Candlekeep

https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Candlekeep
Here are five things to know about Candlekeep: 1. Repository of Knowledge. Candlekeep is the largest, most complete library in Faerûn. Throughout its jumbled complex of interconnected towers lie books, scrolls, tomes, and other forms of literature covering every topic imaginable. Due to the diligence of the Avowed in maintaining and cultivating them, a great proportion of the works within Candlekeep are either the most complete example or the last remaining copy in existence. Each year, hundreds of supplicants journey to Candlekeep, hoping to find answers in the Great Library, afflicted with burning existential questions of purpose, the looming threat of an ancient evil, or simply an earnest, unshakable curiosity. 2. Selective Entry. Admittance to Candlekeep requires a seeker to donate an entrance gift: a noteworthy fragment of writing not already in the possession of the monastery. Five purple-robed priests evaluate prospective entrance gifts while interviewing each supplicant at the arched gates of the fortress wall. Despite the difficulty that comes with locating a suitable entrance gift, the effort pales in comparison to the benefit of accessing the wealth of information within the Great Library. 3. The Avowed. Candlekeep is inhabited and maintained by an order of monks known as the Avowed. Its ranks consist of cloistered scholars dedicated to the preservation of knowledge within Candlekeep above all else. Many of the monks are priests of Oghma, Deneir, Milil, and Gond, though the monks have been known to revere many gods while in service to the keep. Although many of the Avowed have studied magic, few are trained in spellcasting, with the exception of a handful of mages, clerics, and paladins. Nevertheless, any monk within the order would not hesitate to lay down their life in defense of the Great Library. 4. Neutral Ground. Candlekeep does not pass judgment on the outside world or participate in political affairs. The Citadel of Learning and its Avowed care not for the rise and fall of kingdoms, shifting governments, or claims to thrones throughout Faerûn. They are only concerned with the collection, absorption, and maintenance of lore. Most civilizations hold Candlekeep in high regard, though this respect is also earned, in part, by the slew of powerful archmages and Chosen of Mystra prepared to protect the library if necessary. Despite its robust defenses, Candlekeep is not immune to infiltration. The temptation presented by forbidden, forgotten, or otherwise inaccessible knowledge simply proves too great for some individuals. Rarely are such invaders of middling power; an intruder is either incomprehensibly foolish to challenge the Avowed, or they have honed their abilities for decades in pursuit of one targeted assault. 5. Prophecies of Alaundo. In 75 DR, the seer Alaundo arrived in Candlekeep, bringing with him an extensive collection of prophecies recorded in secret over a period of seventy years. Much to the surprise of the Avowed, Alaundo’s writings were both far-reaching and impeccably accurate. One notable prediction that has come to pass is the creation of the Bhaalspawn during the Time of Troubles, which was foreseen in the following line: "White birds shall vanish from the North, and great evil shall die and be reborn". History notes Alaundo’s death as 76 DR, just one year after the prophet arrived in Candlekeep, but his legacy continues to this day. Any seeker who steps into the Court of Air hears the echo of the Endless Chant, a constant recitation of the seer’s prophecies by dedicated and venerable monks. Orders of Accordance

In its early days, to gain entry into the halls of wisdom, a petitioner 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. As of 1494 DR, requirements for entry seem to have relaxed, and visitors to the library were only required to donate a book, scroll, or similar piece of writing not contained within the library. Access at this exchange is quite limited though.
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, Deneir, Gond and Milil, along with both local and High Heralds alike. Anyone entering the Inner Ward was required to possess special permission from leaders of the Avowed, in the form of a signed letter that could only be verified by the portal's Keeper. Any extended stay is verified with an invisible, magical brand.
Visitors granted entry into the keep are known as "Seekers", and referred to as "goodsir" or "goodlady" by the library's monks, if their name was unknown. These individuals were allowed to stay for one tenday, after which they were asked to leave and wait a full month before returning for another stay.
During their time in Candlekeep, Seekers could read specific books within the necessariums, but were not permitted to copy their contents. Inscription service was specifically provided by the Avowed, with copying and binding costs that ranged anywhere from 100 to over 10,000 gp and took upwards of several weeks to complete.
Seekers could solicit the wizened advice of Candlekeep's scholars for the substantial fee 2,000 gp, double the standard rate for sages in the Realms beyond.

Maps

• 

  Candlekeep

Founders

• Alaundo

Alternative Name(s)

The Council of Great Readers

Type

Citadel

Population

Roughly 300 Avowed, with an estimated 20 laypeople & 50 visitors at any given time.

Location under

Faerun

Included Locations

• Bath & Steamhouse
• Fistandia's Mansion
• Granary
• House of the Binder
• The Hearth
• The House of Rest

Owner/Ruler

Janussi, Keeper of the Tomes

Additional Rulers/Owners

• Bookwyrm
• Engrynn Ravenjyre

Ruling/Owning Rank

Keeper of the Tomes

Owning Organization

The Avowed

Characters in Location

• Alaundo
• Bookwyrm
• Keeley Briarroot
• Little One
• Parmak

Related Plots

• Going on an egg hunt

Related Historical Events

• 1500
  The Dragon Scales work for Candlekeep
• 1500
  Dragon Scales arrive in Candlekeep
• 1485
  Zikran's Zephyrean Tome Donated to Candlekeep
• 200
  The Year of the Stonerising- Candlekeep's Erection Begins