The Harpers

Here in the North, where the society began centuries ago, the mystique that surrounds the Harpers generates respect, not suspicion, particularly since two of the most powerful leaders of the North, Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun of Waterdeep and High Lady Alustriel of Silverymoon, are avowed Harpers. Even the savage Uthgardt barbarians, who have little respect for the trappings of civilization, treat those who know the secret signs of the Harpers as if they were chieftains. Originally, it was a loose society of bards and rangers, created to provide these wanderers with fellowship and shelter. Their fellowship grew, and with it came a desire to protect and preserve and maintain peace in the wild land they loved, acting against all who would despoil it.
In the North, they are arch foes of the burgeoning goblinkind races, and seek to thwart them at every turn. Elsewhere, the Harpers' secret operations work to keep peace between human kingdoms; they oppose the Zhentarim and often act in a contrary manner to aggressive trading kingdoms like Amn.  The Harpers rarely work openly andnever reveal their true goals to those not highly initiated into the society.  Those who work at cross purposes to  the Harpers often fail in their endeavors.  Other than in the North, even those who are not their enemies harbor a mild distrust of the Harpers for this.