Harpers Guild

The Harpers Guild is an organization dedicated to entertainment and education. They are mostly bards and acrobats and use their skills to entertain while they teach. Nearly all their songs and performances tend to have some meaning behind them to teach or educate.

The main guild hall is located in the city of Tyr. There are guildhalls in all major cities and most towns. Harpers can always request free room and board at any guildhall. Donations are welcome if they can be afforded. There is often a 5% tithe to the guild of performance related income. However, due to many great and wealthy patrons, many guilds do not require this tithe.

Many harpers wander the world and spread the good word. Many find a patron or a good place to live and stay in one place. Since Harpers tend to well travelled and well schooled the more experienced harpers often find rulers and leaders who wish to keep them as advisors. Most major kingdoms have at least a journeyman Harper as an advisor.

The Guild is led by the Masterharper. He is advised by a council of masters. Below the masters are journeyman. Below the Journeymen are the apprentices. In order to join the guild you have to be chosen to become an apprentice or convince a master to take you on as an apprentice.

Harpers have a reputation for being overly curious and meddlers. Part of this is because alot of them are also bards and adventurers. However, there is a secret society in the Harper Guild. Harper Agents gather information and when they hear of evil deeds or people they are often sent to spy on them and report back to the guild. Often times the Herpers then move to deal with the evil. At times this requires them to call in friends and allies. Most Harper Agents are also entertainers, but fighters, rangers, wizards, etc can all be agents. And while they are part of the guild they do not carry out the more traditional duties associated with Harpers.

Harper Agents have a secret sign language that they can use to communicate. The signs tend to be very subtle and simple words and phrases can be mixed into casual gestures. Skilled practitioners can carry out a conversation in sign language while holding a casual conversation. The Harpers also make use of extensive codes and code words.