Court of Whispers

The denizens of the Court of Whispers barter for current knowledge. Heralds, criers, bards, and griots buy and sell information from the fifteen founding civilizations active in the Citadel, as well as other lands. Skilled scouts and spies can also be hired for short-term reconnaissance or long-term infiltration. The Court is a mixed outdoor-indoor space with quiet alcoves and open plazas, and plentiful work is available here for talented adventurers.   The Speakers for the Ancestors—the leaders of the Radiant Citadel—employ freelancers from the Court of Whispers to keep track of major concerns in their people’s homelands, as well as potential threats to the Citadel, while the Shieldbearers of the Citadel seek information so they can identify crisis points where their operatives are needed. Even common citizens might hire folk from the Court to find missing loved ones, locate lost family treasures, or gather information on rivals.   Powerful organizations and individuals from across the planes send agents to the Court of Whispers to collect information and do business on their behalf. Noteworthy examples include the Harpers of Abeir-Toril, Sigil’s Fraternity of Order, and agents of the planes-traveling gnome fixer Vi.     Harpers of Toril
"As you wander through the Court of Whispers, a place where politics and secrets intertwine, you notice figures who never seem to be out of place but always appear to be listening. These are the Harpers of Toril—a clandestine group dedicated to preserving balance, protecting knowledge, and opposing tyranny. Though outsiders to the Radiant Citadel, the Harpers have embedded themselves into the city’s affairs, drawing support from certain founding civilizations that align with their mission—while others view them with suspicion or outright hostility. They do not answer to the Speakers for the Ancestors or any single faction. Instead, they operate independently, leveraging their allies to ensure their continued presence within the Citadel."     Where the Harpers Operate in the Court of Whispers
Primary Base: A discreet archive and meeting space in a quiet corner of the Court of Whispers.

• The Harpers do not maintain an official office—instead, their presence is hidden within a small, seemingly ordinary records hall used for public documentation.
• The true nature of the space is known only to trusted operatives.
• Within, there is a private chamber lined with bookshelves, holding records, intelligence reports, and secured communications.
• The space is warded against scrying and intrusion, ensuring their secrets remain safe.

"If you need to find us, you already know where to look." – Thorne Blackwood   Key Harper NPCs in the Radiant Citadel

• Elara Swiftwind (Harper Liaison) - A charismatic half-elf bard, she navigates the Citadel’s politics to ensure the Harpers have allies. She sees the Citadel as a vital hub for intelligence sharing.
• Thorne Blackwood (Field Operative) - A grizzled human ranger, he specializes in tracking and eliminating magical threats. Cold and pragmatic, he believes secrecy is the only way to keep the Harpers effective.
• Sylara Moonshadow (Archivist) - An elven wizard, she manages the Harpers’ intelligence archives within the Court of Whispers. She is obsessed with uncovering forgotten truths but understands the dangers of knowledge in the wrong hands.

Each NPC ensures the Harpers remain active in the Citadel, even when working from the shadows.     Founding Civilizations & Their Relationships with the Harpers
The Harpers do not have an official standing in the Radiant Citadel, but some founding civilizations quietly support them—each for their own reasons.   Djaynai & Atagua – The Harpers’ Strongest Allies
How They Help the Harpers:

• Djaynai and Atagua sponsor their passage to and from the Citadel, helping Harpers disguise their movements.
• Djaynai’s seafarers allow them to stow away on ships, while Atagua’s network of agricultural suppliers ensures they can operate in secrecy.
• Some Djaynai and Atagua-born Harpers act as informants, providing intelligence on political shifts.

  Why They Help:

• Both civilizations have long-standing opposition to slavers, warlords, and magical exploitation—issues the Harpers also fight against.
• Djaynai values the Harpers as an extension of their espionage efforts, while Atagua benefits from having external protectors watching over their displaced people.

What the Harpers Give in Return:

• Early intelligence on external threats that might affect Djaynai’s trade routes or Atagua’sagricultural stability.
• Occasional interventions against piracy, smuggling, or rogue spellcasters threatening their lands.

  "When one of us is threatened, all of us are. We do not turn our backs on those who fight for the same cause." – A Djaynai-born Harper     Siabsungkoh – A Cautious Supporter
How They Help the Harpers:

• Siabsungkoh provides secret meeting places within its trade hubs, ensuring the Harpers have neutral ground for negotiations.
• Wealthy merchants who sympathize with the Harpers provide financial backing when needed.

Why They Help:

• Siabsungkoh’s elite merchant families see the Harpers as a potential counterbalance to the political intrigues of rival factions.
• Some Siabsungkoh nobles use the Harpers to gather intelligence on competitors, though the Harpers do not engage in pure espionage for profit.

What the Harpers Give in Return:

• Protection against planar or arcane threats that might disrupt Siabsungkoh’s trade networks.
• Occasional assistance exposing corruption within their government, though the Harpers refuse to act as hired spies.

  "We do not deal in politics, but where corruption festers, we ensure it is exposed." – Thorne Blackwood, Harper Agent     Yongjing – Silent but Tactical Supporters
How They Help the Harpers:

• Yongjing’s arcane scholars and monks provide sanctuary, offering hidden libraries for Harper intelligence storage.
• Some members of Yongjing’s scholarly elite believe in the Harpers' mission, offering them esoteric knowledge in exchange for fieldwork.

Why They Help:

• Yongjing’s philosophers understand the importance of historical preservation, seeing the Harpers as guardians of lost knowledge.
• The Harpers' opposition to tyranny and magical abuse aligns with Yongjing’s academic traditions of enlightenment and balance.

What the Harpers Give in Return:

• Field research and artifact retrieval for Yongjing’s scholars.
• Protection of historical sites, ensuring dangerous knowledge does not fall into the wrong hands.

  "Some wisdom can only be preserved through action. We respect those who act when it matters." – Sylara Moonshadow, Harper Archivist   Civilizations That Distrust or Oppose the Harpers
Not every founding civilization welcomes the Harpers. Some see them as dangerous meddlers.   Akharin Sangar – Openly Hostile

• The Harpers’ history of toppling tyrants has made them unwelcome in Akharin Sangar, where strict order and governance are paramount.
• The Harpers have exposed corruption within their ranks before, leading to strained relations.
• Any Harper caught operating within Akharin Sangar’s jurisdiction is at risk of immediate exile—or worse.

"We do not answer to their laws. But that does not mean we are blind to them." – Elara Swiftwind   Tletepec – Distrustful but Neutral

• Tletepec values self-sufficiency and cultural autonomy, viewing the Harpers as an outside force with no right to interfere in their affairs.
• While they do not outright oppose the Harpers, they do not trust them, believing foreign spies and operatives have no place in their internal struggles.