The Pirate King
A tale of moral conflict and the fall of Luskan.
The Pirate King, published in 2008, is the second novel in R. A. Salvatore's Transitions series. The story centers on Captain Deudermont and his crew, who aim to liberate Luskan from the corrupt Arcane Brotherhood and the lich Arklem Greeth. Drizzt Do'Urden and Regis become involved in the struggle. Deudermont, after a conversation with a captured pirate and a meeting with Lord Brambleberry in Waterdeep, decides to confront Arklem Greeth. Meanwhile, Drizzt and Regis travel toward Icewind Dale to check on Wulfgar, stopping in Longsaddle for a debate on crime and punishment before joining Deudermont in Luskan. The conflict presents a moral dilemma: risk destroying the city to improve it, or accept its current stability under immoral rule. After battles tear Luskan apart, Arklem Greeth destroys the Hosttower, killing many citizens. Drizzt and Regis then continue to Icewind Dale, where they find Wulfgar living in a cave. Back in Luskan, Deudermont attempts to rebuild, but the High Captains turn the people against him, leading to civil war. In the final battle, Deudermont dies, the Sea Sprite sinks, and the High Captains regain control. Drizzt and Regis leave with the surviving crew. The novel reached number eight on The New York Times bestseller list on November 2, 2008.
- title
- The Pirate King
- author
- R. A. Salvatore
- series
- Transitions series, book 2
- publication_year
- 2008
- genre
- Fantasy novel
- setting
- Luskan, Icewind Dale, Longsaddle
Quick Facts
- Author
- R. A. Salvatore
- Cover Artist
- Todd Lockwood
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Series
- Transitions
- Genre
- Fantasy novel
- Publisher
- Wizards of the Coast
- Release Date
- October 7, 2008
- Media Type
- Print (Hardback)
- Pages
- 347
- Isbn
- 978-0-7869-4964-9
- Preceded By
- The Orc King
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The story begins with Captain Deudermont and the Sea Sprite crew fighting pirates. A captured pirate suggests Deudermont's actions are merely a show, and that Arklem Greeth, a lich controlling the Hosttower in Luskan, supports the pirate trade. Deudermont meets with Lord Brambleberry of Waterdeep, and they decide to stop Greeth and his pirate crews. Meanwhile, Drizzt and Regis travel to Icewind Dale to learn the fate of Wulfgar, passing through Longsaddle where a philosophical debate about crime and punishment occurs. They meet Deudermont in Luskan and decide to help.
Reader's Guide
The Pirate King is significant as a key installment in R. A. Salvatore's Transitions series, exploring themes of moral compromise and the cost of heroism. The novel's plot centers on the failure of a well-intentioned intervention in Luskan, resulting in widespread destruction and the death of Captain Deudermont. The book reached number 8 on The New York Times bestseller list on November 2, 2008, indicating its commercial impact. Its legacy lies in its depiction of a pyrrhic victory, where the attempt to save a city from corruption leads to greater tragedy, and in advancing the personal journeys of Drizzt and Regis.
Did You Know?
- The Pirate King reached number 8 on The New York Times bestseller list on November 2, 2008.
- Arklem Greeth is a lich who controls the Hosttower in Luskan.
- Captain Deudermont dies in the final battle, and the Sea Sprite is sunk.
- Drizzt and Regis travel to Icewind Dale to learn the fate of Wulfgar.
More in Novels by R. A. Salvatore 1-24
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