Laitae Lafreth

[Deathgrowl]

THIS BIOGRAPHY WILL BE EXPANDED UPON SHORTLY. IT WILL ALSO LOOK PRETTIER.

Title/Rank: Great Reader of Candlekeep
First Name: Laitae (Beloved Night)
Last Name: Lafreth (Arcane Moon)

Appearance:
Race: Sun Elf
Age: Very young, considering her accomplishments and knowledge.
Height: Short, even for an elf
Weight: About average for her size, though more likely on the lower side of "about average".
Eyes: Green.
Hair: Red.

Personality Profile:
General Health: Healthy.
Deity: She is a favoured soul of Mystra. She also venerates Oghma, Deneir, Azuth, Ilmater and the Seldarine - in particular Angharradh.
Initial Alignment: Neutral Good, though she may slowly move towards Lawful Good.
Profession: Scholar and mage. Currently Great Reader of Candlekeep.
Base Class & Proposed Development: Wizard and Favoured Soul
Habits/Hobbies:

• Laitae has an almost compulsive obsession about books and knowledge.
• She can spend hours upon hours reading about just about anything, but particularly dragons and the Weave. The Planes have also been of some interest to her since she started studying planar dragons.
• She enjoys sitting on the balcony of the Spellflicker Tower in Candlekeep, in the morning before all of her non-elven fellow avowed wake. She sits there in quiet, listening to the waves crashing on the cliffs below.
• She enjoys most kinds of art. She is particularly fond of her fellow Reader Valqis' paintings found in various places within Candlekeep.
• She tries her best to be polite, diplomatic and avoid prejudice. However, she sometimes has trouble understanding people of lesser intelligence than her, making her frustrated and even annoyed. She tries very hard to hide this, as she doesn't want to be arrogant even if she has to admit she sometimes is.

Likes: Dragons. Magic. Books. Kindness, selflessness and alturism. Lillith. Friendship. Forests. Beaches. Swimming. Mystra. Azuth. Ilmater. Angharradh. The Elemental Plane of Air. Planewalking.
Dislikes: Fiends. Pact mages. Undeath. Stupidity. Cruelty and sadism. Tyranny. Selfishness. The Zhentarim. Mages (and other magic wielders) without humility, restraint and a sense of responsibility.
Languages: Elven, Draconic, Common, and many others.
Weapon of Choice: Her mind. Magic. Other than that, she is trained with shurikens and carries a longbow and a longsword.

Background:
Laitae originally comes from the capital of Evermeet, Leuthilspar, where she grew up with her older brother Kethruil, a ranger. Her parents, both high ranking priests of Corellon Larethian, preached their religion firmly, making the two siblings somewhat opposed to religion in their first years of life.

Showing very early signs of arcane talents, her brother tells her she developed them before both she could either walk or speak, she realized as she grew up that she wished to study the arcane despite her parents wishes for her to become a priestess of Corellon.

Recognized as talented and enthusiastic, the Baelnorn Thro'Katharian (a very old and powerful Lawful Good Wizard/Archmage) offered to tutor her. She accepted, and her parents, while at first disapproving, secretly were proud of her opportunity. Under the apprenticeship of Thro'Katharian, she also developed a keen interest in all sorts of lore, but especially draconic lore. Noticing the interest, the Baelnorn told her stories of ages past, when he once had a mighty Bronze dragon ally, and they rode together to save the realms. He also had occasional dealings with a Gold dragon and a Silver dragon, but Laitae never spoke to those dragons.

During her studies, while reading various lore, she gained an interest for religion again, and found herself worshiping Mystra.

A few years after studying under the Baelnorn, he told her that if she wanted to know more about draconic lore, she should travel the realms and find other sources than his somewhat limited (although vast, by mortal standards) knowledge and library. He suggested to seek out Candlekeep, as he had been there once to seek out knowledge, centuries ago, and he recalled something about a dragon guardian.

Laitae told her parents about her plan, hoping they would be proud of her. This time, they disapproved sternly, forbidding her from leaving Evermeet. Though Laitae never knew, this was mainly due to her young age and a concern about how Laitae's impressionable mind would handle Faerûn, and its humans and other races. Having made up her mind anyways, she left a note, telling them she had gone and was determined towards her goal, and with the aid of her brother, got passage on a ship to Baldur's gate.

Family:
Kethruil Lafreth - Older brother - Neutral Good Ranger of Selûne, currently in the service of Silverymoon

Aerual Lafreth - Father - Neutral Good Cleric of Corellon. Living in Leuthilspar, Evermeet

Laeralya Lafreth - Mother - Chaotic Good Cleric of Corellon. Living in Leuthilspar, Evermeet


Goals:

• Above all: Serve Mystra.
• Seek out lore, especially arcane and draconic lore. She is also getting increasingly interested in religious lore and the planes.
• Stay true to her vows to Candlekeep.
• Try to not be prejudice, and generally treat everyone on her travels well, although she has a problem with openly rude and cruel people.
• To help those in need, as far as her abilities can be of help.
• Befriend dragons. So far she has befriended or otherwise become aquainted with these:
  • Miirym - the ghostly female silver great wyrm in Candlekeep's catacombs. ((Maecius))
  • Arveiaturace - An ancient, female white dragon living on The Icepeak, an island near the Spine of the World. Laitae doesn't exactly consider the dragon a friend, as she knows very well it is evil beyond what most other mortals can ever be. As such, she is quite frightened of Arveiaturace, but has an agreement to visit her occasionally to share news of the Sword Coast in trade with whatever knowledge the dragon possesses. ((DM Nilbog))

Possible Plot-Hook Ideas and Misc Facts:

• Befriending a dragon would make her very happy.
• She will serve the Church of Mystra in almost anything. She will take orders from First Reader Tethtoril unquestioningly - unless he seems temporarily insane.
• For the most part, her parents miss her and has started to realize that Mystra was always her path. Laitae herself is not yet convinced that they understand this.
• Over her time in Candlekeep, she has met five people who have become very important to her:
  • Former Guide Wendel Ashby ((retired player character)) - Elderly human wizard and cleric of Oghma. While Laitae may be older in years, she looks up to him as one would to a wise grandfather.
  • Reader Lillith Azrael ((retired/vanished player character)) - A young feyblooded, pinkhaired, female human warlock. Laitae for the most part find pact magic an insult to the Art and the Weave, but Lillith has earned Laitae's trust so much that Laitae considers Lillith her best friend - and more.
  • Sister/Seeker Louise De La'Valliere ((retired player character)) - A young female human priestess of Ilmater. Laitae considers her the closest thing she has to a sister.
  • First Reader Tethtoril ((NPC - only met played by Maecius and Nilbog)) - A powerful, intelligent and wise human priest of Mystra. Laitae admires everything about Tethtoril, especially after he showed such favour with Mystra as to channel the Goddess of Magic's power to cure Laitae from a divine curse, possibly placed upon her by Shar or her servants.
  • Miirym ((NPC - only met played by Maecius)) - Almost half of the time she is within the walls of Candlekeep she spends down in the catacombs with the ghostly silver dragon, telling it stories and news about the outside world while the dragon herself shares old stories with Laitae.
• She is strongly opposed to the Zhentarim and the Red Wizards of Thay. However, she sees some scholarly value in the Red Wizards, giving her pause. She considers the Zhentarim cruel and sadistic tyrants and of absolutely no value to the world.
• She thinks the Cult of the Dragon are suffering from some kind of collective insanity.

[DM RabidBadger]

Reviewed - XP rewarded

[Deathgrowl]

Art by Angevere. I should have posted this a long time ago!

[Deathgrowl]

Laitae's relations

A

Aeili Azenci

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A sun elven diviner and priestess of Mystra, who Laitae can only look upon in awe. Born as a "favoured soul" herself, Laitae is highly impressed by priests who find devotion enough to deserve their god's favour. Especially someone of her own faith.

Aeili and Laitae never grew as close as Laitae would have preferred, as they both had their respective duties and unfortunately did not get to spend much time together. Laitae however always maintained a loyalty towards Aeili almost as strong as the one granted to First Reader Tethtoril, for their shared faith in Mystra and their kinship as elves.

Alexander Marshall

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Laitae has had a fairly lengthy, though mostly distant, relationship with the triadic knight Alexander Marshall. She was introduced to him when Candlekeep sought the help of the Radiant Heart in matters regarding the Tear of Talona. Later, Alexander found himself in a romantic relationship with Louise De La'Villiere. This later seemed to end, though Laitae never knew the details.

Alexander has since come and gone on the Sword Coast several times, keeping the relationship between the two persistently distant, but also for the most part friendly.

Alexandra Keenan

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The young, originally quite reserved bardess who came to Candlekeep with a passion for knowledge and a keen skill in observation has grown immensely during the short time Laitae has known her. Originally introduced while Laitae served her second time as Guide of Candlekeep, Alexandra always wore a hood, covering her beauty and preferred to stand out of sight simply observing.

Very quickly realising Alexandra's potentials and passion, Laitae decided to make an effort encouraging the young scribe to take on more visible roles. Alexandra, being perceptive herself, realised soon enough Laitae was grooming her to become a good candidate for Guide once Laitae felt safe in stepping away from the position herself. Having succeeded in this, Laitae feels quite proud of Alexandra's ability to lead the avowed, though admittedly has a few concerns about the new Guide's dealings with the outside and potential moral implications that has brought.

The two also developed a relationship beyond the professional into a sisterly friendship. Laitae has grown to care much about Alexandra and worries quite often that the young human Guide works too much, not enjoying life enough and so become stressed. Laitae fears this may also be partly the cause of some of Alexandra's ways of dealing with the rest of the world in her capacity as Guide - situations Laitae would have hoped to turn out differently.

Laitae now resolves to offer advice when asked for, and otherwise prefers to leave the Guide to do her duties as Laitae herself would have preferred in that position.

Ameris Santraeger

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The priest of Ilmater and Laitae has had a strong and lengthy friendship, due to their shared interest in charity and healing. They have had their disagreements of course, mainly with Laitae being frustrated over the priest's excessive - and often quite poorly formulated - use of Sending magic. This is of course always friendly and mostly humourous disagreements between the two, in Laitae's endless quest to inspire some effective and restrained use of magic in the Ilmatari.

The two have often sought each others advice on many things and always been stronger for it. Through Ameris (and Louise), Laitae has come to find a deep respect for the Lord of Mercy and found many things about his teachings that she herself relates to those of Mystra. It is much easier to be conservative in the use of magic when inspired to do so by a sense of mercy.

Arveiaturace

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The ancient white dragon living on the Ice Peak far to the north, was once forced to be the mount of the renegade Red Wizard Meltharond Throne. During research into this exiled Red Wizard's history, Laitae came into contact with the dragon. She learned soon that while the partnership between the dragon and the thayan at first had been a forced one, the dragon had come to love the man over the years. Now that Meltharond Throne was dead, the dragon dearly misses her old master.

Laitae and Arveiaturace eventually made a deal on behalf of Candlekeep: Laitae would visit the dragon occasionally, and they would share knowledge with each other. Of course, it being a white dragon, makes Laitae uneasy about the agreement, but she deeply respects Arveiaturace both out of fear and awe. She also cannot quite help but feel a slight sense of pity for the dragon and her lost love.

B

Bre'teas

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Bre'teas was one of the first people Laitae developed a friendship with on the Sword Coast. The very formidable moon elven sorcerer taught Laitae much about the application of magic. She maintains still that she is no combat mage, but she is far more capable in combat than she would have been without Bre'teas guidance.

C

Charraj Cain

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Charraj was an acolyte at Candlekeep when Laitae first encountered him. Indeed that same day, Charraj left Candlekeep over disagreements with the work that had been done that day, saving a priestess of Eilistraee for her aid with the Tear of Talona.

Laitae also learned later that Charraj was a helplessly reckless wizard, and they never really became friends. She remained diplomatic with him and about him to his associates.

Cosimo Delucca

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The highly chaotic bartender of the Minstrel's Muse is also currently Alexandra Keenan's lover, which makes him cross paths with Laitae relatively frequently, and from Laitae's perspective, seemingly seeking her approval. Laitae gives that approval mainly because in her mind it isn't hers to deny.

She remains skeptical of the sorcerer, however, given various rumours she hears about him. Laitae also finds his apparent disrespect for Candlekeep's order to be quite annoying. She doesn't doubt that Cosimo means well, but his solutions to conflict seem to Laitae to simply be to escalate the conflict rather than find common ground.

She remains quiet about these concerns, however, for Alexandra's sake - and because it again isn't Laitae's place.

Cyrithe

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Laitae, ever the seeker of knowledge and always attempting (though of course with mixed results) having an open mind about all, met this powerful drow bardess on the cliffs below Candlekeep. It was the start of a serious, though highly secret friendship. The drowess had heard of Candlekeep and come into possession of some dangerous, potentially cataclysmic knowledge, and decided Candlekeep would be the safest place for it, fearing that it would otherwise end up in the hands of the powerful mages making up the Conclave of Sshamath. She had hidden this knowledge somewhere temporarily safe in the Underdark, but stressed that it had to be collected soon.

And so Laitae gathered trusted companions and travelled into the Underdark in complete secrecy. There they met Cyrithe some ways outside of the drow city, and escorted the drow and the knowledge she held to the surface again. Laitae was given responsibility over the knowledge and it was maintained between herself, First Reader Tethtoril and Keeper of Tomes Ulraunt a secret, even within Candlekeep.

It has been some time since Laitae last spoke with Cyrithe, but their friendship remained strong.

E

Eldarian Al'maire

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Laitae and Eldarian's relationship has been largely professional. They've been allied in various cases of mutual interest. Eldarian has had friendly relations with several of Laitae's friends, and so they have also sometimes socialised together. However, they never grew particularly close.

Elminster Aumar

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Laitae has met the most famous of Mystra's Chosen several times during her relatively short stay on the Sword Coast. At first, she was in some awe of the man, having only heard stories about him. Her view rapidly deteriorated, however, when Elminster took what Laitae considered a reprehensible moral stance in one particular case, and even at one point threatened to have Laitae killed over it. Since that time, she has attempted to be diplomatically dismissive of Elminster whenever she has met him, praying silently to Mystra that they won't meet often.

H

Herran Hymn

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This ever restless bard and Director of the White Mask Theater has been a friend as well as a frustration for Laitae for a long time. A Seeker of Candlekeep until quite recently, Laitae always valued Herran's perspective and his ability to tell a tale. Bards are, after all, important for the spreading of knowledge. Her frustrations, however, came with the bard's utter lack of discipline and attention to detail usually required by a scholar. Sometimes Laitae found this lack of discipline somewhat charming, and at other times a distraction.

She considers him still a friend, and even though he has been removed from the ranks of Candlekeep, Laitae herself would likely argue that he has acted within the limits of the vows. However she will not argue the case unless asked, as it is no longer her place.

Hoihe Dacino

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Hoihe and Laitae arrived on the Sword Coast around the same time, though from different directions. They both became members of Candlekeep and a close friendship and professional relationship developed over the time they knew each other. They found they had both a keen interest in dragons, though Laitae's view was that Hoihe tended to have too narrow and even sometimes biased approach to the subject. Nevertheless, after many discussions about dragonkind, Laitae wrote a short book on planar dragons that she dedicated to Hoihe.

Hoihe, who was once a tall, dragonblooded human male, has since become a moon elven female through various magical rituals and effects, and taken on the name Lafali'Atria Dacino. In Laitae's view, the reckless and irresponsible use of extremely powerful magic that Hoihe has performed is enough to put tensions on their friendship. But on top of that, Hoihe, in Laitae's view, sought selfishly to take from the Seldarine what her own People see as a gift. If Hoihe had been meant to be an elf, Corellon would have seen to it.

And the worst crime, in Laitae's eyes, is that against Mystra. Hoihe had given up his draconic blood, and thus his inborn sorcerer magic, denying Mystra's Gift. And so he had forcefully taken one gift from Corellon and denied another from Mystra. A spit in the face of what Laitae values above all else.

I

Isabella Villame

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Isabella and Laitae have had a turbulent relationship. Laitae's moral sensibilities have often clashed with what Laitae percieves as Isabella being either apathetic or dangerously tolerant of obviously evil and destructive people. Laitae's greatest fear is that Isabella subjects herself to manipulation by some of these, endangering Candlekeep in the process. And so far, Isabella has not been able to alleviate these concerns satisfyingly to Laitae.

Since Laitae's promotion to Great Reader, the tensions have eased a bit, if only because Laitae is no longer the one responsible for maintaining Candlekeep's reputation to the outside world.

Ivan

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The druid of Silvanus and Laitae had few interactions before they ended up having to work together to stop a plague of Yurtrus spreading in Triel and Soubar. Laitae managed to get one bottle of the cure from the elves of Evereska, that would make the one drinking it free of the plague and also immune to it. Ivan learned from the druids of the High Forest how to dilute the elixir, making it still cure those who drank it, but would not make them immune. However, using this method would mean they had enough to cure everyone afflicted. Ivan had sworn a druidic oath, however, to keep the means of this dilution a secret. This bothered Laitae, as a scholar of Candlekeep and as someone who wanted knowledge of healing to be free to all who needed it. This caused quite some friction between the two, as Laitae felt the need to at least document the method among non-druids would be vital for the survival from future eruptions of the plague.

In the end, they managed to cure the people of Soubar, and the few remaining survivors of Triel, though Triel became a ruin and the land surrounding it corrupted. Laitae blamed - and still does herself - for this, and understood that Ivan was one of the few who would work as passionately as her to save the land. Many efforts were made by many people about what to do with the land that had once been Triel. Most wanted it for its strategic location in some political play. Only Laitae and Ivan openly and strongly argued that the land should be left alone to heal and regrow before anyone should resettle there. And over this agreement, the two grew closer. Especially as Laitae more and more realised that Ivan had a restraint in the use of his druidic powers rarely seen. Even if Ivan never professed much about Mystra, Laitae took this as a clear respect for the Gift of Magic, and keen sense of responsibility in its use.

In the end, the two guided several others in efforts to finally cleanse the land of its corruption and succeeded. After this, Ivan moved on with his new wife Julindra, to travel other parts of the world. Somewhat surprising even to Laitae herself, she feels now that she misses Ivan, and the powerful and wise ally and friend he eventually turned out to be.

Izz'Irik

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Early in Laitae's days as a Seeker of Candlekeep, she encountered this strange, barely sane drow whilst warded for the road. Izz'irik declared Laitae to be a nymph, so beautiful did he think her. When Laitae protested, explaining she was an elf, the drow insisted that elves were dangerous and hideous monsters. Izz'irik's madness fluxuated, however, and sometimes he was sane enough to reason with, and eventually he accepted that elves were indeed just lighter skinned drow, and Laitae was no nymph.

Laitae was at first quite afraid of Izz'irik, realising he was exceptionally dangerous, not just because he was a drow, but also because of his skill at hiding and the unstable state of his mind. As such, she decided not to antagonise. She warned Candlekeep of him, to make sure that they knew she might be followed.

Later, however, all she could be was thankful, as the drow repeatedly saved her life from attackers. When a group of Thayans intimidated and indeed in once case threatened Laitae, Izz'irik had overheard and later defeated the Thayans, leaving them on the road. He only told Laitae about this later, but they had stopped harrassing her.

Izz'irik once gave Laitae a white flower that cannot grow in sunlight, taken from the Underdark. This flower now stands near steps down to Miirym's catacombs in Candlekeep. Laitae makes sure that it is well kept whenever she is at Candlekeep, or that a Scribe or Reader watches over it when she is away. She has not seen Izz'irik in a long time, but remembers him fondly when looking at the flower.

K

Kestral Fyle

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Kestral and Laitae have always had their differences, though worked fairly well together as scholars of Candlekeep. Their relationship never grew to anything more than professional, but Laitae respects Kestral for his work more than she thinks he realises.

Khelben Arunsun

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Laitae has met the famous Blackstaff twice in person, but also had regular letter correspondences with him. In contrast to Elminster, Khelben is the one of Mystra's famed Chosen she admires above all others. His disciplined view of magic and scholarship inspires the young elf in her own work. Indeed, in her service to Mystra, she often considers how she thinks Khelben would have acted or judged her own actions. The Blackstaff's approval is essential to her in dealing with magic.

L

Lillith Azrael

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The pink haired, beautiful, nymph blooded warlock had just become a Seeker of Candlekeep when Laitae herself joined as an acolyte. Despite Laitae's distrust in warlocks and dislike for their magic, the two quickly became friends. Over the years, Laitae came to experience other warlocks, reckless in their use with magic, but Lillith always maintained a calm and collected reluctance to use the powers she wielded unless absolutely necessary. Wary of her own inherited powers and having a keen desire to be free of the pact of her family, Laitae swore to help her in any way she could. They still seek this together.

As the two grew to both become Readers of Candlekeep, and their friendship further developed, stronger feelings also emerged between the two. They now meet as often as they can, while both serve Candlekeep in their own individual research.

Louise De La'Villiere

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A priestess of Ilmater often compared with the Living Saint, Louise was one of the first friends Laitae had on the Sword Coast. Louise was guided into Candlekeep's service by Ilmater, joining the ranks not long after Laitae and rose eventually to the position of Seeker. There are few people in the world that has shaped Laitae's views more than Louise, and fewer still who are as dear to her, considering her the closest she has ever had to a real sister, even though Louise is a human.

Inspired by Louise's great skills at healing, both magical and mundane, Laitae also trained to become a physician, in order to help the same people Louise did. Indeed, on Louise's request, Laitae also began to give the children of Mercy's Orphanage basic education, teaching them maths, reading and a bit of history.

Louise eventually moved to Damara, where Ilmater guided her to help those suffering from the war between Damara and the hordes of the Witch-King Zhengyi, as well as recording the events of this war as a Seeker of Candlekeep. Laitae misses her dearly and hopes almost desperately that they will see each other again during Louise's life time. Laitae dreads the day her human sister inevitably must pass away.

M

Mealir Ostirel

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Mealir Ostirel is a bard, a sailor an a brilliant half elven swordsman from Aglarond, whom Laitae befriended early in her time on the Sword Coast. They have worked together several times, as they often share views, goals and moral ideals, and Mealir has become one of the people Laitae trusts most in the world because of it.

She does, however, find him somewhat reckless. But he knows this, and resolves to instead tease the bookish Laitae for being too ridgid and cautious, but also encourages her - perhaps without really knowing - to use magic more liberally for entertainment purposes. Magic, after all, isn't a tool or a weapon. It is beauty, and should be be used for such.

Mealir travels often these days, however, and the two see each other less than Laitae would prefer. Mealir always makes Laitae feel a great sense of hope, and always manages to make her smile, even through the darkest of times.

Mendel

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The wood elven ranger and the sun elven wizard had a bit of a rough start on their relationship when they were on different sides in an internal schism within Doron Amar. Laitae still doesn't quite understand what caused the rift among the elves, but is very glad that the elves of En Dharasha Everae and Doron Amar have since reconciliated and and unified, true to Angharrad's teachings.

Laitae ceased her involvement in the elven communities shortly after the rift, but curiously, as the two settlements have grown better relationships, Mendel and Laitae have simultaneously found a stronger friendship in one another. Their shared interest in the well being of their elven kin has been a great unifier, as well as their love of nature and the desire to protect it.

Miirym

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Some time after Laitae became Guide for the first time, she had reason to not go outside of Candlekeep's walls. To get some pause from the constant chanting and the closest she could get to a "change of scenery", Laitae ventured into the catacombs of the Sentinel. There she spent many days befriending the barely sane, spectral silver dragon, sharing news of the outside world and listening to stories from the truly ancient dragon. Over time, the two developed a close friendship, and every time Laitae has been travelling, one of the first things she does is to go speak with the lonely dragon ghost about her travel, hoping that she can at least lessen the poor Miirym's lonesome suffering for at least a little time.

Mystra

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Laitae was born a "favoured soul" of Mystra, though did not realise until quite a bit later in life. She rather dislikes the term, however, as she considers the priests who actually freely choose to follow the Lady of Mysteries to be the truly favoured ones, and the ones deserving of that favour. Laitae instead views herself as "blessed", and while she is granted some divine magic from Mystra, she considers herself closer to a very devout layperson and servant than a priest.

In one case at Candlekeep, Laitae had become afflicted by a divine curse, possibly put upon her by Shar or one of her servants. This blinded her and she had no means of curing herself. With the help of First Reader Tethtoril, one of the most favoured and powerful of Mystra's priests in all of Faerûn, a ritual was performed in which Mystra herself tested Laitae's devotion and selfconfidence. Evidently satisfied with the results, Mystra cured the elf from the curse.

N

Nawiel Oreb'le'i

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The Eilistraeen drow shadowdancer is an endless source of wonder, amusement and fascination for Laitae. There are few people in her life she finds even remotely as charming and cute, something that surprises her, given Nawiel is indeed a drow. The tiny dark elf has a strange tendency to always seem confused and yet entirely blissful about it.

One time Laitae remembers with some amusement was when she contacted the somewhat scatterbrained shadowdancer by Sending. The reply came back, with the first words in various languages until Nawiel finally identified in what language she had been spoken to and finished the reply in that.

Since one of their first meetings, when Nawiel learned Laitae was one of the scholars of Candlekeep, Nawiel has addressed Laitae as "Keeper", first seemingly assuming that she indeed kept a lot of candles. Over the few years they have known each other, though they have grown quite close, and Laitae is quite insistant on making sure Nawiel is safe while on the surface, even if it would be detrimental to Laitae's own being.

Unfortunately, it has been some time since they met, and Laitae misses Nawiel, hoping to see her again soon.

R

Rhys Feivra

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Laitae first met Rhys only days after arriving on the Sword Coast at a random campfire where Rhys was curiously lecturing about beholder reproduction. She later found out that this was indeed a common topic in Rhys' presence, and had become a bit of an amusement among many people associated with the transmuter. She also learned that Rhys headed an arcane academy within Doron Amar, and ever since has addressed him as "Headmaster".

While the two never grew to any close friendship, Laitae certainly respected older sun elven wizard for his knowledge and Art, as well as many shared moral convictions.

S

Selande Aiden

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This moon elven monk and shadowdancer met Laitae some time before she became Guide, and the two developed a close, sisterly friendship. Once Laitae was made Guide of Candlekeep, she put Selande in charge of the Protectors of Candlekeep, a group formed Guide Wendel to act as a martial arm of the avowed specifically for joining them on missions, and as such standing apart from Candlekeep's Guard.

Selande soon became one of Laitae's most trusted companions, advisors and friends. They shared many trials and tribulations together, and spent many nights in private conversations.

After Laitae stepped down as Guide, she spent some time away, walking the planes. When she returned to the Prime, Selande had left. Laitae knew Selande had things in her past to take care of, and knew that she would one day disappear, but it was - and still remains - hard for Laitae to accept her good friend's absence. Several times since, Laitae has found herself close to despair, wishing Selande to return and share conversation and advice again.

Selengil Harkonis

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The now Dreadlord of the Zhentarim at Darkhold was once a close friend to Laitae, and a Seeker of Candlekeep. Laitae was often confused and and worried by Selengil's tendencies for coldness and almost-cruelty, but at other times found him to have redeeming and even well-meaning qualities. One of the things she respected most in the moon elven wizard, was a keen intellect and a serious view on the power of knowledge.

However, their friendship came to an abrupt end when Selengil threatened to kill her for insults Laitae had never made, and broke his vows to Candlekeep. Laitae later learned that this had been a part of some deal for Selengil to join the Zhentarim.

Shirtza Viragh

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Laitae and Shirtza were briefly romantically involved, though Laitae soon realised that she had never truly been in love with Shirtza, just briefly intrigued and emotionally confused. This pained her - she cared for Shirtza, but had to be honest with both her and herself. And so she broke it off. Since then, their relationship has become friendly, but distant. Laitae prefers it this way, fearing to only hurt Shirtza more otherwise.

Silias Ry'ena

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The priestess of Corellon was at first at poor terms with the young and idealistic Laitae. However, over time the older elven woman managed to guide Laitae into a deeper and more patient relationship with her People and the Seldarine. The two grew very close, and Laitae has missed Silias dearly since the latter moved back home to spend time with her ill mother.

T

Tarina Mazir

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At first, Laitae found the young human spirit shaman to be disturbingly ignorant of matters she proclaimed much certainty in, and curiously superstitious. The idea that dead rocks lying on the ground had any kind of "spirit" seemed absolutely absurd to the more literally inclined elf. She eventually decided however that it was a difference of definition, and began to see value in Tarina's perspective.

Tarina became an acolyte of Candlekeep during Laitae's second period as Guide, and Laitae attempted several times to encourage the the spirit shaman to write about her perspective and record everything she experienced about the spirits. Ever a scholar, even if Laitae disagreed with Tarina's definitions, she always saw value in knowledge and the importance of alternative views to challenge the more commonly held opinions.

Laitae also tried to offer personal friendship to Tarina, but the human girl seemed occasionally moody and reluctant to accept it. Laitae eventually resolved to treat Tarina as friendly as she could, but gave up on offering a friendship that simply appeared unwanted.

Telia Santraeger, née Navra

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Laitae first knew this young sorceress as a member of the White Mask Theater troupe and a Seeker of Candlekeep until it was revealed that she had been a Zhentarim agent for a long time. Having seen several attempted infiltrations of Candlekeep by the Zhentarim in a very short time, Laitae couldn't find it in herself to be shocked by the revelation.

Time went by and Laitae heard little of Telia's doings except in rumours and writing until, and really never saw the sorcerer again until she had defected from the Zhentarim and under guidance towards redemption by Laitae's friend Ameris Santraeger, who the sorceress later married. Telia and Laitae then began sharing an uneasy, but friendly relationship as they occasionally spoke of their shared faith in Mystra. And the uneasiness faded with time, as Laitae became more certain of Telia's intentions and sincerity, but they unfortunately never grew very close personally.

Now Ameris and Telia have moved elsewhere with their adopted children, and Laitae stays in occasional contact with them. She has promised to go visit them soon.

Teo

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The always-masked warlock was already a respected Scribe of Candlekeep when Laitae came to the Sword Coast. The appearance at first intimidated Laitae to a degree, but the then-Guide, Wendel Ashby, explained that Teo had hideous scars from being afflicted with hellfire. They had tried to heal him, but to no avail.

Laitae admires Teo for his seemingly unfailing loyalty to Candlekeep, and trusts him in that loyalty due to former Guide Wendel's vouching of the man. On the other hand, she does not trust his judgment very well, as she saw him making many poor decisions during his time as Guide.

They never really became great friends, but Laitae respects him as a loyal collegue, competent in the role he serves as Scribe.

Tethtoril

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During the war between Amn and Baldur's Gate, an agent of Amn came to Candlekeep demanding that the library and its forces take sides with Amn. Laitae was the avowed to receive the man, but had no authority to negotiate on behalf of Candlekeep, as she was a Seeker at the time. She resolved to ask one of the guards to fetch First Reader Tethtoril, as the Guide was elsewhere on business.

The amnian agent, now faced by the powerful, but gentle cleric of Mystra, made smug and arrogant threats against Candlekeep. If Candlekeep would not take sides with Amn, they would find it difficult to leave the library and travel the lands surrounding. Unphased by these threats, Tethtoril interrupted the amnian agent mid-sentence with a stern, but calm "Enough!". Colour drained from the amnian agent's face as Tethtoril's commanding presence was now no longer held back. The First Reader then went on to explain that no threats Amn could make would change Candlekeep's view on the matter, and the frightened amnian left. And that was the last Candlekeep heard from Amn during that war.

The episode impressed Laitae deeply. That a kindly and gentle man like Tethtoril could emanate such authority, inspired her from that day forward. If she was ever to become some kind of leader, Tethtoril would be the ideal influence.

A year later, when Laitae had indeed become a leader, promoted after Guide Wendel's retirement, she had even greater moments with Tethtoril ahead of her. She had become afflicted by a divine curse, making her blind, likely by the goddess Shar or one of her powerful servants. Tethtoril offered for Laitae to stay within his home during this time.

Over the two ten-days the curse afflicted her, Tethtoril deviced a ritual wherein Laitae would be tested by Mystra herself and if proven worthy, cleansed of the curse. After this was successful, Laitae remains ever thankful to both Tethtoril and Mystra, and in absolute awe of the favour the First Reader has with the goddess of magic.

Laitae obeys the powerful priest and First Reader absolutely and unquestioningly, keeping no secrets from him as she would always prefer and trust his advice and wisdom over all others'. Having become fairly close personal friends over the years through Candlekeep's troubles, the two now share occasional dinners and join each other in prayer when Laitae is at Candlekeep.

Thedran

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This often very militant bard and Laitae have had a turbulent relationship. Though their goals have often aligned, Laitae has far too often experienced Thedran to be in her view overly violent, merciless and even sometimes borderline cruel. She does however admire the man for his loyalty and extremely careful protection of the orphans of Baldur's Gate.

U

Ulraunt

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Laitae has had an uncharacteristically decent relationship with the Keeper of Tomes, who by most others is seen as a grumpy, old man. Their interactions have been relatively few, but she cannot do anything but respect the Ulraunt for his dedication to Candlekeep. Now, having been trusted with the position of Great Reader, Laitae feels extremely honoured and humbled.

V

Valqis Sanejmeh

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Valqis was already a highly respected Reader when Laitae came to Candlekeep. At first Laitae struggled with Valqis' accent, but soon grew to understand her well, and even found a certain charm in the broken common.

When Valqis invited Laitae and Louise to come with her to her home island, Laitae excitedly agreed. A curious experience, for the young elf who had barely spent time in the company of humans, now met a community who had never even met an elf before. She found great amusement in Valqis' people almost making a game out of trying to stay awake long enough to find out when the elf went to sleep. Of course, none of the humans was able to, and was out and about on the beach in the morning before they woke up every day, causing some wonder from the islanders.

Valqis and Laitae never, however, developed a very close personal relationship, although they treat each other with sisterly friendship when they meet. Both travel a lot, however, so those meetings are rare.

Laitae maintains that Valqis is the best cartographer in all of Faerûn, and it is going to be difficult for anyone to convince her otherwise, with the incredible collection of maps the exotic bardess has provided Candlekeep with.

W

Wendel Ashby

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The kindly old sage and priest of Oghma was the Guide of Candlekeep when Laitae came to the Sword Coast. It was he who accepted her as an acolyte, promoted her to Seeker and eventually Reader. Although Wendel was technically younger than Laitae, being a human, she looked up to him as a wise and gentle grandfather.

Wendel is likely the person who has influenced Laitae most since she came to the Sword Coast. He was her mentor and her leader, and showed the young elf that you can maintain Candlekeep's political neutrality without sacrificing your moral integrity. This was important for the morally idealistic Laitae, especially when she eventually came into the position of Guide, herself.

Wendel, being an old human, eventually decided to retire from his active position at Candlekeep and return home to Cormyr and his farm, to live out the rest of his years there. When he retired, Laitae was the one chosen to replace him, an endlessly daunting task that Laitae never felt she quite succeeded in. But she certainly knows that she would never have survived even the first day as Guide without the mentoring and influence she recieved from Wendel.

She considers him the truest champion of Oghma she has ever known, and misses him dearly. Lillith and Laitae has had plans to try and visit him at some point on his farm, but has so far not been able to.

Z

Zhar Quantoul

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A Red Wizard necromancer that managed to somehow intrigue Laitae in conversation. Laitae of course knew that the two had incompatible moral ideals, but the philosophical and scholarly discussions they sometimes had, were still quite valuable to her. She saw Zhar as a potentially great and terrifying leader for the Thayan Enclave in Baldur's Gate and feared that he would indeed eventually take Kahanak's place. Zhar was, in her mind, far more dangerous than the almost buffoonish transmuter who kept making political blunder after political blunder.

When Zhar seemed to disappear, she naturally assumed that Kahanak finally had seen the same thing, and in order to retain his position disposed of the necromancer. She misses the intellectual challenge, but thinks it is likely for the best that the more clever and subtle Red Wizard never rose to the position of Khazark.

Zullo

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The human wizard and Reader of Candlekeep even several years Wendel's senior, was introduced to Laitae through letters she read when she came to Candlekeep. Zullo had been traveling, and communicated with the avowed through letters. When he eventually came back to Candlekeep, he resumed his position as Keep Physician, a job Teo had held in his absense.

The relationship between Laitae and Zullo has been strictly professional, however, as some tension between the two arose with some conflict neither of them are likely to speak of. It would perhaps be noticed that Laitae would never allow Zullo to touch her, even as a physician. Laitae would rather go elsewhere, unless nurse Abigail was sufficient.

[Deathgrowl]

The creation of Laitae's Second Chance

Having been influenced two close friends who are both priests of Ilmater, namely Seeker Louise De La'Valliere and Ameris Santraeger, Laitae sought to create a spell that could be cast upon someone giving them the mercy of a second chance to redeem themselves of evil.

Drawing upon her extensive knowledge of magic, the mystran Great Reader of Candlekeep first studied the complexities of various spells that would depend on such objective moralities, such as the abjurations Protection from Evil and Magic Circle against evil as well as the necromancy spell Opalescent Glare, based on the mystical gaze of the Ghaele. Laitae wanted to discover how these kinds of spells were fundamentally written to affect beings evil differently than those of good.

To complement this research she further spent many hours in conversation with First Reader Tethtoril, both in his capacity as First Reader and as a highly favoured and learned priest of Mystra, debating these moral concepts from a philosophical point of view, forming herself a solid foundation for what her mind would have to focus on when writing and performing such magic. She also spent some time with the Lady Neela of the temple of Mystra in Baldur's Gate in consultation to get another point of view.

Her idea for the magic eventually began to take shape and she decided on approaching the concept from the school of abjuration: The spell would forcefully create a magically designate zone around the target - a magic circle. As the circle manifested around the target, he or she (or indeed it) would be halted and made aware of the circle. This was the second chance, and there would be no third. If the subject of the spell was a being of impure intentions and they would cross the line, they would be destroyed by an overwhelming amount of positive energy. For this, Laitae also needed to step briefly into the school of evocation, borrowing certain concepts to add to the calculation of the magic circle she was creating, not entirely unlike spells such as Glyph of Warding.

Laitae then decided she needed silver, a material commonly used in other spells with effects based on objective morality. She visited smiths and jewelers in Baldur's Gate and purchased leftover silver dust or powder from their smithing. But she also decided to see if she could use the material component as a symbolic focus for the spell. As such she purchased several silver rings, the geometry representing the circle around the target, and the silver a material necessary for the particular kind of magic.

Then began her calculations and tests. Not being one to conjure evil entities into the world, she instead endeavoured to use the opportunity to test the spell on known evils in the area, such as the undeads of the Baldur's Gate graveyard and imps occasionally found in the service of kobolds. She brought a Candlekeep Guard with her on such occasions, to ensure safety during the testing. She would also yet again consult with the First Reader on her calculations and theory. Being an accomplished mage and expert at spellcraft, as well as with wise advice from the First Reader, her calculations didn't need many revisions or adjustments before the spell worked as she intended. And as such, the spell Laitae's Second Chance was finished.