Candlekeep

Candlekeep was a towered library-fortress that stood on a crag overlooking the King's Crossing. The library was filled with books and scrolls of knowledge, considered the greatest collection of the writings in all of Calemdar, rivaling that of the great Calemdarian College of Magic. It was the home of the great seer Alaundo who foresaw the coming of the Bhaalspawn, over a thousand years before Mask and Azure hunted them into extinction.
Aside from the edicts dictated by the stronghold's Keepers throughout the years, Candlekeep had but one absolute rule: "Those who destroy knowledge, with ink, fire, or sword, are themselves destroyed".

Entry

To gain entry to the halls of wisdom a visitor had to present the seal of a renowned wizard, as well as an "entrance-gift" to the library, a tome of immense value, great rarity or significant historical importance to add to their collection. While the shrewd gatekeepers typically accepted books worth no less than 1,000 gp, books containing particularly insightful annotations or journals of important persons have been accepted before. Visitors into the keep were known as "seekers" and referred to as "goodsir" or "goodlady" by the library's monks, if their name was unknown.
The "friends of Candlekeep" were allowed entrance in to Candlekeep without offering an entrance-gift. Among these select individuals were certain archmages, priests of the deities Oghma, Gond, Ioun, Odin, and Deneir along with both local and High Heralds alike.
Visitors were allowed to stay within the keep for a tenday, until they were asked to leave. They were asked to wait a full month before returning for another stay.

Notable Locations

Catacombs

Carved into the volcanic rock upon which sat the Great Library and surrounding keep was a series of tombs and sepulchers that served as the resting place for a number of sages of Candlekeep. They were guarded by the ghost of the silver dragon Miirym, who was bound to defend Candlekeep and the Avowed by the great sorcerer Torth.

Court of Air

While it was once decorated by a small grove and a terraced rock garden, the cobblestone courtyard of Candlekeep was kept rather simple and kept unadorned as of the 6th Century AoH. The gardens and trees were no more as the court merely housed several buildings that served the needs of the Avowed and their guests:
The Hearth: This grand eating hall, allowed seekers to mingle with one another in the 15th century. It contained shrines to Deneir, Gond and Ioun. Previously, the services of The Hearth were provided by the Candlekeep Inn.
House of Rest: A bunk room that provided lodging for the keep's seekers.
House of the Binder: A temple dedicated to the Lord of Knowledge, Oghma.
In addition to these buildings the keep housed a warehouse, several granaries, stables and an infirmary.

The Great Library

The great library of Candlekeep was considered to be the largest and most robust collection of scholarly writings, lore and knowledge in all of Korrisia. Conversely, its bookshelves also contained a seemingly endless amount of paltry and insignificant documents such as: recipes, inscribed song lyrics, journals of fairly unremarkable individuals and other such trivialities. It housed a dozen towers, known as "necessariums", that offered seekers ample place to study and read in peace.

Vaults

The vaults deep beneath the keep were said to contain such hidden knowledge that anyone who was able to discover and wield them, would gain power that was incomparable to anything known on Korrisia.

Inhabitants

The monks of Candlekeep referred to themselves as the Avowed, servants sworn to protect the keep and the contents of its halls. As of the year 433 AoH, the Avowed were led by the Keeper of the Tomes, Orryn the Grey, and his assistant, First Reader Teclis. They were served by the Great Readers and the order's other monks who held a variety of responsibilities within the keep.
The Gatewarden oversaw the defense of Candlekeep, assisted by four Watchers and the Keeper. While all of the marital officers were served by a dozen armed monks, only the latter stood outside the keep's walls. This Keeper of the Emerald Door, previously known as the Keeper of the Portal, served as both sentry and concierge. They assisted Seekers for their stay within the sanctuary's hallowed walls and barred entry for those not deserving.
The Chanter and the three Voices could often be found in procession throughout the Court of Air, reciting the lines of the Endless Chant. The prophecies of Alaundo continually echoed through the grounds of Candlekeep.

Government

Meritocracy

Leader: Keeper of Tomes

Industry & Trade

Imports

Books

Exports

Knowledge, Books, Spell-Books

Alternative Name(s)

The Great Library

Type

Citadel

Owner/Ruler

Orryn

Owning Organization

Republic of Calemdar