The Harpers

One of the most extensive of the good aligned societies in the Realms, the Harpers can be found throughout the Heartlands from Waterdeep to Ilpiltur, with agents ranging even further into the lands of Thay, Calimshan, and the barbarian lands to the North. They are a loose, though powerful, organization devoted to the idea of maintaining peace between the various cities of the Heartlands and protecting the land and its people from goblins, gods, and the greedy.

The Harpers found their origins in an adventuring company several hundred winters ago. It was made up primarily of bards, druids, and rangers. Since that time its members have aged (and many have died) and new members have joined so that now it is widely spread throughout the North. Even without any central control, however, its members maintain close adherence to the overall goals and philosophies of the group.

Harper aims are many, but can be summarised in the following informal code:

* The Harpers work to protect the peaceful nations and cities of Cormyr, Sembia, the Dales, and the Trade Cities from danger.
* Such dangers include the goblin tribes, foreign operations such as those of Amn and Thay, and the operatives of such evil groups as the Zhentarim and Cult of the Dragon.
* The Harpers seek to maintain the balance between wild and civilised, between settled and natural, and between man and nature.
* The Harpers preserve the tales of those who passed before, so that those who come after may learn from their experiences.
* Members must place the good of the Harpers and advancement of the Harpers' aims over personal achievement. Though many of the Harpers have risen to positions of power throughout the Realms, the raw acquisition of temporal power is not their main effort. Khelben Arunsun, the Blackstaff of Waterdeep and its main wizard, will tell all that his main purpose in attaining his position is to be better informed and more capable of protecting the city from outside attacks.
* The Harpers police their own: A Harper who behaves in a harmful manner or violates the ideals of the Harpers will have the support of the Harpers removed. If necessary, he will be imprisoned or even slain.

The Harpers are meddlers by nature. This is apparent from the approximately half-dozen plots, plans, and situations they are involved in at any one time. Usually they are occupied with finding out what everyone else is up to and, if it disturbs the relative peace and tranquility of their part of the world, moving (as secretly as they can manage) against it. They can be subtle, but often blunt attacks deserve blunt ripostes in order to prevent future attacks.

The Harpers prefer small government to large nations and free men to despots. They work with King Azoun of Cormyr when it suits them, but sometimes (as in the long-term takeover of Tilverton) will frustrate and delay his forces. Azoun's wizard Vangerderhast has a long-standing grudge against the Harpers, though this may be a personal rivalry with some of the powerful wizards who are allied with the Harpers (in particular Elminster and Khelben).

The Harpers' greatest strength is not in armies, but in individuals (including some who have armies at their disposal). Talent is the Harpers' greatest asset. Most Harpers are active or retired adventurers who have either attained or can attain great power through their natural abilities. Their numbers include the elders listed above as well as a large group of agents scattered throughout the Heartlands.

Long-term Harpers include such notables as the Wizard Khelben of Waterdeep, the High Lady of Silverymoon Alustriel, and Finder Wyvernspur, said to be one of the original Harpers.