Ved havet nær Baldurgard er et af Faerûns mest berømte biblioteteker – som i århundreder har været en bastion for lærdom og viden langs Sværdkysten. Det rummer en enestående samling af bøger og skriftruller, der anses for at være den største samling skrifter i Faerûn. Det er hjemsted for at gruppe berømte lærde og skrivere, der ærer den store seer Alaundo og hans samling profetier.
Candlekeep er et spektakulært syn, en formidabel fæstning af tårne af forskellig højde og stil. Det rejser sig over kysten med formidable mure af sten og jern, som er 50 ft. (15 m) høje, og tårne som er endnu højere. Det har enorme dobbeltporte, der er tre gange så høje som en mand. Dørene er smedet af et sælsomt sort metal og bærer hver Candlekeeps segl.
Umiddelbart indenfor de imponerende porte er Luftgården, en stor brobelagt gård, som Candlekeep’s etablissementer og fornødenheder ligger omkring. Her kan besøgende og pilgrimme få, hvad hjertet lyster.
Dernæst kommer man til den overdækkede Indre Gård, via et par storslåede og magisk beskyttede Smaragddøre. Her er Candlekeep’s store bibliotek, som gæster fra hele Faerûn opsøger.
Under slottet er en sikre sikrede kamre, der brugdes til at kaste spells, såvel som katakomber, kloakker og underjordiske gange, der bebos af usædvanlige væsener. Dybest af disse er Kammeret for Tabt Viden, et bestandigt oplyst rum.
Historie
Skønt nogle kilder hævder, Candlekeep oprindelig var Alaundos citadel, der er vokset op omkring hans ydmyge tårn, er slottet faktisk nogle hundrede år ældre. Det blev grundlagt i DR -200 (Year of Stonerising).
Although some sources stated that Candlekeep was originally the citadel of Alaundo,[37] having grown around his small and humble tower,[38] the keep actually predated the seer by some hundred years, having been founded c. the Year of Stonerising, -200 DR.[39][40]
Alaundo arrived in Candlekeep in the Year of Clinging Death, 75 DR, to study the writings kept there and got a reputation for his visions into the future.[39][41] Following his death, the keep became a sanctuary of knowledge, revering his prophecies and dedicating itself to the preservation of all available knowledge.[34]
The sage Gorion and his ward Abdel leave Candlekeep for the Way of the Lion in 1368 DR
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 Abdel Adrian, including his foster father Gorion.[26]
As the calamitous Second Sundering wracked the Sword Coast, the keep was beleaguered by wealthy citizens attempting to purchase shelter within its walls or foreign envoys who demanded arcane knowledge to shield themselves from the growing threats of the Realms. Numerous monks of the Avowed began to disappear,[31] as a result of a years-long campaign of infiltration perpetrated by agents of the Shadovar.[42]
In the Year of the Nether Mountain Scrolls, 1486 DR, Candlekeep was literally besieged by a host of devils from the Nine Hells, led by a mage devoted to the archdevil Asmodeus.[31]
The following year Candlekeep suffered an aerial assault carried out by a woman riding atop a black dragon, mysteriously attempting to go after one of the long-abandoned towers[31]
Just a few days later, the continued efforts of several parties seeking gain control the magical Weave energy stored in Candlekeep’s mythal came to a violent conclusion. While the sage Elminster strived to personally guard over the wards of Candlekeep, Laeral and Alustriel Silverhand of the Moonstars sought to destroy them, in order to prevent them from being used by Shar and the Princes of Shade.[43] Just as Maerandor the Shadovar began their attack, they were met by the Great Readers of the Avowed,[44] and rebuffed in a great spell battle.[45] After the spell battle broke out, the lich Larloch revealed himself to the monks of the keep,[46] and deceived Elminster into essentially handing over control of the mythal’s power.[47]
Many Avowed were killed during this conflict, including several senior monks such as the Keeper of the Tomes.
