D&D 5E Forgotten Realms: Using the Harpers

[jayoungr]

In my Tyranny of Dragons game, I have two PCs who have joined the Harpers. The other two are in the Order of the Gauntlet. I feel that the Order of the Gauntlet is providing more in-game benefits than the Harpers are. The Order of the Gauntlet has had "headquarters" in major cities where PCs can sleep for free, and they've generally been willing to extend that offer to the party's Harpers as well, since Ontharr Frume and Leosin Erlanthar are working together pretty closely at the moment. The Harpers have occasionally been a source of information for the PCs, but overall they seem too loosely organized to have a lot of tangible perks.

That said, I'm still quite a newbie when it comes to Forgotten Realms lore, so maybe there is something I don't know about. Which is why I'm asking for advice.

What would be plausible benefits for the Harpers to provide?

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

2E's Code of the Harpers mentions caches in the wilderness (healing potions etc...). I would also have safe houses all over the North offering the same benefit as the Order of the Gauntlet. (After all, the Harpers have been around a lot longer!)

 

[jayoungr]

How would the PCs know where to find the safe houses? Not pooh-poohing your suggestion, just asking for more information!

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

How would the PCs know where to find the safe houses? Not pooh-poohing your suggestion, just asking for more information!

No worries. Even without the explanation, that's how I would have interpreted your question.

Harpers use Harper "runes" to identify key locations, to place warnings etc.... This has been a feature of FR since the OGB. As part of joining the Harpers, they would have been taught those runes/trail signs/secret marks.

 

[jayoungr]

Does anyone have any other suggestions? How have you used the Harpers in your groups?