Disclaimer: I don't own any of the names, characters, setting contained within. Bioware/Black Isle/Interplay does. (Except Valaris - he's mine)
I
Sendai worshiped knowledge. The name the monks gave it was 'Oghma'; others called it 'Deneir'. Gods: the personified facets of powers greater than she. Magic was her passion, learning her love. The intricacies of rite were a language of their own; tomes were a means of recital and record, and practical knowledge a wisdom of its own. Sciences, mathematics, the mysteries… these were what made life worth living. Generally, the monks agreed with her pursuit of knowledge; her sister did not.
Illasera favoured more martial pursuits. The less noble arts of dicing and cards were by-products of barrack life. The guards called them, jokingly regarding them as 'night' and 'day'; no one dared dub them 'Shar' and 'Selûne' though; some blasphemies went too far.
From the offset, it was clear they were no ordinary elves. For one, despite Sendai's obsidian skin and bloodstone eyes, she lacked the temperament of her dark brethren; sitting in the library, she was an isle of tranquillity amongst a sea of open tomes. In the open air, she walked through the sunlight unblinking. Coarse language did not become her; taunts and jeers she ignored. Little fazed her.
By contrast, Illasera was fair, more weathered than snow, and her sea-green eyes were fiery. In some light, her gaze appeared blue, but no matter the hue, it was always fierce. Head high and proud, she strode with confidence, a tigress prowling through the grounds. Almost haughty, she disdained the staff for the knife; scarily adept at both, her dexterity knew no equal and hers was the flashing, spinning steel, flung or flourished for no other purpose than training. Despite that, both held their own counsel, though words were often exchanged, heated against calm.
Generally, it was agreed that the gods had erred, and somehow switched the sisters' souls.
Candlekeep was their haven, their home. A fortress and bastion of knowledge, it was a sanctuary for few; many could not afford it. A tome of immense value was demanded for entry, and the monks had their own community. There were ways and means inside; the monks retained servants, and the grounds a tavern. The shrines dedicated to Oghma occasionally required acolytes, and then there were the guards.
An able individual could scale the walls, Illasera scathingly pointed out, and evade the patrols. The Gatewarden's response had been to double the watch. Never popular to begin with, Illasera's repute plummeted and several chose to take it out in sparring. Few overcame her and she took it as a personal challenge to best all on the field. Grudgingly, she won their respect, not that it mattered to her. What others thought never did.
Since the Iron Crisis, the 'Keep was locked up tighter than usual. Crossbows that saw little use beyond the habitual loose at immobile targets, made a more regular appearance, though as with the sparring, practice remained casual. Few bandits dare venture near the walls. In Candlekeep, a warden's life was a lark, Winthrop the innkeep often commented, but they took his watered ale all the same.
Sendai often wondered about going back.