Baldur's Gate 3: Dive into the Intriguing Harper Faction
Baldur's Gate 3 introduces the enigmatic Harpers, an influential faction adept at covert operations and toppling oppressive rulers, adding depth and intrigue to the game's expansive world
Highlights
Baldur's Gate 3 is heavily influenced by the tabletop RPG Dungeons and Dragons, with the game mechanics and setting adapting from the D&D 5E and Forgotten Realms campaign.
The Harpers, a prominent faction in Baldur's Gate 3, are depicted as a clandestine organization of spies dedicated to safeguarding the common populace against the misuse of power and striving to uphold equilibrium and unity throughout the kingdom.
Employing covert methods, the Harpers frequently assume the guise of ordinary townspeople to gather intelligence. Their relationship with the Zhentarim, a mercenary group in Baldur's Gate 3, is marked by rivalry, and they undertake covert operations to prevent malevolent individuals from obtaining magical artifacts.
Fantasy role-playing games such as Baldur's Gate 3 often feature various organizations that represent different classes, races, and interests. One well-known faction in Baldur's Gate 3 is the Harpers, who play a significant role in the lore of Faerun and are prominently featured in the recent release of Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. However, given the vastness of something like D&D, it would be understandable if fans have overlooked the Harpers.
Baldur's Gate 3 and previous games in the franchise are heavily inspired by the popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. From the gameplay mechanics to the classes, everything functions similarly to D&D, with BG3 adapting the 5E ruleset. The setting of Baldur's Gate 3 is also derived from the tabletop RPG's Forgotten Realms campaign, which explains why factions like the Harpers are present in both the latest D&D film and Baldur's Gate 3.
The Harpers’ Role in the World of Baldur’s Gate 3
The Harpers in Baldur's Gate 3 play a significant role as a major faction, although players may struggle to find detailed information about them in the vast game world. Their identity as a group of spies is revealed through High Harper Jaheira's companion quest, her interactions with other factions, and various scattered details. Understanding the Harpers can be complex, but fortunately, Dungeons and Dragons lore provides some background information.
According to D&D: Forgotten Realms, the Harpers are covert agents who safeguard the common people from tyranny and abuse of power by governments and political organizations. They work towards promoting harmony and balance across the realm. Operating in a decentralized manner, they have small outposts scattered throughout Faerun. Members consistently gather intelligence and, if they uncover any wrongdoing, they strategize on how to address the threat covertly. Their missions often revolve around safeguarding powerful magical items from falling into the hands of evildoers and tyrants in the D&D universe. This is exemplified in the D&D movie, where the protagonists are shown robbing a Harper vault filled with magical artifacts.
How the Harpers of Baldur’s Gate 3 Operate in the Shadows
In addition to the Harpers that players directly interact with, there may be more to Baldur's Gate than meets the eye. As spies, they often disguise themselves as common folk to avoid being detected. Their origins and traditions involve posing as Bards, playing their harps in taverns while eavesdropping on conversations. This is why they are known as "Harpers." Some Harpers also infiltrate monasteries and theater caravans to gather information from various sources.
Having existed for a significant period of time, the Harpers naturally have their fair share of enemies. One of their rivals in Baldur's Gate 3 is a group called the Zhentarim, a mercenary organization with a 200-year history of providing protection services to Faerun's merchants. Similar to organized crime syndicates, they often coerce their clients into using their services and demand excessive amounts of gold for protection. This abuse of power has led to frequent clashes between the Harpers and the Zhentarim. The Zhentarim actively seek to eliminate the Harpers from their territories, enabling them to engage in their illicit activities without interference. They even offer substantial bounties for capturing high-ranking Harper officials. However, it is important to note that this rivalry serves as background information for the Harpers' central role in BG3.
The Harpers are a captivating faction in D&D's Forgotten Realms, which is why BG3, the movie, and other works heavily rely on them. Their intriguing nature brings an enjoyable roleplaying essence to any D&D-related medium, including Larian's latest game.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is currently accessible on PC, while the PS5 version will be released on September 6, 2023.
