Candlekeep

Candlekeep

Candlekeep is a towered library-fortress that stands on a crag overlooking the Sea of Swords. The library is filled with books and scrolls of knowledge, considered the greatest collection of the writings in all of Faerûn. It was the home of the great seer Alaundo who foresaw the coming of the Bhaalspawn, over a millennium before the crisis of the 14th century DR. Aside from the edicts dictated by the stronghold's Keepers throughout the years, Candlekeep has but one absolute rule: "Those who destroy knowledge, with ink, fire, or sword, are themselves destroyed".
The keep's sigil is a castle emblazoned over a flame.

Description

Candlekeep rests atop a volcanic crag on a narrow peninsula that juts out from the side of the Sword Coast. It is nestled onto the crag just a few hundred paces from the cliffside overlooking the Sea of Swords. The path leading to its entrance is called the Way of the Lion, which extends from the Coast Way that runs along the Sword Coast.
The outer wall of the keep rises high above the coast, dotted with several towers that ascend into the skies about the cliffside. The main entrance through this wall is by a set of grand double-gates, that are three times as tall as a man and forged from a strange black metal that is impervious to lightning and magical divination. Within this protective perimeter is the strong, central keep that houses the Great Library, encircled by the Court of Air and several smaller stone buildings.

Those who have seen (Candlekeep from an aerial view) have said that it looks like...a cake decorated with too many candles." — Aedyn Graymantle, an excerpt from Far from the Misty Hills

Weather

The western facade of Candlekeep is bombarded with mist and waters from the Sea of Swords, and becomes iced over during the freezing winter months. Several of the towers on this side have to be abandoned for part of the year due to this hazardous accumulation of frost.

Entry

To enter the halls of wisdom, a visitor must 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 accept books worth no less than 1,000 gp, books containing particularly insightful annotations or journals of important persons have been accepted. As of 1494 DR, requirements for entry seem to have relaxed, and visitors to the library are only required to donate a book, scroll, or similar piece of writing not contained within the library. 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.
"Friends of Candlekeep" are allowed entrance in to Candlekeep without offering an entrance-gift. Among these select individuals are certain archmages, priests of the deities Oghma, Deneir, Gond, and Milil, along with both local and High Heralds alike. Visitors are allowed to stay within the keep for a tenday, until they are asked to leave. They are asked to wait a full month before returning for another stay.

Notable Locations

Catacombs

Carved into the volcanic rock upon which sits the Great Library and surrounding keep is a series of tombs and sepulchers that serve as the resting place for a number of sages of Candlekeep. They are guarded by the ghost of the silver dragon Miirym, who is 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 is kept rather simple and unadorned as of the 15th century DR. The gardens and trees are no more, as the court merely houses several buildings that serve the needs of the Avowed and their guests:

The Hearth

A grand eating hall that allows seekers to mingle with one another. It contains shrines to Deneir, Gond, and Milil. Previously, the services of The Hearth were provided by the Candlekeep Inn.

House of Rest

A bunk room that provides 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 houses a warehouse, several granaries, stables and an infirmary

Great Library

The Great Library of Candlekeep us considered to be the largest and most robust collection of scholarly writings, lore, and knowledge in all of Faerûn. Conversely, its bookshelves also contain 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 houses a dozen towers, known as "necessariums", that offer seekers ample space to study and read in peace

Vaults

The Vaults deep beneath the keep are said to contain such hidden knowledge that anyone who is able to discover and wield them will be able to gain power that is incomparable to anything known on Toril

Services

Seekers who gained entry into Candlekeep are allowed to stay for one tenday. During this time, they can read specific books within the necessariums, but are not permitted to copy their contents. This service is specifically provided by the Avowed. Inscribing and binding a book can cost anywhere from 100 to over 10,000 gp and can take upwards of several weeks to complete.
The advice of the keep's sages is offered to Seekers who ask for their wisdom for 2,000 gp, double the standard rate

History

Although some sources state that Candlekeep was originally the citadel of Alaundo, having grown around his small and humble tower, the keep actually predates the seer by some hundred years, having been founded circa the Year of Stonerising, -200 DR.
In the Year of Clinging Death, 75 DR, Alaundo arrived in Candlekeep to study the writings kept there and got a reputation for his visions into the future. Following his death, the keep became a sanctuary of knowledge - revering his prophecies and dedicating itself to the preservation of all available knowledge.
During the Iron crisis in the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR, Sarevok Anchev infiltrated the Great Library during his quest for power and immortality. He filled Candlekeep's catacombs with doppelgangers that masqueraded as citizens of the fortress, along with those who were significant to his sibling and fellow Bhaalspawn, including the dead sage Gorion.

Inhabitants

The monks of Candlekeep refer to themselves as the Avowed, servants sworn to protect the keep and the contents of its halls. As of the Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR, the Avowed were led by the Keeper of the Tomes, Ulraunt, and his assistant, First Reader Tethtoril. They were served by the Great Readers and the order's other monks who held a variety of responsibilities within the keep.
The Gatewarden oversees the defense of Candlekeep, assisted by four Watchers and the Keeper. While all of the martial 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, serves as both sentry and concierge. They assist Seekers for their stay within the sanctuary's hallowed walls and bar 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.