Page 76 - D&D - Player's Handbook

even during seasons Jess suitable for travel, merchant For my part, I sympathize with the young firebrands,
caravans cross the bridge and pilgrims come to pay and I counseled those to whom I spoke to look to the
homage, ~ll beneath the protective gaze of the paladins skies. In the time of Cyric's legendary battle with Bhaal,
of Elturgard stationed at nearby Fort Tamai. pegasi dwelt nearby. The magical creatures are said to
favor those of pure heart and even allow themselves to
FORTTAMAL be ridden by such folk when the cause is just. That favor
For many years, a ruined keep on the southern bank might never be bestowed on the young paladins, but I'm
dubbed Bridgefort served as the campground for cara- sure the thought will provide them with some pleasant
vans passing over the bridge. Whether going north or daydreams.
south, caravan masters could anticipate a safe rest within
the grassy space enclosed by the ruined walls, sharing CANDLE KEEP
the duties of keeping watch with other travelers.
The great keep never fails to take my breath away: it
Then in the midst of a crisis of leadership in distant
stands on a volcanic crag a hundred or so feet from the
Elturel, one of the heirs apparent for the post of High
coastline, a fiat-topped spur of rough stone out in the
Observer, a paladin named Tamai Thent, went missing
midst of the surging sea. Imagine, if you can, the top of
with her entire retinue near the bridge. Although an
this crag hemmed in entirely by a tall wall. This wall is
investigation was undertaken, no sign of Tamai or any of
interrupted by several towers all the way around, and it
the others was discovered. Thavus Kreeg, Tamal's rival
encloses a large space from which even more of these
for the post, was elevated to the post of High Observer
same towers rise. Those who have seen this vista from
soon after, and one of his first declarations was that above have said that it looks like nothing so much as
Bridgefort be rebuilt and given a new name in honor of
a cake decorated with too many candles. The mist of
lost Tamai. sea-spray fills the air nearest the western walls, and in
A flurry of activity occurred around Boareskyr Bridge
at that time, with the soldiers of Elturgard making fre- winter, this moisture can cause treacherous build-ups
of ice. Sometimes entire towers along the western edge
quent patrols of the road and surrounding lands while of the keep have to be abandoned for the season, they
Fort Tamai was being constructed. Today things are fairly become so overtaken by frost.
quiet at the bridge. The tradition of caravans camping From the center rises the largest and thickest tower
at the bridge and pilgrims visiting it continues, but now of Candlekeep. If the other towers are well-wrought
people stay in a caravan ground around a small village branches and blossoms, then this surely is the bole
that has grown up outside the fort.
of the tree: strong, massive, and rising well above the
Activity around the area is overseen by a curious mix of
perimeter structures. About the central keep a garden
Companions of Elturgard. The Companions- all paladins spirals in rising steps, and those lucky enough to enter
of gods such as Tyr, Torm, Helm, and Amaunator- tend to
the library proper do so by passing around and up
be either young firebrands or grizzled veterans content to
through this green space to the keep's main door. How-
sit by a fire. Many of the veterans have been stationed at
ever, most folk who visit Candlekeep see this structure
Fort Tamai since it was constructed, and they have fam-
only from the courtyard east of it, where the facilities for
ilies that live in the village outside its walls. Their more
arriving scholars lie.
youthful counterparts come from all over Elturgard, but
The only gate into Candlekeep stands at the end of
all seem to have been assigned to Fort Tamai after some the Way of the Lion, which is the only road that provides
act of insubordination. Perhaps it is hoped that time out access to and from the outside world. The route extends
on the frontier with their more experienced counterparts from Beregost, leagues away, and winds a lonely path
will cool some of the young Companions' zeal.
out on the peninsula where Candlekeep stands.
Certainly some of the young Companions I've spoken
with see their post as a punishment. Boareskyr Bridge is
THE GREAT LIBRARY
far from the rest of Elturgard, and the caravans that camp
Candlekeep is the largest repository of lore and writings
at Fort Tamai never seemed to need such a robust guard
in all the Realms (although my scholarly kin in Evereska
before. Even the relative nearness of Najara seems to don't like being reminded of that). It was once the home
provide little reason for so many of Elturgard's mightiest
of the great prophet Ala undo the Seer, and within its
defenders to be squandered on such a trivial task. For
walls were written the Prophecies of Alaundo. Its vaults,
their part, the elder Companions talk of fulfilling duties
it is said, contain hidden knowledge enough to make any
and following orders, but to me they seemed too content.
person with the ability to discover and absorb it all pow-
A paladin should have drive. They have been granted
erful beyond compare. The problem with doing that, of
the power of the gods for a reason, and surely that reason
course, is the same as with secrets in any other location:
can't be to stand guard while merchants sleep. Then
one must know that a secret exists before its details can
again, the High Observer is, by all reports, a wise and
be sussed out.
effective ruler. Perhaps he perceives threats at Boares-
To that end, Candlekeep's vast library is something of a
kyr Bridge that I can't. Najara has been more active of
defense in and of itself: for every bit of hidden lore of poten-
late, despite its quiet exterior, I assure you. Dragonspear
tially great power that lies within, there are thousands of
Castle to the north was once again the source of an infer-
inconsequential recipes, old songs, bits of history, journals
nal incursion. And maybe there is something sinister
of Jong-dead folk, and myriad other pieces of writing of no
about this place where a god of murder died and a god of
lasting importance save to the monks of this place, and the
lies is honored.
sages who come seeking such trifles.
CHAPTER 2 I THE SWORD COA.:.:S~T .. A_N_D_T_H_E_N_O_R_T•H---~------...... - ...... ~~·