Word spreads from Candlekeep that Ulraunt, Keeper of the Tomes and leader of the library fortress, presided over a meeting to address the growing discord within the bastion of knowledge. Initially, a full transcript of the session was pinned by the gates, but the parchments were later removed after a discussion between him and the Guide of Candlekeep, Alexandra Keenan.
The next day, a partial transcript gets pinned on the public notice board so that all visitors to the famed repository can know of the decisions.
Transcription of the Meeting
as scribed by Scribe Albert Lawrence
19th Eleasis, 1353 D.R.
Avowed Meeting Room, Candlekeep Library
Ulraunt, Keeper of the Tomes [HDM Boo]
Great Reader Laitae Lafreth
Guide Alexandra Keenan
Gate Warden Isabella Villame
Archivist Reineke Ingenium
Watcher Diane Evon
Reader Adallan Ragnon
Reader Edward Drath
Scribe Albert Lawrence [NPC]
Scribe Jasper Norent [NPC]
Seeker Morgalia Verenach
Seeker Aurora Silverstaff
Acolyte Dimitry Blazic
Acolyte Thrandlwyn Morticarys
Ulraunt: Thank you all the Avowed for attending today. For those who do not have the pleasure of knowing who I am, I am Ulraunt, and head authority here in Candlekeep. Normally I do not attend these meetings, but due to circumstances it was necessary that I came today. We have a lot to get through, so I hope you canceled the rest of your engagements for today.
As was explained in the announcement, I expect no one to speak over me, nor to speak at all unless specifically asked. I hope that way we will all be out of here as soon as possible. Do you all understand?
[Most of the attendees nod their agreement.]
Good. Furthermore, each of you will have the chance to raise any concerns or questions you may have, but that chance will be at the
end of the meeting, not before.
Our goal within this meeting will be threefold - to seek to repair the good name of Candlekeep as a place putting
scholarly learning above all else, secondly, to act in a harmonious and respectful manner while dealing with each other and other Avowed, and thirdly, to act within the best interest of this Keep, understanding that it is a bastion of learning that is in itself far more valuable than any one individual here.
The issue which is no doubt on the forefront of most of your minds right now is likely the challenges of leadership that have plagued our keep for some time now. I thought long and hard about it, and at first I planned to speak to both Guide Keenan and Gate Warden Villame individually, but then I decided that what I had to tell them were words that all should hear.
Judging by the words you have written to me, there appears to be some confusion about just what the Guide and Gate Warden's responsibilities actually are - so first I will clarify those.
The Guide is chosen by me to be the forefront leader of all Avowed, be they Seekers, Readers, or Scribes. It is their duty to recruit new Acolytes. Questioning the Guide, by extension, is questioning
me.
Their responsibilities include teaching the Avowed, undertaking and planning research expeditions, promoting those they see fit, and is also the de facto ambassador for Candlekeep for all the Realms. It is a
vitally important role.
As the very head of the Avowed and ambassador, it is the Guide's responsibility above all to adhere to the Sacred Vows - neutrality, protection, and acquiring of knowledge. And it is all the rest of your duties - with the exception of the Guards and Protectors, to adhere to the other vow - Respecting Senior Avowed.
Anyone who is found to be breaking the vow of respect will be removed, by either myself of the current Guide. This applies to anyone who has taken the Sacred Vows.
If you do have a problem with them, you should bring it to my attention and I will look into it as necessary. Do not, under any circumstances, engage in disputes or campaigns against one another. Not when in the company of other Avowed, and especially not with visitors.
Now, are there any Protectors here today?
[Various attendees shake their heads in response. Ulraunt frowns.]
Ulraunt: And Miss Villame. It is your job to recruit and train the members of the militia. How is that going?
Isabella Villame: Steadily and slowly.
Ulraunt: Hmph. Please elaborate.
Isabella Villame: [Our members] have been loyal members of the watch. And the gates have been tested twice in the past year.
So. I have recruited only a handful to fill positions as they empty. But I would trust every single one with my life. And with the library.
Ulraunt: You have done a fine job so far protecting the keep from armies at her doorstep, indeed. Would you say, however, that the current number of guards is stretched too thin?
Isabella Villame: No. Though regrettably few turn to the Keep for such a life.
Ulraunt: It is your duty after all, above all others, to see to the defense of the Keep at all times. That does not only include threats knocking at the walls, but also those smaller parties that may seek to do the Keep harm.
How does your duty of protecting the Avowed on their quest for research fare?
Isabella Villame: [Redacted] draws attention and violence. But so far. All are safe.
Ulraunt: Alright. I have heard all I need to. And I do hope that the rest of you have a greater understanding of the Guide and Gate Warden roles than you did when you first entered this room. To answer the question that all of you are wondering: Tethtoril and I have decided that at this time, we see no good reason to remove
either of you, Guide Alexandra and Gate Warden Isabella, from your positions.
Before you tell me that that was the wrong decision, I am fully aware of the conflicts between you two and that you are not likely to work well together on anything, which is a shame because you are both fully capable, when you choose to be. Instead, moving forward, I would wish that you would bring any issues with each other directly to me or Tethtoril. In a way, I am going to offer myself as a mediator between the two of you. Can the both of you agree to that?
[Isabella nods.]
Alexandra Keenan: Yes.
Ulraunt: Good. Then the leadership disputes are henceforth over.
If any others of the Avowed choose to disobey their Sacred Vows. Now is your time to leave.
There will not be any second chances. If you break your Vows, you will be removed. Guide, this is your duty. Anyone who breaks their Vows, you are to kick them out. Candlekeep has a reputation to maintain. You must not allow this to continue. Do you understand?
Alexandra Keenan: Yes, I understand. Any who break their Vows will be removed.
Ulraunt: Good. Now... putting all that unpleasantness aside - onto the next matter. Neutrality. It is my understanding that there is some concern over others remaining neutral.
So I will say again: no Avowed is to engage in any behavior that threatens neutrality. If anyone sees or hears of anyone else doing this, please deliver a report promptly to Telthtoril or myself.
This includes engaging in outside affairs with other parties, offering alliances to other parties, offering anyone sanctuary inside these walls, or engaging in politics in any other way. Candlekeep is not a sanctuary for people, it is a sanctuary for research and those who undertake it. Do you all understand?
[Attendees nod their heads.]
Ulraunt: Any other questions or matters?
Alexandra Keenan: I have two points for which I seek clarification.
You mentioned earlier that your edict regarding the vow of respect applies to 'anyone who has taken the Sacred Vows.' As there are members of the martial forces who are Avowed, does this include them as well?
Ulraunt: Yes. Anyone who's taken the Vows are expected to follow them to the letter. If someone hasn't taken the Vows, they should show respect and decency, but they need not be held to as high a standard as others.
Alexandra Keenan: Thank you. My second question pertains to your statements on neutrality.
Would you please elaborate on what you mean by 'engaging in outside affairs with other parties?'
Ulraunt: Your responsibility first and foremost is to Candlekeep, therefore you should not be partaking in any endeavor that does not concern Candlekeep directly, private affairs notwithstanding.
Alexandra Keenan: Would you give an example so that all will have knowledge of what you speak?
Ulraunt: If you do engage in outside affairs, remain politically neutral at all times, and do not bring the rest of Candlekeep into any of your own personal affairs.
If there is a Coast-wide war which has attracted the attention of all of the other factions around the Coast, Candlekeep has to turn its attention not toward the outside threat but to
its own defenses. Going out and interacting in worldly affairs will only invite more trouble onto ourselves, which is exactly what we seek to avoid. Remember, this Keep has survived for countless years. Do not do anything which could even remotely jeopardize that.
Is that clear enough for you?
Alexandra Keenan: Yes, thank you for the clarification. I know that some Avowed like to help curtail the drow and orc populations, for example, so I wanted to make sure that this would be permitted.
Ulraunt: They should not, if they feel that it could jeopardize the keep in any way.
