Gods, Monsters, and Poor Life Choices // D&D

Session 13, Cicerox Unwritten pt.1

SESSION 132026-05-08

Date: 2026-05-08

Summary

The promise made to Cicerox weighed heavily on the group, and so the party set their sights on Candlekeep — the great fortress of knowledge perched on a rocky outcropping some thirty miles southwest of Baldur's Gate. Their plan was straightforward enough: find the true name of the imp who had once been a mortal scribe, and use it to bring her back to the land of the living. Before setting sail, each member of the party prepared something to offer as an entrance gift, for Candlekeep demanded a unique written work from every visitor who wished to pass through its iron gates. Velessa gathered her copied notes from the Nathlum, Vagnfríður spent the boat ride composing a collection of her original recipes, Shane drafted a guide to gambling cheats and how to catch those who used them, and Séantal gathered what historical documents she could find regarding the reconstruction of Baldur's Gate. Velessa also packed ten notebooks, because one can never have too many notebooks.

The voyage itself took only a day, and the party arrived to find that Candlekeep had no docks to speak of. The ship's captain ferried them to shore in a small landing craft, leaving them to wade through the cold roll of the sea before standing at the base of towering cliffs. Above them rose the Way of the Lion, the only road leading up to the great library, and at its peak burned the Watch Flame — a steady pale gold magical beacon visible for miles across the water. Velessa also spotted what appeared to be a ship suspended on stilts nearby, and learned it was said to be a vessel that had once sailed among the stars.

The hike up the Way of the Lion was considerable, but eventually the party found themselves standing before the massive black iron gates of Candlekeep, joining a loose line of visitors. Gatewarden Maerovra Sable, a woman in blue and white robes, screened each person's offering, turning some away and directing others to a side room. When the party's turn came, their gifts were deemed promising enough to proceed, and they were ushered inside to have their works officially judged and accepted by a small young tiefling named Irony, who introduced herself as their guide for the duration of their stay.

Before entering the library proper, Irony led the group to a weapons check room where each visitor was assigned a locker. Velessa dismissed her magical flying blade entirely, sending it soaring off into the sky rather than argue about whether a dull sword used as a vehicle counted as a weapon. Shane produced an almost comical quantity of blades, bows, and other implements from seemingly every pocket and strap on his person. Vagnfríður reluctantly stored her sentient axe, which could be felt emotionally muttering to itself in quiet displeasure at the separation.

With their weapons secured, Irony led the party back through the ancient iron doors with two sharp knocks of her knuckle. She described the gates with quiet reverence — older than most dynasties, heavier than most egos, and far better at keeping secrets than any of the visitors standing before them. Beyond the gates lay the Court of the Air, a broad cobbled courtyard with no trees or fountain, where monks crossed in every direction carrying books, ledgers, and messages. A procession of twenty or thirty monks moved in a single line, chanting what Velessa recognized as a series of ancient prophecies about Faerûn — each one dropped from the list the moment it came true, so that the chant grew shorter with every passing year, though it remained quite lengthy still.

Irony explained the various facilities available to them: the House of the Binder, the baths, the Hearth, the stables, the smithy, and the Pillars of Pedagogy, among others. The party explained their purpose — they were searching for the true identity of a scribe who had written under the pen name Cicerox, Elowen Valevant, who had died within Candlekeep's walls roughly a century prior. Vagnfríður, deciding she had little to contribute to a literary investigation, broke away from the group and made her way to the baths, immediately followed by one of Irony's minders who had been summoned by a small bell.

The remaining party members began their search in earnest. Velessa slipped away briefly to the immaculately groomed gardens of the Court of the Air, searching for a forked twig to use as a focus for a locating enchantment. The bushes were maintained with such magical precision that not a single leaf or blade of grass was out of place, and it took considerable time before she found the one imperfect twig that had fallen unnoticed. Armed with it, she cast her spell and led the group to a dusty, forgotten corner of the library's furthest reaches — a shelf that had not been touched in ages, where a complete collection of Cicerox's chapbooks sat quietly gathering dust.

The titles were colorful, to say the least. Works such as "The Fiend in the Velvet Chair" and "Caught in Only My Best Linen" filled the shelf in impressive number, suggesting their author had been nothing if not prolific. Seris cracked open "The Fiend in the Velvet Chair" with Velessa reading over her shoulder, and the two quickly realized that the fiend described within the pages was no mere literary device — the text referred specifically to Glasya, an archdevil of considerable power. Investigating the publication dates across the collection, the party determined that the works had been published between the 1460s and 1478 DR, with the last two novels released posthumously.

With a timeframe established, the party split their efforts. Séantal and Seris dove into the death records of Candlekeep's aspirants from 1478 DR, producing a list of names: Brother Harlan Thricebound, Mayra Quill, Tasman Orbusk, Elowen Valevant, Audrick Pinwarden, Sable Thent, Lorian Mosglass, Sister Anva Mayer, Caldus Rook, and Lyra Vael. After careful consideration, the group narrowed their focus to two candidates: Mayra Quill, a junior copyist whose death was listed as an accident, and Elowen Valevant, who had reportedly been researching a devil's true name before dying in a fire under circumstances the Avowed noted showed no sign of foul play. Both deaths carried the signature initial "S" on the investigation report, pointing to one of two Great Readers — Sylvira Savikas or Feminor Scrivenbark. Meanwhile, Velessa sought out someone in a position of authority who had been around long enough to remember the era in question.

The party was directed to the office of Sylvira Savikas in the Pillars of Pedagogy, where they found the tiefling archmage standing at a window reading a book while a tiny green quasit named Jezebel tugged insistently at her robes, demanding snacks. When the party entered, Jezebel's eyes went wide and she immediately pivoted her demands toward the newcomers, declaring them to be snacks as well. Sylvira smacked the creature on the head, sent her to the corner, and greeted the party with composed dignity, clarifying that Jezebel was a demon rather than an infernal creature — a distinction she seemed to feel was important. Velessa, who had her own collection of imps at home, found an immediate point of kinship with the archmage.

The party presented their findings, and Sylvira listened carefully before making a revelation that reframed everything: Cicerox had been her personal protégé. Despite Sylvira's repeated and earnest warnings, her apprentice had signed an infernal pact with Glasya in exchange for popularity, and had paid for it with her life and her soul. The party recounted their encounter with the imp in the Hells — how she had been gifted to an arcanoloth through a well-intentioned but deeply misguided act by one of their own, and how Raphael himself had spent five or more soul coins attempting to acquire her. Sylvira absorbed all of this with the weary expression of someone who had long since made peace with the fact that her warnings were rarely heeded.

After Séantal made a compelling case that the party's intentions were genuinely to resurrect Elowen rather than bind her, Sylvira rose and retrieved a small obsidian box from beside the wall. Inside lay two items: a simple quill and a locket, both belonging to her former apprentice. She handed them over with the air of someone closing a long-open wound, then issued a lifetime ban — Elowen was not welcome within the walls of Candlekeep, should she ever return to the living. She paused, then quietly asked to be notified if the resurrection succeeded, because although she would not teach her apprentice another thing, she would still like to see her.

The conversation turned to broader concerns. Sylvira, whose life's work was the study of the planes and the Hells in particular, offered what she knew of Raphael — a cambion and son of Mephistopheles, currently residing in his House of Hope in Avernus, and a collector of Netherese artifacts with an extensive personal library. She warned the party that it was deeply unwise to owe favors to warlocks of powerful devils, and expressed pointed disapproval upon learning that Velessa had signed an infernal contract while intoxicated, charmed by a suspiciously attractive woman at a bar who had turned out to be some manner of succubus.

Then came the more alarming discovery. Velessa mentioned, almost as an aside, that she had vomited up a strange centipede-like creature after their time in the Hells — orange and black, with a triangular marking and a V-shape beneath it. Sylvira sketched it out and went very still. The marking, she explained, was the sigil of Asmodeus, Lord of the Nine Hells. Seris attempted to help with a healing enchantment, which caused Velessa to become violently ill and vomit into a bowl Sylvira barely managed to place in time. A follow-up attempt using a protective ward proved more successful — for as long as Seris maintained her concentration, Velessa felt noticeably better, lighter, and in a markedly improved mood, suggesting that something fiendish had been quietly making its home inside her for some time. Sylvira advised them in no uncertain terms to find a powerful cleric upon returning to Baldur's Gate.

Seris also took the opportunity to ask about Lysandra Mortain, the Chosen of Jergal who had promised to resurrect Elowen. Sylvira confirmed that she recognized the name from the context of major infernal contracts, where Lysandra had historically served as a witness of impeccable neutrality — the most trustworthy notary one could possibly select. Satisfied, the party accepted Sylvira's offer of free griffin passage back to Baldur's Gate in the morning, and Velessa agreed to stay the evening so Sylvira could teach her a long-distance communication enchantment, allowing them to send word when the resurrection was complete.

While all of this unfolded, Vagnfríður had been making the most of the hot springs. She had settled into the water with the contentment of someone who had not truly relaxed in a very long time, and she was, audibly, purring — a fact she would deny to her last breath. A dedicated Avowed attendant stood beside the pool the entire time, endlessly straining fur from the water with a pool strainer and looking deeply put-upon. When the rest of the party eventually joined her, a sharp argument broke out between Vagnfríður and Seris over a careless remark, and Vagnfríður stalked off to dry herself and find the alchemy section of the library, still trailed closely by her assigned minder.

Shane, meanwhile, made his way to the Erudite Outfitters and Clothiers, where a halfling woman named Feldmar Bisset IV greeted him with barely concealed bewilderment at the sight of an adventurer rather than an aspirant. She took his measurements with impressive efficiency despite being roughly half his height, and crafted a multi-layered silken robe on the spot — deep dark green with bronze embroidered trim, made from silk she had raised herself. Shane paid five gold and left considerably more comfortable than he had arrived. He also stopped by the smithy, where Khe'ril Hammerbind showed him her selection of bows and blades, warned him that griffins were naturally aggressive toward horses, and sold him basic bow maintenance supplies before sending him on his way.

Séantal spent part of the day in the library researching her celestial patron, Golagalagal — a vast, sentient entity connected to the positive energy plane, something akin to a living world that had existed for an immeasurable span of time. She found confirmation that others knew of its existence, along with references to its nature, though detailed records were sparse. The pact, she reflected, had not been of her own making — it had been inherited through her lineage, passed down like a family heirloom she had never asked for. Golagalagal, for its part, seemed to want her to live heroically, while Séantal simply wanted to go home and do her job.

As the day wound down, the party gathered their findings and prepared for the night ahead. They had come to Candlekeep seeking a name and had found far more than they bargained for — a true name, a pair of precious keepsakes, a fiendish parasite, and the quiet grief of a mentor who had watched her most promising student walk willingly into the arms of a devil. In the morning, griffins would carry them back toward Baldur's Gate, where a powerful cleric waited and a resurrection still needed to be arranged. For now, the Watch Flame burned steadily above the spire, and the monks continued their endless chant, one prophecy shorter than before.

Short

Bound by a promise to Cicerox, the party sailed to Candlekeep, the great fortress-library southwest of Baldur's Gate, each member preparing a unique written work as the required entrance gift. After passing through the iron gates and surrendering their weapons, they were guided by a young tiefling named Irony through the library's vast halls. Their search for the true identity of the scribe who had written under the pen name Cicerox led them to a forgotten shelf of chapbooks, which revealed a publication history spanning from the 1460s to 1478 DR and a troubling connection to the archdevil Glasya. Cross-referencing death records from that era, the party narrowed their suspects to two candidates before being directed to the archmage Sylvira Savikas, who revealed that Cicerox — whose true name was Elowen Valevant — had been her own protégé. Despite Sylvira's warnings, Elowen Valevant had signed an infernal pact with Glasya in exchange for popularity and paid for it with her life and soul. Moved by the party's intentions, Sylvira handed over two of Elowen's personal belongings, issued a lifetime ban barring Elowen Valevant from ever returning to Candlekeep, and quietly asked to be notified if the resurrection succeeded.

The visit yielded far more than a name. Sylvira shared what she knew of Raphael — a cambion son of Mephistopheles and dangerous collector of Netherese artifacts — and expressed sharp disapproval upon learning that Velessa had signed an infernal contract while intoxicated. More alarming still, Velessa's mention of a strange centipede-like creature she had vomited up after their time in the Hells prompted Sylvira to identify its markings as the sigil of Asmodeus, suggesting something fiendish had been quietly residing inside her. A protective ward cast by Seris offered temporary relief, and Sylvira urged them to seek a powerful cleric upon returning to Baldur's Gate. Sylvira also confirmed that Lysandra Mortain, the Chosen of Jergal who had promised to resurrect Elowen, was a witness of impeccable neutrality in major infernal contracts — a reassuring detail. The party accepted Sylvira's offer of griffin passage home in the morning, and Velessa stayed the evening to learn a long-distance communication enchantment so they could send word when the resurrection was complete. Meanwhile, Vagnfríður luxuriated in the hot springs, Shane acquired a finely crafted robe and bow supplies, and Séantal researched her inherited celestial pact with the vast, ancient entity known as Golagalagal. They had arrived seeking a name and left carrying keepsakes, hard truths, and the quiet grief of a mentor who had never stopped watching over a student she could not save.

Classic

Last we left off, our party — bound by a promise made to the imp known as Cicerox — set sail for Candlekeep, the great fortress of knowledge perched upon the cliffs southwest of Baldur's Gate. Each member prepared a written work to offer at the iron gates: Velessa brought her copied notes from the Nathlum, Vagnfríður composed a collection of original recipes, Shane drafted a guide to gambling cheats, and Séantal gathered historical documents on the reconstruction of Baldur's Gate. After a day's voyage and a considerable hike up the Way of the Lion, the party was welcomed inside by a young tiefling guide named Irony, surrendered their weapons — Shane's in truly impressive quantity — and stepped into the ancient, humming heart of the world's greatest library.

Their search for Cicerox's true identity led them through dusty, forgotten shelves lined with colorful chapbooks, through death records of aspirants from 1478 DR, and ultimately to the office of Sylvira Savikas — a tiefling archmage and, as it turned out, the very mentor Cicerox had once studied under. Sylvira revealed that her apprentice, a young woman named Elowen Valevant, had signed an infernal pact with the archdevil Glasya in exchange for popularity, and had paid for it with her life and her soul. She listened to the party's account with weary recognition, then handed over two precious keepsakes — a quill and a locket — and asked, quietly, to be notified if the resurrection succeeded. She also issued a lifetime ban on Elowen Valevant's return to Candlekeep, which she delivered with the tone of someone who had rehearsed it for a very long time.

The visit yielded more than a name. Sylvira warned the party of Raphael's nature and ambitions, expressed pointed disapproval of infernal contracts signed under the influence of suspiciously attractive strangers, and — most alarmingly — identified a centipede-like creature Velessa had vomited up as bearing the sigil of Asmodeus himself, suggesting something fiendish had been quietly taking up residence inside her for some time. With a protective ward keeping Velessa stable, griffin passage arranged for the morning, and a long-distance communication enchantment passed from Sylvira to Velessa, the party settled in for the night beneath the steady glow of the Watch Flame. They had come seeking a name. They left carrying considerably more than they had bargained for.

Memorable Moments

"Oh my god, Mom, it's snacks!"
— Jezebel

Sylvira's tiny green quasit, Jezebel, spots the arriving party and immediately pivots from demanding snacks from her owner to eyeing the adventurers as a meal.

Sylvira reveals that Cicerox's true name is Elowen Valevant — her own former apprentice, who signed an infernal contract with Glasya for popularity despite Sylvira's repeated warnings.

The party's long search for Cicerox's identity culminates in a personal revelation: the imp they seek was once Sylvira's beloved protégé.

Seris casts lesser restoration on Velessa to help her feel better — and immediately causes her to violently vomit into a bowl Sylvira barely manages to place in time.

A well-intentioned healing attempt backfires spectacularly, confirming something deeply wrong is lurking inside Velessa.

"That's the mark of Asmodeus."
— Sylvira Savikas

After sketching the centipede-like parasite Velessa expelled, Sylvira calmly identifies the triangular marking with a V beneath it — the sigil of the Lord of the Nine Hells.

"You are drinking for two now."
— Séantal Grace-Given

Deadpan response after the party discovers Velessa has a fiendish parasite in her gut and she admits she has been drinking heavier than usual lately.

Vagnfríður is so content relaxing in the hot springs that she is audibly purring — while a mortified Avowed attendant stands beside her, endlessly straining fur from the water with a pool strainer.

Vagnfríður finally gets a moment of peace after a long string of harrowing adventures, and she will deny the purring to her last day.

"As far as I'm concerned, if she is returned to life, she is not welcome within the walls of Candlekeep."
— Sylvira Savikas

Cold but measured, Sylvira issues a lifetime ban on her former apprentice Ellywick — then quietly adds that she would still like to receive word if the resurrection succeeds.

Scenes

Preparations for Candlekeep

The party prepares for their voyage to Candlekeep, gathering unique written works to satisfy the library's entry requirement.

The party discusses the promise made to Cicerox (Elowen Valevant) and the plan to seek her true name at Candlekeep for resurrection.
Velessa gathers notebooks and prepares her two apprentices for the journey.
The group discusses the 'First Gift' requirement for entry into Candlekeep, noting that the work must be unique and meaningful.
Vagnfríður decides to write down her original recipes during the boat ride, while Shane drafts a guide on gambling cheats.
Séantal gathers historical documents regarding the reconstruction of Baldur's Gate.
Velessa confirms she has successfully copied down notes on magic and poisons from the Nathlum.

Arrival at the Way of the Lion

The party travels by sea and arrives at the base of the cliffs beneath the Great Library.

The party charters a ship and completes the one-day voyage southwest of Baldur's Gate.
The captain uses a landing craft to ferry the party to the rocky shore since there are no docks.
The group stands at the base of the cliffs, looking up at the towering majesty of Candlekeep and the Way of the Lion.
Velessa identifies the Watch Flame, a pale gold magical beacon visible for miles at the spire's peak, and a legendary ship said to have once explored the stars.

Arrival at the Gates of Candlekeep

The party arrives at the towering gates of Candlekeep and presents their entrance gifts to gain admission to the great library.

The group hikes up the Way of the Lion to reach the massive black iron gates.
Gatewarden Maerovra Sable, a woman in blue and white robes, screens visitors, requiring a unique written work as an entrance gift.
Velessa presents her copied notes from The Nathlum, which are accepted despite her admission of poor reading skills in Common.
Shane offers a guide to cheating at cards and dice, authored under his initials 'SM'.
Séantal provides historical documents regarding the reconstruction of Baldur's Gate.
Vagnfríður presents a collection of original recipes, which the gatekeeper finds suspiciously familiar.
The party is directed to a side room to have their gifts officially judged and accepted.

The Weapons Check

Before entering the library proper, the party meets their guide and is required to store their armaments.

The party is greeted by Irony, a young tiefling scribe who will serve as their guide.
Velessa dismisses her magical flying sword, sending it flying into the sky to avoid bringing a weapon inside.
Irony leads the group to a weapons check room where they are assigned lockers with combinations.
Shane deposits an extensive collection of blades, bows, and other weapons from seemingly everywhere on his person.
Vagnfríður reluctantly stores her sentient axe, which can be felt emotionally muttering to itself in displeasure.

Entering the Black Gates

Irony leads the party through the ancient iron gates and into the Court of the Air.

Irony knocks twice on the heavy iron doors, which she describes as older than most dynasties and better at keeping secrets than any of the party.
The group enters the Court of the Air, a broad cobbled courtyard with no trees or fountain, where monks cross with books and messages.
The party observes a procession of twenty to thirty monks chanting a series of prophecies about Faerûn, with each fulfilled prophecy dropped from the list.
Irony explains the various facilities of Candlekeep, including the House of the Binder, the baths, the Hearth, and the Pillars of Pedagogy.
The party expresses their intent to find the true name of a deceased scribe who wrote under the pseudonym Cicerox.
Vagnfríður decides to split from the group to visit the baths while the others begin their research.

The Search for Cicerox's Works

The party explores the vast library of Candlekeep, navigating its strict rules and watchful aspirants to find the works of the scribe Cicerox.

The party is closely monitored by aspirant minders who are summoned by Irony's bell whenever anyone attempts to wander off.
Velessa searches for a forked twig in the magically groomed gardens of the Court of Air to use as a spell component, finding the bushes immaculately maintained with not a leaf out of place.
Velessa casts a divination spell to locate the works of Cicerox, leading the party to a dusty, forgotten corner of the library on a shelf that has not been touched in ages.
The group discovers a prolific collection of steamy chapbooks written by Cicerox, including titles such as 'The Fiend in the Velvet Chair' and 'Caught in Only My Best Linen'.
Seris examines one of the books and, with Velessa reading over her shoulder, realizes the 'fiend' mentioned in the text refers to the archdevil Glasya.
Séantal and the others investigate publication dates, narrowing down Cicerox's death to approximately the year 1478 DR, with the last two novels published posthumously.

The Death Records

The party investigates the death records of Candlekeep to uncover the true identity of the imp Cicerox.

The party agrees to split up, with some heading to the death records while Velessa seeks out senior management for information, agreeing to regroup at the House of Rest.
Shane and Seris investigate the death records from the year 1478 DR, finding a list of aspirants who died that year.
The party narrows down the potential candidates for Cicerox's mortal identity to Mayra Quill, a junior copyist, and Elowen Valevant.
They discover that Elowen Valevant was researching a devil's true name before her death in a fire, which the Avowed noted showed no sign of foul play.
Seris notices the signature 'S' on the investigation reports and asks the guide about its meaning.
The guide explains the 'S' likely refers to one of the Great Readers, specifically Sylvira Savikas or Feminor Scrivenbark.
The party learns about the various Great Readers of Candlekeep and their areas of expertise, including Eli Elvenmore, Alchrist, Daral Yashenti, Kazarin Nissianti, Teles Avorste, and Azir Og.
The party decides to seek out Sylvira Savikas in the Pillars of Pedagogy.

Meeting Sylvira Savikas

The party visits the office of Sylvira Savikas, where they find her dealing with a demanding quasit and begin to discuss the fate of her former apprentice.

Velessa arrives first at Sylvira's office and observes a small green quasit named Jezebel tugging on the archmage's robes and demanding snacks, then turning her attention to the party as potential 'snacks'.
Sylvira smacks Jezebel on the head and sends her to the corner, clarifying that Jezebel is a demon, not an infernal creature.
Velessa and Sylvira bond briefly over both having small infernal or demonic creatures in their care.
The rest of the party joins Velessa, and they present their findings regarding the potential identities of Cicerox: Mayra Quill or Elowen Valevant.
Sylvira reveals that Cicerox was her personal protégé who signed an ill-advised infernal contract with Glasya for popularity, despite Sylvira's warnings.
The party explains that they encountered Cicerox in the Hells, where she had been gifted to an arcanoloth and was being sought by Raphael, who spent five or more soul coins for her.

The Truth of Cicerox

Sylvira reveals her former apprentice's true name and provides the party with personal items to aid in the resurrection.

Sylvira questions the party's motives, suspecting they may be trying to bind her old apprentice rather than resurrect her.
Séantal successfully persuades Sylvira that they intend to resurrect Elowen rather than bind her, explaining that it would also satisfy their patron.
Sylvira reveals that her apprentice's true name is Elowen Valevant.
Sylvira retrieves an obsidian box from beside the wall and opens it to reveal a simple quill and a locket belonging to Ellywick.
Sylvira issues a lifetime ban for Elowen from Candlekeep but asks to be notified if the resurrection succeeds, expressing that she would still like to see her former apprentice.
Shane asks if Sylvira is owed money by Ellywick, which she denies.

Planar Consultations and the Mark of Asmodeus

Sylvira offers her expertise on the planes, and a disturbing discovery is made about a fiendish parasite lingering inside Velessa.

The party recounts their journey to Avernus via Korrilla and the House of Hope, and Sylvira warns about the dangers of owing favors to warlocks of powerful devils.
Sylvira provides information about Raphael, describing him as a cambion and the son of Mephistopheles, currently residing in his House of Hope in Avernus.
Velessa describes a centipede-like creature she vomited up after their time in the Hells, noting its orange and black coloration.
Sylvira sketches the creature based on Velessa's description and identifies a triangular pattern with a 'V' shape beneath it.
Sylvira reveals the markings represent the Mark of Asmodeus, expressing serious concern over the parasite's presence inside Velessa.
Seris attempts to aid Velessa with lesser restoration, but the effort causes Velessa to become violently ill and vomit into a bowl Sylvira quickly provides.
Seris uses detect evil and good to sense fiendish energies specifically in the direction of Velessa's gut, separate from Jezebel.
Seris casts protection from evil and good on Velessa, which temporarily alleviates her nausea and improves her mood, suggesting a lingering fiendish infestation.
Velessa presents her copy of an infernal contract she signed while intoxicated, which Sylvira reviews with weary disapproval.
Sylvira advises the party to seek a more powerful cleric in Baldur's Gate to address the fiendish parasite.

Preparations for Departure

The party plans their return to Baldur's Gate, and Sylvira offers to teach Velessa a new spell before they leave.

Sylvira offers the party free passage back to Baldur's Gate via griffins in exchange for their service in uncovering Ellywick's fate.
Velessa agrees to stay overnight so Sylvira can teach her the sending spell to facilitate long-distance communication.
Seris inquires about the reputation of Lysandra Mortain, the Chosen of Jergal.
Sylvira confirms Lysandra's historical role as a neutral and impeccable witness to major infernal contracts, recognizing her name from the context of important pact signings.
Sylvira asks to be contacted via sending if the party successfully resurrects Elowen Valevant.

Relaxation and Tension at the Baths

The party visits the hot springs of Candlekeep, where Vagnfríður's relaxation is interrupted by bickering.

Vagnfríður relaxes in the hot springs, audibly purring while an Avowed attendant constantly strains her fur out of the water with a pool strainer.
Seris and Séantal discuss the possibility of living in Candlekeep, though Séantal remains uninterested.
Shane high-fives the pool skimmer before excusing himself to the men's quarters.
A sharp argument breaks out between Vagnfríður and Seris regarding the difficulty of their recent ordeals, leading Vagnfríður to stalk off in frustration.
Vagnfríður later visits the library to research alchemy, still followed closely by an Avowed minder.

Shopping at Erudite Outfitters and the Smithy

Shane visits the local clothier and smithy to find more comfortable attire and browse weapons.

Shane enters Erudite Outfitters & Clothiers and is greeted by Feldmar Bisset IV, who is surprised to see an adventurer rather than an aspirant.
Feldmar takes Shane's measurements using a step stool and crafts a multi-layered silken robe on the spot in dark green with bronze embroidered trim.
Feldmar mentions she raises her own silkworms as a hobby, and Shane pays five gold for the finished garment.
Shane visits the smithy and meets Khe'ril Hammerbind, browsing her selection of bows and blades.
Khe'ril warns Shane that griffins are naturally aggressive toward horses and discusses the nature of hippogriffs.
Shane purchases basic bow maintenance supplies and strings.

Researching the Celestial Patron

Séantal spends time in the library researching the history and nature of their celestial patron.

Séantal conducts an investigation into the origins and records of their patron, Golagalagal.
They find references confirming the patron's existence and its connection to the positive energy plane.
The party discusses the unsettling appearance of celestials, comparing the patron to a sentient living planet.
Séantal reflects on the fact that their pact was not of their own making but was inherited through their lineage.
Velessa reveals a personal detail, noting she has not grown any taller in a hundred years and that she is left-handed.

NPCs

Irony

A young tiefling scribe and member of the Avowed who serves as the party's guide throughout Candlekeep. She is slightly shorter than Velessa, earnest, and relentlessly enforces the library's rules, ringing a small bell to summon additional minders whenever any party member attempts to wander off alone.

Sylvira Savikas

A tiefling archmage and Great Reader of Candlekeep specializing in the Great Wheel cosmology and the planes, particularly the Hells. She is pragmatic and scholarly, and was the mentor to the scribe now known as Cicerox. She revealed her apprentice's true name as Elowen Valevant, provided the party with Elowen Valevant's locket and quill, issued a lifetime ban on Elowen Valevant returning to Candlekeep, and offered to teach Velessa the sending spell. She also identified the Mark of Asmodeus on the parasite Velessa expelled and advised the party to seek a powerful cleric.

Jezebel

A small green quasit residing in Sylvira's office who constantly demands snacks and immediately viewed the arriving party as potential food. Sylvira clarified she is a demon, not an infernal creature, and noted she is on her best behavior.

Janussi

The Keeper of the Tomes and the highest authority within Candlekeep, mentioned as the superior overseeing the Great Readers.

Fheminor Scrivenbark

A Great Reader of Candlekeep. A lightfoot halfling master sage. Primary expertise: history, folklore, and the cultures of Toril (past and present).

A'lai Aivenmore

A Great Reader of Candlekeep. A human master sage and worshiper of Oghma (god of knowledge). Primary expertise: divinity (the gods and the nature of the divine).

Alkrist

A Great Reader of Candlekeep. A dragonborn master sage of bronze dragon ancestry. Primary expertise: politics, military strategy, and significant battles of Toril.

Daral Yashenti

A Great Reader of Candlekeep. A human master sage and poet. Primary expertise: music, poetry, and literature.

Kazryn Nyantani

A Great Reader of Candlekeep. A human master sage. Primary expertise: the natural world and celestial navigation.

Teles Ahvoste

A Great Reader of Candlekeep. A human archmage. Primary expertise: magic items, curses, and the Weave.

V'ziir-Ag

A Great Reader of Candlekeep. A githzerai master sage. Primary expertise: all things unnatural (including aberrations, undead, and the Far Realm).

Raphael

A cambion and son of Mephistopheles, currently residing in his House of Hope in Avernus. Described as a collector of Netherese artifacts with an extensive library. He reportedly spent five or more soul coins attempting to acquire Cicerox.

Korrilla

A dwarf who facilitated the party's transportation to Avernus via a transportation circle. Sylvira warned the party that it is dangerous to owe favors to warlocks of powerful devils, and noted the party is not currently on good terms with her.

Feldmar (Feldie) Bisset IV

A halfling woman who runs Erudite Outfitters & Clothiers in Candlekeep. She is skilled at taking measurements despite her short stature, raises her own silkworms, and crafted a custom dark green silken robe with bronze trim for Shane on the spot for five gold.

Khe'ril Hammerbind

A gold dwarf who manages the Candlekeep smithy and stables. She sells high-quality mundane weapons and tends the griffins used for transportation, warning Shane that griffins are naturally aggressive toward horses.

Kaela

Seris's young apprentice who accompanied the party to Candlekeep and happily scampered around during the visit to Sylvira's office, where Sylvira offered to instruct her as well.

Locations

Candlekeep

A towering fortress of knowledge situated on a rocky outcropping southwest of Baldur's Gate, famous for its massive library, strict entry requirements, and a pale gold magical beacon known as the Watch Flame visible for miles at sea.

Way of the Lion

The only road leading up the rocky cliffs to the black iron gates of Candlekeep, described as dramatic and defensible.

Court of the Air

A broad, cobbled courtyard within Candlekeep where monks process while chanting prophecies about Faerûn. Surrounded by visitor facilities and immaculately groomed, magically maintained bushes.

Pillars of Pedagogy

The lecture halls and research area of Candlekeep where the party conducted their investigation into Cicerox's identity and where Sylvira Savikas maintains her office.

Sylvira Savikas's Office

A scholarly workspace within the Pillars of Pedagogy where Sylvira conducts her research on the planes, keeps her demanding quasit Jezebel, and revealed the true name of her former apprentice Elowen.

The Baths

A hot spring-style facility in Candlekeep where Vagnfríður relaxed at length, audibly purring, while an Avowed attendant continuously strained fur from the water.

House of Rest

A place of lodging within Candlekeep where seekers and visitors can stay, used by the party as a designated meeting point.

Erudite Outfitters & Clothiers

A tailor shop in Candlekeep run by Feldmar Bisset IV, specializing in comfortable scholarly robes. Shane had a custom dark green silken robe with bronze trim crafted here for five gold.

Candlekeep Smithy

A practical workshop and stable area managed by Khe'ril Hammerbind, where high-quality mundane weapons are sold and griffins are kept for transportation.

House of Hope

Raphael's infernal estate in Avernus, mentioned as a location the party recently visited via a transportation circle arranged by Korrilla.

Items

Velessa's Notes from The Nathlum

A collection of notes Velessa copied from The Nathlum, including information on poisons and general magical knowledge. Presented as Velessa's entrance gift to Candlekeep and accepted by the screener.

Vagnfríður's Recipe Collection

A handwritten collection of original recipes Vagnfríður composed during the boat ride to Candlekeep, presented as her entrance gift. The screener found it suspiciously familiar, noting it resembled something prepared the previous night.

Shane's Guide to Cheating

A handwritten manual detailing common cheats for cards and dice, along with notations on how to catch such thieves, authored under the initials 'SM.' Presented as Shane's entrance gift and accepted.

Velessa's Flying Blade

Velessa's magical flying broom that takes the form of a sword. It has a weight limit of 200 pounds before its speed is halved. Velessa sent it flying away into the sky to comply with Candlekeep's no-weapons policy.

Vagnfríður's Axe

A sentient magical weapon that expresses emotional displeasure when separated from its owner, described as muttering to itself and feeling grumpy when stored in the weapons locker.

Forked Twig

A Y-shaped branch Velessa painstakingly found among the immaculately groomed bushes of the Court of Air to use as a focus for her locate object spell.

The Fiend in the Velvet Chair

A steamy chapbook written by Cicerox, found on a dusty, overlooked shelf in the library. Upon reading it, Seris and Velessa identified that the 'fiend' referenced in the text is the archdevil Glasya, hinting at the nature of Cicerox's infernal contract.

Elowen Valevant's Locket

A personal memento belonging to the scribe formerly known as Cicerox, whose true name is Elowen Valevant. Retrieved by Sylvira Savikas from an obsidian box and given to the party to aid in the resurrection.

Elowen Valevant's Quill

The simple writing instrument used by the author Cicerox during her life at Candlekeep, kept by Sylvira after her apprentice's death. Retrieved from an obsidian box and given to the party alongside the locket.

Obsidian Box

A small, dark container Sylvira Savikas retrieved from beside the wall of her office, which held the personal effects of her deceased apprentice Elowen Valevant: a locket and a quill.

Velessa's Infernal Contract

A document Velessa signed while intoxicated, agreeing to transport something for a devil. She carries a copy, which she presented to Sylvira Savikas for review. Sylvira lamented how easily mortals enter into such dangerous agreements.

Dark Green Robe

A custom-made, multi-layered silken garment with bronze embroidered trim, crafted on the spot by Feldmar Bisset IV for Shane. Made with silk from Feldmar's own silkworms, it cost five gold and is designed for comfort.

Bow Maintenance Supplies

A set of strings and basic tools purchased by Shane from Khe'ril Hammerbind at the Candlekeep smithy to keep his short bow in working order.

Spells

Locate Object

Cast by Velessa using a forked twig as a focus to search for the works of Cicerox within Candlekeep. The spell bypassed the library's filing system entirely, leading the party directly to a dusty, forgotten shelf in the furthest reaches of the library containing a complete collection of Cicerox's chapbooks.

Lesser Restoration

Cast by Seris on Velessa in an attempt to cure her lingering ailments. Rather than helping, it triggered a violent physical reaction, causing Velessa to become suddenly nauseous and vomit into a bowl Sylvira quickly provided.

Detect Evil and Good

Used by Seris to sense the presence of fiendish energies within the room. The spell confirmed that a fiendish presence was emanating specifically from the direction of Velessa's gut, distinct from Sylvira's quasit Jezebel.

Protection from Evil and Good

Cast by Seris on Velessa as a follow-up attempt to address the fiendish infestation. The spell successfully suppressed Velessa's symptoms and noticeably improved her mood and disposition for its duration, confirming the presence of a lingering fiendish entity.

Sending

A third-circle spell that Sylvira Savikas offered to teach Velessa during an overnight stay at Candlekeep, so the party could contact her with word of Ellywick's resurrection. Sylvira noted it is one of the first spells aspirants are taught.