A previously quite anonymous Reader returned to Candlekeep this day, during a time of low activity in the library-fortress. Arriving with a caravan full of crates, he disembarked and collected some acolytes to help him unload the crates. From what could be seen, the crates were largely filled with various books. However, they also contained other strange artifacts, stuffed in-between the tomes: Mundane objects for the most part, such decorated cutlery or mugs; drums and other instruments with foreign letters and words upon them; and many other things of cultural significance.
Word is the Reader had spent a few years in the east, having surmised from Alaundo's prophecies that a horde would attack Faerûn. Indeed, by now he had determined Alaundo had been speaking of the Tuigan horde, now defeated by King Azoun IV of Cormyr. With the crisis over, and a lot of history documented, the scholar-gnome had now returned to Candlekeep with all of his work.
Last edited by DM Smile on Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Later the same day, the returning Reader was approached by visitors, who - among other matters - wished to discuss the requirements and process for access to the library. The scholar-gnome happily explained the matter, and then the conversation moved on to what topics the two visitors were most interested in researching, should they ever be granted access.
As the time passed, many other topics of conversation were had, from the matter of winged individuals' difficulty sleeping on their backs, to the laws of Baldur's Gate and how they are enforced.
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
A visitor, one of those from the day before, came to Candlekeep this day in search of scholarly expertise. He had brought four tomes with him that required study, and the recently returned Reader was happy to assist in getting the visitor started on the tomes. The topics of the four books were indeed of a surprisingly wide variety: A treatise on monstrous humanoids, tome about the evil dragon goddess Tiamat, a catalogue of architecture from various significant Faerûnian cities and a tragic hero-story! The scholar-gnome was indeed fascinated by each of these, ever curious as he seems.
More visitors arrived later, including the other visitor from the day before, and the converstation drifted to other topics, such as genies, calimshan and the different kinds of slavery practiced in the world.
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
The fortress-library of Candlekeep was visited by a man looking for recommendation for an invitation to join the Avowed today. The recently returned Reader-gnome received the visitor, and asked many questions of him to determine his suitability. The man also mentioned some peoples he had worked with in the past, and so the gnome decided it was an opportunity to seek out character witnesses, and also get to know more people! Two birds in one stone, as they say!
And so, the Reader visited the Church of Mystra in Baldur's Gate, where he spoke with both a member of that church, and a member of the Church of the Triad; and he visited the elves of Doron Amar. All the while scribbling in his notebook with his coal pencil. It is clear the gnome learned much on his trip away from Candlekeep!
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
A new visitor came to Candlekeep this day, looking for Guide Edelgarde. Unfortunately, the Reader-gnome had to inform the visitor that the Guide has been away for some time, but he would help as he could. As it was a sensitive topic, the two moved in to the library, where they had a private conversation.
Later the same day, another new visitor in a very fancy hat arrived, with questions about the dreadful Shadow King, Larloch! And so the gnome and the visitor conversed by one of the fountains about the war with Larloch's minion liches in 1351 DR and many other nuances surrounding the ancient lich.
Eventually, the topic moved on to the subject of extending one's life by means other than undeath. The Reader mentioned some of the common forms, but explained he was not well versed on the matter. The hatted man apparently wanted the gnome to do research for him, even offering up a valuable gem for the job! But the gnome had to refuse. He had his vows to consider, after all!
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
The Reader-gnome had been out on a walk outside the walls of Candlekeep this day, enjoying the sunny summer day along the coast. When he returned, he found to his surprise a group of people just inside the gate of the library-fortress. Two of them he had met before on his recent travels to Baldur's Gate and Doron Amar, but the others were new faces to him.
Friendly presentations followed, and then a pleasant conversation of the matters he spoke of the last time he met the two, before the conversation moved on to the mission of Candlekeep and the Reader's encouragement for the visitors' to write books about their experiences. The visiting member of the Church of the Triad remarked four such books had already been donated to the library.
When the group left soon after, the scholar-gnome eagerly went to look for the aforementioned books.
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Though there were no visitors to Candlekeep this day, the Reader-gnome filled the day with other joys. Indeed, after a brief walk outside the walls of Candlekeep, he spent the rest of the sunny summer day attending the flowers around the keep grounds, cleaning out unwanted weeds.
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Today, Candlekeep was visited by a druid! The Reader-gnome found her on a bench, writing in a book about her travels. An exciting topic, they both agreed. From there, the conversation flowed on to matters of the Art and the Power, and even the effects of sea salt on the hairs of different peoples!
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
With no visitors - scheduled or unannounced - the day before, the Reader-gnome spends the night awake with Guard Annigans in the tower by the Portal (what the avowed call the front gates). As the night draws to an end, the two witness a beautiful sunrise from their high vantage point on the volcanic rock that Candlekeep stands, as the sun slowly creeps over the horizon to the east, lighting the library-fortress up before the sun's rays spread to the lands below.
Perhaps the two contemplate a metaphor of enlightenment spreading from this place of knowledge.
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
The Reader-gnome received a visitor to Candlekeep clad in all white today! The two conversed about magic and the planes, and eventually the visitor requested a whole bunch of scrolls be made for her of a particular spell. The avowed gnome of course obliged, and went into the library to conscript a few Scribes to aid him in producing these scrolls, to save a bit of time. And before the sun rose above the eastern walls of the keep, the scrolls had been finished and delivered to the visitor, who soon after departed.
The Reader had made no mention of the fact that the colour of the visitor's attire was against the rules - that only the Keeper of Tomes is allowed to wear all white. Perhaps - as a prank - the very gnomish gnome hoped the Keeper of Tomes would come by and react to the matter himself! After all, it is not unheard of for the Keeper of Tomes to demand such visitors simply strip out of their white attire on the spot, or be thrown out! That could have been a good laugh for the gnome! Praise Garl Glittergold!
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
The Reader-gnome attended a visitor today who turned out to be a priestess of the recently ascended human god of the dead, Kelemvor. Besides sharing perspectives on death, and the religious aspects of similarity between Kelemvor and the gnomish god of earth and death Segojan Earthcaller, the two spoke for some time about other topics. Particularly, the Reader at some length explained the complexities of memory alteration, given the many facets of any one memory.
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Candlekeep was visited by a bona fide genius today! The scholar-gnome received the genius, who proceeded to share (literally) incredible information about the eating of organs of other creatures. Indeed, so profound was the wisdom of this man that the Reader was simply obliged to plead for the genius to write a book about his culinary expertise. He had after all also proclaimed his ability to read and write!
In the end, the genius departed noting he would look for a scribe, leaving the Reader-gnome hopeful that the great knowledge of the man would soon be recorded and preserved within the Library.
Maybe.
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
The gnomish Reader ventured outside of Candlekeep's walls today, towards the Friendly Arm Inn, and - perhaps importantly - the temple of Garl Glittergold there. On the way, he encoutered an acquaintance, and they both settled in the outside serving the outside serving area of the Friendly Arm Inn.
Over mugs of ale and beer, the two shared knowledge of the complexities of their respective polities: The gnome explained the hierarchical structure of the Avowed, and the elf spoke of the governance of Doron Amar.
Afterwards, the Reader-gnome did in fact enter the temple of Garl Glittergold.
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
A strapping, young mage had visited Candlekeep this day, purchasing books on the topic of metamagics. As he exited the library, he encountered the Reader-gnome, and the two got to talking. First they indeed spoke of the tomes the young man had bought and the topics within.
But soon they came on to the topics of Mage Duels, which the visitor had not heard of before. Nor had he heard of Mage Fairs, where such duels are common, among other mage activities such as the trading of spells, and fireball throwing contests! So the scholarly gnome cheerfully and happily elaborated on these topics as well, and they both agreed they'd love to see a Mage Fair organised on the Sword Coast soon.
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
A visitor from before returned to Candlekeep and met with the Reader-gnome today. With her, she had brought a travelling author, whose patron pays him to explore places the patron himself dare not go. The avowed gnome saw this as a parallell to the duty of Candlekeep's Seekers, and a short conversation followed on the duties of Seekers and Readers.
The visit was a brief one, for the visitors had to move on, but the author expressed a desire to return and discuss matters of lore at length in the future!
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
