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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 04:08:16
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Oh, I forgot to check the most accessible source of all (FRWiki). Based on the Combat section of his entry:
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When forced into combat, Jarlaxle will throw a seemingly unlimited supply of magical daggers conferred to him by his bracers. One in every three or so daggers is an illusion, but can still be fatal if it is believed to be real. The daggers will magically disappear after a short period of time, returning themselves to his magic bracers.
He is extremely skilled in the two long-blade fighting style commonly used by the drow, though when mismatched with less skilled opponents he has been known to use the less effective but visually showy swashbuckling style to distract them - though his mastery of this style was enough to impress even Artemis Entreri, the famed assassin and Jarlaxle's former companion.
...So that means, often a combination of magic and steel? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 04:15:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
In any fight, what does Jarl favor/use more? Magic or blades? [I'm thinking of giving Drizzt and Co. books a try someday.]
Bob says that Jarlaxle prefers trickery and magic to the blade, which makes it sound like he is more of a wizard/battle-mage than a fighter, at heart.
Here's an excerpt from The Ghost King:
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Jarlaxle hated this kind of fight. Most of his battle repertoire, both magical and physical, was designed to misdirect, to confuse, and to keep his opponent off-balance.
You couldn’t confuse a brainless skeleton or zombie. (TGK, P1:C1)
In the ensuing fight, he uses a ring, wand, and modified figurine of wondrous power, rather than any blades.
What's more, when the heat gets to be too much, he has the wisdom to ride, and live to fight another day.
Because that particular novel featured the Spellplague in the background, Jarlaxle was constantly worried that his primary means of engaging enemies might backfire on him at any time.
In conversation, Bob likens Jar to Batman, with his utility belt of magical items and ingredients, always managing to put an end to any dicey situation.
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Hmm. I might like him. Though I have to work really hard into trying to accept Drizzt. In the one book I read (and didn't finish) where Drizzt donned a prominent role, I couldn't bring myself to like him. But one day, only Bane knows when, I'll get over these biases. I just feel that I'm missing a rather big chunk of FR lore by ignoring dozens of novels to avoid some characters.
You don't need to like Drizzt in order to love Jar.    
One bit of controversy about him right now, in the late 1400s DR, is whether Drizzt's morals are rubbing off on him a little, or if he simply admires Drizzt for being able to successfully break free of the matriarchal hell of Menzoberranzan. Jar still conspires with all sorts of nasty sorts, so I doubt the former is true. Methinks he wants the benefits of Drizzt's defiant independence, without the burdens of his conscience and self-restraint.
At any rate, that he makes deals with goodly and evil personalities alike, and seems to be welcomed by all, makes him a very enjoyable character to read about. He has a seductive charm that makes you want to keep reading on, knowing full well that he is probably up to no good, and has alterior motives going on. It's just that what he offers sounds so good, you can't help but want to believe it.
Jarlaxle is a major player in Menzo, and occasionally takes forays onto the surface for a little adventure, citing profit as his alleged reason for doing so. But I don't know how big of a deal he should be deemed to the Realms as a whole. |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
Edited by - BEAST on 07 Sep 2012 04:28:21 |
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Aulduron
Learned Scribe
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 04:43:45
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| He prefers magic, and thrown magical daggers, but he's very good with his swords when he has to use them. |
"Those with talent become wizards, Those without talent spend their lives praying for it"
-Procopio Septus |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 05:04:08
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Oh, I'd say it's more than that. I think that Drizzt really has influenced him, and not just because of breaking free of the Matriarchy. Other drow have done that, as evidenced by the quartet that was working with Obould. Drizzt was not even the first, to judge by the many Eilistraeeans and Vaerhaunites that have been roaming the surface long before he arrived. But his influence on Jar is deeper than that- because if that was really all it was, Jar would not have cared one bit about Entreri or Cadderly's kids, or helping Athrogate restore his dwarven honor when they accidentally woke the primordial.
Jarlaxle is a very cunning fighter, when he has to be, he'd just rather not get his hands dirty. As to his preference, he's more swashbuckler than anything, with a heavy dose of magic-use. Spellsword/beguiler? All in all, just good fun. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 05:05:02
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quote:
Originally posted by BEAST
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Hmm. I might like him. Though I have to work really hard into trying to accept Drizzt. In the one book I read (and didn't finish) where Drizzt donned a prominent role, I couldn't bring myself to like him. But one day, only Bane knows when, I'll get over these biases. I just feel that I'm missing a rather big chunk of FR lore by ignoring dozens of novels to avoid some characters.
You don't need to like Drizzt in order to love Jar.
Right, I don't need to. But, as I understand, in most (if not all books) where Jarl appeared, Drizzt's also there. I can't ignore a character specially if said character is a main one. I don't wish to like Drizzt. That might be impossible. But I'd hope to at least tolerate him.
quote:
Originally posted by BEAST
One bit of controversy about him right now, in the late 1400s DR, is whether Drizzt's morals are rubbing off on him a little...
So he's more EMO these days? |
Every beginning has an end. |
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CorellonsDevout
Great Reader
USA
2708 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 05:16:59
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| Why don't you like him? |
Sweet water and light laughter |
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CorellonsDevout
Great Reader
USA
2708 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 05:18:31
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| Oh, and I forgot to add: there actually is a trilogy called the Sellswords, and it features Jarlaxle and Entreri, but not Drizzt (though Drizzt does have his "journal entries" in the first one of the trilogy. I don't remember if he does in the other two). |
Sweet water and light laughter |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 05:28:01
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Thanks. I'd give at least Book I of that series a try. My local bookstores happen to have a plethora of Drizzt novels. And the hardbound and the trade paperback collector's edition are 50-60% off. Not sure about that particular series, though. Will check later if it's available. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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CorellonsDevout
Great Reader
USA
2708 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 05:36:50
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| Book 1 was kind of boring for me, but I loved books two and three. You might be able to skip book 1 and just jump to book 2. It's been several years since I read them, and there are likely references to the first two, but that is common in FR anyway ^^; the 1st book, if you are interested, is Servant of the Shard, the 2nd is Promise of the Witch-King, and the 3rd is Road of the Patriarch. Give the 1st a try, and if you don't like it, do try the 2nd. I, at least, really enjoyed them ^^ |
Sweet water and light laughter |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1304 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 15:41:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Thanks. I'd give at least Book I of that series a try. My local bookstores happen to have a plethora of Drizzt novels. And the hardbound and the trade paperback collector's edition are 50-60% off. Not sure about that particular series, though. Will check later if it's available.
Servant of the Shard is probably my favourite RA Salvatore book. For sure pick it up! No Drizzt!
(The Crystal Shard is my sentimental favourite since it's first, but Ghost King is just fantastic too!) |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 18:58:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Oh, I'd say it's more than that. I think that Drizzt really has influenced him, and not just because of breaking free of the Matriarchy. Other drow have done that, as evidenced by the quartet that was working with Obould. Drizzt was not even the first, to judge by the many Eilistraeeans and Vaerhaunites that have been roaming the surface long before he arrived. But his influence on Jar is deeper than that- because if that was really all it was, Jar would not have cared one bit about Entreri or Cadderly's kids, or helping Athrogate restore his dwarven honor when they accidentally woke the primordial.
Jar is doing lots of stuff that seems nice and generous to his associates, without it necessarily being profitable. A lot of it is actually quite costly, I'm guessing.
But even Hitler and Capone bought gifts for people.
After the fall of Luskan to the drow-backed High Captains and the death of Deudermont to one such High Captain, and Jar's shrugged shoulders at it all, I just can't call him goodly.
He seems to be trying to change. Or maybe he's just trying to put on appearances. |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
Edited by - BEAST on 07 Sep 2012 18:58:56 |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 07 Sep 2012 : 21:02:16
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quote:
Originally posted by CorellonsDevout
Oh, and I forgot to add: there actually is a trilogy called the Sellswords, and it features Jarlaxle and Entreri, but not Drizzt (though Drizzt does have his "journal entries" in the first one of the trilogy. I don't remember if he does in the other two).
Because SOTS was originally released as part of the Drizzt line in the "Paths of Darkness" mini-series, it includes Drizzt Diaries. Even when it was re-released as part of "The Sellswords", it retained those journal entries.
But when WOTC decided to do a non-Drizzt Entreri-&-Jarlaxle spin-off series, POTWK was made without any Drizzt Diaries. In their place, there are passages in which Jarlaxle learns more about a certain Zhengyian phylactery: information which he notably does not share with any of his other associates. This is where the title of the novel is really explained. (The main text of the story, OTOH, is just a good adventure romp.)
Apparently, the spin-off series struggled sales-wise, and it was determined that the lack of Drizzt in the second novel really hurt its marketability; the third novel, ROTP, saw the return of the Drizzt Diaries. |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2012 : 01:19:47
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LOL, BEAST, I never called him "good". Just said that he may be more influenced by Drizzt than he'd like to admit. Also, I think he's got a sentimental attatchment tothe lad, seeing how he and Zaknafein were once friends. I'd LOVE to read THAT tale....
And although he more or less shrugged Luskan off, he didn't quite do that regarding Neverwinter. I wonder if seeing the harm he inadvertantly caused in Luskan and then again in Neverwinter might have actually made him stop and think? Perhaps he's starting to re-evaluate his goals and methods? |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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CorellonsDevout
Great Reader
USA
2708 Posts |
Posted - 08 Sep 2012 : 03:03:05
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quote:
Originally posted by BEAST
quote:
Originally posted by CorellonsDevout
Oh, and I forgot to add: there actually is a trilogy called the Sellswords, and it features Jarlaxle and Entreri, but not Drizzt (though Drizzt does have his "journal entries" in the first one of the trilogy. I don't remember if he does in the other two).
Because SOTS was originally released as part of the Drizzt line in the "Paths of Darkness" mini-series, it includes Drizzt Diaries. Even when it was re-released as part of "The Sellswords", it retained those journal entries.
But when WOTC decided to do a non-Drizzt Entreri-&-Jarlaxle spin-off series, POTWK was made without any Drizzt Diaries. In their place, there are passages in which Jarlaxle learns more about a certain Zhengyian phylactery: information which he notably does not share with any of his other associates. This is where the title of the novel is really explained. (The main text of the story, OTOH, is just a good adventure romp.)
Apparently, the spin-off series struggled sales-wise, and it was determined that the lack of Drizzt in the second novel really hurt its marketability; the third novel, ROTP, saw the return of the Drizzt Diaries.
Yes, I remember the first one was originally part of the Paths of Darkness quartet, so that is indeed why it included the Drizzt entries. I honestly didn't care much for the first one, so I liked the journal entries, but POTWK and ROTP were really good. |
Sweet water and light laughter |
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Jarlaxle *possible spoilers*
