The Code of the Harpers

Last updated
The Code of the Harpers
FOR4 TSR9390 The Code of the Harpers.jpg
Author Ed Greenwood
Genre Role-playing game
Publisher TSR
Publication date
1993
Pages128

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 was written by Ed Greenwood and was published by TSR. [1] The module featured cover art by Jeff Easley and interior art by Scott Rosema.

Contents

Contents

According to John Selzer, the module is the "fourth of the FOR accessory line put out by TSR for the Forgotten Realms setting. The book explores the Harpers, a secretive force for good in the Realms. Along the way, quite a bit of Realm history is revealed, including notes on powerful people and organizations". [1]

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 bards 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.

Reception

John Selzer reviewed the module in White Wolf Magazine No. 40. He rated the book 4 out of 5 for appearance, complexity, and playability, and 5 out of 5 for concepts and value. Overall, Selzer rated it 4.5 out of a possible 5. [1]

Related Research Articles

Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) 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. Several years later, Greenwood brought the setting to publication for the D&D game as a series of magazine articles, and the first Realms game products were released in 1987. Role-playing game products have been produced for the setting ever since, as have various licensed products including novels, role-playing video game adaptations, comic books, and an upcoming film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drow</span> Dungeons & Dragons fictional creature

The drow or dark elves are a dark-skinned and white-haired subrace of elves connected to the subterranean Underdark in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The drow have traditionally been portrayed as generally evil and connected to the evil goddess Lolth. However, later editions of Dungeons & Dragons have moved away from this portrayal and preassigned alignment. More recent publications have explored drow societies unconnected to Lolth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Greenwood</span> Canadian fantasy writer and game designer

Ed Greenwood is a Canadian fantasy writer and the original creator of the Forgotten Realms game world. He began writing articles about the Forgotten Realms for Dragon magazine beginning in 1979, and subsequently sold the rights to the setting to TSR, the creators of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, in 1986. He has written many Forgotten Realms novels, as well as numerous articles and D&D game supplement books.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elminster</span> Character in Dungeons & Dragons fantasy

Elminster Aumar is a fictional character appearing in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. He is also known as the Sage of Shadowdale, and is depicted as a powerful wizard featured in several novels by Forgotten Realms creator Ed Greenwood. Certain aspects of his appearance and demeanor seem to echo Gandalf, Merlin, or Odin.

Mystra (<i>Forgotten Realms</i>) Dungeons & Dragon fictional deity

Mystra is a fictional goddess in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

<i>Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting</i> Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook

The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting is a role-playing game sourcebook first published by TSR in 1987 for the first edition of the fantasy role-playing game Advanced Dungeons & Dragons that describes the campaign setting of the Forgotten Realms. It contains information on characters, locations and history. Various revised and updated editions have been produced over the years.

<i>Moonshae</i>

Moonshae is an accessory for the Dungeons & DragonsForgotten Realms campaign setting. It describes the Moonshae Isles of Faerûn.

<i>The Ruins of Undermountain</i> Forgotten Realms boxed set accessory

The Ruins of Undermountain is a boxed set for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The set was written by Ed Greenwood and published by TSR. It featured box cover art by Brom. and was published in 1991.

<i>Hall of Heroes</i> (Forgotten Realms)

Hall of Heroes is an accessory for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The 128-page book, with product code TSR 9252, was published in 1989, with cover art by Jeff Easley and interior art by Ned Dameron.

<i>Heroes Lorebook</i>

Heroes' Lorebook is an accessory for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

<i>Forgotten Realms Adventures</i>

Forgotten Realms Adventures is an accessory for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The book, with product code TSR 2106, was published in 1990, and was written by Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood, with cover art by Clyde Caldwell and interior art by Steven Fabian, Ned Dameron, Larry Elmore, Caldwell, and Jeff Easley.

<i>Lords of Darkness</i>

Lords of Darkness is the name of two accessories for the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

<i>The Magister</i>

The Magister is an accessory for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The book, with product code TSR 9229, was published in 1988 by TSR. It was written by Ed Greenwood and Steve Perrin, with cover art by Jeff Easley and interior art by Valerie Valusek.

<i>Old Empires</i>

Old Empires 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 9274, was published in 1990, and was written by Scott Bennie, with cover art by Brom and interior art by Valerie Valusek.

<i>Halls of the High King</i>

Halls of the High King (ISBN 0-88038-881-1) is an adventure module 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 9301, was published in 1990, and was written by Ed Greenwood, with cover art by Jeff Easley and interior art by Tim Bradstreet and Rick Harris.

<i>The Shining South</i>

The Shining South is an accessory for the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

<i>Doom of Daggerdale</i>

Doom of Daggerdale is an adventure module for the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

<i>Magic of Faerûn</i>

Magic of Faerûn is an accessory for the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

<i>Pages from the Mages</i>

Pages from the Mages is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1995.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Setzer, John (1993). "Capsule Reviews: AD&D Forgotten Realms; The Code of the Harpers". White Wolf Magazine . No. 40. White Wolf Publishing. p. 67.