Harpers

The Harpers are a semi-secret organization dedicated to promoting good, preserving history and maintaining a balance between civilisation and nature. Those Who Harp are are lead by a council of High Harpers, who are repsonsbible for most of the long-term planning for the organization. High Harpers are elected through the means of secret ballots among the other High Harpers, with the criteria being long time servic, and discretion in the implementatoin of the Harpers' plans. Most members are either good/neutral-aligned Rangers or Bards, though rogues also have their uses in an intelligence-gathering group like the Harpers. Three prestige classes are tied to the Harpers, Harper cout, Harper paragon and Harper Agent.

They operate mainly in the north of Faerun, along the Sword Coast, Western Heartlands and the Dalelands. The group itself is extremely decentralized and the nearest thing they have to a base of operations is Twilight Hall in Berdusk. An often employed means of achieving their goals is assisting adventurers who are on quests that would further Harper interests.

Powerful individuals such as Elminster the Sage, Alustriel Silverhand, Dove Falconhand and Storm Silverhand support the Harpers. But equally powerful forces oppose the Harpers, such as the Cult of the Dragon, the Iron Throne, the Red Wizards of Thay, the Zhentarim, and in particular the revived church of Bane, Lord of Strife.

A schism formed in the group after Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun's methods were frowned upon by the other High Harpers. He left the organization and formed a like-minded group based in Waterdeep known as the Tel Teukiira (elven for "the Moonstars"). The Blackstaff, and Lady Arunsun lead this faction of the Harpers in a much more focused effort than the High Harpers are comfortable with in their own organization, although the two groups goals remain largely interchangable.