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The Harpers in 1479

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
christopher_rowe
Oct 05, 2008 9:01:30 Here is what I've found in fourth edition materials concerning Those Who Harp. I've presented the material as an annotated bibliography, and I've almost certainly missed more than one important reference. I seek your input in the form of additions, corrections, refinements, and comments.

Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide by Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, and Chris Sims, 2008.

The FRCG mentions the Harpers at pages 111 and 146.

p. 111: The entry on the Dancing Place mentions the refounding of the Harpers at Twilight (as, simply, "the Harpers") and describes the organization as "now-defunct." This, as we'll see, is a signpost marking the way to an easy assumption that the Harpers are no more, an assumption that the Harpers themselves seek to foster. For just as the Harpers at Twilight, who were founded over a millennium ago in the Year of Freedom's Friends, became the Harpers in 720 (and again in 1022 after being driven underground by attacks from Thay), and were reorganized as the "Harpers of Twilight Hall" in 1321, the Harpers have transformed again. They are now the Harpers of Luruar.

p. 146: In 1357, the Harpers were described as a mysterious organization with unknown aims. Ten years later, in the Year of the Shield, they were merely "semi-secret," and their "meddling" operatives were said to often, and thus not always, operate in secret. By 1372, the existence and nature of the organization was widely enough known that the common folk of the Heartlands and the Sword Coast knew to consider them heroes.

In the Year of the Ageless One, the Harpers are once more deep in the shadows, and secrecy is their watchword. The entry on the Harpers of Luruar describes an organization that sprang up after the disbanding of the previous group so named "nearly a century ago." Eaerlraun Shadowlyn—since assassinated by the Shadovar—"reformed" the group and centered them on Moongleam Tower in Everlund. They are described as a much smaller and much more clandestine group than the Harpers of the fourteenth century. Likewise, the goals given here are much narrower, being focused on the Shadovar, that great threat that likewise occupies the attention of the governments of Luruar, Cormyr, refounded Myth Drannor, and the Dalelands, all hotbeds of past Harper activity. But this narrow focus, as we shall see, is not an exclusive focus.

Forgotten Realms Player's Guide by Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, and Robert J. Schwalb, 2008.

The FRPG entry for Luruar yields Harper lore at page 109.

p. 109: The FRPG tucks much interesting information into the "Adventurers" sections of the individual area entries. Here, we find the suggestion that a player character might consider becoming a Harper of Luruar, which means that such a character would be a "protector by nature" who longs "to see Netheril's Shadovar driven back and the lands of Luruar tamed and civilized." Players who follow this path are advised that they should be confident in their abilities, but secretive about their background.

Although not explicitly tied to the organization, the set of character motivations labeled "World's Safety" immediately adjacent on page 109 will surely draw any would-be Harper's eye. It describes a "world grown increasingly dangerous" and lists threats as diverse as the giants in the nearby Evermoors, to, yes, the Shades, to the Abolethic Sovereignty that floats over the Sea of Fallen Stars, thousands of miles away. A goodly list of goals for an ambitious Harper!

"Epic Faerûn" by Richard Baker. Dragon 367 (September 2008): 17-22.

This article describes the "Harper of Legend" epic destiny, and is, thus far, the most richly loaded vein of fifteenth century Harper lore.

The background information for the epic destiny recounts one version of the legend of the 720 founding. It fines down the date of Earlraun Shadowlyn's refounding to "sixty years ago," some three decades after the murder of Mystra, and reveals that the previous iteration of the Harpers were "overwhelmed" in the Wailing Years following that terrible event and the Spellplague it unleashed.

The article goes on to give gaming form to the powers and abilities gifted to a Harper of Legend, those individuals who might have been called "High Harpers" in the previous century. The goddesses Mielikki and Tymora each grant the most powerful Harpers special abilities, and the education well-traveled Harpers receive in the hard school of Faerûn's roads is reflected in the powers as well.

Finally, a section of the article is given over to "Harper Membership," which greatly expands upon the information offered in the FRPG. This describes how player characters might join the organization after they've already begun their adventuring careers, and the types of missions that might be carried out in a Harper campaign, making special mention of Netheril to be sure, but more generally concerned with combating "oppression in any form."

This, then, is the fourth edition Harper lore thus far.
#2
Proin
Oct 10, 2008 1:35:30 13xx is the 14th century. we are currently near the end of the 15th century in 1479DR, the Year of the Ageless one.

basically you're a full century off on all your lore.
#3
christopher_rowe
Oct 10, 2008 7:33:07
13xx is the 14th century. we are currently near the end of the 15th century in 1479DR, the Year of the Ageless one.

basically you're a full century off on all your lore.

Excellent catch! Thanks for the close reading. Maybe better to say that my use of the naming conventions were off and not "my" lore. The lore's accurate as far as I can tell except for those two slips, which thanks again to you, I've now corrected. Did you find any inaccuracies with the substance of the piece?

Thanks!
#4
Stigger
Nov 10, 2008 1:38:50 I'm going to guess that the Harpers of Luiren on the page 111 reference is a mistake... ;)
#5
christopher_rowe
Nov 10, 2008 11:11:33
I'm going to guess that the Harpers of Luiren on the page 111 reference is a mistake... ;)

No, no. All Harpers are now merhalflings patrolling the Gulf of Luiren, didn't you know?

( ;) Thanks! I'll fix it!)
#6
Stigger
Nov 10, 2008 16:40:09 Didn't know that... might have to use that in my own campaign actually, considering the chuckle it gave me. :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 christopher_rowe Oct 05, 2008 9:01:30	Here is what I've found in fourth edition materials concerning Those Who Harp. I've presented the material as an annotated bibliography, and I've almost certainly missed more than one important reference. I seek your input in the form of additions, corrections, refinements, and comments. Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide by Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, and Chris Sims, 2008. The FRCG mentions the Harpers at pages 111 and 146. p. 111: The entry on the Dancing Place mentions the refounding of the Harpers at Twilight (as, simply, "the Harpers") and describes the organization as "now-defunct." This, as we'll see, is a signpost marking the way to an easy assumption that the Harpers are no more, an assumption that the Harpers themselves seek to foster. For just as the Harpers at Twilight, who were founded over a millennium ago in the Year of Freedom's Friends, became the Harpers in 720 (and again in 1022 after being driven underground by attacks from Thay), and were reorganized as the "Harpers of Twilight Hall" in 1321, the Harpers have transformed again. They are now the Harpers of Luruar. p. 146: In 1357, the Harpers were described as a mysterious organization with unknown aims. Ten years later, in the Year of the Shield, they were merely "semi-secret," and their "meddling" operatives were said to often, and thus not always, operate in secret. By 1372, the existence and nature of the organization was widely enough known that the common folk of the Heartlands and the Sword Coast knew to consider them heroes. In the Year of the Ageless One, the Harpers are once more deep in the shadows, and secrecy is their watchword. The entry on the Harpers of Luruar describes an organization that sprang up after the disbanding of the previous group so named "nearly a century ago." Eaerlraun Shadowlyn—since assassinated by the Shadovar—"reformed" the group and centered them on Moongleam Tower in Everlund. They are described as a much smaller and much more clandestine group than the Harpers of the fourteenth century. Likewise, the goals given here are much narrower, being focused on the Shadovar, that great threat that likewise occupies the attention of the governments of Luruar, Cormyr, refounded Myth Drannor, and the Dalelands, all hotbeds of past Harper activity. But this narrow focus, as we shall see, is not an exclusive focus. Forgotten Realms Player's Guide by Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, and Robert J. Schwalb, 2008. The FRPG entry for Luruar yields Harper lore at page 109. p. 109: The FRPG tucks much interesting information into the "Adventurers" sections of the individual area entries. Here, we find the suggestion that a player character might consider becoming a Harper of Luruar, which means that such a character would be a "protector by nature" who longs "to see Netheril's Shadovar driven back and the lands of Luruar tamed and civilized." Players who follow this path are advised that they should be confident in their abilities, but secretive about their background. Although not explicitly tied to the organization, the set of character motivations labeled "World's Safety" immediately adjacent on page 109 will surely draw any would-be Harper's eye. It describes a "world grown increasingly dangerous" and lists threats as diverse as the giants in the nearby Evermoors, to, yes, the Shades, to the Abolethic Sovereignty that floats over the Sea of Fallen Stars, thousands of miles away. A goodly list of goals for an ambitious Harper! "Epic Faerûn" by Richard Baker. Dragon 367 (September 2008): 17-22. This article describes the "Harper of Legend" epic destiny, and is, thus far, the most richly loaded vein of fifteenth century Harper lore. The background information for the epic destiny recounts one version of the legend of the 720 founding. It fines down the date of Earlraun Shadowlyn's refounding to "sixty years ago," some three decades after the murder of Mystra, and reveals that the previous iteration of the Harpers were "overwhelmed" in the Wailing Years following that terrible event and the Spellplague it unleashed. The article goes on to give gaming form to the powers and abilities gifted to a Harper of Legend, those individuals who might have been called "High Harpers" in the previous century. The goddesses Mielikki and Tymora each grant the most powerful Harpers special abilities, and the education well-traveled Harpers receive in the hard school of Faerûn's roads is reflected in the powers as well. Finally, a section of the article is given over to "Harper Membership," which greatly expands upon the information offered in the FRPG. This describes how player characters might join the organization after they've already begun their adventuring careers, and the types of missions that might be carried out in a Harper campaign, making special mention of Netheril to be sure, but more generally concerned with combating "oppression in any form." This, then, is the fourth edition Harper lore thus far.
#2 Proin Oct 10, 2008 1:35:30	13xx is the 14th century. we are currently near the end of the 15th century in 1479DR, the Year of the Ageless one. basically you're a full century off on all your lore.
#3 christopher_rowe Oct 10, 2008 7:33:07	13xx is the 14th century. we are currently near the end of the 15th century in 1479DR, the Year of the Ageless one. basically you're a full century off on all your lore. Excellent catch! Thanks for the close reading. Maybe better to say that my use of the naming conventions were off and not "my" lore. The lore's accurate as far as I can tell except for those two slips, which thanks again to you, I've now corrected. Did you find any inaccuracies with the substance of the piece? Thanks!
#4 Stigger Nov 10, 2008 1:38:50	I'm going to guess that the Harpers of Luiren on the page 111 reference is a mistake... ;)
#5 christopher_rowe Nov 10, 2008 11:11:33	I'm going to guess that the Harpers of Luiren on the page 111 reference is a mistake... ;) No, no. All Harpers are now merhalflings patrolling the Gulf of Luiren, didn't you know? ( ;) Thanks! I'll fix it!)
#6 Stigger Nov 10, 2008 16:40:09	Didn't know that... might have to use that in my own campaign actually, considering the chuckle it gave me. :D