The Code of the Harpers
Encyclopedia
The Code of the Harpers is an accessory for the fictional Forgotten Realms
campaign setting
for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
. The book, with product code TSR 9390, was published in 1993, and was written by Ed Greenwood
, with cover art by Jeff Easley
and interior art by Scott Rosema.
or rangers
, and most seek to thwart evil when they can, in their own small ways. Page 19, Harper Runes, displays a number of runes used by Harpers to send messages to one another. Pages 20-36, The History of the Harpers, is as detailed a history of the organization as possible, stating that their origins go back to the ancient days of Myth Drannor
. Pages 37-39, The Harpers Today, details the activities of the Harpers as of the writing of the book (1367 Dalereckoning
). Pages 40-41, Master Harpers, describes the abilities of some of the most powerful members of the organization, who have been granted special blessings from a deity (usually Deneir, Eldath, Lliira, Mielikki
, Milil
, Mystra
, Oghma, Selûne
, Silvanus, or Tymora). Pages 42-52, The Senior Harpers, describes several powerful members of the organization: Alustriel Silverhand, Belhuar Thantarth, Cylyria Dragonbreast, Dove Falconhand, Elminster, Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun, Laeral Silverhand, Obslin Minstrelwish, and Storm Silverhand. Pages 53-61, Harper Heroes, details a number of characters previously featured in published Forgotten Realms
novels, such as Artus Cimber, Brenna Graycloak, Myrmeen Lhal, Arilyn Moonblade, Olive Ruskettle, Danilo Thann, and Finder Wyvernspur
. Pages 62-71, Some Selected Harpers, details the game statistics for a number of non-player character
Harpers, such as Mintiper Moonsilver, and a partial roll of Harpers found in major cities throughout the Realms. Pages 73-81, The High Heralds, details those who were once part of the Harpers and are still their allies. Pages 82-84, Harper Allies, described a few characters who are not Harpers but are considered friends, including The Simbul. Pages 85-99, Harper Haunts, described a number of locations frequented by Harpers. Pages 100-101, Harper Magic: Spells, details the spells of the Harpers, including one very powerful spell. Pages 102-116, Harper Magic: Magical Items, presents numerous magical items
likely to be found in the possession of a Harper. Pages 118-120, Foes of the Harpers, described some of the enemies made by the Harpers, including the Zhentarim
, the Red Wizards of Thay, the Cult of the Dragon
, and more. Pages 121-122, Joining the Harpers, explains the ways by which prospective members may seek to join the organization. Pages 123-126, Harper Ballads, presents a selection of ballads and tunes sung by the Harpers. Page 127 ends the book with a description and monster statistics of the spectral harpist, a type of undead
, of which Syluné is one.
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. The book, with product code TSR 9390, was published in 1993, and was written by Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood
Ed Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
, with cover art by Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
and interior art by Scott Rosema.
Contents
The 128-page book begins with a two-page prologue written from the perspective of a number of fictional characters including Storm Silverhand, Danilo Thann, and Elminster. Page 5 is an introduction by Ed Greenwood explaining that this book is about the fictional Harpers organization, and thus begins with a story about them. Pages 6-18, The Code of the Harpers, explains what a Harper is and what they do; they are a secretive organization, making them hard to define, most are bardsBard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The bard is a standard playable character class in many editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The bard class is versatile, capable of combat and of magic . Bards use their artistic talents to induce magical effects...
or rangers
Ranger (Dungeons & Dragons)
The ranger is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They are protectors of nature, skilled woodsmen, and often live reclusive lives as hermits....
, and most seek to thwart evil when they can, in their own small ways. Page 19, Harper Runes, displays a number of runes used by Harpers to send messages to one another. Pages 20-36, The History of the Harpers, is as detailed a history of the organization as possible, stating that their origins go back to the ancient days of Myth Drannor
Myth Drannor
Myth Drannor, formerly known as Cormanthor, the City of Song, is a fictional elven city in the Forgotten Realms world. It is located in the area called Cormanthyr.-Fictional history:...
. Pages 37-39, The Harpers Today, details the activities of the Harpers as of the writing of the book (1367 Dalereckoning
Calendars in the Forgotten Realms
In the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, years are referred to by names, each name is not consistent across the Realms. This helps alleviate any confusion from multiple writers using different names for the same year...
). Pages 40-41, Master Harpers, describes the abilities of some of the most powerful members of the organization, who have been granted special blessings from a deity (usually Deneir, Eldath, Lliira, Mielikki
Mielikki (Forgotten Realms)
Mielikki is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Mielikki is the goddess of autumn, druids, dryads, forests, forest creatures, and rangers. Her symbol is a gold-horned, blue-eyed unicorn's head facing left, and her...
, Milil
Milil
Milil is the fictional god of song and poetry in the Forgotten Realms setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:...
, Mystra
Mystra (goddess)
Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.She is the Mistress of Magic and Mother of Mysteries who guides the Weave of magic that envelops the world. She tends to the weave constantly, making possible all the...
, Oghma, Selûne
Sélune
The Sélune is a 91 km long river in the Manche department, Normandy, France, beginning near Saint-Cyr-du-Bailleul. It empties into the bay of Mont Saint-Michel near Avranches, close to the mouth of the Sée river. Other towns along the Sélune are Barenton, Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët and...
, Silvanus, or Tymora). Pages 42-52, The Senior Harpers, describes several powerful members of the organization: Alustriel Silverhand, Belhuar Thantarth, Cylyria Dragonbreast, Dove Falconhand, Elminster, Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun, Laeral Silverhand, Obslin Minstrelwish, and Storm Silverhand. Pages 53-61, Harper Heroes, details a number of characters previously featured in published Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
novels, such as Artus Cimber, Brenna Graycloak, Myrmeen Lhal, Arilyn Moonblade, Olive Ruskettle, Danilo Thann, and Finder Wyvernspur
Finder Wyvernspur
In the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Finder Wyvernspur is a relatively new power raised to divinity by acquiring the divine spark of the deceased god Moander....
. Pages 62-71, Some Selected Harpers, details the game statistics for a number of non-player character
Non-player character
A non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
Harpers, such as Mintiper Moonsilver, and a partial roll of Harpers found in major cities throughout the Realms. Pages 73-81, The High Heralds, details those who were once part of the Harpers and are still their allies. Pages 82-84, Harper Allies, described a few characters who are not Harpers but are considered friends, including The Simbul. Pages 85-99, Harper Haunts, described a number of locations frequented by Harpers. Pages 100-101, Harper Magic: Spells, details the spells of the Harpers, including one very powerful spell. Pages 102-116, Harper Magic: Magical Items, presents numerous magical items
Magic item (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a magic item is any object that has magical powers inherent in it. These may act on their own or be the tools of the character in whose hands they fall into. Magic items have been prevalent in the game in every edition and setting, from the...
likely to be found in the possession of a Harper. Pages 118-120, Foes of the Harpers, described some of the enemies made by the Harpers, including the Zhentarim
Zhentarim
The Zhentarim is a fictional organization in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Also known as the Black Network, it is an evil organization based on the continent of Faerûn. One of its goals is to dominate the lands from the Moonsea to the...
, the Red Wizards of Thay, the Cult of the Dragon
Cult of the Dragon
The Cult of the Dragon is a fictional, semi-religious, evil organization in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The cult worships dragons, believing they will rule the world in the future and will keep them as monarchs next in line. Sammaster, a mage...
, and more. Pages 121-122, Joining the Harpers, explains the ways by which prospective members may seek to join the organization. Pages 123-126, Harper Ballads, presents a selection of ballads and tunes sung by the Harpers. Page 127 ends the book with a description and monster statistics of the spectral harpist, a type of undead
Undead (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, undead is a classification of monsters that can be encountered by player characters. Undead creatures are most often once-living creatures, which have been animated by spiritual or supernatural forces....
, of which Syluné is one.