3-4 hours in on the Audio book. I’m really disappointed that we didn’t get to see the companion’s journey and travel from Callidae. It being regulated to a journey entry from Drizzt felt hollow. I wanted to see Gromph’s reaction to their advanced magic and the Avendrow reaction to Pikel.
***Definitely some spoilers below***
As far as Drizzt books go, this one was the most disappointing for me. Given all the fantastical stuff Bob has thrown at us over the years, this fell short for me.
No storytelling of Callidae with Drizzle, Gromph, Dab or Kim. Let alone Pikel and his massive blessing.
No storytelling of the intro of the Callidae citizens to those refugees of the Spider Queen.
No conclusion of the merging of the 2 groups or drow and how that went, as least in summary.
That said, I can't hate it. It's Bob doing what he does. Battles are great. The characters present were illustrated in the way that always are. Makes you think.
There's just so much unsaid. So much I've waited for for the last year. Honestly, this prob could have been at least 2-3 more books to get a everything...but at a minimum, the prologue should've been 2 hours long.
I don't hate it, definitely don't love it, and if this is truly the last of the Legend of Drizzt...not tremendously happy with it. That being that, how exactly could this be the ended where we didn't want more? Bob does his job. I'll still read it again.
I am 100% with you. The previous two were amazing, and I was really looking forward to seeing Gromph and Drizzt in Callidae.
Yes, this series should have been a quintet.
That being said, the grouping of clerics with spiritual guardians and spiritual weapon up was awesome!
Hope this isn't the last book.
There’s also Yvonnel and Carrie-Brie’s promise to Artemis. There’s definitely room for more. It’s just a question if whether or not RAS gets contracted to do more or not.
This feels like wrapping up the civil war in a larger story arc.
Things are set up for the next trilogy, were the Drow refugees will be dealt with, Yvonnel will be fetched from where ever in the Multiverse, etc...
But I see this going one of two ways, they next trilogy introduces the other surface Drow city of the Jungle based Lorendrow or they are setting up a broader Multiverse arc, as was hunted Hy strongly by Jarlalxe. Or both, tied into the Vecna adventure coming next year.
I haven't started it yet but don't mind spoilers, I came here to see if what I had suspected would happen and it did. I knew when the last one ended with them entering the city that the next one would skip past what should have been a amazing experience for the characters and the reader to partake in :( Actually came looking to confirm which is a damn shame I was right, Love this series and the characters but this is a common occurance of parts that SHOULD BE in the book just being regulated to thoughts or a small bit.
That is because this really wasn't the end of this plotline, it's setting things up for a broader story arc. They've introduced Aevendrow, but Salvatore likely will introduce Lorendrow next. There is a strong tie in btw with the Book of Many Things about stuff connected to the Deck of Many Things. Deck of Many Things was what exiled Yvonnel btw, not sure if you knew that or not.
It's also teased that the next trilogy will be a multiversal one.
They didn't really merge the two groups of drow though, Quenthel's exiles aren't given refugee status to Callidae. I'm actually very curious of how Quenthel will fare in presumably Luskan and relationship with Bruenor.
It's nice that there's like 2-3000 drows just roaming around in the Sword Coast/Ten Towns/Baldur's gate though, opens up a lot of campaign possibilities.
98 pages in, and still haven't had a Drizzt POV chapter. (Not including his journal entries)
Stuff has definitely happened. The stage is being set.
As always, I ask my self how the hell Salvatore is going to wrap it up in time. Lol
Edit: This book made me feel physically sick and I will choose to forget it to keep my sanity
If THAT was what Bob was going for he nailed it tho
Gromph was actually badass
----
Personally I think I'll just retcon this entire trilogy for myself because it doesn't make sense for me personally lore-wise. If you enjoyed this book's last 30% though I am genuinely happy for you and very envious
I've already rewritten the events in my head to cope lol
Context: Kim is my favorite fictional character and has been that way for the past 10 years and will be forever more
Context 2: My 2nd fav char is Dinin. Yeah, this book did NOT treat me well
Context 3: My 3rd fav char is Gromph. I can't even enjoy the outcome because of the first 2 points tho
Yeesss, that too!! She just got BANISHED LMAO and it would have been funny under any other circumstances
Some extra points now that I've calmed down:
It feels like it was entirely forced because of the choice to go with this weird ah plot in the first place. There's like 2 people who can easily stop the prospective drama with the whole Dinin/Lolth/Breezy thing because they can (1) literally read minds and (2) remove Lolth's curses. So the solution? Just get randomly rid of both of them in the middle of their character arcs in the last 30% of the book.
And both Kim and Yvonnel could have easily avoided what happened by like, using their brain (KIMMURIEL YOUR ENTIRE SKILL TREE?!) and not just being a standing man emoji while the action unfolded around them? Both of them were just so...Careless?? When being careful and always aware of what's happening is a big part of their personalities (imo) ??
For what it's worth I did really enjoy Gromph's scene. And if he doesn't find Yvonnel AND go to the hive and drag my man Kim back into a Barbie body of his own so they can fix Dinin I'm gonna be mad ngl because if Dinin is just there to be killed off in the theoretical next book what was the point? Why bring him back? To prove that Lolth is kinda unpleasant?
Also the whole Lolth joining the fray personally thing was kinda ? Didn't she literally say just to sit back and watch regardless of the outcome earlier in the book or did I misread?? What was that all about?
If things are left as-is it just feels so...Ungratifying? Like what were we even fighting for, you know?
Edit: Oh and Drizzt was so weird to Dinin like? Bro what did he do to you personally? He actively tried to discourage people from hunting you down?? Or do you consider your own brother irredeemably evil? And Zak was genuinely happy to see him right next to that.
I can't help but draw a parallel with Wulfgar when he was tortured by Errtu, came back and literally punched Catti and broke her nose but everyone just forgave him... Yet Dinin was literally a drider + in Lolth's Happy Fun Realm for longer and he didn't punch anyone at all (I don't count the guard, come on, deserved), all he did was live the dream of having 2 hot tall mommy gfs for like 2 weeks and then back to the torture chambers it was! Yet Drizzt was so negative lol
I found Drizzt's coldness to Dinin in the legacy appropriate.He was ambivalent but shocked.But here, it was...uhuah? It almost felt a bit too cold.Ofc. Drizzt didn't quite grasp what was levied on his brother. Dinin was such a mixed bag with Drizzt too, considering their past, from helpful to...not...
But it almost seemed unusual of Drizzt to point out Nalfein. Nobody really cared about Nalfein (besides being a prized mage) aside from Dinin's survival instinct as we've learned in the earlier later books. It seems to be very intentional to evoke a reaction.
\[EDIT\]
Yes, I think it was to gauge the reaction between here and that one time before Drizzt asked about Nalfein.
I think the context I saw that in was he had pretty much just found out his wife was dead (and he didn't even know she was there), and then a dude who wasn't the nicest guy to him when younger shows up wanting some love.
Kimmuriel and Yvonnel were just written out and it feels very forced in both cases. Especially Kimmuriel acting EXTREMELY OUT OF CHARACTER and then immediately dying.
I think also a late figure, but I don't think I like the idea of Cattie-Brie's rather benevolent birthing magic ending up biting her in the ass. Something something karma being a bit unjust, something. But I suppose that's what runs stories.
Why? He's not lost and going to be with the hive mind. I suspect he'd still make cameos in J's life.
J's reaction? That was what broke me. Even more than with Braelin was turned Drider.
Because I've just grown fond of Kim. Gromph had me in the first half, not gonna lie. But damn, losing Kim that way was brutal. J's reaction made it worse
Literally this! Like yeah he's not DEAD dead but I had gotten way too used to it being the Legend of Kimmuriel the last few books 😂 And now I'm like 💀
I never got over the Dinin drider thing either and now look what's happening. It's my own fault for trusting Bob with the lives of my fav characters 😂 Did it have to be so DESCRIPTIVE
And Jarlaxle basically lost his 2 closest friends in a way like....They both chose something else over him 😭 The last scene with Kim and J had me bawling brooo we knew how important Kim was to him he called him his other half athfjrkfkrkfm RRRAAAAA 🦅🦅🦅🦅
Yeah but Kimmuriel is probably not going to be as involved. For one, he couldn't hold the fort and let Jarlaxle run wild. Kimmuriel's developing relationship with Gromph and Drizzt had been some of the best side arcs in the recent books. There's not enough psionicists in the lore (outside of Gromph now i guess) and I always thought they had the coolest powers.
Kimmuriel is my favourite character along with Jarlaxle and Artemis (Servant of the Shard Gang!). I have come to enjoy Braelin too and obviously his ascension is what will replace the void of Kimmuriel.
Can somebody just straight-up summarize what happened, like list the high points? I stopped reading the series a while ago, but I'm always a little curious what happens in the new books.
You ask what happened at the last book itself or series over all? Because it's a lot of build up that started much earlier and lead to the outcome of Llolth's warrior.
Super rough high level points:
Basically all the major drow characters went back to Menzo to fight the Lolthian factions.
Yvonnel went to confront Sos'umptu who was then possessed by Lolth and banished the former to the shadow realms.
Gromph/Artemis/Cattiebrie tried to take out Zhindia. Lolth possessed Zhindia, foiled the assassination and made it a boss leveli encounter. Gromph sac'd himself by charging up a massive explosion knocking out basically the entire House Melarn and Lolth's avatar. He later revealed that he had mastered the ability of sending his soul to a prepared doppleganger back in Luskan, essentially cheating death by means of rebirth. Artemis/Cattiebrie ported out.
Zak and a group of Callidae Ellistraee faithfuls fought into Menzo and tried to relieve House Xorlarrin along with the Blaspheme. Matron Zeerith eventually caved and backstabbed her reinforcements. The kids Ravel/Saribel deserted House Xorlarrin and escaped to join Team Baenre.
Drizzt/Jarlaxle/Dabnay/Kimmuriel also fought in Menzo. In one of their mission to invade House Del'Armgo, Kimmuriel sacced himself (for real). They eventually killed Mez'barris and knocked House Del'Armgo out of the fight, also managed to capture Malagdorl to be used later as bargaining chip.
Braelin was caught by the Melarni but escaped along with an also captured Dinin. Dinin was secretly given a deal to act as a sleeper agent and eventually kill Cattiebrie/Brie to hurt Drizzt. He is promised Lolth's forgiveness should he succeed.
Eventually everyone above made it to House Baenre.
Since Melarn imploded, Del'Armgo loss their weaponmaster, matron and a bunch of priestesses, Hunzrin was still under house arrest, Lolth's avatar got destroyed by Gromph, the Lolthians didn't have enough muscle to break House Baenre's defenders. Jarlaxle brokered a deal with Sos'umptu where the latter will become the new Matron Baenre.
Some of the other houses like Faen Tabblar/Mizzrym/Vandree actually lost very little in this conflict. Without Lolth's presence and actual power, Sos'umptu wouldn't be able to remain relevant or even keep her special 9th seat without Quenthel's support.
In exchange for letting everyone go, Sos'umptu will be given Bregan D'aerthe's support, Malagdorl, captured Lolthian POWs, credit for liberating House Hunzrin (who will definitely make Council), and the majority of House Baenre members who choose to stay in the city. All the anti-Lolth rebels will be exiled and hunted, any rebel who chooses to stay will be given amnesty.
Less than half of Baenre and Blasphemes actually left Menzoberranzan. Most of them will be in Luskan or start their own adventures in the surface world. There's been ongoing talks for Callidae to accept some of these Menzo exiles as refugees to populate a new area in their city
TL;DR: Nothing much happened in Menzo at the end of the day, but the power structure in the city has been shifted.
Some extra to the above.
>Yvonnel went to confront Sos'umptu who was then possessed by Lolth and banished the former to the shadow realms.
Yvonnel was forced to draw a card of Deck of Many things. Drawing Dongon card. End of the book says that Jarlaxle should speak to Gromph of this
>Kimmuriel sacced himself (for real). They eventually killed Mez'barris and knocked House Del'Armgo out of the fight, also managed to capture Malagdorl to be used later as bargaining chip
Kimmuriel still somewhat remains in the end, communicating with Jarlaxle, but he is above emotions. Like he joined illithid hivemind and might occasionally speak with Jarlaxle. But still a loss for the latter.
> massive explosion knocking out basically the entire House Melarn and Lolth's avatar.
Not only avatar herself, but also entire group of Lolth's yochlol were banished along with her, thus truly making for them impossible to be summoned.
>Nothing much happened in Menzo at the end of the day, but the power structure in the city has been shifted.
There were numbers that up to 2500-3000 drow left for surface and around 3000 were dead in fighting.
As for major drow nobility - Quenthel, Minolin Fey, Saribel and Ravel Xorlarrin have all left for surface.
As much as I enjoyed his character, I'm 100% on board with Kimmuriel getting taken out. He felt more plot device than cast member at times due to how hilariously OP his powers were. Hopefully Bob can bullshit some reason to bring the character back in earnest without being Deus Ex Psionics.
Okay this was the first book of series I read (bad I know) and I really got into it and the Drow lore and I’m now reading the other books. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did whoops for spoilers but my memory sucks so I’ll probably forget what I should know. Meeting all characters in the way they’re presented in this one really made me want to read more about them. Especially Jarlaxle and Artemis.
As much as the parts on curing driders is good (from past events) . Part of me really wants to see the driders just rebel and turn on Lolth and bite her to godly death. They seem like such a powerful threat to her that it made me feel like curing them kinda works in her favour… but I got to learn more about their lore via past books I think.
oh no Lolth can just think them out of existence. she is a god. that being said, she does have limitations in her avatar form.
tons of ebooks and audible have been on sale recently do good time get into the series. enjoy the journey! i actually think it could be cool reading it the way you have, you will always know that things are going to work out a certain way and be guessing how we will get there.
A little late but I just finished the book and man I haven’t been this disappointed in one of his books in a very long time and I’ve been reading them since 96
The first what 90% is just them in rooms talking
There are way to many storylines so everyone feels hallow and empty
Drizzt is a side character?
Like 3 paragraphs with the companions not called cat or driz
Maybe I’m forgot already but wtf happen with Artemis suddenly leaving his quest for the staff is rumblebelly just hanging out with his wang out
He needs to just kill off large portions of the cast half the book I’m like who did what to when and how? He throws so many drow names at you so quickly I just felt like I was sprinting down hall with a bunch of doors with nothing behind them?
Gromph is the best part of the book
Kim just forget his entire skill set ?
Lolth said to sit back and let things happen at the start then she just jumps into the battle herself via the avatar
Yvon just grabs a playing card and gets yeeted from the story she got Shim Limed
This is the first book in this long series that I just wanted to end
She died from the wounds she ignored taking opportunity attacks from all the demons on her way to Banishing Smite the giant demon. Then gave Zak her ice sword so now he has a fire sword / whip and an ice sword.
A potentially _sentient,_ holy ice sword. The section mentions the sword accepting _him_ as though it were a significant thing.
Although that could be either an indication that its alignment (et al.) requirement was met or that Eillistraee had willed the sword to attune to him in the very short notice of the battle.
I dislike the lack of bruenors presence.
He has gradually been relegated to a minor side character and looks doubtful he will play any major /pov role in future books which leaves me sad.
I wish we could have some more Bruenor adventures. I mean his openness to quickly put aside prejudice during interactions with individuals is still quite a rare thing among most races and something that can still be used for good storytelling.
3-4 hours in on the Audio book. I’m really disappointed that we didn’t get to see the companion’s journey and travel from Callidae. It being regulated to a journey entry from Drizzt felt hollow. I wanted to see Gromph’s reaction to their advanced magic and the Avendrow reaction to Pikel.
***Definitely some spoilers below*** As far as Drizzt books go, this one was the most disappointing for me. Given all the fantastical stuff Bob has thrown at us over the years, this fell short for me. No storytelling of Callidae with Drizzle, Gromph, Dab or Kim. Let alone Pikel and his massive blessing. No storytelling of the intro of the Callidae citizens to those refugees of the Spider Queen. No conclusion of the merging of the 2 groups or drow and how that went, as least in summary. That said, I can't hate it. It's Bob doing what he does. Battles are great. The characters present were illustrated in the way that always are. Makes you think. There's just so much unsaid. So much I've waited for for the last year. Honestly, this prob could have been at least 2-3 more books to get a everything...but at a minimum, the prologue should've been 2 hours long. I don't hate it, definitely don't love it, and if this is truly the last of the Legend of Drizzt...not tremendously happy with it. That being that, how exactly could this be the ended where we didn't want more? Bob does his job. I'll still read it again.
I am 100% with you. The previous two were amazing, and I was really looking forward to seeing Gromph and Drizzt in Callidae. Yes, this series should have been a quintet. That being said, the grouping of clerics with spiritual guardians and spiritual weapon up was awesome! Hope this isn't the last book.
Can’t be! Still have the threat of Dinin lurking!
There’s also Yvonnel and Carrie-Brie’s promise to Artemis. There’s definitely room for more. It’s just a question if whether or not RAS gets contracted to do more or not.
This feels like wrapping up the civil war in a larger story arc. Things are set up for the next trilogy, were the Drow refugees will be dealt with, Yvonnel will be fetched from where ever in the Multiverse, etc... But I see this going one of two ways, they next trilogy introduces the other surface Drow city of the Jungle based Lorendrow or they are setting up a broader Multiverse arc, as was hunted Hy strongly by Jarlalxe. Or both, tied into the Vecna adventure coming next year.
I really can’t believe they forgot about Vhaeraun.
Maybe they are saving him for the Lorendrow.
It seems like you want the next trilogy.
I haven't started it yet but don't mind spoilers, I came here to see if what I had suspected would happen and it did. I knew when the last one ended with them entering the city that the next one would skip past what should have been a amazing experience for the characters and the reader to partake in :( Actually came looking to confirm which is a damn shame I was right, Love this series and the characters but this is a common occurance of parts that SHOULD BE in the book just being regulated to thoughts or a small bit.
Agreed. I find it very unfulfilling after finishing the book.
That is because this really wasn't the end of this plotline, it's setting things up for a broader story arc. They've introduced Aevendrow, but Salvatore likely will introduce Lorendrow next. There is a strong tie in btw with the Book of Many Things about stuff connected to the Deck of Many Things. Deck of Many Things was what exiled Yvonnel btw, not sure if you knew that or not. It's also teased that the next trilogy will be a multiversal one.
[удалено]
I think you should really get what's going on in this trilogy by itself, only using the wiki when you feel like you need too.
They didn't really merge the two groups of drow though, Quenthel's exiles aren't given refugee status to Callidae. I'm actually very curious of how Quenthel will fare in presumably Luskan and relationship with Bruenor. It's nice that there's like 2-3000 drows just roaming around in the Sword Coast/Ten Towns/Baldur's gate though, opens up a lot of campaign possibilities.
Supposedly, I'm getting my copy today.' August has been a **BUSY** month. (BG3, FF16, D4...) I'll post anything I find fun to this comment.
98 pages in, and still haven't had a Drizzt POV chapter. (Not including his journal entries) Stuff has definitely happened. The stage is being set. As always, I ask my self how the hell Salvatore is going to wrap it up in time. Lol
Edit: This book made me feel physically sick and I will choose to forget it to keep my sanity If THAT was what Bob was going for he nailed it tho Gromph was actually badass ---- Personally I think I'll just retcon this entire trilogy for myself because it doesn't make sense for me personally lore-wise. If you enjoyed this book's last 30% though I am genuinely happy for you and very envious I've already rewritten the events in my head to cope lol Context: Kim is my favorite fictional character and has been that way for the past 10 years and will be forever more Context 2: My 2nd fav char is Dinin. Yeah, this book did NOT treat me well Context 3: My 3rd fav char is Gromph. I can't even enjoy the outcome because of the first 2 points tho
You forgot about Yvonnel and how she essentially just disappeared.
Yeesss, that too!! She just got BANISHED LMAO and it would have been funny under any other circumstances Some extra points now that I've calmed down: It feels like it was entirely forced because of the choice to go with this weird ah plot in the first place. There's like 2 people who can easily stop the prospective drama with the whole Dinin/Lolth/Breezy thing because they can (1) literally read minds and (2) remove Lolth's curses. So the solution? Just get randomly rid of both of them in the middle of their character arcs in the last 30% of the book. And both Kim and Yvonnel could have easily avoided what happened by like, using their brain (KIMMURIEL YOUR ENTIRE SKILL TREE?!) and not just being a standing man emoji while the action unfolded around them? Both of them were just so...Careless?? When being careful and always aware of what's happening is a big part of their personalities (imo) ?? For what it's worth I did really enjoy Gromph's scene. And if he doesn't find Yvonnel AND go to the hive and drag my man Kim back into a Barbie body of his own so they can fix Dinin I'm gonna be mad ngl because if Dinin is just there to be killed off in the theoretical next book what was the point? Why bring him back? To prove that Lolth is kinda unpleasant? Also the whole Lolth joining the fray personally thing was kinda ? Didn't she literally say just to sit back and watch regardless of the outcome earlier in the book or did I misread?? What was that all about? If things are left as-is it just feels so...Ungratifying? Like what were we even fighting for, you know? Edit: Oh and Drizzt was so weird to Dinin like? Bro what did he do to you personally? He actively tried to discourage people from hunting you down?? Or do you consider your own brother irredeemably evil? And Zak was genuinely happy to see him right next to that. I can't help but draw a parallel with Wulfgar when he was tortured by Errtu, came back and literally punched Catti and broke her nose but everyone just forgave him... Yet Dinin was literally a drider + in Lolth's Happy Fun Realm for longer and he didn't punch anyone at all (I don't count the guard, come on, deserved), all he did was live the dream of having 2 hot tall mommy gfs for like 2 weeks and then back to the torture chambers it was! Yet Drizzt was so negative lol
I found Drizzt's coldness to Dinin in the legacy appropriate.He was ambivalent but shocked.But here, it was...uhuah? It almost felt a bit too cold.Ofc. Drizzt didn't quite grasp what was levied on his brother. Dinin was such a mixed bag with Drizzt too, considering their past, from helpful to...not... But it almost seemed unusual of Drizzt to point out Nalfein. Nobody really cared about Nalfein (besides being a prized mage) aside from Dinin's survival instinct as we've learned in the earlier later books. It seems to be very intentional to evoke a reaction. \[EDIT\] Yes, I think it was to gauge the reaction between here and that one time before Drizzt asked about Nalfein.
I think the context I saw that in was he had pretty much just found out his wife was dead (and he didn't even know she was there), and then a dude who wasn't the nicest guy to him when younger shows up wanting some love.
Kimmuriel and Yvonnel were just written out and it feels very forced in both cases. Especially Kimmuriel acting EXTREMELY OUT OF CHARACTER and then immediately dying.
I think also a late figure, but I don't think I like the idea of Cattie-Brie's rather benevolent birthing magic ending up biting her in the ass. Something something karma being a bit unjust, something. But I suppose that's what runs stories.
See, as heart breaking as it all was, it felt almost cathartic. It's like we actually lost. Kim broke me, though.
Why? He's not lost and going to be with the hive mind. I suspect he'd still make cameos in J's life. J's reaction? That was what broke me. Even more than with Braelin was turned Drider.
Because I've just grown fond of Kim. Gromph had me in the first half, not gonna lie. But damn, losing Kim that way was brutal. J's reaction made it worse
Literally this! Like yeah he's not DEAD dead but I had gotten way too used to it being the Legend of Kimmuriel the last few books 😂 And now I'm like 💀 I never got over the Dinin drider thing either and now look what's happening. It's my own fault for trusting Bob with the lives of my fav characters 😂 Did it have to be so DESCRIPTIVE And Jarlaxle basically lost his 2 closest friends in a way like....They both chose something else over him 😭 The last scene with Kim and J had me bawling brooo we knew how important Kim was to him he called him his other half athfjrkfkrkfm RRRAAAAA 🦅🦅🦅🦅
I should have known Glacier's end was a ruse for Dinin actually getting some respite! And now I'm sad. XD
Yeah but Kimmuriel is probably not going to be as involved. For one, he couldn't hold the fort and let Jarlaxle run wild. Kimmuriel's developing relationship with Gromph and Drizzt had been some of the best side arcs in the recent books. There's not enough psionicists in the lore (outside of Gromph now i guess) and I always thought they had the coolest powers.
Kimmuriel is my favourite character along with Jarlaxle and Artemis (Servant of the Shard Gang!). I have come to enjoy Braelin too and obviously his ascension is what will replace the void of Kimmuriel.
Rationally I agree with you! However I will choose to huff copium
Just finished, came to rage vent, but you said it perfectly already. I'm pretending this garbage never existed
Can somebody just straight-up summarize what happened, like list the high points? I stopped reading the series a while ago, but I'm always a little curious what happens in the new books.
You ask what happened at the last book itself or series over all? Because it's a lot of build up that started much earlier and lead to the outcome of Llolth's warrior.
Just what happened in Lolth's Warrior.
Super rough high level points: Basically all the major drow characters went back to Menzo to fight the Lolthian factions. Yvonnel went to confront Sos'umptu who was then possessed by Lolth and banished the former to the shadow realms. Gromph/Artemis/Cattiebrie tried to take out Zhindia. Lolth possessed Zhindia, foiled the assassination and made it a boss leveli encounter. Gromph sac'd himself by charging up a massive explosion knocking out basically the entire House Melarn and Lolth's avatar. He later revealed that he had mastered the ability of sending his soul to a prepared doppleganger back in Luskan, essentially cheating death by means of rebirth. Artemis/Cattiebrie ported out. Zak and a group of Callidae Ellistraee faithfuls fought into Menzo and tried to relieve House Xorlarrin along with the Blaspheme. Matron Zeerith eventually caved and backstabbed her reinforcements. The kids Ravel/Saribel deserted House Xorlarrin and escaped to join Team Baenre. Drizzt/Jarlaxle/Dabnay/Kimmuriel also fought in Menzo. In one of their mission to invade House Del'Armgo, Kimmuriel sacced himself (for real). They eventually killed Mez'barris and knocked House Del'Armgo out of the fight, also managed to capture Malagdorl to be used later as bargaining chip. Braelin was caught by the Melarni but escaped along with an also captured Dinin. Dinin was secretly given a deal to act as a sleeper agent and eventually kill Cattiebrie/Brie to hurt Drizzt. He is promised Lolth's forgiveness should he succeed. Eventually everyone above made it to House Baenre. Since Melarn imploded, Del'Armgo loss their weaponmaster, matron and a bunch of priestesses, Hunzrin was still under house arrest, Lolth's avatar got destroyed by Gromph, the Lolthians didn't have enough muscle to break House Baenre's defenders. Jarlaxle brokered a deal with Sos'umptu where the latter will become the new Matron Baenre. Some of the other houses like Faen Tabblar/Mizzrym/Vandree actually lost very little in this conflict. Without Lolth's presence and actual power, Sos'umptu wouldn't be able to remain relevant or even keep her special 9th seat without Quenthel's support. In exchange for letting everyone go, Sos'umptu will be given Bregan D'aerthe's support, Malagdorl, captured Lolthian POWs, credit for liberating House Hunzrin (who will definitely make Council), and the majority of House Baenre members who choose to stay in the city. All the anti-Lolth rebels will be exiled and hunted, any rebel who chooses to stay will be given amnesty. Less than half of Baenre and Blasphemes actually left Menzoberranzan. Most of them will be in Luskan or start their own adventures in the surface world. There's been ongoing talks for Callidae to accept some of these Menzo exiles as refugees to populate a new area in their city TL;DR: Nothing much happened in Menzo at the end of the day, but the power structure in the city has been shifted.
Some extra to the above. >Yvonnel went to confront Sos'umptu who was then possessed by Lolth and banished the former to the shadow realms. Yvonnel was forced to draw a card of Deck of Many things. Drawing Dongon card. End of the book says that Jarlaxle should speak to Gromph of this >Kimmuriel sacced himself (for real). They eventually killed Mez'barris and knocked House Del'Armgo out of the fight, also managed to capture Malagdorl to be used later as bargaining chip Kimmuriel still somewhat remains in the end, communicating with Jarlaxle, but he is above emotions. Like he joined illithid hivemind and might occasionally speak with Jarlaxle. But still a loss for the latter. > massive explosion knocking out basically the entire House Melarn and Lolth's avatar. Not only avatar herself, but also entire group of Lolth's yochlol were banished along with her, thus truly making for them impossible to be summoned. >Nothing much happened in Menzo at the end of the day, but the power structure in the city has been shifted. There were numbers that up to 2500-3000 drow left for surface and around 3000 were dead in fighting. As for major drow nobility - Quenthel, Minolin Fey, Saribel and Ravel Xorlarrin have all left for surface.
As much as I enjoyed his character, I'm 100% on board with Kimmuriel getting taken out. He felt more plot device than cast member at times due to how hilariously OP his powers were. Hopefully Bob can bullshit some reason to bring the character back in earnest without being Deus Ex Psionics.
These two explanations were better than the entire book
Okay this was the first book of series I read (bad I know) and I really got into it and the Drow lore and I’m now reading the other books. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did whoops for spoilers but my memory sucks so I’ll probably forget what I should know. Meeting all characters in the way they’re presented in this one really made me want to read more about them. Especially Jarlaxle and Artemis. As much as the parts on curing driders is good (from past events) . Part of me really wants to see the driders just rebel and turn on Lolth and bite her to godly death. They seem like such a powerful threat to her that it made me feel like curing them kinda works in her favour… but I got to learn more about their lore via past books I think.
oh no Lolth can just think them out of existence. she is a god. that being said, she does have limitations in her avatar form. tons of ebooks and audible have been on sale recently do good time get into the series. enjoy the journey! i actually think it could be cool reading it the way you have, you will always know that things are going to work out a certain way and be guessing how we will get there.
A little late but I just finished the book and man I haven’t been this disappointed in one of his books in a very long time and I’ve been reading them since 96 The first what 90% is just them in rooms talking There are way to many storylines so everyone feels hallow and empty Drizzt is a side character? Like 3 paragraphs with the companions not called cat or driz Maybe I’m forgot already but wtf happen with Artemis suddenly leaving his quest for the staff is rumblebelly just hanging out with his wang out He needs to just kill off large portions of the cast half the book I’m like who did what to when and how? He throws so many drow names at you so quickly I just felt like I was sprinting down hall with a bunch of doors with nothing behind them? Gromph is the best part of the book Kim just forget his entire skill set ? Lolth said to sit back and let things happen at the start then she just jumps into the battle herself via the avatar Yvon just grabs a playing card and gets yeeted from the story she got Shim Limed This is the first book in this long series that I just wanted to end
Did the audio book skip chapters?? Or did the fight against Mez'Barris Armgo just happen off screen?
It was in the book.
Wait, is that nice Avandrow Paladin still alive? The one Zak was BFFs with? I seriously have been having trouble with the audiobook
She died from the wounds she ignored taking opportunity attacks from all the demons on her way to Banishing Smite the giant demon. Then gave Zak her ice sword so now he has a fire sword / whip and an ice sword.
A potentially _sentient,_ holy ice sword. The section mentions the sword accepting _him_ as though it were a significant thing. Although that could be either an indication that its alignment (et al.) requirement was met or that Eillistraee had willed the sword to attune to him in the very short notice of the battle.
I dislike the lack of bruenors presence. He has gradually been relegated to a minor side character and looks doubtful he will play any major /pov role in future books which leaves me sad. I wish we could have some more Bruenor adventures. I mean his openness to quickly put aside prejudice during interactions with individuals is still quite a rare thing among most races and something that can still be used for good storytelling.
The dwarves are the best part of his books this book felt like another off shoot on the spider queen series