Heralds Faction

The Heralds of Faerûn

Membership

Common Descriptors: Inquisitive, neutral, political

Primary Classes: Bards, clerics, fighters, paladins, rangers

Alignments: LN (primary), LG, LN, LE, NG, N

Locations

The Herald's Holdfast: A fortified compound in the Moonwood near Silverymoon, the ancient archive of the Heralds, and headquarters for Old Night.

Ranks

• Vigilant: Rank 1. Vigilants are those who watch for the local Titled Herald. They are often salt-of-the-earth types, in positions to see everything in all walks of life, and to report to the Herald what they find. Those with an eye for important details and a sense of discretion may be approached about joining the ranks of the Heralds properly as an apprentice. • Herald's Apprentice: Rank 3. The apprentice is always bound to the local Titled Herald. In addition to continuing observation of their environs (a task that never truly ends for heralds), they receive training in blazons and laws of heraldry, in history and law. • Titled Herald: Rank 10. When one of the Heraldic Offices is vacated - whether by death or promotion - the High Heralds look to the apprentices of that office, and choose the best of them to assume the responsibilities of the office. This office comes with a coat of arms, a physical token of that office, and a title. As far as the local authorities and legal offices are concerned, the local Titled Herald is the final authority in all matters involving the heralds. While there are offices above them, they are not authorities to whom other can appeal. This puts the Titled Herald in a position of some power and influence, although those given to temptation and corruption are usually weeded out by then, and even Titled Heralds are subject to the appraisal of their peers and superiors. • Senior Herald: Rank 25. Senior heralds who act as the apprentices to the High Heralds, Heralds of this rank are fit to hold one of the offices of Herald Pursuivant or one of the Tabards offices, though such appointment is not guaranteed. • High Herald: Rank 50. One of the five High Heralds who govern the operation and administrate the traditions of the Heralds of Faerûn. There are five High Heralds, known by traditional heraldic titles: Unicorn, Black Vizor, Crescentcoat, Old Night, and Red Dragon).

“We are they who remember, and who judge in accordance with that memory.”
An order that trains and supports the heralds of all the Realms, responsible for registering heraldry properly, recording the goings-on of high and low, and adjudicating questions of propriety and law brought to them.

Overview

Across the Realms, the Heralds seem to be functionaries in the various courts and governments of its myriad lands, described by colorful titles passed from one Herald to the next in a given region. They act as criers and announcers, as sages who specialize in history and heraldry, and as masters of the local political ebb and flow. In this, they largely blend into the mass of other bureaucrats and courtiers.

Those in the know, however, are aware that each such Herald is part of a subtle network of Heralds trained to watch and gather information, to record the passage of history, and to carefully curate the blossoming of civilization. For each Titled Herald, there is a network of apprentices and dutiful spies who watch and report. And in turn, each Titled Herald is part of a larger network whose observations are collected by a small body of senior Heralds who work together to form the "big picture" of events in Faerûn.

Goals and Philosophy

The Heralds are a largely beneficent organization - it was not that long ago, in the grand scheme of things, that they were Harpers. But where Harpers are quintessential meddlers, Heralds are beholden to watch and advise in the development of nations and politics. Naturally, this is an ideal, to which each Herald hew in varying degrees.

Heralds are expected, above all things, to do the following:

• Watch and record historical events. Heralds are expected to keep journals and send reports to their superiors at minimum of once a year, and ideally once a season.
• Act to educate folk in the advance of history, delivering important news to those who can see that it is properly disseminated, and delivering such news as they receive it to local lords, courts, and temples.
• Keep a careful record of all heraldry employed in a given area, and to report the advent of new heraldry to the office of Old Night. This responsibility extends to being the office with whom such registrations take place.

Activities

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Quests undertaken by agents of the Heralds might include the following:

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Perks

Heralds in good standing might receive the following benefits:

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Office: Heraldic Offices

Rank 10+
Each of the Heraldic Offices is given a coat of arms and a title that adheres to a local tradition.

• Altumbel & Aglarond: Green Targe (Spandeliyon)
• Amn: Sable (Crimmor), Stars (Athkatla), Swanmantle (Eshpurta), Tallboots (Murann), Thorn Tree (Riatavin)
• Chondath: Bronzespur (Arrabar)
• Cormanthor: Moonsilver (Elventree)
• Cormyr: Cormyrean Heralds are given the titles of the settlement, thus: Arabel, Dhedluk, Espar, Eveningstar, High Horn, Hilp, Immersea, Marsember, Suzail, Tilverton, Tyrluk, Waymoot, Wheloon
• The Dalelands: Bright Shield (Essembra)
• The Dragon Coast: Flailchains (Westgate), Purple Halberd (Elversult), Sundazzle (Teziir)
• Moonsea: Shimmaree (Hillsfar)
• The North: Bucklebar (Luskan), Dark Stag (Silverymoon), Diadar (Amphail), Falconfree (Waterdeep), Gold Saddle (Yartar), Hawkfeather (Sundabar), Jhalvar (Mirabar), Silver Scales (Neverwinter)
• Sembia: Curved Sword (Saerloon), Lazalar (Ordulin)
• Nimbral: Durlance (Nimsur), Fyrefelen (Ormen), Hoathal (Sombor), Lyaparce (Bromtor), Mhanrued (Esdul), Ohndivur (Tethmor), Ramrath (Curstallyon), Skannajh (Rauthaven), Statharn (Nimith), Taerash (Suthhaven), Thuldroun (Arevar), Ulaunt (Vindal), plus Culree, Honthallow, Maunthar, Vorlmaer (wandering within Nimbral)
• Tethyr: Blue Velvet (Ithmong), Shining Helm (Saradush), Swordswreath (Zazesspur)
• Vilhon Reach: Bloodbanner (Hlath), Dragonplume (Nimpeth), Lone Tree (Ormath)
• The Western Heartlands: Narlhelm (Baldur’s Gate), Drawn Dagger (Hill’s Edge), High Bow (Secomber), Ironflower (Elturel), Morningstar (Berdusk), Oakenstaff (Iriaebor), Red Sword (Beregost)

The various fees that the bearer of a Heraldic Office can command for registration, updating, and creation of new heraldry are sufficient to support the holder of that office in a Comfortable Lifestyle for as long as they serve in that post.

Office: Sun & Moon Tabards

Rank 25+
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Office: Herald Pursuivant

Rank 25+
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Office: The High Heralds

Rank 25+
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Important Members

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