Starlight Enclave is a novel by R.A. Salvatore, the first book of The Way of the Drow series featuring Drizzt Do'Urden.[1]
And as they explore the top of the world, Drizzt is on a journey of his own—both spiritual and physical. He wants to introduce his daughter Brie to Grandmaster Kane and the practices that have been so central to his beliefs. But, having only recently come back from true transcendence, the drow ranger is no longer sure what his beliefs mean anymore. He is on a path to determining the future, not just for his family, but perhaps the entire northlands of the Realms themselves.
Two different roads. On one, Jarlaxle and Zaknefein are on a quest to find pieces that could offer salvation to Menzoberranzan. On the other, Drizzt seeks answers that could offer salvation to not just his soul, but all souls.
And no matter the outcome of either journey, the Realms will never be the same again.[1]Summary[]
Prologue (1486 DR)[]
Trapped in a frozen land of perpetual daylight, Doum’wielle Armgo—half drow, half moon elf—struggles to survive after being cast away by Gromph Baenre. Starving and mentally unraveling, she eventually finds shelter with orcs, only to be handed over to drow pursuers. Poisoned and fading into unconsciousness, she questions whether the sun will ever rise again—or if this land of frost and isolation will be her end.
Part 1 (1490 DR)[]
Kimmuriel probes the cursed sword Khazid’hea and senses that Doum’wielle might still live, sparking concern despite Gromph’s disdain. Meanwhile, Jarlaxle visits Sinnafein, Doum’wielle’s mother, who recounts the sword’s devastating effects on her daughter. Jarlaxle, moved by empathy, resolves to find her.
Elsewhere, Drizzt and Catti-brie clash over faith and philosophy, especially about raising their daughter Brienne. Jarlaxle sets sail to eliminate pirate captain Arrongo, successfully seizing the Pelican after a dramatic duel involving Zaknafein. With Luskan's stability at stake, Jarlaxle orchestrates reforms while secretly planning a mission to find Doum’wielle.
Bruenor debates aiding drow rebels against Lolth, wary of future betrayal despite past alliances. Drizzt struggles with spiritual detachment, but Catti-brie rekindles his resolve. Jarlaxle convinces her to reforge his whip with a sun blade hilt, crafting a new weapon for Zak. With plans laid, a team—Catti-brie, Zaknafein, Entreri, and Jarlaxle—sets off through a reopened portal, stepping into the hostile, icy north to rescue Doum’wielle.
Part 2 (1490 DR)[]
Drizzt and Brie journey toward the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, sharing moments of peace before being ambushed. Kimmuriel and Braelin arrive to protect them. Meanwhile, Catti-brie’s group, disoriented in the mountains, faces an avalanche; Catti-brie falls, ending the chapter on a cliffhanger.
As philosophical conversations unfold at the monastery between Drizzt, Kimmuriel, and Dab’nay, the other party survives and faces frost giants and deadly monsters. Catti-brie struggles to control Khazid’hea, but uses it to track Doum’wielle.
Zak nearly dies from a green slaad’s attack; Catti-brie heals him despite weakening magic. In a glacier-bound village, they witness unnatural life. Later, they meet strange drow—aevendrow—who take them into a hidden sanctuary and confirm that magic is fading due to Twilight Autunn. Though the companions are disarmed and watched, there is a glimmer of hope: these drow are unlike those of Menzoberranzan.
Part 3 (1490 DR)[]
In Callidae, a magical ice city teeming with various races, the companions are offered hospitality but treated with suspicion. After hiding their encounter with a green slaad, they’re arrested. Zak, infected with chaos phage, is nearly executed, but their honesty spares them. As Zak deteriorates, aevendrow warrior Azzudonna vows to fight in his name during cazzcalci, an arena battle that captivates the city.
When Twilight Autunn arrives, magic wanes further. In a spectacular final match, Azzudonna scores the winning goal and dedicates it to Zak. The crowd chants his name, and in a moment of willpower and magic, Zak stands, defying death. He becomes a symbol of hope, just as magic begins to return to the north.
Part 4 (1490 DR)[]
The aftermath of cazzcalci brings joy and uncertainty. Catti-brie, to remain in Callidae, accepts a magical geas that binds her until magic stabilizes. She later cures Zak of chaos phage, shocking the aevendrow. Reunited, the companions reclaim their weapons and join a multi-racial assault on a slaadi-infested cave. They win a brutal battle and learn of remorhaz hatcheries—possibly part of a greater plan to weaponize glacier expansion.
Returning to Callidae, they present their findings and win trust. They suspect Doum’wielle is alive, trapped in a glacier fortress shared by slaadi and frost giants. Their journey leads to the Siglig, where they address the ruling convocation, offering theories and histories that deepen bonds of trust. Setting out into the icy wilds with newfound allies, they near the fortress.
Inside the glacier, they battle water elementals and find Doum’wielle encased in ice. But a monstrous ambush led by Ygorl, a powerful slaad lord, overwhelms them. One by one, the heroes fall and are entombed, leaving their quest shattered.
Epilogue[]
Galathae retreats from the battlefield, grieving Azzudonna and the fallen heroes. Azzudonna’s spirit soars through the shimmering Merry Dancers above Callidae. Yet, hope stirs—rescued by Guenhwyvar, Azzudonna awakens in an unknown sanctuary, met by a stranger. Jarlaxle, frozen beneath the glacier, contemplates defeat. But this ending hints at new beginnings—and the chance that not all is lost.
Appendix[]
External Links[]
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- Starlight Enclave on the Forgotten Realms Wiki store on Bookshop.org (US/UK; affiliate link)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Starlight Enclave. HarperCollins. Archived from the original on 2023-02-01. Retrieved on 2023-02-01.