special favor for the Avowed. The halls of Exaltation connect to its classrooms, kitchens, bakeries, dining halls, shrines, workshops, offices, study halls, scriptoriums, and dormitories.
Demography and Population
Roughly 300 Avowed currently live and work in Candlekeep.
Religion
All pantheons are respected and practiced at Candlekeep. There are shrines to most gods in the keep, and a few areas for worshippers of less renowned gods to pray.
The major gods with a presence in Candlekeep are:
- Deneir - god of literature and literacy. The patron of the artist and the scribe
- Gond - god of artifice, craft, and construction. The patron of blacksmiths, woodworkers, engineers, and inventors
- Milil - god of poetry, eloquence, and song. The patron of bards and entertainers
- Mystra - god of magic. The patron of mages
- Oghma - god of inspiration, invention, and knowledge. The patron of those who seek to preserve knowledge
Type
Educational, Library
Leader
Economic System
Mixed economy
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Comments