Harrowers

Harrowers are a clandestine order described in the lore of various fantasy settings. They specialize in harrowing, a ritualized practice intended to recover, preserve, or barter with memories, histories, or essences believed to reside within people, objects, or sites. Descriptions vary, but common elements include trance-based extraction, the sealing of memories in artifacts called memory jars, and sigils used to bind and regulate the stored experiences.

Origins of the Harrowers are unclear; references appear in medieval chronicles and later fantasy romances, with earliest sources fragmentary and sometimes legendary. A central authority, such as a High Harrow or governing council, is said to regulate rites, training, and expeditions, though actual power centers shift with era and region. In some traditions, independent Harrowers operate as archivists, brokers, or mercenaries.

Practices and tools associated with harrowing include rites conducted in quiet halls known as Harrowholds, and the use of dream-lamps, memory jars, and ritual implements to withdraw or capture recollections. The process is typically depicted as delicate and dangerous, capable of unlocking long-buried traumas, truths, or hidden histories. Ethical debates about consent, exploitation, and the potential harm of remnant memories feature prominently in both lore and scholarly commentary.

Organization and culture tend to be hierarchical, with levels such as initiates, adepts, and masters, overseen by a Keeper and a governing council. Training emphasizes discipline, restraint, and meticulous record-keeping. Harrowers may serve patrons such as rulers, temples, or universities, or operate as autonomous archivists or memory brokers.

In modern fantasy media, Harrowers appear as enigmatic figures of memory and power, often enabling political intrigue or moral ambiguity. Their portrayals probe questions of consent, knowledge, and the costs of preserving the past.