The Dark Elf Trilogy

Prequel trilogy following drow ranger Drizzt Do'Urden.

R. A. Salvatore wrote The Dark Elf Trilogy as a prequel to his Icewind Dale Trilogy. The dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden began as a supporting character for the barbarian Wulfgar, but his popularity pushed him into the lead role. The series' final book, Sojourn, landed on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Quick Facts

Books

Homeland
Exile
Sojourn

Author

R. A. Salvatore

Country

United States

Language

English

Genre

Epic fantasy

Publisher

TSR, Inc./Penguin Books; Wizards of the Coast

Published

1990–1991

Format

print (hardcover and paperback); audiobook

Facts from the source article.

Works included

Homeland (1990) covers Drizzt's birth and upbringing among the drow in Menzoberranzan, where he follows his principles despite opposition from his family, including his mother Matron Malice. Exile (1990) follows Drizzt for ten years after leaving his house, wandering the Underdark with only his magical panther Guenhwyvar. He faces dangers with his scimitars and struggles with emotions over his failure in Menzoberranzan and grief for his father Zaknafein, eventually heading to the surface. Sojourn (1991) depicts Drizzt on the surface, facing prejudice due to his kin's infamy. He is rejected and hunted until he meets the blind ranger Montolio DeBrouchee, who teaches him to become a ranger. Together they defend Montolio's home from orcs, after which Drizzt travels to Icewind Dale and befriends Catti-brie and Bruenor Battlehammer.

Characters

Roddy McGristle is a human bounty hunter who uses two dogs and an axe named Bleeder. He pursues Drizzt after Drizzt kills one dog and injures the other; Roddy loses an ear and is scarred when he chops a tree with his axe, but claims Drizzt injured him. He follows rumors of Drizzt for revenge, using the Thistledown deaths as a pretext, though he cares little for them or the bounty after Drizzt is cleared. He tracks Drizzt to Icewind Dale but is easily defeated; Drizzt spares his life, and Bruenor drives him from the mountain.

Clacker is a pech transformed into a Hook Horror by a wizard, losing his name and memories. He meets Drizzt and Belwar Dissengulp in the Underdark; they seek the wizard, but Clacker kills him in a rage. Clacker later regains some awareness, uses his earth-tuned abilities to save his friends, and asks to be killed before fully turning. Zaknafein kills him, and his true-form body is placed in acid.

Comics

Devil's Due Publishing adapted the trilogy into comic books, with Tim Seeley as artist and Andrew Dabb as writer under R. A. Salvatore's supervision. Homeland, volume 1, received a positive review from George Galuschak of Kliatt, who found the plot easy to follow. Sojourn, volume 3, ranked 19 in August 2006 Graphic Novels sales with an estimated 3,465 copies sold.

Reception

Cindy Speer of SF Site gave Homeland a positive review, praising its characterization of Drizzt. Sojourn debuted at 13 on The New York Times Best Seller list on March 26, 1991. Ian Strelec gave Sojourn a B+ rating, calling it short but important to the Drizzt mythos. The trilogy ranked #1 on Game Rant's 2024 list of best Dungeons & Dragons novels and on Screen Rant's 2025 list of best Forgotten Realms book series.