This spell creates a five-stringed silver harp of glowing force in the caster's hands. This is a weightless instrument that can be "hung" in midair to allow the caster to cast other spells or engage in other activities. It can be banished by application of dispel magic, but only the caster can actually touch it, move it, or evoke its powers, which are awakened by plucking the harp strings. One string can be plucked per round, and each string holds only one power and works only once, vanishing when called upon. When the last string fades away, so too does the spectral harp. The caster is always aware of which string calls forth what power. The normal selection of powers includes the ability to:
- Shatter all nonmagical metal items within 20 feet of the harp.
- Teleport all magical items within 40 feet of the harp to random locations in Faerun (not accompanied by anyone holding, carrying, or wielding them).
- Unleash a lightning bolt from the harp, stabbing out at a single chosen target. (This causes 9d6 points of damage, and the target is allowed a saving throw vs. spell to reduce the damage by half.)
- Teleport without error any beings specifically chosen by the caster who within 20 feet of the harp to a locale somewhere in Faerun chosen by the caster. (In other words, out of a group of struggling combatants, the caster could choose just his or her friends.)
- Call down a flame strike (a 5-foot-radius, 30-foot-high vertical column of roaring flame) on a single target creature within 70 feet of the harp. (This causes 6d8 points of damage, and the target is allowed a saving throw vs. spell to reduce the damage by half.)
There are ways of varying the incantation of harp of war to give a harp slightly different powers from the norm. Each temple has its own variations. (Player-created custom variants must be approved by the DM.)
The most common variant of this spell is a harp that calls forth repulsion, wall of stone, wall of fire, and blade barrier spells, and instead of teleportation summons three angry pegasi that fight for the caster or provide transport for him or her and other chosen beings (or items) for up to 7 turns. (This latter version of the spell is the one used almost exclusively by faithful trained in Waterdeep and Athkatla.)
The material component of this spell is a thin strand of silver wire.
Notes: Granted by Milil. Lord of Song, of the Forgotten Realms setting.