Charon's Claw (novel)

Lore & Background

The novel begins in the year 1463 DR with a meeting of the Xorlarrin House of Menzoberranzan, where Ravel proposes a plan to take Gauntlgrym and establish a new drow city. Matron Mother Zeerith Xorlarrin approves an expedition led by Ravel, including various drow, mercenaries, a drider, and goblin slaves. Tiago Baenre is sent by Matron Mother Triel Baenre to observe the Xorlarrin expedition and report back. Meanwhile, Drizzt and Dahlia journey back to Neverwinter, unaware that Effron has prepared Shadovar mercenaries to ambush them. The struggle for power in Neverwinter continues with Herzgo Alegni declaring himself ruler, opposed by Jelvus Grinch and citizens. Arunika and Brother Anthus seek to weaken Herzgo's rule while waiting for the Aboleth Sovereignty's return.

Reader's Guide

Charon's Claw is significant as a key installment in R. A. Salvatore's long-running Drizzt Do'Urden series, advancing the Neverwinter Saga's plotlines. The novel explores themes of power, betrayal, and redemption, particularly through the character of Artemis Entreri, who remains susceptible to the control of the titular sword. The book also introduces new characters and deepens existing relationships, such as the bond between Dahlia and Entreri. Its commercial success, reaching #13 on The New York Times bestseller list and #55 on USA Today's list, underscores its popularity among fantasy readers. The novel sets up future conflicts, including the return of the demon Errtu and the forging of powerful weapons for Tiago Baenre, ensuring its lasting impact on the Forgotten Realms lore.

Did You Know?

• Charon's Claw reached number 13 on The New York Times bestseller list on August 26, 2012.
• The novel was on the USA Today Best-Selling Books list for one week, with #55 as its best week.
• The story is set days after the events of the novel Neverwinter.
• Artemis Entreri is resurrected and joins Drizzt and Dahlia in this book.

Series Placement & Core Premise

Charon's Claw was published on August 7, 2012, serving as the third volume in R. A. Salvatore's Neverwinter Saga within the Forgotten Realms setting. The narrative opens just days after the events of Neverwinter, maintaining a compressed timeline that carries momentum directly from the previous book. The story centers on Drizzt Do'Urden and Dahlia as they journey back toward Neverwinter, while the resurrected Artemis Entreri—still bound by the dark influence of the sword that gives the novel its title—seeks them out in the hope that their combined strength can free him from its servitude. Salvatore balances this core trio against multiple antagonistic forces: the Shadovar mercenary company of Cavus Dun, a drow expedition led by the Xorlarrin House, and the self-appointed ruler Herzgo Alegni. New characters such as Ambergris, the dwarven priestess, and the Shadovar mage Shifter add texture to the ensemble, ensuring the saga expands well beyond its established cast.

The Drow Expedition to Gauntlgrym

A parallel storyline traces the ambitions of the Xorlarrin House in Menzoberranzan, where Ravel, the house's second boy and spellspinner, persuades Matron Mother Zeerith to sanction an expedition to seize Gauntlgrym and found a new drow city under their rule. The expedition assembles a diverse and fractious company: Brach'Thal, whose magical power was diminished by the Spellplague but who retains mastery over elementals; Jaerth, the house weapon master; priestess sisters Saribel and Berellip; nearly a hundred mercenaries drawn largely from houseless rogue drows; a drider named Yerrininae with twenty warriors; and goblin slaves. Matron Mother Triel Baenre inserts her own agent, Tiago Baenre, accompanied by the master blacksmith Gol'fanin, to steer events toward her interests. Once inside Gauntlgrym, the group defeats the dwarf ghosts guarding the city and begins reactivating its legendary forge, but internal power struggles between Ravel, the priestesses, and Tiago threaten to unravel the operation before it can succeed.

The Shadovar & Herzgo's Grip on Neverwinter

The political landscape of Neverwinter is in open turmoil. Herzgo Alegni has declared himself the city's ruler, facing opposition from Jelvus Grinch and the populace, while the succubus Arunika and her partner Brother Anthus plot to weaken his authority, anticipating the return of the Aboleth Sovereignty. Arunika's search for the lich Valindra Shadowmatle at the Dread Ring site instead yields her imp familiar Invidoo and a maimed zombie, Sylora. Invidoo, seeking freedom from servitude, strikes a deal with Arunika to find a replacement familiar connected to Drizzt. Meanwhile, the Shadovar mercenary force—led by Jermander and including the spider tamer Ratsis, warrior monks Parbid and Afafrenfere, the dwarven priestess Ambergris, the tiefling Bol, the silent warrior Horrible, and the mage Shifter—lays an ambush for Drizzt and Dahlia. The battle claims several mercenary lives, and when Herzgo later confronts the trio on the Herzgo Alegni Bridge, his escape through a shadow gate leads him into the Shadowfell, where the enigmatic Draygo Quick commands him to retrieve Charon's Claw.

The Convergence at Gauntlgrym

The novel's climax draws every faction into Gauntlgrym simultaneously. Drizzt, Dahlia, and Entreri enter the city seeking the primordial elemental they believe can destroy Charon's Claw, only to find themselves ambushed by Shifter, who offers to return Guenhwyvar in exchange for the sword—an offer Drizzt refuses. Glorfathel, Ambergris, and Afafrenfere pursue them, followed by the full Shadovar force teleporting in. Before the battle can resolve, Ravel's drow expedition arrives and captures the three companions, though Entreri's quick thinking—convincing the drow they serve Bregen D'aerthe—secures their release. The ensuing three-way clash between primordial elementals, Shadovar, and the companions disrupts Gol'fanin's work forging a blade and shield for Tiago. In the chaos, Ambergris betrays her Shadovar allies, hurling Glorfathel into a lava pit and stunning Afafrenfere. Drizzt kills Brach'Thal and reaches the primordial pit, while Herzgo, lured by a vision of the sword's destruction, is finally confronted by Dahlia and Entreri.