Drizzt Do'Urden

The good drow who left Menzoberranzan to fight for honor alongside his friends in Icewind Dale.

Drizzt Do'Urden is a fictional drow character created by R. A. Salvatore for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. Originally conceived as a sidekick to replace a removed character in The Crystal Shard, he became a mainstay of the series, appearing in novels starting chronologically with The Dark Elf Trilogy. As an atypical drow, he rejected the evil ways and home city of Menzoberranzan to pursue friendship and peace on the surface.

Quick Facts

First: The Crystal Shard
Creator: R. A. Salvatore
Race: Drow
Class: Fighter/Ranger
Alignment: Chaotic good
Home: Menzoberranzan
Series: Forgotten Realms

Facts from the source article.

Background

Drizzt was born in Menzoberranzan as the third son of Matron Malice and the weapons master Zaknafein. While his father secretly taught him martial skills and an innate moral code, Drizzt refused to participate in a raid against surface elves, helping an elf child escape instead. When discovered, Zaknafein was sacrificed in his place. Drizzt cursed his family, fled into the Underdark, and acquired a statuette to summon his panther, Guenhwyvar. After fighting off the spirit-wraith of his father in Exile, he traveled to the surface, where he met the blind ranger Montolio Debrouchee. Learning that he had unknowingly followed ranger principles all along, Drizzt adopted Mielikki as his patron goddess. He eventually found a home in Icewind Dale with Bruenor Battlehammer and Catti-brie.

Origins and Accidental Creation

R. A. Salvatore created Drizzt on a whim in 1987 after publisher Mary Kirchoff informed him that one of his characters for The Crystal Shard could not be used. Under pressure, he invented a dark elf sidekick named Drizzt Do'Urden, admitting he did not know how to spell the name at the time. He cites J.R.R. Tolkien and classical literature as influences, describing the character as a cross between Daryth from Darkwalker on Moonshae and Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings.

Defiance of Drow Tradition

Drizzt's conflict with his heritage is central to his story. He refuses the evil ways of Menzoberranzan, where his mother Matron Malice leads House Do'Urden. His father, Zaknafein, taught him to fight against these traits. After sacrificing himself for Drizzt, Zaknafein's spirit returns in Exile but is defeated. Drizzt's decision to help an elf child during a raid marked his break from drow society, leading to his exile and eventual acceptance of Mielikki as his goddess.

Literary Journey and Media Adaptations

Drizzt appears in The Icewind Dale Trilogy, The Dark Elf Trilogy, the Legacy of the Drow series, Paths of Darkness, The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, Transitions, and Neverwinter Saga. Short stories include "The Dowry", "Dark Mirror", and "Comrades at Odds". All novels featuring him made The New York Times Best Seller list. Adaptations include graphic novels by Devil's Due Publishing and video games such as the Baldur's Gate series and Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone.

Thematic Exploration of Prejudice

Salvatore uses Drizzt to address racial prejudice, particularly in The Dark Elf Trilogy. Drizzt worries that children with Catti-brie would face hostility from both humans and drow. He also struggles with the lifespan difference between himself as an elf and Catti-brie as a human. His unusual personality creates conflict that allows for stories about courage and friendship, as he fights against the dark traits inherent in his people.