Heralds of Faerûn The Heralds of Faerûn , or simply the Heralds , were a quasi - independent group of historians and heraldists that took on the responsibility of recording , preserving , and policing the coats of arms , flags , standards , shields , badges , mottoes , symbols , and sigils of the nobility of Faerûn . Over the years , they also became the foremost authority on courtly courtesy , inheritance , precedence , genealogy , correct armature , and general history . Their impartiality and neutrality earned them the respect of nearly every nation , kingdom , city - state , mercenary company , clan , and tribe in civilized Faerûn . Organization . The organizational structure of the Heralds was fairly hierarchical with three levels of authority : the High Heralds , the Heralds Pursuivant , and the local or regional Heralds , plus numerous " court herald s " that served and represented their sovereign while trying to uphold the ideals of the Heralds . The High Heralds debated among themselves and voted on official matters . The Heralds Pursuivant often served as personal assistants to , or itinerant representatives of , the High Heralds , traveling wherever they were needed to assert authority , deliver messages , or conduct secret or sensitive Herald business . This was part of their apprenticeship , along with learning the vast amount of lore required , to be eligible for a High Herald office should one become available . Between Heralds of equal rank , or between those with bonds of friendship , they informally addressed each other as " Brother " or " Sister " . In a formal setting , Heralds addressed each other as " Companion " ; and when addressed by the untitled , or when being introduced to an assembly , they were referred to strictly by their title prefixed by " Grand " , such as Grand Falconfree of Waterdeep . The local Heralds were scattered across Faerûn , usually based in cities , and each was responsible for their city and likely the surrounding countryside as well . New Heralds could only be appointed by High Heralds , though rulers and high priests could put forward their own candidates for consideration . They typically received training from the High Heralds and earned a charter to conduct Herald business . This charter declared the sigil of the office , usually referred to as its " sign " , that was used on documents and communications . Court heralds were generally loyal to their ruler but reported official business to the Heralds . It was up to the individual to decide how to walk the line between the two . A court herald was often sent as a messenger , envoy , or ambassador , which could be a dangerous job , venturing into unwelcome territory . Fear of reprisals from the Heralds and their Harper allies often kept a court herald alive in hostile situations . Each Herald had an " office " that had a unique appellation they used instead of their real name when performing Herald duties . In the 1360s through mid 1370s , the High Heralds were Black Vizor , Crescentcoat , Old Night , Red Dragon , and Unicorn . Throughout the history of the Heralds , the office of Unicorn was considered the highest rank and had veto power ( which could only be overridden by a unanimous vote of the other High Heralds ) . Each of the Heralds Pursuivant created their own appellation and heraldic charge as part of their training , but since the High Heralds were chosen from the ranks of the Heralds Pursuivant , the name and symbol were dropped in favor of the ancient and highly respected office when they ascended in rank . During this time there were over twenty Heralds Pursuivant of various races serving the High Heralds . The local Herald ' s office names were tied to their location . For example , Swanmantle was the Herald office of Eshpurta . The kingdom of Cormyr took this one step further and made the office name identical to the name of the city , village , or community in which the Herald dwelled . Ironically , the Heralds of Faerûn as an organization bore no symbol itself , in order to show that its heralds had no greater loyalties to the group . There were two other offices , known as the Tabards ( short for the Sun and Moon Tabards , a collective term for the two offices describing the that they wore ) , that were almost equivalent to a Herald Pursuivant in rank but were appointed by the High Heralds for four - year renewable terms . Appointments or renewals of the offices of Gauntlet and Green Shield occurred just before Shieldmeet . These positions were usually filled from the pool of Heralds Pursuivant and they worked under the counsel and direction of Old Night . If ever all of the High Heralds were deceased at the same time , the power to grant charters fell to the highest - ranking priest of Deneir in Faerûn , known as the Scrivener of the Stars , until such time as new High Heralds were chosen ( presumably by the active Heralds Pursuivant ) . At the very bottom of the organization were the " vigilants " — volunteers or hired eyes and ears that reported any event that could be of interest to a Herald , such as births , deaths , changes in marital status , affronts to etiquette , new blazons on houses or shops , or the discovery of a new artistic talent . Vigilants could be minstrels , servants , shopkeepers , social butterflies , snoops , gossips , or even streetwise children . History . The Heralds of Faerûn organization was the brainchild of Harper Aliost Oskrunnar , who recognized some problems facing many leaders , armies , and countries of the time . First , miner guilds and settlements were placing metallic colors on top of one another in their coats of arms , which was forbidden in the rules of heraldry of Calimshan and other regions along the Sword Coast . Second , there were a number of heated arguments over who owned what symbols . Third , state - sponsored imposters had been known to foment unrest and put the blame on others . Bandits also took advantage by disguising themselves with the coat of arms of a legitimate lord or city . Finally , there had been some tragic accidental fratricides on the battlefield due to indistinguishable blazons in the fog of war . Aliost Oskrunnar proposed an organization to establish and enforce the Law of Arms , codify the chaos of the current heraldic emblems , and be independent of any political leaders or boundaries . He and the Harpers persuaded the rulers of Baldur ' s Gate , Calimshan , and Sundabar , and the leaders of various religions that supported the Harpers , to fund the creation of the Heralds of Faerûn . In the Year of the Watching Helm , 992 DR , nine High Herald offices were established , many of them filled by Harpers , but with the understanding that they were to be independent and neutral in settling matters of ownership , title , inheritance , enforcement , protocol , and legitimacy . The nine High Heralds were responsible for west Faerûn from the Calimshan border northward ; all the islands in the Sea of Swords ; northwest Faerûn ; and most of the interior . They started roaming the territory in conjunction with the Harpers and commissioning local Heralds and agents to gather information , such as histories , genealogies , and other important records . The men and women of the High Heralds were persons of integrity , but it soon became evident that the power of the position was a target for bribery and influence peddling . Early in its history , two of the High Heralds , Blue Blade and Starscepter , were judged irredeemably corrupt and had to be eliminated , and by policy the offices were retired also . The integrity of the Heralds was paramount , and this show of resolve made the Heralds a respected group to be entrusted with important keys to the stability of nations . After 120 years , the Heralds were finding it more and more difficult to maintain neutrality and a balanced sense of justice as the Harpers pushed their agenda in the Realms , actively fighting overtly and covertly for changes they thought best for Faerûn . In the Year of the Empty Scabbard , 1116 DR , the seven High Heralds decided to break away from the Harpers , even though such luminaries as Elminster and Khelben " Blackstaff " Arunsun tried to persuade them otherwise . The split was ultimately a friendly one , and the Harpers continued to venture into dangerous places and travel far and wide for the increasingly desk - bound Heralds . In return , the Harpers were welcome in Herald strongholds to rest , recover , and be healed . Over the next two and a half centuries , the Heralds ' influence and recognition spread to cover almost every corner of Faerûn west of Thay , including the lands of the Vilhon Reach , the Dragon Reach , and the Moonsea . Local Heralds were established in most cities of reasonable size and the organization collected vast amounts of detailed records , magic items , and relics of powerful and historical significance . In the mid – 14th century DR , two more High Heralds — Huntsman and Manyshields — succumbed to corruption and had to be slain while their offices were eliminated . This left the leadership council at five members sometime before the Year of the Shield , 1367 DR . However , incidents of corruption continued to occur and to grow more numerous , even among the upper ranks . Since around the Time of Troubles of 1358 DR , five Heralds Pursuivant and a dozen local Heralds had to be ejected from their positions . In Ravens Bluff , the civic official who held the office of The Ravencoat was discovered to be hopelessly corrupt following his murder in the summer of 1370 DR . Quietly , it was rumored that a cult of Gargauth , the devil - god of corruption , had found purchase among the Heralds . Such a thing , if true , could ruin the honor and respect that the Heralds depended on . The problem of corruption was thus the major concern of the Heralds at the time . On the Feast of the Moon of the Year of the Tankard , 1370 DR , Thorn Tree , the Herald of Riatavin in Tethyr , disappeared hours before he was to recite the Bloodsong . This triggered a storm of controversy . First , there were rumors that the High Heralds had plans to expel Thorn Tree for corruption . Second , the rebel government of Riatavin had hoped to use the Bloodsong to assert their authority over the city amidst their secession from Amn to Tethyr . Third , some claimed that Thorn Tree had been working for , variously , Amn , Tethyr , the Knights of the Shield , or another faction of Riatavin . Thus , Thorn Tree ' s disappearance was expected to be powerful political ammunition for all these factions , further disrupting the secession . In the Year of Rogue Dragons , 1373 DR , the High Heralds invited the bard and loremaster Ilvarthaele Everstone to join them and create a new High Herald office , the first around the Inner Sea since the Heralds ' inception . She accepted the honor and established her office in the Stormspire in Songhal , Impiltur , calling herself the Silver Stag . By 1374 DR , the High Heralds were activity supporting efforts to reestablish bardic college s across Faerûn . They felt such colleges were vital for collecting and preserving oral and written traditions of the various cultures and realms . Activities . From its auspicious beginning , the Heralds of Faerûn were the catalogers and keepers of heraldic devices , lore , and etiquette . As an adjunct to this , they collected and collated vast numbers of names , titles , genealogies , and historical claims , keeping detailed records for the preservation of history and arbitration of disputes . Based on their reputation of integrity , all Heralds served as emissaries at whatever level was requested : as a member of diplomatic missions between kingdoms , liaisons between nobles within a realm , and information brokers between bards and sages . The Heralds were neutral to the point of stagnation , as they always sought to maintain the status quo rather than support changes or extensions of rule via conquest . Heralds serving rival rulers could find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict , and this was acceptable provided they remained impartial . Otherwise , they could advise their lords freely . In the event of a civil war , or when a royal succession was contested or in doubt , High Heralds were sometimes called upon to act as stewards or war commanders . They also occasionally served as regents for young rulers until they reached the age of majority . During these exigencies , the High Heralds were under strict rules of conduct . They were forbidden to make war upon another Herald , cause them any harm , or curtail their freedom , nor could they try to maintain their grip on power . Three times in the history of the Heralds of Faerûn this rule was broken , and each time the offending Herald was excommunicated . Each High Herald had a distinct role in the organization and therefore their Pursuivant assistants generally took on those same roles by proxy : The Tabards also had very specific and unique duties : The local Heralds were most often employed in bureaucratic positions where they had access to news and information , for example as court scribes or clerks for land deeds and titles , tax collection , in the census office , or in a genealogical registry . When required , they designed heraldic devices — making certain they were unique and distinguishable within the geographical area of exposure — and collected registration fees , commissioned artists , and imposed fines on violators . They were also the criers at jousts , tournaments of honor , and festivals . In Cormyr , as of the Year of the Ageless One , 1479 DR , all armed groups were required to carry a written charter , which could be obtained from any local Herald simply by requesting one . Heralds had a number of duties on the annual Feast of the Moon , when the dead were traditionally honored . Prime among these was to perform the Bloodsong ceremony , at which a Herald publically recited the genealogies of each noble family in the area . In this way , the Heralds reaffirmed a noble family ' s traditional authority and status , as well as the respect accorded to them . Tactics . The primary weapon of the Heralds of Faerûn was peer pressure . By rigorously guarding their integrity , they held the respect of most political , social , and military leaders throughout the land . Nobles ( some grudgingly ) accepted their authority because the Heralds were the architects of the social system in which they moved . Bribing , threatening , harming , or trying to influence a Herald was punishable by censure or losing one ' s rank and title . Other entities would not negotiate with , treat with , contract with , invite , or recognize a censured noble until they received a pardon from the Heralds , which usually required apologies , penance , and compensation . Likewise , legitimate mercenary companies would never attempt to deceive anyone by wearing counterfeit colors or blazons for fear of being labeled outlaws by the Heralds . The Heralds almost never used force to achieve compliance with the Law of Arms . If a self - appointed lord displayed a standard that was in violation of the rules , the local Herald would form a group of influential people in good standing and pay the lord a visit . The group usually included a Harper , a priest of Oghma , several knights of realms that were not hostile to the offender , and perhaps a foreign merchant to represent the business community . This group served as both bodyguards and credible witnesses to the negotiations with the rule - breaker . The Herald typically explained the breach of blazon boundaries and gave the lord a choice : either immediately replace the offending coat of arms with a simple escutcheon with a single , unique charge , or petition the Heralds for a professionally designed , approved , and registered blazon ( and pay the required fee ) . They excelled at acquiring and using information , but only passed it up to their superiors , seldom acting independently or alone . They were known , however , to nudge adventurers along a path that suited the Heralds ' goals . Before the Heralds split from the Harpers in the Year of the Empty Scabbard , 1116 DR , some High Heralds would use their " speak with dead " power , granted by Oghma , to summon an apparition of a deceased ancestor to visit a noble that needed extra convincing to acquiesce to the demands of the Heralds . Of course , the Heralds had records of which ancestors would be amenable to the cause and / or have particularly strong influence over their descendant . The visit usually took place at a dramatically late hour , waking the lord or lady abruptly in shadowy darkness . This tactic was highly effective . Bases of Operations . By 1370 DR , the Heralds could be found operating across the north , north - west , west , and central parts of Faerûn . Regions where they were active included the Vast , Impiltur , Damara , and the Moonsea in the central north ; Luruar and the Sword Coast cities in the northwest ; the Western Heartlands , Amn , Tethyr , and Calimshan in the far west ; and the Lake of Steam , Erlkazar , the Vilhon Reach , the Dragon Coast , Cormyr , the Dalelands , and Sembia in the interior . The Heralds had offices in most cities or regions of Faerûn , but there were two notable , well - protected redoubts , a satellite library , and a publicly acknowledged festhall . The various homes of the High Heralds were also firm strongholds of the organization . Possessions . A Herald ' s badge of office was an ornamental curved horn that was enchanted to produce a particular distinctive note that was easily recognized across most of Faerûn . It was heard at the start and finish of hunts , tournaments , jousts , and other formal contests where a Herald served . Each Herald also had a unique tabard that they wore over their regular clothing for ceremonies and events . The organization was in possession of numerous artifacts , relics , weapons , spellbooks , and a vast number of books , scroll s , runestone s , and other records of historical significance . Although knowledge was their most potent weapon , each High Herald and Green Shield carried a rod of office and / or possessed an article of armor or clothing that was usually a powerful magic item . They used these items primarily for emergency defense , or in the case of Black Vizor , for carrying out the duties of the office . Relationships . The Heralds ' dedication to neutrality and impartiality paid off , and they had almost no feuds or rivalries with other organizations . However , from time to time , their work drew the anger of certain resentful rulers . For those who opposed the Heralds , they proved a frustrating foe . Heralds operated in the open , but as the advisors , clerks , and scribes of dozens of rulers and lords , and so difficult to act against . Although they split from the Harpers , the Heralds had a close working relationship with them , relying on the well - trained group for escort , defense , courier service , fee collection , information gathering , and as a credible threat to recalcitrant nobles . In return , the Heralds provided Harper agents with shelter and sustenance at their strongholds . They maintained the same relationship with the Moonstars , a splinter organization of the Harpers . In Cormyr , the Heralds were an integral part of the government . Each local lord was required to have a trained herald to assist and advise them , to serve as clerk , record - keeper , and general " right hand " , as well as examine any deeds , contracts , and written agreements for legality and completeness , and to report any unusual stipulations or lack of necessary documentation . Impiltur had a similar arrangement with the Heralds . A few other countries did also , to a lesser degree . In Ravens Bluff in the Vast , the heraldic office of The Ravencoat was only one of the responsibilities of the Regent of City Works , a civic official position . These heralds owed their allegiance first to their lord and to the crown , but they were responsible for passing relevant information to other heralds . In countries such as Calimshan , Cormyr , Impiltur , Sembia , and Tethyr , with long - established noble lines , heraldry was woven into the fabric of society and given great respect , whereas Amn and Waterdeep viewed coats - of - arms as status symbols for the newly wealthy . For centuries , the Amnian and Waterdhavian heraldic catalogs grew by leaps and bounds with little regard for the rules followed by the more traditional realms . The Border Kingdoms and Sembia were particular headaches for the Heralds because of the plethora of petty lords , barons , dukes , kings , and even emperors who claimed a parcel of land and declared themselves nobility . Fees where higher and payable up - front in those regions , and were partially effective in separating those of real means from the riffraff . Many of the newly noble had no coats - of - arms at all or used a single device on a plain escutcheon as a badge , and this was allowed , but adding a second device or a field was enough to warrant a visit from the Heralds . Locations where Heralds were not welcome included Amn , which traditionally frowned on anything promoted by its rival , Baldur ' s Gate , and Hillsfar under the dictatorship of Maalthiir . In these places , the local Heralds were treated as rivals to local rulers , and they disputed with authority as much as they could without getting arrested .