Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Zyorron Feb 22, 2011 14:28:05	Last I heard the Harpers were disbanded. Who had the authority to do this? I had heard the Harpers had a very loose heirarchy and pretty much did whatever they chose as long as they floated around the neutral (leaning toward good) alignment, and worked against evil. Would some kind person give me an update on Harpers in the post-spellplague world, or at least provide a link? Thanx!
#2 The_Silversword Feb 22, 2011 18:52:06	Last I heard the Harpers were disbanded. Who had the authority to do this? I had heard the Harpers had a very loose heirarchy and pretty much did whatever they chose as long as they floated around the neutral (leaning toward good) alignment, and worked against evil. Would some kind person give me an update on Harpers in the post-spellplague world, or at least provide a link? Thanx! THey were disbanded for awhile, im not sure of the exact dates, but theyve since reformed, the main difference with the new harpers is that they focus more on thwarting the shades, as opposed to the earlier Harpers who took on everybody.
#3 meldread Feb 22, 2011 20:32:03	To be fair, though, that's only the Harpers of Luruar. Page 146 of the 4E FRCG: "The Faerûn-spanning organization known as the Harpers disbanded nearly a century ago. However, in the city of Everlund is Moongleam Tower, a Harper hold of old. When Netheril returned, a remnant of the old organization re-formed. Under the leadership of Eaerlraun Shadowlyn, the small organization is dedicated to one purpose: opposing the growing power of the Shadovar. When Eaerlraun was later assassinated by Shadovar assassins for his effrontery, the old, oft-ignored rule of keeping one’s Harper membership secret gained new meaning and purpose. Even with the assassination of Eaerlraun, the fledgling organization persists. Today, Moongleam Tower serves as the only known Harper hold in all Faerûn. Rather than housing Harpers, the clandestine leadership based in the tower is a patron to all who wish to take the secret pledge against the Shadovar and all ill that emerges from Shadow." There may be other Harper groups throughout the Realms working in secret.  We just don't know.  It's largely up to the DM to decide.
#4 Stigger Feb 23, 2011 2:36:02	*grumbles something about those Everlund lunatics not being "Real" Harpers, bunch of amateur poseurs really...* *wanders off once more*
#5 pruano Feb 25, 2011 11:58:02	*grumbles something about those Everlund lunatics not being "Real" Harpers, bunch of amateur poseurs really...* *wanders off once more* Ya, the Harper situation is one of the most badly handled changes in 4th Ed FR; there are some nuggets of info in Dragon 367, but thats about it. What happened to their base in Silverymoon? Berdusk doesnt even get a reference in the Elturgard entry, nor what happened with High Lady Cylyria Dragonbreast and her Lords' Alliance with neighboring independent cities (which in 4th Ed seem to be under the rule or allied with Elturel, including Berdusk). Also, nothing is known about the Watergate branch, the Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun Moonstars, AFAIK. Im using a house setting: - a new branch was created in New Velar (former Harrowdale) in HarrowDale, with support from Mith Drannor, the Burghers od HarrowDale and certain members from ShadowDale, and follow the secrecy ways of the Shadowdale harpers; New Velar is a very good strategic point due to its proximity to both enemies (Zhentarins in the Moonsea and Shades in Netheril/Sembia/Netheril controlled Dales) and allies (Mith Drannor, which is assuming a more proactive atitude, and the rest of the Dales). - Twighlight Hall was destroyed during the Spellplague, effectivelly destroying the most visible branch of the Harpers; internal disputes that follow lead to the proclaimed desbanding. - no word has come from Watergate - Silverymoon members split between Everlund and the new branch of New Velar, giving even more credit to the disbanding.
#6 meldread Feb 25, 2011 16:23:25	I don't mind how the Harper's were handled, the entry in the FRCG more-or-less points out that it is the only known branch of the Harpers. That doesn't preclude others from existing. So, its perfectly acceptable to view the Everlund group as a bunch of poseurs. In my Realms, after the Spellplague Twilight Hall was destroyed. In a number of separate events most of the senior leadership of the Harpers were either killed or successfully incapacitated. Those that survived went into deep secrecy. It appears that the Harpers have disbanded, but most of those who hold real power know the truth. The organization that was once the Harpers is fractured into a thousand little pieces. The branches that survived work independently of one another, though there is a method of communication between the branches - primarily for passing valuable and important information. Each Harper cell creates its own rules and regulations. Everlund is an outside group, with no real affiliation to the network that currently exists. Those in Everlund likely believe that THEY are the last of the Harpers, which suits the aims and goals of the Harpers just fine. No one applies to join the Harpers. If an individual catches their eye, they are secretly watched and evaluated. The Harpers may even find ways to test them. Outside of this protocol different cells have different methods of moving forward. Some require a vote of all members of the cell to approach, while others are slightly more lax. If at all possible they are not approached directly; the Harpers will attempt to send a written message. They'd then stage a meeting place for the individual seeking to join. The individual would be instructed to come alone, and the Harpers will arrive early, set look outs, and attempt to remain hidden. Only one individual, normally working very hard to conceal his identity will be in the open. If the prospective member refuses to join they must swear an oath of secrecy. If they refuse to swear that oath then the Harpers will attempt to kill that individual. If they swear the oath but later betray it, and the Harpers find out, they will also attempt to kill that individual. If they accept the meeting, you're basically looking at an offer you can't refuse moment. Assuming the individual accepts the offer then they'd begin the path of becoming a Harper. They'd be assigned someone whose job is to teach them the ways of Those Who Harp. They'd be tested more directly – to probe their trustworthiness, their willingness to engage in self-sacrifice, and their hubris. Their actions are evaluated, and if they're deemed acceptable by the Harper cell they're invited to join the organization as a full member. Becoming a full member of the Harpers is normally accompanied by a small initiation ceremony with all or most of the members present. This is a sign of trust in their new brother / sister. Revealing their identities is the biggest liability for Those Who Harp, as they range from the powerful all the way down to beggars on the street. The Harpers are not an adventurers guild, in fact, it is very hard for adventurers to join as they're likely to have conflicting loyalties. The Harpers don't discriminate, however, and anyone regardless of their station in society may join. During the ceremony the prospective member will be expected to know, understand, and recite the Code of the Harpers. The Code is generally universal throughout the entire organization. The Code is as follows: I pledge, while being always mindful of the consequences of my actions, to work against villainy and wickedness wherever I find it. I pledge to uphold the right of all beings to walk free of fear and subjugation. All beings have the right to live their lives as they deem fit, provided that it does not infringe upon others doing the same. I pledge to uphold only laws that are just, aid peace, and foster freedom. I shall be ever mindful that even a good law can become bad if it is not enforced with lenience and understanding. I pledge to seek balance in all my actions for no extreme is good. There must be balance in all things; whether it is balance between kingdoms, civilization branching into the wilderness, or the influence of one individual being over another. I pledge to sacrifice part of my own freedom so that I may protect the freedom of others. Humbleness and self-sacrifice are the deeds of a true Harper. I pledge to keep a secret record of all my doings. Without a past, no being can appreciate what they have, and where they may be going. I pledge to take the life of any who betray the Harpers and its secrets. The Harpers police their own. A Harper who hears the call of personal power can no longer hear the sweet song of the Harp. Traitors must die for freedom to live. The Harpers are not very welcomed in many lands, even lands generally considered good natured. This is due to their penchant of working against the law and their tendency to meddle in political affairs. This is the greatest reason they must remain secret. As a general rule, all Harpers are considered equal to one another, regardless of the station they may hold outside the organization. Even the lowliest beggar has equal say to the highest of the highborn. This is not to say that people don't defer to one another. That's not the case at all. Certain members garner more respect than others, and this normally works out to make senior members have more sway that junior members. Each cell is fiercely independent from the others. If one cell should fall or become compromised the secrecy of the others should remain safe. However, communication between the cells is of vital importance. As a result, virtually all cells have a number of contact points that allow them to get in touch with neighboring cells. These are generally roadside Inns. Passing merchants are paid to pick up letters addressed to certain individuals and deliver them to another location. There they are picked up by a member of another cell. The messages are always written in a secret Harper Code, known only to a select few members of each cell. (It is not that all the other members aren't fully trusted, its just that the more people that know the greater the risk, and while no true Harper would willingly betray Those Who Harp, there are magical methods of extracting information from ones mind. As a result, low profile individuals who are almost never going to be targeted will be used. This pretty much excludes any adventurer.) As a result of this it can take some time for information to spread across the entire network of cells. This is the trade off for the level of secrecy they employ, and a strong incentive to stay ahead of their enemies. This is how I use the Harpers in my Realms. The Moonstars continue to exist as well, though they're more open, are based out of Waterdeep and primarily operate along the Sword Coast. The Blackstaff Tower serves as their base of operations, and the Blackstaff is always the leader of the organization. In my Realms, the last of Khelben's heirs are dead, but the spirits of all the former Blackstaff exist in the Tower (excluding Khelben). They choose the new title holder from among the existing members of the Moonstars, and the new title holder becomes the owner of Blackstaff Tower. The Blackstaff, of course, is always a wizard of some sort, usually a powerful one. Every Blackstaff is expected to add at least one additional magical floor to the Tower.
#7 sfdragon Feb 27, 2011 13:08:11	the moonstars disbanded or where killed off when they and the Blackstaff went off to fight a vampire. the half drow now half elf took the blackstaff back to the tower and then became the new Blackstaff at that point in the 100 years of darkness. the only new deal with the moonstars is in Steven Shends novel "Blackstaff Tower".
#8 pruano Feb 27, 2011 17:02:03	the moonstars disbanded or where killed off when they and the Blackstaff went off to fight a vampire. Can you give a reference? the half drow now half elf took the blackstaff back to the tower and then became the new Blackstaff at that point in the 100 years of darkness. the only new deal with the moonstars is in Steven Shends novel "Blackstaff Tower". Is this canon? I didnt understand your last sentence; are moonstars referenced in Blackstaff Tower?
#9 christopher_rowe Mar 04, 2011 9:22:16	There are quite a few nuggets about the various active Harpers organizations in the latest Eye on the Realms article (March '11).
#10 sfdragon Mar 04, 2011 17:33:42	the moonstars disbanded or where killed off when they and the Blackstaff went off to fight a vampire. Can you give a reference? the half drow now half elf took the blackstaff back to the tower and then became the new Blackstaff at that point in the 100 years of darkness. the only new deal with the moonstars is in Steven Shends novel "Blackstaff Tower". Is this canon? I didnt understand your last sentence; are moonstars referenced in Blackstaff Tower? yes thye are referenced in that novel.