Night of the Hunter

Night of the Hunter is the first novel in the Companions Codex by R.A. Salvatore.

"R.A. Salvatore's New York Times best-selling saga continues as dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden returns to Gauntlgrym with old friends by his side once again, as they seek to rescue Bruenor's loyal shield dwarf-turned-vampire. But not only do Drizzt and his allies face a perilous journey through the Underdark and the dangers of the undead that lie within, but they must cross through a colony of drow, who would like nothing better than to see Drizzt Do'Urden dead."

Summary
The novel opens with the half-drow Doum'wielle Armgo and her father, Tos'un Armgo, entering the Underdark in an attempt to join up again with the drow of Menzoberranzan. They encounter a band of drow from House Xorlarrin, who are scouting on behalf of the new drow city of Q'Xorlarrin being built in the ancient dwarven halls of Gauntlgrym. The Xorlarrins take Doum'wielle and Tos'un to Q'Xorlarrin.

In Menzoberranzan, Matron Mother Quenthel Baenre discovers that the goddess Lolth is incredibly angry. She orders Sos'Umptu Baenre and her own daughter Myrineyl Baenre to discover the source of the Spider Queen's fury. The yochlol servant of the goddess informs them that Lolth desires unity in the city and that "the Eternal" (a reference to Yvonnel Baenre, Quenthel's mother) would have understood the reason for her anger. Quenthel meets with her brother Gromph Baenre, the archmage, who believes the reference to the "Eternal" is the signal to take Quenthel to the diminished illithid Methil El-Viddenvelp, who imparts Quenthel with her mother’s knowledge, sensibilities, and understanding.

Meanwhile, the Companions of the Hall — Drizzt Do'Urden, Catti-brie, Bruenor Battlehammer, Regis, and Wulfgar — are once again reuinted. They return to the road on the way to Mithral Hall for Bruenor to redeem himself for his treaty with the orcs. First, however, the companions wish to release their old friend Thibbledorf Pwent from his vampiric state of undeath in Gauntlgrym. Unsure of how to do that, they head for Longsaddle to seek the aid of the Harpells. First however, they reveal their identities to Clan Battlehammer in Kelvin's Cairn, then leave Icewind Dale. Along the way, they discover the drow Braelin Janquay, a Bregan D'aerthe scout, spying on them and they escort him to Luskan, where they meet with High Captain Beniago Kurth outside the gates. He warns them to stay far away from Luskan.

Now with a greater understanding of the Spider Queen, Quenthel realizes that Lolth is angry that her battle against Mielikki for Drizzt's heart and soul has failed. Quenthel devises a plan to lead the orc armies of the Kingdom of Many-Arrows to victory against the Silver Marches, all in the name of the Spider Queen and to the defeat of Drizzt Do'Urden. She uses the departure of House Xorlarrin to Q'Xorlarrin as the opportunity to restore the dead House Do'Urden in order for it to be the instrument of her plans. Lolth publicly bestows her blessing upon Quenthel when the Yor'thae appears during the Festival of the Founding. Quenthel orders Gromph and his mistress Minolin Fey to marry; their daughter, to be named Yvonnel, will be trained up as the successor to both Quenthel and Matron Yvonnel. In the meantime, she clears the ruins of House Do'Urden of soldiers from House Melarn and House Barrison Del'Armgo and recalls Jarlaxle from Luskan to serve as captain of the guard.

In the meantime, Drizzt's old companions — Artemis Entreri, Ambergris, Afafrenfere, Dahlia Sin'felle, and Effron leave Icewind Dale. When Entreri learns that Jarlaxle may be in Luskan, he refuses to enter the city. Instead, the group travels onward to Port Llast, but not before news of their whereabouts is reported to agents of Bregan D'aerthe. In Port Llast, they are attacked by a force of drow and driders led by Tiago Baenre, who is determined to hunt down and kill Drizzt at any cost. Tiago's band captures Entreri, Dahlia, Ambergris, and Afafrenfere and brings them to Gauntlgrym; only Effron is able to escape.

Having reached Longsaddle, the Companions of the Hall discuss with the Harpells the best way to end Pwent’s cursed existence as a vampire. The Harpells provide Catti-brie with a scroll and a magical ring that she may be able to trap Pwent’s soul inside of. If the magic is successful, the group could then take the imprisoned Pwent to a powerful cleric, who could send the dwarf to the afterlife while freeing him of the curse. The group continues onward to Gauntlgrym, but not far from the entrance in the Crags, they are attacked by the lich Ebonsoul who had been pursuing Regis for years. Catti-brie is forced to use the ring intended for Pwent to capture Ebonsoul inside.

Quenthel, Gromph, Methil, and a contingent of drow journey to Gauntlgrym to view the fledgling city of Q'Xorlarrin, where they find Tos'un and Doum'wielle, who had been taken to Gauntlgrym by the Xorlarrins. She orders Tos'un to Menzoberranzan, where he will become the patron of the new House Do'Urden. Quenthel then meets with Tsabrak Xorlarrin and orders him to allow Methil to enter his mind in order to convey a spell that could enable the Darkening, a shadow upon the land of the Silver Marches that would prepare the land for the drow and orc invasion. Quenthel also plans for Tiago Baenre to become the weapons master of House Do'Urden. She sets up the chamber of the primordial to be the new city's chapel and leaves to publicly announce her plan. Shortly afterwards, Tiago arrives with his captives. Gromph returns to Q'Xorlarrin, and, finding Dahlia, sets Methil to invade her mind. He learns that Dahlia believes Drizzt to be staying with Clan Battlehammer in Icewind Dale. Ravel Xorlarrin overhears and informs Tiago, who immediately sets out to slay the rogue. His band assaults Clan Battlehammer, killing many dwarves, including their leader, Stokely Silverstream, and taking many others captive, but at a great cost — weapons master Jearth Xorlarrin is slain.

The Companions of the Hall reach the tunnels of Gauntlgrym and find Pwent, who tells them Entreri and the others are being held by the drow. The Companions attempt to capture Pwent in a gemstone, but fail; however, he leads them to the prisoners being held in the Forge, whom they have resolved to free. The Companions, along with Pwent and his undead drow, attack the Xorlarrins and drive them back, with the help of Entreri, who has freed himself. At the end of the fight, Pwent and his undead turn on the Companions and Catti-brie is able to trap Pwent's soul inside Wulfgar's magical horn.

Drizzt and Entreri then go deeper into the tunnels to search for Dahlia and Ambergris. They free Ambergris and other slaves and return to find that Catti-brie and the others next to a collapsed tunnel, saying Dahlia is underneath. Dahlia had been strung up as an ornament in the chapel; when Catti-brie was driven by her magical ring to enter the chamber, Dahlia, insane and possessed by Lolth, attacked her and Catti-brie eventually brought down a tunnel upon her. In grief and anger, Entreri stays in Gauntlgrym to slay Berellip Xorlarrin, while the others leave the complex to return the slaves to Port Llast. On the way out, Bruenor and Catti-brie enchant Bruenor's equipment in the Forge. After reaching the surface, Afafrenfere announces his intention to return to the Monastery of the Yellow Rose in Damara and Ambergris resolves to join her friend.

After the chaos had calmed down, Methil telepathically summons Gromph and Quenthel to Q'Xorlarrin, where he reveals that he has used his psionic powers to save the life of Dahlia beneath the tunnel collapse. She is revived on the altar of Lolth and Quenthel names her the new matron mother of House Do'Urden.

Meanwhile, on the Surface, Tsabrak Xorlarrin casts the spell to begin the Darkening. The war for the Silver Marches has begun.

Main characters

 * Drizzt Do'Urden, drow ranger
 * Bruenor Battlehammer, dwarf fighter
 * Catti-brie, human wizard/cleric
 * Regis, halfling rogue
 * Wulfgar, human barbarian

Supporting characters

 * Afafrenfere, human monk
 * Ambergris, dwarven cleric
 * Artemis Entreri, assassin
 * Berellip Xorlarrin, high priestess of House Xorlarrin
 * Dahlia Sin'felle, elven warrior
 * Doum'wielle Armgo, daughter of Tos'un Armgo
 * Effron, son of Dahlia Sin'felle
 * Gromph Baenre, Archmage of Menzoberranzan
 * Jarlaxle, co-leader of Bregan D'aerthe
 * Mez'Barris Armgo, matron of House Barrison Del'Armgo
 * Methil El-Viddenvelp, illithid
 * Quenthel Baenre, Matron Mother of House Baenre
 * Thibbledorf Pwent, dwarf vampire
 * Tiago Baenre, warrior of House Baenre
 * Tos'un Armgo, rogue son of Mez'Barris Armgo
 * Tsabrak Xorlarrin, house wizard of House Xorlarrin

Minor characters

 * Andahar, magical unicorn
 * Andzrel Baenre, weapons master of House Baenre
 * Bellows, dwarf of Clan Battlehammer
 * Beniago Kurth, High Captain Kurth
 * Braelin Janquay, Bregan D'aerthe scout
 * Brimble, dwarf priestess of Clan Battlehammer
 * Byrtyn Fey, matron of House Fey-Branche
 * Calagher, patron of House Fey-Branche
 * Danifae Yauntyrr, Yor'thae (Chosen of Lolth)
 * Dowell Harpell, member of Harpell clan
 * Ebonsoul, lich
 * Flavvar, drider
 * G'eldrin Fey, weapons master of House Fey-Branche
 * Gorin, chef of Clan Battlehammer
 * Guenhwyvar, magical panther
 * Jearth Xorlarrin, weapons master of House Xorlarrin
 * Junkular Stonebreaker, dwarf of Clan Battlehammer
 * Kimmuriel Oblodra, co-leader of Bregan D'aerthe
 * Kipper Harpell, patriarch of Harpell clan
 * Malagdorl Armgo, weapons master of House Barrison Del'Armgo
 * McGrits, dwarf of Clan Battlehammer
 * Melkatka, drow commoner of House Xorlarrin
 * Minolin Fey, Mistress of Arach-Tinilith
 * Minto Silverhammer, dwarf of Clan Battlehammer
 * Myrineyl Baenre, eldest daughter of Quenthel Baenre
 * Miz'ri Mizzrym, matron of House Mizzrym
 * Penelope Harpell, member of Harpell family
 * Ravel Xorlarrin, wizard son of Zeerith Q'Xorlarrin
 * Rumblebelly, Regis's horse
 * Saribel Xorlarrin, priestess daughter of Zeerith Q'Xorlarrin
 * Sinnafain, wife of Tos'un Armgo
 * Sos'Umptu Baenre, high priestess of House Baenre
 * Stokely Silverstream, head of Clan Battlehammer
 * Taayrul Armgo, daughter of Mez'Barris Armgo
 * Tregor Hornbruck, dwarf of Clan Battlehammer
 * Vadalma Tlabbar, matron of House Faen Tlabbar
 * Velkryst, patron of House Baenre
 * Yerrininae, drider
 * Zeerith Q'Xorlarrin, matron of House Xorlarrin
 * Zeknar Fey, house wizard of House Fey-Branche

Mentioned characters

 * Aumon Baenre, son of Quenthel Baenre
 * Cadderly Bonaduce, priest of Spirit Soaring
 * Calihye, former lover of Artemis Entreri
 * Dantrag Baenre, former weapons master of House Baenre
 * Donnola Pericolo, Regis's love
 * Doregardo, leader of the Grinning Ponies
 * Emerus Warcrown, king of Citadel Felbarr
 * Errtu, balor lord
 * Gol'fanin, drow smith
 * Gruumsh, orc god
 * K'yorl Odran, former matron of House Oblodra
 * Mielikki, goddess
 * Montolio DeBrouchee, Drizzt's old mentor
 * Nojheim, unusual goblin
 * Lolth, goddess
 * Obould Many-Arrows, first king of the Kingdom of Many-Arrows
 * Pericolo Topolino, Regis's old mentor
 * Prae'anelle Duskryn, matron of House Duskryn
 * Serena, barmaid at One-Eye Jax in Luskan
 * Shakti Hunzrin, matron of House Hunzrin
 * Uthegental Armgo, former weapons mater of House Barrison Del'Armgo
 * Yvonnel Baenre, former matron of House Baenre
 * Zhindia Melarn, matron of House Melarn

Locations
Surface
 * Crags
 * Icewind Dale: Lonelywood, Kelvin's Cairn (Clan Battlehammer)
 * Longsaddle
 * Luskan
 * Port Llast
 * Spine of the World
 * Silver Marches: Kingdom of Many-Arrows

Underdark
 * Gauntlgrym/Q'Xorlarrin
 * Menzoberranzan
 * Northdark

Creatures

 * Bugbear
 * Drider
 * Drow
 * Dwarf
 * Fire primordial
 * Goblin
 * Hobgoblin
 * Illithid
 * Lich
 * Nightmare
 * Riding lizard
 * Spider
 * Tundra yeti
 * Undead
 * Vampire
 * Water elemental
 * Yochlol
 * Zombie

Artifacts

 * Aegis-fang
 * Icingdeath
 * Khazid'hea
 * Kozah's Needle
 * Orbbcress
 * Skullcrusher
 * Taulmaril
 * Twinkle
 * Vidrinath