''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 Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and d ...

role-playing game A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) 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 ac ...

. The book was written by

Ed Greenwood Ed Greenwood (born July 21, 1959) 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 so ...

and was published by TSR. The module featured cover art by

Jeff Easley Jeff Easley (born 1954) is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork for role-playing games, comics, and magazines, as well as non-fantasy commercial art. Early life Easley was born in Nicholasville, Kentucky in 1954. He spent time drawing as ...

and interior art by Scott Rosema.

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". 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 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 (Dungeons & ...

. Page 5 is an introduction by Ed Greenwood explaining that this book is about the fictional

Harpers Harpers may refer to: * Harpers, popular misnomer for ''Harper's Magazine'', American monthly magazine * ''Harper's Bazaar'', monthly American fashion magazine * '' Harpers Wine & Spirit'', formerly ''Harpers Magazine'' (since 1878), British trad ...

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 In Celtic cultures, a bard is a professional story teller, verse-maker, music composer, oral historian and genealogist, employed by a patron (such as a monarch or chieftain) to commemorate one or more of the patron's ancestors and to praise ...

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 ''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 ...

. 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 ''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 ...

Lliira ''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 ...

, Mielikki, Milil, Mystra, Oghma,

Selûne ''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 ...

, Silvanus, or

Tymora ''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 ...

). Pages 42–52, ''The Senior Harpers'', describes several powerful members of the organization: Alustriel Silverhand, Belhuar Thantarth, Cylyria Dragonbreast, Dove Falconhand,

, 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 ''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 ...

. Pages 62–71, ''Some Selected Harpers'', details the game statistics for a number of

non-player character A non-player character (NPC), or non-playable character, is any character in a game that is not controlled by a player. The term originated in traditional tabletop role-playing games where it applies to characters controlled by the gamemaster ...

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 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 w ...

. 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 Wizard ''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 ...

s 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 The undead are beings in mythology, legend, or fiction that are deceased but behave as if alive. Most commonly the term refers to corporeal forms of formerly-alive humans, such as mummies, vampires, and zombies, who have been reanimated b ...

, 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.

References

* Greenwood, Ed. ''The Code of the Harpers'' ( TSR, 1993). {{DEFAULTSORT:Code of the Harpers, The Forgotten Realms sourcebooks Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1993

Contents

Reception

References