The new blockbuster adaptation of the iconicDungeons and Dragonsuniverse will undoubtedly send a few old adventurers and rookie role players to the table.Honor Among Thievesis a solid introduction to the Forgotten Realms setting, but many of its most interesting details are mentioned in passing. For example, Chris Pine’s bard Edgin is part of an obscure network of heroic musicians called the Harpers.
Game masters taking conceptsfrom a film they enjoyedand inserting them into their home game is a time-honored tradition. SinceHonor Among Thievesalready borrowed most of those ideas from existing TTRPG material, it’ll fit right in.
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What do the Harpers do?
The Harpers, also known as Those Who Harp, are one of thefive major factions onthe continent of Faerûn. The Harpers have operated in the shadows for generations, pursuing justice and freedom across the land. This is the go-to team for a bard who is looking to make a difference. As an organization, the Harpers are necessarily disorganized and loosely tied. Harpers tend to work alone or in small groups, often embedding themselves in larger groups of unrelated adventurers. Since members were spread across the nation and rarely in contact with each other, any given Harpers' methods varied. One Harper might seem entirely unrelated to the next, but the broad goals were the same.
Harpers exist to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. They’re spies who hide in plain sight, frequently taking the guise of beggars, buskers, and bystanders. Throughout the Realms, wherever tyranny reigns, their influence can be felt. The Harper code calls followers to protect the innocent from fear, stamp out villainy, and carefully maintain the past. They’re also encouraged to be free of pride and greed, leading many Harpers to pull comical stunts in the pursuit of their goals. Their rebellion often takes the form of pranks, leading some to take them a bit less seriously than other heroes. Harpers have fun with the gig, andtheir members tend tohave a jovial attitude, but their goals are sincere. Harpers strictly disavow members that seize power for themselves and support laws so long as they’re just. The Harpers are a force for good, truly devoted to quietly helping others without concern for fame and fortune. Players hoping to play a good-aligned character who also has a lot of fun can’t go wrong with a Harper.
When were the Harpers formed?
The history of the Harpers is deliberately buried, butit’s said that Elvenmilitary leaders devised the first draft in an enigmatic city called Myth Drannor. A mage called Dathlue Mistwinter became the group’s leader, but the early Harpers were disbanded after the city fell. The Harpers reformed years later, as an underground resistance effort against the followers of various demons. The Harpers broke apart and came back together multiple times, frequently targeted by the minions of Bane and the slavers in the nation of Thay. One of the big moments in the group occurred when an ambitious bard called Rundorl partnered with theevil wizard Szass Tamto claim leadership. The resulting war left many Harpers dead and the group scattered. They rebounded once again, but they currently operate without a leader. In the meantime, they created alliances, let their agents spread out, and continued the fight against tyranny.
How do the Harpers fit intoHonor Among Thieves?
The Harpers are important to the story of the film, but only in the backstory of a single character.Edgin Darvis was oncea proud representative of the Harpers, but his tenure with that organization ended before the plot really begins. The first scene depicts Edgin pleading his case to a parole board. Edgin left the Harpers in shame, too greedy to set aside personal wealth in favor of helping others. In many ways, the entire film is dedicated to Edgin finding his way back to the Harpers. His moral arc is about reclaiming the honor and purity of his old destiny. Though they don’t get a ton of screen time, the Harpers come awayfromHonor Among Thieveslooking like one of the most heroic factions in the franchise.
The Harpers are the ultimate underground army for bards. Their members are diverse, unstoppable, capable of anything, and willing to do everything. Their history is fraught with disaster, but they always manage to maintain an upbeat attitude. Edgin isn’t the best representative of the Harpers, but he has clearly internalized their teachings.D&Dfans who’d like to put the distinctive badge on their next hero can just head over tothe Faction Agent backgroundand build the good-natured spy of their dreams. The Harpers are one of the most entertaining heroic factions in the world ofDungeons & Dragons, and their inclusion can make any game a bit more anarchic in the best possible way.
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