But I can't find a single place online or in Code of the Harpers that actually says what it really looks like, other than it's small enough to fit under the inside folds of a lady's gloves (if a female harper doesn't want to wear it openly).
So is there any place that describes the Harper Pin in detail? Are they all the same, or do they differ in appearance? Maybe it looks more like a lyre, as those are popular harps for bards in the Realms? Gah!
Maybe they're described in a novel, and I just can't remember which one? Or do most people assume they're tiny silver harps?
It's seriously bugging me that I can't find a description, lol!
I think it'd be safe to assume that a Harper pin is a pin with the Harpers' symbol on it (a circular device with stars at 12,3,6 and 9 o'clock, around a crescent moon, around a harp). Since the individual members of the organization don't know all the other members, it'd have to be fairly standardized to be useful, otherwise anyone with access to a silversmith could pass themselves off as an agent.
I think it'd be safe to assume that a Harper pin is a pin with the Harpers' symbol on it (a circular device with stars at 12,3,6 and 9 o'clock, around a crescent moon, around a harp). Since the individual members of the organization don't know all the other members, it'd have to be fairly standardized to be useful, otherwise anyone with access to a silversmith could pass themselves off as an agent
I think you mean like this:
And definitely that's possible... I just wish I had a reference for sure. In Code of the Harpers, they detail a spell that causes the harper pin to grow into a life-sized playable harp... I guess that's what's leading me down the path of thinking it looks more like a tiny harp. But for sure it could be their main symbol as above.
Ed has answered some questions regarding Harper pins over at Candlekeep:
* "Is there any set size for one? I'm guessing that it's small, but how small exactly?"
I'd say "usual size" rather than "set size" (there are a few exceptions, mainly tiny "charms" worn on anklets and other fine chains or as earring pendants by ladies, that serve for Harper recognition and have a few limited powers [can be magically traced by other Harpers, cover wearer entirely with a magical aura that makes all of them seem magical, and foils alignment- reading and all surface-thought-reading attempts] rather than the usual range. Most Harper pins are about two inches across, though there are also a few larger "show" pins, up to twice that size.
* "Are there any protections against it being discovered from a 'pat-down', or is it up to the agent to make sure its kept very well hidden?"
Most pins can be touched and a word spoken, to make them seem (to everyone not employing magically-augmented, illusion-piercing vision, except the person activating this power, who sees the pin as a "glowing Harper pin") like a set "other thing" (usually an old, slightly shabby brooch, usually with a flower or butterfly motif; in other words, an obviously "family heirloom" piece rather than something worth stealing for its intrinsic gem or metal value; some pins resemble battered personal holy symbols). This illusion lasts until the activator de-activates it again (or anyone else who knows the right word does so, by touch and speech), but doesn't fool the fingers of anyone. Yes, Harpers usually keep pins hidden rather than displaying them disguised, except in Berdusk or at Storm's farmhouse or "open Harper functions." A pat-down will discover them, so bearers fearing discovery will hide their pins somewhere (not on their persons), or if they have long hair work the pins deep into hair above the back of their necks, or if female and well-endowed will slip them up and under the curve of their breasts, or if fat will ditto with belly overhangs, or even wrap them against pain and slip them into body cavities.
* "Are there stacks of them in safekeeping somewhere, or do they only get made for when a new member is joining the Harpers?"
There aren't "stacks," no, but there are caches of pins ready for new Harpers. If love or deep regard or friendship is involved between an existing Harper and a new one, the veteran Harper may well help make a pin for the new one. Pins with a large range of powers do of course require magically-gifted crafters of sufficient levels.
* "Do they even get passed down through the generations, from Harper to Harper?"
Yes, many Harper pins get passed down, their powers sometimes decaying over time or being augmented or altered by various owners. There are even "haunted" Harper pins that bear the whispering or mind-speaking sentiences of former Harper bearers, that communicate with later wearers.
I always assumed each was at least a little unique, since I just can't bring myself to equate mass production (even in the limited sense that has in the Realms) with enchantment-grade items. I usually envisioned them like the pin-image you posted there Jorunhast.
I've always liked the idea that it's a miniature harp. Just wish I could know for sure.
Ah, interesting! Thanks Silversword, I didn't see that over at Candlekeep.
No prob. Ive been workin my way through the ask Ed scrolls, I just recently came across that little tidbit about the pins, so Id thought Id share it, cause thats just the kinda guy I am.
"When you see the device of a silver moon and a silver harp, you face a Harper."
He looked down at what he was turning over and over in his fingers, as if seeing it for the first time. "A silver harp," he said thoughtfully. "I thought the badge of the Harpers was a silver moon and a silver harp."
"The silver moon was my mother's badge... her kin came from the city of Silverymoon," Storm said softly. "But Harpers have a better answer. Mirt?"
Mirt smiled. He put his arm around Asper and growled, "The harp is the Harper. The moon need not be part of the badge-for as the motto says: Harpers hunt by moonlight."
If she could have worn the silver moon and harp badge of the Harpers . . .
she revealed a tiny silver harp pendant
It was a silver harp pendant: the badge of a Harper
So sometimes a moon and harp, sometimes a harp.
Harper pins appear and are described quite a few times in Ed's novels. For instance:"When you see the device of a silver moon and a silver harp, you face a Harper."
He looked down at what he was turning over and over in his fingers, as if seeing it for the first time. "A silver harp," he said thoughtfully. "I thought the badge of the Harpers was a silver moon and a silver harp."
"The silver moon was my mother's badge... her kin came from the city of Silverymoon," Storm said softly. "But Harpers have a better answer. Mirt?"
Mirt smiled. He put his arm around Asper and growled, "The harp is the Harper. The moon need not be part of the badge-for as the motto says: Harpers hunt by moonlight."
If she could have worn the silver moon and harp badge of the Harpers . . .
she revealed a tiny silver harp pendant
It was a silver harp pendant: the badge of a Harper
So sometimes a moon and harp, sometimes a harp.
Awesome, thanks! =)
From Azure Bonds, and FR7 Hall of Heroes under Olive Ruskettle
"In addition to a number of wonderful
songs and a wealth of material for new
tales, Olive gained another very special
gift from her adventures with Alias.
Because the halfling helped to rescue
the Nameless Bard from Cassanas
dungeon, the true bard, a Harper, gave
Olive his small, silver harp and crescent
moon pin, the symbol of the Harpers."
Without the moon, it is just a harp, not a harper. (imho)