The Harpers

Guild Master Cosaint is the Master Harper, and Jackdaw is the Harper's Hand. The Harpers have defined their role in a charter, as follows:


The Harpers’ Charter

Article I
The Harpers are the Protectors of the Word.

Article II
Harpers are guardians of those who seek the word, those who inscribe the word and those who impart the word. Each are Scholar, Scribe and Entertainer, who are all known as Bards. They are the three other colleges of the Bards’ guild, the Harpers are the fourth. When the other colleges request the aid of the Harpers, they should receive it with all speed.

Article III
Harpers are not a military order but are a martial one. They are of great advantage to the Bards’ Guild, because Harpers can enter places and perform deeds which other bards cannot. For which reason when a Bard desires to become a Harper, he should act in the following manner, namely; he must go first to his peers, and convince them by whatever arguments he can that he deserves entrance. Then three Harpers should be summoned and compelled to swear, and tell the truth as to whether he who seeks this office possesses four qualities; first, whether he understands the power of the word; second, whether he is strong, in order to perform martial deeds; third, whether he be active in mind and body, for this is something which is very proper for a Harper to possess in order that he may quickly act; fourth, whether he is loyal, in order to be a kinsman of his fellow Harpers. These are the qualifications which a Harper should have at all times.

When those selected have testified that the applicant possesses these four qualifications, they should conduct him to the Head of the Harpers or to any of the Guild Masters, stating that he is a good person for the office of Harper. After they have presented him to the Head of the Harpers, the latter should furnish him with a small pennon or a tabard; and this pennon or tabard should bear the device of the Harpers, so that he may be recognized by it and be better protected by his kinsmen, and also in order that they may know whenever he conducts himself improperly, or well.

Article IV
The role of Harpers is to protect and convey the word not to create it. They aide the scholar to uncover the word, the scribe to transmit the word and the entertainer to promulgate the word but do not take these duties for themselves. A Harper is no more, and no less, than any other Bard.

Article V
There are two companies within the Harpers; normalis and praestans.
The role of the Harpers normalis is to stand guard over the bards’ guild houses across Erdreja, to ensure they are not physically threatened or subverted in any way. And to carry messages across Erdreja.
The role of the Harpers praestans is to attend the great festivals and gatherings of Erdreja. There, they provide what assistance and advice the Guild Masters and the Colleges require. The Harpers praestans are those who are able to lead and command other Harpers. The leader of the Harpers praestans is the head of the college, they choose two lieutenants, who provide direction for the rest.

Article VI
The Head of the Harpers is appointed by the Guild Masters, with aid from the recommendations of the Harpers praestans.