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"Who ARE you?"
"I am he who rules the world, don't you know?" Jarlaxle replied with a grin. "One little piece at a time. I am the stuff of Riordan Parnell's most outrageous songs, and I am a confused memory for those whose lives I've entered and departed."
~Road of the Patriarch
A quick sketch of my all-time favorite Forgotten Realms character: Jarlaxle Baenre
Category All / Fantasy
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Size 650 x 625px
File Size 196.4 kB
Oh, Elminster is bloody priceless. We all have to grow old, I only hope I grow as sarcastic and perverse as El in my old age. Danilo Thann, The Simbul and Finder Wyvernspur are also very amusing in their anti-socialness, but I still stand by Storm as being my favorite. Oh she's such a tease.
The Dritzz series was at their best when it stayed underground and explored the intricacies of drow society. Though it began to loose fire when they went topside.
Though I sure enjoyed War of the Spiderqueen for the oodles of Underdark goodness, and the interesting theme of Lloth's silence.
Though I sure enjoyed War of the Spiderqueen for the oodles of Underdark goodness, and the interesting theme of Lloth's silence.
Now I don't want to step on any toes, but I have to ask why? Why are you, and people in general, so enamored with the Dark Elf trilogy, and Drizzt's storyline in general. Yes, they are amazing books. Yes, RA Salvatore is a very talented individual, and yes I too enjoy the continuing saga. But...
As someone who owns and has read every single Forgotten Realms novel printed before 2007 (and most of the ones from 07 to 09), I look back and see Salvatore as author to some of the least interesting Forgotten Realms tales.
Before the flames roll in... I AM NOT SAYING HE IS BAD. I said it above already, I like his work, even his non-FR stories. But compared to the multitude of stories written about the Realms, I can't see why "Salvatore" has become synonymous with "Forgotten Realms". His works are rather samey, like Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series, it started out great, but became a continual rehash of the same idea, growing more stale with each novel. Compared to the vast library of other realms tales, I just don't get why people think so highly of Drizzt and Co.
Yes, it is all opinion, but I'd say that far better FR works include;
The Elminster Saga - Ed Greenwood, Creator of Forgotten Realms
Threats from the Sea - Mel Odom
The Harpers - 16 novels, various authors
The Cormyr Saga - Greenwood, Denning & Grubb
The Erevis Cale Trilogy - Paul S. Kemp
The Finder's Stone Trilogy - Novak & Grubb
Watercourse Trilogy - Philip Athans
And of course the nigh-impossible to find "Arcane Age" Netheril Trilogy by Clayton Emery
Forgotten Realms is nearing what, 300 novels? Why does one author stand so high above the rest? I just don't get it.
As someone who owns and has read every single Forgotten Realms novel printed before 2007 (and most of the ones from 07 to 09), I look back and see Salvatore as author to some of the least interesting Forgotten Realms tales.
Before the flames roll in... I AM NOT SAYING HE IS BAD. I said it above already, I like his work, even his non-FR stories. But compared to the multitude of stories written about the Realms, I can't see why "Salvatore" has become synonymous with "Forgotten Realms". His works are rather samey, like Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series, it started out great, but became a continual rehash of the same idea, growing more stale with each novel. Compared to the vast library of other realms tales, I just don't get why people think so highly of Drizzt and Co.
Yes, it is all opinion, but I'd say that far better FR works include;
The Elminster Saga - Ed Greenwood, Creator of Forgotten Realms
Threats from the Sea - Mel Odom
The Harpers - 16 novels, various authors
The Cormyr Saga - Greenwood, Denning & Grubb
The Erevis Cale Trilogy - Paul S. Kemp
The Finder's Stone Trilogy - Novak & Grubb
Watercourse Trilogy - Philip Athans
And of course the nigh-impossible to find "Arcane Age" Netheril Trilogy by Clayton Emery
Forgotten Realms is nearing what, 300 novels? Why does one author stand so high above the rest? I just don't get it.
It's because this singular author has become synonymous with Forgotten Realms. The company which owns the creative rights has basically taken his sagas and made them the most well-known. All the rest are mostly obscure, or if not obscure, not very advertised. Drizzt is well loved because of this, and because the company doesn't want to have to shell out money to sponsor -every- good FR novelist, they've chosen Salvatore to be their resident writer. Of course, its usually the more obscure and hard to find sagas and novels by unknown artists that are truly interesting, or even worth reading, but because most people have heard of Drizzt, they tend to look for those types of books, rather than ask "Is there anyone else more interesting than this generic Not-Evil Dark Elf?"
Aside from all that, Jarlaxle was one of my favorites, especially when he travelled with Entreri. It was during that saga where he and Entreri work together that truly got me interested in FR novels, in general. I've never particularly cared for Drizzt's tale. Too publicly corrupt.
Aside from all that, Jarlaxle was one of my favorites, especially when he travelled with Entreri. It was during that saga where he and Entreri work together that truly got me interested in FR novels, in general. I've never particularly cared for Drizzt's tale. Too publicly corrupt.
I totally get it that TSR and now WotC pushed Drizzt as their posterboy, which contributes to why everyone knows of the Dark Elf Trilogy, but that doesn't in itself explain why people love it so much. Yes, it would be the starting point for many, but I know dozens of FR fans who've read beyond the Salvatore novels and hit some of the really good "obscure" titles, and yet they still insist the DA Trilogy is best.
And yes, Jarlaxle is far better alone or with Entreri, than he is as a bit-part in Drizzt's shadow. The Anthology stories by Salvatore are IMHO better than his novels, because they follow those two more often than not, and it plays out like a black comedy. (And no that was not a pun on Drow skintone)
Sidenote - Why didn't Douglas Niles' Moonshae storyline ever play out? I admit, it seems very out-of-place in the Realms, reading more like Brooks' Shannara / Magic Kingdom novels, but them be some good reading.
And yes, Jarlaxle is far better alone or with Entreri, than he is as a bit-part in Drizzt's shadow. The Anthology stories by Salvatore are IMHO better than his novels, because they follow those two more often than not, and it plays out like a black comedy. (And no that was not a pun on Drow skintone)
Sidenote - Why didn't Douglas Niles' Moonshae storyline ever play out? I admit, it seems very out-of-place in the Realms, reading more like Brooks' Shannara / Magic Kingdom novels, but them be some good reading.
They actually made a MAJOR return in The Hunter's Blades trilogy, which expands more on Drizzt's internal conflict with his more primitvie side, and how he deals with his feelings.
Pikel and Ivan are two of my favorite dwarven characters, and I have to agree, although I like Drizzt, Cadderly was an awesome character~!
Drizzt's biggest issue as a character is that when he came out, he was something new, something different. A sort of tragic hero, always trying to be good and just, but having his heritage stand against him. Kind of an analogy, I think, of racism in real life.
But now, with, what, 20 novels exclusively about him, he's gotten rather...old hat. Salvatore needs to do something new with him, and The Hunter's Blades helps. But it's only a small step in the right direction.
Pikel and Ivan are two of my favorite dwarven characters, and I have to agree, although I like Drizzt, Cadderly was an awesome character~!
Drizzt's biggest issue as a character is that when he came out, he was something new, something different. A sort of tragic hero, always trying to be good and just, but having his heritage stand against him. Kind of an analogy, I think, of racism in real life.
But now, with, what, 20 novels exclusively about him, he's gotten rather...old hat. Salvatore needs to do something new with him, and The Hunter's Blades helps. But it's only a small step in the right direction.
I was actually quite disappointed with the Starlight and Shadows trilogy (Elaine Cunningham) died off after a mere three books. Drizzt gets almost two dozen novels and half that many short stories, but Liriel Baenre gets the obligatory three-book tale and falls off the face of Toril. As old-hat (as you called it) Drizzt's tale has become, Liriel's was again very similar. But the change in perspective and locale did wonders for bringing interest back in the archetype, making the "despised hero" a fresh idea again. So why have we never heard from her again?
I don't think Salvatore needs to go in new directions with Drizzt, I think he needs to bring the tale to a spectacular conclusion, and move on. There are many characters in the Drizzt storyline who would be awesome in their own branching storyline, and he could always (*gasp*) create a new character to play with.
I don't think Salvatore needs to go in new directions with Drizzt, I think he needs to bring the tale to a spectacular conclusion, and move on. There are many characters in the Drizzt storyline who would be awesome in their own branching storyline, and he could always (*gasp*) create a new character to play with.
True that. But we both know he'll not do that, Drizzt's too popular. The fan outcry would be hellacious if he did. Although there have been some major changes in the story, like
SPOILER ALERT
Regis, Cattie-Brie, and Breunor all dying, and Wulfgar leaving for Icewind Dale again.
END SPOILERS
SPOILER ALERT
Regis, Cattie-Brie, and Breunor all dying, and Wulfgar leaving for Icewind Dale again.
END SPOILERS
He's had one older hat- he had Kimmuriel give him a new one that has a few more enchantments. Currently it can grow the diatryma feather, and regrow it should it die (which happens nearly every time it's summoned), holds the Black Felt disc that can open holes through walls when placed one way, and a pocket when placed the other. I remember a few other things it did - but then again we're talking about someone who BLINDED a gnome who tried to use 'detect magic' on him.
And yes-- without saying spoilers- Damn Salvatore for making me wait another year for book 2!
And yes-- without saying spoilers- Damn Salvatore for making me wait another year for book 2!
Jarlaxle wouldn't be Jarlaxle without his toys though I think his magic switchblades are the coolest so far, simple but useful.
I loved that scene XD That was Promise of the Witch King right? I forget the titles sometimes but probably because there's so many in the series that it's hard to remember them all.
Yeah I finished it the other day, really looking forward to seeing how things turn out.
Totally random but I wish someone would make a kobold character for one of these books or at least use Deekin since they're in that area now.
I loved that scene XD That was Promise of the Witch King right? I forget the titles sometimes but probably because there's so many in the series that it's hard to remember them all.
Yeah I finished it the other day, really looking forward to seeing how things turn out.
Totally random but I wish someone would make a kobold character for one of these books or at least use Deekin since they're in that area now.
Heh, could never make it to Road to the Patriarch since Promise of the Witch King killed my interest in the series. Reading about a D&D dungeon crawl is even less fun than playing in one XD
Regardless, Jarlaxle is definitely the best character RAS has come up with, and it's awesome to see fan art of him.
Regardless, Jarlaxle is definitely the best character RAS has come up with, and it's awesome to see fan art of him.
Wait- you didn't read Sellswords before Transitions?!
Also there was a short story called 'The Curious Blade' which has Entreri and Jarlaxle being contracted to steal a statue - the comedy is alot higher than the usual (Entreri using tons of scaling and climbing gear he spent 200 gold on while Jar just hovers down beside him-- watching him go about it and finally working a hole through the glass just as Jarlaxle steps through his portable hole.
Also there was a short story called 'The Curious Blade' which has Entreri and Jarlaxle being contracted to steal a statue - the comedy is alot higher than the usual (Entreri using tons of scaling and climbing gear he spent 200 gold on while Jar just hovers down beside him-- watching him go about it and finally working a hole through the glass just as Jarlaxle steps through his portable hole.
I already like him and I haven't even read the books. See I got a bit overwhelmed seeing how many there were, so although I know random snippits from being a D&D player all my life, I don't know the books. But which ones are the books he's in? If you list them I will go look for them (unless I need to start with something else specific first, in which case tell me that to).
Hmmm, let's see.
He's slept with dragons.
He leads the most powerful all-male band of mercenaries in a female-dominated society.
He survived being sacrificed to Lolth just after being born.
He seems to have more magic items than Elminster tucked onto his person.
He messes with the head of one of the most skilled assassins on the planet as a hobby.
He hunts liches (and dracoliches!) and keeps theirs phylacteries as souvenirs.
He's practically wiped out thief/assassins guilds just to make a point.
And a lot more I can't quite remember.
Yeah.
Jarlaxle is easily the coolest characters in the Forgotten Realms setting. Drizzt has his good points, but he *is* a bit emo. Jarlaxle? He's pretty much the ultimate rogue/swashbuckler.
He's slept with dragons.
He leads the most powerful all-male band of mercenaries in a female-dominated society.
He survived being sacrificed to Lolth just after being born.
He seems to have more magic items than Elminster tucked onto his person.
He messes with the head of one of the most skilled assassins on the planet as a hobby.
He hunts liches (and dracoliches!) and keeps theirs phylacteries as souvenirs.
He's practically wiped out thief/assassins guilds just to make a point.
And a lot more I can't quite remember.
Yeah.
Jarlaxle is easily the coolest characters in the Forgotten Realms setting. Drizzt has his good points, but he *is* a bit emo. Jarlaxle? He's pretty much the ultimate rogue/swashbuckler.
Awesome Jarlaxle! Though the grin and outfit combined kinda make him look like a drow pimp....of which I'm pretty damn sure he is.
I would love to see more Forgotton Realms characters draw by you, particularly Walker from GhostWalker and The Seven Sisters (do I really need to specify since there are so many Forgotten Realm lovers here?)
I would love to see more Forgotton Realms characters draw by you, particularly Walker from GhostWalker and The Seven Sisters (do I really need to specify since there are so many Forgotten Realm lovers here?)
Actually, they made a MUCH less expensive set: http://www.amazon.com/Drizzt-DoUrde...../dp/B0036L6NC4
Nice cosplay, for the next one, why not try making his armor? It'd be hard, but look awesome.
Nice cosplay, for the next one, why not try making his armor? It'd be hard, but look awesome.
Yes. Yes. Fuck Yes! Hell yes! there is not enough lough for Jarlaxle! It pisses me off our GM won't let us play drow, since he's afraid of Drizzt clones that he's had to deal with in the past. No, I would much rather play an homage to the most awesome drow I have ever seen... Jarlaxle Baenre...
Jarlaxle's is the only reason I love the Dark Elf trilogy so much...
Jarlaxle's is the only reason I love the Dark Elf trilogy so much...
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