Moonstars

The Moonstars (also known as the Tel'Teukiira, the Silverstars or the Twelvestars) are a highly secretive group of individuals formed by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun with the aim of unifying the humans and other races (especially elves) against the forces of evil.

History and Activities

An offshoot of the Harpers, the Moonstars were formed when Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun realized that he didn't have as much power over the Harpers as he once did. He discovered in the Year of the Laughing Swan, 816 DR, that Alaundo the Seer had written prophecies about an as-yet-undiscovered threat to Faerûn. He attempted to steer the Harpers in a direction where they could deal with the threat but, failing that, he eventually took matters into his own hands. In the Year of the Prince, 1357 DR, Khelben stole the Scepter of the Sorcerer Kings from the Catacombs of Ordulin, making sure that it came into the possession of High Priest of Bane and leader of the Zhentarim, Fzoul Chembryl. Fzoul then used the scepter to destroy the Banelich Faram Khaldan. Thirteen years later in the Year of the Tankard, 1370 DR, the Harpers found out about Khelben's actions. He admitted his guilt during his trial at Twilight Hall and left the Harpers. Immediately after, he and his partner Laeral Silverhand set up the Tel Teukiira as part of a plan that Khelben had been developing for many years.
Based in Waterdeep, the Moonstars followed much the same methods as the Harpers did, though the Moonstars operated in more secrecy than the Harpers and members were less free to do what they wanted, being under the direct and relatively strict command of the Blackstaff himself. Officially, the group's headquarters was Blackstaff Tower, though very few even visited that prestigious place.
Membership was less restrictive than the Harpers. The organization even listed a vampire amongst its number. To gain entry into the group, one needed the sponsorship of either Khelben or Laeral, so it was clear that they did not consider these less morally inclined members a threat. Many Harpers defected when Khelben created the Moonstars
The group's relationship with the Harpers was an ambivalent one. Khelben still advocated the goals of the Harpers to be ones to strive for in his own organization and the two groups' goals were nearly interchangeable. Yet Khelben also thought the Harpers too narrow-minded and encouraged others to think that they are simply full of bluster, without actually doing enough in terms of action. The Harpers likewise believed Khelben and the defectors to be traitors to the cause (especially those from Twilight Hall) and sometimes appealed for spies to investigate the Blackstaff's plans but they held too much respect for them for anything serious to come of it.

Post-Spellplague

Renaer Neverember revived the Moonstars in 1479 DR after Vajra Safahr assumed the title of Blackstaff. However, the group decided they did not want to carry the Moonstars' legacy, so they planned on creating a new organization that would be friends rather than agents of the Blackstaff.
In the month of Eleint, 1486 DR, a moon elf mage and Moonstar named Questele was primarily responsible for defending Stedd Whitehorn, the boy Chosen of Lathander. She died trying to protect him.
The Moonstars became active players in Waterdeep, Candlekeep, and Myth Drannor during the Second Sundering, but went underground after the conflict passed. It is unknown what the current relationship is between the Moonstars and the Harpers, or the Open Lord of Waterdeep Laeral Silverhand, or Vajra Safahr for that matter.

Type

Social, Activist