Jarlaxle [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Jarlaxle [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Shadechaser
10-30-03, 07:56 PM Personally my favorite drow thus far has been Jarlaxle. He is incredibly skilled, and a great fighter, yet at the same time, he doesn't seem to be an overtop wrecking ball like Drizzt. And he is not purely good or evil, his perspective is unique.
Drizzt just doesn't seem real, he doesn't have any flaws really, I dunno he just irks me.
My favorite drow who made a cameo appearance is Uthengental, the big crazy weapon master, he made me think of Darth Maul, an angry, crazed, skullcracker, then he died an inglorius death like Darth Maul too.

Oops meant to post in under someones thread. D'oh!
Wooly Rupert
10-30-03, 10:05 PM Agreed, Jarlaxle rocks. One of the things I like about him is that he goes out of his way to do everything with style and panache. He's almost like a swashbuckler, the way he does things.
Chamber
10-30-03, 10:34 PM in a fight i would actually go with jarlaxle...as oposed to drizzt.
his style and skill are slightly superior.:b:
AramTheDM
10-31-03, 12:51 PM I also like the mercenary leader a lot. However, he doesn't come across as a pure fighter in the books, while he is technically "just" a fighter 17. Maybe he should have rogue levels? Or the Fencer variant class from Dragon 310, which allows him some ranks in Bluff and Diplomacy, which seem very "Jarlaxle" to me.:smirk:

Anyone agree with me?
Wooly Rupert
10-31-03, 01:07 PM I can see that.
Fredegar The White
10-31-03, 01:52 PM Jarlaxle is the best!!!!

In Servant of The Shard while fighting the wererats Entreri sees Jarlaxle fighting with two longswords and he said Jarlaxle's style was swashbuckling!

My favorite short lived drow though is Dinin Do'Urden! I liked him a lot!!
HoylePhoenix
10-31-03, 03:44 PM Perhaps a few levels in Duelist? I don't recall ever reading anywhere about him wearing armor, and he's highly intelligent, so he would benefit as a Duelist with a high Intelligence score...*shrug*:angel:
Darius the Barbarian
10-31-03, 06:49 PM Definitely Duelist. As for Rogue levels, it's debatable. Giving him a few levels wouldn't hurt but it's not really necessary IMO.

Check out my writeups here (spoiler alert - don't read if you aren't familiar with Jarlaxle's heritage yet), you might like them:

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?threadid=123737

The thread contains two versions of Drizzt, Jarlaxle and Artemis - the first one is high-powered with many items (belts/gloves, etc.) and the second one is a "no trinket version", only with items mentioned in the novels or D&D sources.

In terms of levels, my writeups are a bit more powerful than official stuff. Jarlaxle is listed as Ftr12/Dst8, for instance.
avian tiefling
10-31-03, 09:43 PM You can't forget about his boots, you know, the ones whith which he can control the sound the footsteps make (loud clacking on carpet, silence on stone, etc...)

as for magic items, he seems to have anything the situation may call. and if it's not carried on him, he can use one of them he *is* carrying to teleport himself back to his HQ and get it.

as for his fighting style, i recall that same instance from Servant of the Shard mentioned by Fredegar. as i recall, Entreri thought the swashbuckling method ineffective........until he saw Jarlaxle use it!
:fight!:
I think he definitely has a swashbuckling attitude, as well. (after all, it's not just a fighting style, it's a state of mind-that happens to affect the character's fighting style.)

one of the best things about him, though, is the fact that he's the ultimate opportunist. he can turn any situation to his advantage-often by switching sides in the middle of a battle (as per Homeland)

and his diplomatic personality also makes it so that he could fit in with almost any race, except dwarves and some of the faerie elves.

He's not just my favorite drow, he's my favorite character. period.
only Danilo Thann comes close, but he does come VERY close.
both are hilarious at times.
:D
Eilserus
11-01-03, 08:21 PM Agreed, Jarlaxle is cool beans. However, Shade if ya read RAS's new novel The Lone Drow , you'll see Drizzt has some serious mental problems to contend with and is far from perfect. All I'll say is i remember Zaknafein once mentioning he almost lost himself to the dark ways of Lolth more than a few times. Thats the impression i got anyways, regarding Drizzt's current crazed mentality.
Shadechaser
11-01-03, 09:49 PM Really thats cool that RAS seems to be exploring some less than ideal sides of Drizzts personality. I haven't read any of the Hunter's Blade yet. I'm reading the Wheel of Time now, on book 4, The Shadow Rising, I love it. But I intend to start Hunter's Blade when I'm done. RAS has a weird style Drizzt and Catti-Brie drive me nuts, his main characters most of the time, yet Artemis and Jarlaxle are just awesome, and even though some of his stuff irritates me all in all his books are dynamite to read, even though individual aspects sometimes irk me, kinda odd
Yokinobu
11-02-03, 12:45 AM Originally posted by Chamber
in a fight i would actually go with jarlaxle...as oposed to drizzt.
his style and skill are slightly superior.

I can't remember what books specifically this is from, but I think it's in the Legacy of the Drow series. Jarlaxle encounters an angry Drizzt, and tosses throwing knives at him. Drizzt masterfully deflects them, and Jarlaxle is forced to run.

Originally posted by Darius the Barbarian
Definitely Duelist. As for Rogue levels, it's debatable. Giving him a few levels wouldn't hurt but it's not really necessary IMO.

It lists in the Underdark book that Jarlaxle is an 18th level fighter.
HoylePhoenix
11-02-03, 07:11 AM Originally posted by Yokinobu

It lists in the Underdark book that Jarlaxle is an 18th level fighter.

Lots of people don't always agree with what the books pen the characters as.
Straploknight
11-02-03, 08:32 AM Originally posted by Eilserus
Zaknafein once mentioning he almost lost himself to the dark ways of Lolth more than a few times.

Hey on that note with UD out, I was thinking the Lolth's Meat feat fit Zak to a tee.
Israfel666
11-02-03, 01:29 PM I love Jarlaxle, and I think he is one of the best characters in Salvatore's books. He is heroic without being heroic - by that I mean that he is much more skilled and resourceful than the average, but he is neither the traditional hero nor villain, instead keeping on the thin line of survival between good and evil.
If Elric is the archetypal anti-hero, then Jarlaxle is the archetypal anti-villain.

As for the boss of Bregan D'Aerthe's stats, I think he should be an extreme multiclass character. He fights, he uses trinkets, he deals with dangerous diplomats, he can do pretty much everything. My suggestion is Fighter 4 / Rogue 3 / Assassin 3 / Spymaster 4 / Duelist 4.
Yokinobu
11-02-03, 01:40 PM I haven't really been keeping up with RAS's books very much lately(I still need to finish the Legacy of the Drow series). Could you tell me what Jarlaxle has done that's even remotely heroic? All I've ever known about him was that he was a cunning mercenary concerned with himself.
HoylePhoenix
11-02-03, 03:13 PM Originally posted by Yokinobu
I haven't really been keeping up with RAS's books very much lately(I still need to finish the Legacy of the Drow series). Could you tell me what Jarlaxle has done that's even remotely heroic? All I've ever known about him was that he was a cunning mercenary concerned with himself.

Well....in Servant of the Shard...

*SPOILERS*

He and Artemis, along with Cadderly's group, went to destroy the...gah, now I have to look up the bloody things name...*shuffles through shelf*...Creshinibon by way of darkness and a very peeved red dragon... :D
Darius the Barbarian
11-03-03, 03:20 AM Originally posted by Yokinobu

It lists in the Underdark book that Jarlaxle is an 18th level fighter.

I know but there are few official character writeups that I actually use. I don't mean level listings here but also complete stats. Wizards follow some strange rules writing them IMO and sometimes they even break or neglect their own rules as well. In other words, having read the novels and being familiar with game mechanics, I think that:

(1) it's pretty much impossible to stat a character perfectly, since it's all relative and novels cannot be transferred flawlessly to D&D rules,
(2) even considering point (1), I claim that numerous character writeups done by WotC are not only far from perfect but also far from good and appropriate.

IMC, Jarlaxle is definitely not a straight Ftr18 char.
avian tiefling
11-04-03, 08:08 PM Originally posted by Shadechaser
. I'm reading the Wheel of Time now, on book 4, The Shadow Rising, I love it.

Random quote:
"the way back will come but once. be steadfast."
avian tiefling
11-04-03, 08:15 PM Originally posted by Yokinobu
I can't remember what books specifically this is from, but I think it's in the Legacy of the Drow series. Jarlaxle encounters an angry Drizzt, and tosses throwing knives at him. Drizzt masterfully deflects them, and Jarlaxle is forced to run.

That would be The Legacy, soon after the entire party is driven to an almost berserk state at seeing Wulfgar's apparent demise.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shadechaser 10-30-03, 07:56 PM	Personally my favorite drow thus far has been Jarlaxle. He is incredibly skilled, and a great fighter, yet at the same time, he doesn't seem to be an overtop wrecking ball like Drizzt. And he is not purely good or evil, his perspective is unique. Drizzt just doesn't seem real, he doesn't have any flaws really, I dunno he just irks me. My favorite drow who made a cameo appearance is Uthengental, the big crazy weapon master, he made me think of Darth Maul, an angry, crazed, skullcracker, then he died an inglorius death like Darth Maul too. Oops meant to post in under someones thread. D'oh!
Wooly Rupert 10-30-03, 10:05 PM	Agreed, Jarlaxle rocks. One of the things I like about him is that he goes out of his way to do everything with style and panache. He's almost like a swashbuckler, the way he does things.
Chamber 10-30-03, 10:34 PM	in a fight i would actually go with jarlaxle...as oposed to drizzt. his style and skill are slightly superior.:b:
AramTheDM 10-31-03, 12:51 PM	I also like the mercenary leader a lot. However, he doesn't come across as a pure fighter in the books, while he is technically "just" a fighter 17. Maybe he should have rogue levels? Or the Fencer variant class from Dragon 310, which allows him some ranks in Bluff and Diplomacy, which seem very "Jarlaxle" to me.:smirk: Anyone agree with me?
Wooly Rupert 10-31-03, 01:07 PM	I can see that.
Fredegar The White 10-31-03, 01:52 PM	Jarlaxle is the best!!!! In Servant of The Shard while fighting the wererats Entreri sees Jarlaxle fighting with two longswords and he said Jarlaxle's style was swashbuckling! My favorite short lived drow though is Dinin Do'Urden! I liked him a lot!!
HoylePhoenix 10-31-03, 03:44 PM	Perhaps a few levels in Duelist? I don't recall ever reading anywhere about him wearing armor, and he's highly intelligent, so he would benefit as a Duelist with a high Intelligence score...shrug:angel:
Darius the Barbarian 10-31-03, 06:49 PM	Definitely Duelist. As for Rogue levels, it's debatable. Giving him a few levels wouldn't hurt but it's not really necessary IMO. Check out my writeups here (spoiler alert - don't read if you aren't familiar with Jarlaxle's heritage yet), you might like them: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?threadid=123737 The thread contains two versions of Drizzt, Jarlaxle and Artemis - the first one is high-powered with many items (belts/gloves, etc.) and the second one is a "no trinket version", only with items mentioned in the novels or D&D sources. In terms of levels, my writeups are a bit more powerful than official stuff. Jarlaxle is listed as Ftr12/Dst8, for instance.
avian tiefling 10-31-03, 09:43 PM	You can't forget about his boots, you know, the ones whith which he can control the sound the footsteps make (loud clacking on carpet, silence on stone, etc...) as for magic items, he seems to have anything the situation may call. and if it's not carried on him, he can use one of them he is carrying to teleport himself back to his HQ and get it. as for his fighting style, i recall that same instance from Servant of the Shard mentioned by Fredegar. as i recall, Entreri thought the swashbuckling method ineffective........until he saw Jarlaxle use it! :fight!: I think he definitely has a swashbuckling attitude, as well. (after all, it's not just a fighting style, it's a state of mind-that happens to affect the character's fighting style.) one of the best things about him, though, is the fact that he's the ultimate opportunist. he can turn any situation to his advantage-often by switching sides in the middle of a battle (as per Homeland) and his diplomatic personality also makes it so that he could fit in with almost any race, except dwarves and some of the faerie elves. He's not just my favorite drow, he's my favorite character. period. only Danilo Thann comes close, but he does come VERY close. both are hilarious at times. :D
Eilserus 11-01-03, 08:21 PM	Agreed, Jarlaxle is cool beans. However, Shade if ya read RAS's new novel The Lone Drow , you'll see Drizzt has some serious mental problems to contend with and is far from perfect. All I'll say is i remember Zaknafein once mentioning he almost lost himself to the dark ways of Lolth more than a few times. Thats the impression i got anyways, regarding Drizzt's current crazed mentality.
Shadechaser 11-01-03, 09:49 PM	Really thats cool that RAS seems to be exploring some less than ideal sides of Drizzts personality. I haven't read any of the Hunter's Blade yet. I'm reading the Wheel of Time now, on book 4, The Shadow Rising, I love it. But I intend to start Hunter's Blade when I'm done. RAS has a weird style Drizzt and Catti-Brie drive me nuts, his main characters most of the time, yet Artemis and Jarlaxle are just awesome, and even though some of his stuff irritates me all in all his books are dynamite to read, even though individual aspects sometimes irk me, kinda odd
Yokinobu 11-02-03, 12:45 AM	Originally posted by Chamber in a fight i would actually go with jarlaxle...as oposed to drizzt. his style and skill are slightly superior. I can't remember what books specifically this is from, but I think it's in the Legacy of the Drow series. Jarlaxle encounters an angry Drizzt, and tosses throwing knives at him. Drizzt masterfully deflects them, and Jarlaxle is forced to run. Originally posted by Darius the Barbarian Definitely Duelist. As for Rogue levels, it's debatable. Giving him a few levels wouldn't hurt but it's not really necessary IMO. It lists in the Underdark book that Jarlaxle is an 18th level fighter.
HoylePhoenix 11-02-03, 07:11 AM	Originally posted by Yokinobu It lists in the Underdark book that Jarlaxle is an 18th level fighter. Lots of people don't always agree with what the books pen the characters as.
Straploknight 11-02-03, 08:32 AM	Originally posted by Eilserus Zaknafein once mentioning he almost lost himself to the dark ways of Lolth more than a few times. Hey on that note with UD out, I was thinking the Lolth's Meat feat fit Zak to a tee.
Israfel666 11-02-03, 01:29 PM	I love Jarlaxle, and I think he is one of the best characters in Salvatore's books. He is heroic without being heroic - by that I mean that he is much more skilled and resourceful than the average, but he is neither the traditional hero nor villain, instead keeping on the thin line of survival between good and evil. If Elric is the archetypal anti-hero, then Jarlaxle is the archetypal anti-villain. As for the boss of Bregan D'Aerthe's stats, I think he should be an extreme multiclass character. He fights, he uses trinkets, he deals with dangerous diplomats, he can do pretty much everything. My suggestion is Fighter 4 / Rogue 3 / Assassin 3 / Spymaster 4 / Duelist 4.
Yokinobu 11-02-03, 01:40 PM	I haven't really been keeping up with RAS's books very much lately(I still need to finish the Legacy of the Drow series). Could you tell me what Jarlaxle has done that's even remotely heroic? All I've ever known about him was that he was a cunning mercenary concerned with himself.
HoylePhoenix 11-02-03, 03:13 PM	Originally posted by Yokinobu I haven't really been keeping up with RAS's books very much lately(I still need to finish the Legacy of the Drow series). Could you tell me what Jarlaxle has done that's even remotely heroic? All I've ever known about him was that he was a cunning mercenary concerned with himself. Well....in Servant of the Shard... SPOILERS He and Artemis, along with Cadderly's group, went to destroy the...gah, now I have to look up the bloody things name...shuffles through shelf...Creshinibon by way of darkness and a very peeved red dragon... :D
Darius the Barbarian 11-03-03, 03:20 AM	Originally posted by Yokinobu It lists in the Underdark book that Jarlaxle is an 18th level fighter. I know but there are few official character writeups that I actually use. I don't mean level listings here but also complete stats. Wizards follow some strange rules writing them IMO and sometimes they even break or neglect their own rules as well. In other words, having read the novels and being familiar with game mechanics, I think that: (1) it's pretty much impossible to stat a character perfectly, since it's all relative and novels cannot be transferred flawlessly to D&D rules, (2) even considering point (1), I claim that numerous character writeups done by WotC are not only far from perfect but also far from good and appropriate. IMC, Jarlaxle is definitely not a straight Ftr18 char.
avian tiefling 11-04-03, 08:08 PM	Originally posted by Shadechaser . I'm reading the Wheel of Time now, on book 4, The Shadow Rising, I love it. Random quote: "the way back will come but once. be steadfast."
avian tiefling 11-04-03, 08:15 PM	Originally posted by Yokinobu I can't remember what books specifically this is from, but I think it's in the Legacy of the Drow series. Jarlaxle encounters an angry Drizzt, and tosses throwing knives at him. Drizzt masterfully deflects them, and Jarlaxle is forced to run. That would be The Legacy, soon after the entire party is driven to an almost berserk state at seeing Wulfgar's apparent demise.