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This citadel of learning stands on a volcanic crag, overlooking the sea. It is a many-towered fortress, once the home of the famous seer Alaundo, and it preserves his predictions along with all the written records and learning of the Realms that can be assembled. Candlekeep is certainly no tourist resort, but there is a store, a temple and a fair inn here. The price for most travelers to enter the Keep proper is a book. Those wishing to examine any writing in the Keep's library must gift Candlekeep with a new tome of no less than 10,000 gp value.
Important characters:
- The Keeper of the Tomes, Ulraunt (LN, Human Male, Wizard 9th level)
- The First Reader, Tethtoril (LG, Human Male, Priest of Mystra 18th level)
- The Chanter and the Voices of the North, South, West and East
- The Gatewarden
- Gorion, your foster father
1. CANDLEKEEP INN:
1st Floor:
Firebead Elvenhair: Quest to retrieve an Identify scroll from Tethtoril (16). You get 50 Exp., a Potion of Healing and Firebead casts Protection from Evil on you for doing so.
Inventory: Traveler's Robe, Dagger and 391 gp.
Worth: 2700 Exp.
Spoilers: Talk to Firebead 30 times and he gives you 300 gp!
Strategy: If you wish to gain some easy experience so that you don't start the game as a level 1 character, you can use Firebead to do so. First, you will need some sort of missile weapon. A bow does the trick fine. Then, place yourself at the bottom of the stairs and start shooting at him. Each time he tries to cast a spell, go up the stairs and then come back to continue your attack. He uses Horror and Melf's Acid Arrow amongst other things, so it is important that you don't get hit. After a few tries, the old elf drops dead and you collect 2700 Exp. and quite some gold! Then, export your character and start a new game. Your reputation will be restored and you'll keep your experience. Do this strategy 4 or 5 times and you'll reach level 5 quite easily!
Winthrop: Winthrop is the innkeeper of Candlekeep. He tries to be funny but he ends up being a bit pathetic. Anyway, be nice to him and he'll sell to you all you need to start your adventure.
Rooms: The 4 types of rooms are offered.
Shop: Basic weapons and armor.
Drinks: Yes.
Steal: Yes.
Chest: There is a chest in the room adjacent to that of Winthrop. It is easy to open and contains 18 gp. and 2 scrolls: Armor and Infravision.
2nd Floor:
Noblemen: There are 2 pompous noblemen on this floor. Don't even bother to speak to them as they have nothing of value to say.
Chests: This level of the inn is perfect for a bit of thievery. The first 3 chests from the stairs are rather easy to open and they contain all together 40 gp., a Silver Necklace and a Potion of Clarity. The chest in the room of one of the Noblemen can be opened but the guards will be summoned. It contains nevertheless 86 gp. and a Flamedance Ring, so if you can escape the guard it is well worth it. Finally, the chest in the room opposite to that of the nobleman is very hard to open(requires at least 70 points in Lockpicking to open) but contains a Star Sapphire(worth 1000 gp!).
2- PHLYDIA:
Quest to retrieve a book, "The History of Halruaa", from a haystack (4). Gives you 50 Exp. and a Lynx Eye Gem(worth 7 gp.) for doing so. Note that you can pickpocket Phlydia for a Gold Necklace(worth 30 gp.).
3- PRIESTS QUARTERS:
Shank: An assassin (the first of many!) who wants to kill you in order to collect a bounty. He is easy to kill and is only worth 20 Exp. Search the building afterwards for a bit of gold, a dagger and a war hammer.
4- DREPPIN:
Quest to retrieve and antidote for his sick cow, Nessa. He believes that the antidote is in Hull's possession (8), but in fact it is at the barracks (12) in Hull's chest(the one on the right portion of the room). Gives you 50 Exp. for doing so.
5- TEMPLE OF OGHMA:
Priest of Oghma: Offers all the basic services of a temple: Healing, Donations, a Shop and an Identify section, for a price, that is.
6- JONDALAR:
Offers you a basic fighting lesson for free and even brings in an archer friend, Erik, during the fight. You take no damage and the fight stops when you hit either Jondalar or Erik. They then suggest that you see the Gatewarden at (10) if you wish to practice with a party.
7- THE STOREHOUSE:
Reevor: A retired army soldier who is guarding(?) the treasures of the Storehouse of the Keep. Sends you to kill the mice inside ASAP. There are 5 mice worth 1 Exp. point each. Once your task is done, return to Reevor for 5 gp. and 50 Exp.
8- HULL:
Quest to bring his sword from the barracks (12). He also tells you that Dreppin's antidote is at the barracks too. Hull's bed and chest are the ones on the right portion of the room. You get 50 Exp. and 10 gp. for helping Hull, 20 gp. if your charisma is 18 or more.
9- KEEP'S CLINIC:
Priest of Oghma: Gives you a Potion of Healing if you ask. He has another on him for Pickpocketing. There is also a third potion in the drawer, but the guards are summoned no matter what(it usually works to Hide in Shadows and go to the door. Even though you do not reach the "spot" because of the guard your PC still gets out!).
10- GATEWARDEN:
Offers you the chance to train with a party of six created inside a storehouse by Obe the Illusionist. Obe then summons illusionary monsters(who do you no damage) and lets you fight them. Each monster is worth 1 Exp. point. However, one thing you may wish to try if you want to start the game with some good equipment is to go inside the storehouse and to put into your inventory all the good stuff the party has: Plate Mail, Small Shield +1, Potion of Healing, Oil of Speed, Wand of the Heavens and Wand of Missiles. Then export your character and start a new game. These items will still be there. Do not try to leave the storehouse because the items will then disappear.
11- BUNKHOUSE:
Carbos: Yet another assassin who tries to whack you. He is no harder than the first (3) however, so you shouldn't have any trouble dispatching him. 20 Exp. for doing so.
12- BARRACKS:
Fuller: Quest to buy a quarrel of crossbow bolts for him. He then gives you 50 Exp. and 10 gp. for doing so. However, a charisma of 18 or more will earn you a Dagger +1. If you do not have a charisma of 18 but that you are a bard or a thief, try Pickpocketing Fuller for the dagger.
Hull's bed: On the right side of the room. You'll find his Sword and Dreppin's Antidote. Do not try to open the other chests however, as the guards will be summoned.
13- THE CHANTER AND THE VOICES OF THE NORTH, SOUTH, WEST AND EAST:
Not much of a show, but you can hear Alaundo's prophecy concerning the Lord of Murder, Bhaal.
14- IMOEN:
NPC (NG, Human Female, Thief). The chat with Imoen reveals that you are good friends and that you see each other from time to time. She also lets you know that she knows that you are leaving on a trip with Gorion but refuses to tell you anything else. Imoen joins you a bit later in the game once you leave Candlekeep. She is a very good thief and can also be dual-classed into a mage.
15- GORION:
Urges you to leave the keep as quickly as possible with him. Before doing so he heals you and also tells you that should something happen to him, you should not hesitate and seek the help and counsel of Khalid and Jaheira, both present at the Friendly Arm Inn(how clairvoyant of him…). Before agreeing to leave, however, be sure to have finished all the quests and bought everything you need since you won't be returning to Candlekeep before the Chapter 6.
16- TETHTORIL:
He has the Identify scroll Firebead needs and he is also the most powerful character around. Do not try to attack him as he takes no damage and will finish you off with the good old Call Lightning spell.
17- THE KEEPER OF THE PORTAL:
Asks you a book of great value(10,000 gp.) before he lets you enter, despite knowing you! You won't have the book before Chapter 6, so don't bother returning to Candlekeep once Gorion…
18- THE CENTRAL KEEP:
An imposing library and a crypt beneath it await you. You won't be able to access it before the 6th Chapter so don't even try. More details coming soon!
