Avowed

The Avowed were a group of scholarly monks who tended to and protected the great library-fortress of Candlekeep.

Activities
The first and foremost duty of the monks of Candlekeep was the protection of the wisdom and information held within the Great Library. While many external threats were present, in the form of thieves or those who sought to destroy knowledge, the Avowed spent much of their time working against the effects of mold, deterioration, and natural decay.

While the order was not spectacularly wealthy, they often traded a portion of the knowledge they possessed when eliciting the service of others. When they were required to call upon adventurers, they often enticed them with maps pertaining to treasure-filled ruins, documents that detailed the creation of magical items, or scrolls containing the specifications of certain rare spells.

Members
Most of the Avowed were quite familiar with the Art though few of them were spellcasters. Among their ranks were a a small number clerics of the deities of knowledge and a handful of wizards. Throughout the order's existence even a few paladins and warrior-monks gained entry into its ranks, though this was quite uncommon.

Admittance
Before they took their oath and joined the ranks of the Avowed, a prospective member underwent rigorous tests and questioning. This was done to ensure they were not deceitful or would otherwise endanger the keep and its wealth of highly valued knowledge.

Organization
The order of monks was structured into a fairly regimented hierarchy:
 * The Keeper of the Tomes was the ultimate executive authority within Candlekeep. Their word was law; every declaration was written down for posterity, to be followed by Keepers in the years to come.
 * A First Reader took on the responsibility of maintaining the scholarly integrity of the keep, along with expanding its resources and accumulated knowledge.
 * Eight Great Readers composed the council that oversaw all the activities of Candlekeep and its library.
 * The Master Readers were the dedicated sages and elder monks who oversaw the work of the scribes and trained the acolytes in their continuing education.
 * Scribes were responsible for maintaining the archives of Candlekeep.
 * Acolytes performed general labor, cleaning duties, and other regular chores that were required in such a large keep.

Other roles included:
 * The Chanter continually led the recitation and procession of the Endless Chant, which laid out the prophecies of the great seer Alaundo. They were followed by a number of monks referred to as the Voices.

Notable Members

 * Tethtoril, First Reader in the years following the Time of Troubles.
 * Ulraunt, the Keeper of the Tomes during the mid-to-late 14 century DR.

Appearances

 * Video Games:
 * Baldur's Gate