“Greetings, Akar Kessell. I am Drizzt Do’Urden, ranger of Gwaeron Windstrom, guardian of Icewind Dale. I have come to kill you.”
image credit: http://helmuttt.deviantart.com/art/Drow-213021149
Drizzt Do’Urden of Icewind Dale
As an insane mage, a blood thirsty goblin, or an ice giant just looking for something to stomp into the cold, hard tundra of Icewind Dale, the last thing you want to face off against is the legendary drow ranger, Drizzt Do’Urden.
The famous dark elf ranger is one of the most renowned heroes out of all the fantasy books ever written and is pretty pithy as well.
So if you are an evil villain and come across this drow warrior with a misplaced sense of goodwill, what are some of the things his enemies might warn you about?
His Lavender Eyes
We first learn about the drow ranger’s eye color in the chapter titled “Lavender Eyes” from the fantasy novel the Crystal Shard, by R. A. Salvatore. Of course, if you read Homeland before you read the Crystal Shard, then you learned about Drizzt’s birth during a raid on another house of dark elves, and how his mother and sister (who were ready to kill him and sacrifice him to the Spider Queen Lolth) were immediately struck by the color of his eyes.
If Drizzt’s lavender eyes focus on his foe, it usually means the ferocious swords are about to fly out of his scabbard.
Drizzt’s Whirring and Whirling Scimitars
When Drizzt Do’Urden’s scimitars leap out of their sheathes, you can bet the orcs, goblins, or ice giants (verbeeg) will start losing limbs.
Drizzt Do’Urden Knows Magic
Whether it’s annoying his enemies by illuminating them in a strange purple fire, or blinding them with a cloud of darkness, the beloved drow ranger does not have to rely on his strength or swordsmanship alone to vanquish icy dragons, deranged wizard apprentices, frost giants, or simple goblins.
He is a Dark Elf & They Are Mean
Known for their ruthlessness, cunning, and natural ability in the dark and destructive arts of arcane magic, facing off against a dark elf is no easy task for Drizzt’s foes.
The dark elf says it best when he first starts training Wulfgar, in the chapter “On The Wings Of Doom” from the great fantasy book series, Icewind Dale Trilogy:
“My people kill,” Drizzt went on grimly. “They kill without mercy.”
He is a Dark Elf-Ranger So He Is Mean & Tricksy
Not only is he schooled in magic, calculating, and deadly with a sword, he is equally talented in the arts of stealth and concealment.
He doesn’t have to rely on brute strength alone to bring his enemies down. In fact, when he is training Wulfgar, an important part of the young barbarian’s training is that he learns to be nimble, dodge his opponent’s swings, and wait for the opportune moment to strike.
Guenhwyvar: His Panther from another Plane
It’s not enough to deal with an expert swordsman trained in the art of magic and stealth. You also have to deal with his deadly cat, Guenhwyvar.
It would be horrible enough to face a planar panther in fair combat, but Drizzt and Guenhwyvar often scheme so that the cat ambushes opponents.
We see a nasty fight in the chapter “Biggrin’s House” from The Crystal Shard where the panther shows just how fierce he can be during the battle with the verbeeg in their kitchen: “Guenhwyvar sprang on the other giant, his powerful jaws tearing out the monster’s groin.”
Ouch.
He has Slain a Pegasus
In one of the greatest chapters of the Icewind Dale series, “Sky Ponies,” this member of the Friends of Mithril Hall traveled to a strange dimension to slay a Pegasus.
He was Trained by Zaknafein Do’Urden
Since he is the weapons master of House Do’Urden and the former master of the melee school for dark elves Melee-Magthere, Zak is a drow that any enemy of house Do’Urden would never want to fight with. While he is bothered by philosophical musings, the merciless culture of the drow, and the violent deeds he has seen carried out (along with all the murders he has committed) Zaknafein is a ferocious warrior capable of shocking brutality, like when he ripped the tongue out of Matron DiVinn’s mouth with a whip.
And this is the dark elf that trained the young Drizzt Do’Urden in the ways of mortal combat.
Drizzt Do’Urden is the Best Name in all of Fantasy Literature
Akar Kessell said it the best:
“I know you, dark elf. Any man who has ever lived in Ten-Towns has heard the name of Drizzt Do’Urden in tale or in jest!”
Fantasy Insult Bonus
The one thing the enemies of the dark elf ranger must love, is to call him a “sorcerous dog!” or as Akar Kessell once called him, “Blasphemous dog!”
Maybe they should have spent more time practicing magic or getting better with their weapon of choice since none of them seem to be around anymore!
