Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 vraeldragonrider Jun 15, 2009 9:32:32	So I have some limited knowledge of the Realms via book 1-6 of R.A. Salvatore's Legend of Drizzt series. My favorite by far is Homeland, with its look at the drow. I'm interested in their society, and am wondering if I could pick up the first of the War of the Spider Queen books and read it without getting lost...that is to say, is there anything I need to read before getting into that series? Thanks.
#2 lord_karsus Jun 15, 2009 11:26:41	-There isn't anything specifically that acts as a prequel to the War of the Spider Queen series, no. All you'll need (not that you need anything, technically, but...) is some basic information on what Drow society is like. The best place for that kind of info is probably the Menzoberranzan and/or The Drow of the Underdark sourcebooks.
#3 Shiftkitty Jun 15, 2009 14:47:26	Seconded. I started WotSQ before even starting the Legend of Drizzt series, and with prior knowledge of drow culture had no trouble figuring out where I was or why who was doing what.
#4 JudgeDookie Jun 15, 2009 23:52:50	If you want a true appreciation of the drow, then, yes, read the R.A. novels before diving in. Else, you won't fully get it.
#5 drizztsmanchild Jun 16, 2009 4:21:15	If you want a true appreciation of the drow, then, yes, read the R.A. novels before diving in. Else, you won't fully get it. Seconded
#6 lord_karsus Jun 16, 2009 10:19:01	-If you want to get a "true" appreciation of Drow, DON'T read R.A. Salvatore. Read Elaine Cunningham (The Starlight and Shadows trilogy, and accompanying short stories). R.A. Salvatore depicts Drow (more or less) as: Rah! Drow scary! Drow kill! Kill, kill, kill! Kill some more! Don't trust anyone, or you'll die! Drow have no word for friends!" Elaine Cunningham depicts Menzoberranzan in a much more realistic manner. Not everyone sneaks around looking to stick a sword in someone else's back all day.
#7 drizztsmanchild Jun 16, 2009 15:42:45	Read BOTH authors novels, because both RAS and EC have an accurate view on the drow society which are to be considered canon. Granted a lot of lore about the drow society and characters have been retconned since RAS introduced them(in Faerun) to us with his Drizzt novels but his view was(and maybe) still accurate at the time he wrote those. Plus it is called RAS's War of the Spider Queen after all. ;) And I don't think that WoTC would have let him continue to write about drow society if they didn't approve of his view. Beside's before RAS was there any info on drow society in Faerun beside a small listing in the monster manual? I know LK mentioned the two sourcebooks Menzo(1992 publish date) and GttUnderdark(1999 published date?) But both of those came as a result of RAS's novel(Homeland 1991) which really introduced us to the drow(at least in Menzo). Another
#8 Shiftkitty Jun 16, 2009 16:38:05	I think prior to Drizzt, the drow were just based on the dark elves of folklore.
#9 lord_karsus Jun 16, 2009 22:07:01	Read BOTH authors novels, because both RAS and EC have an accurate view on the drow society which are to be considered canon. Granted a lot of lore about the drow society and characters have been retconned since RAS introduced them(in Faerun) to us with his Drizzt novels but his view was(and maybe) still accurate at the time he wrote those. -It's not a matter of accuracy, or cannonicity, it's a matter of perspective. In terms of Drow society, what R.A. Salvatore portrays in his book is of very limited information, in relation to Drow society as a whole (even in the Dark Elf trilogy). Plus it is called RAS's War of the Spider Queen after all. ;) And I don't think that WoTC would have let him continue to write about drow society if they didn't approve of his view. -It's called marketing; the same way the latest series of novels is called "Ed Greenwood presents: Waterdeep". He's the guy behind the curtain.
#10 drizztsmanchild Jun 16, 2009 22:51:59	I can't refute your point LK, I was just mentioning to the OP that he should read both authors. One shows how they are percieved through the eyes of an outcast before Matron Baerne's death and from a male's perspective and the other ( I believe EC's novels take place after the Mithral hall war right?)view is shown through the eyes of a female and focuses more on the society. Just a sidenote rumors have RAS's next novel(after TGK) detailing the relationship between Zak and Jarlaxle in Menzo.
#11 lord_karsus Jun 16, 2009 23:01:11	( I believe EC's novels take place after the Mithral hall war right?) -Yes. The first chapter of Daughter of the Drow begins with, "Matron Baenre is dead, long live Matron Triel!" Just a sidenote rumors have RAS's next novel(after TGK) detailing the relationship between Zak and Jarlaxle in Menzo. -Yes, that's supposedly been in the development for a while, now, dating back at least a year or so. Given the political landscape right now, with WotC ensuring that everything focuses on the future, 1,497 DR Forgotten Realms, I doubt that such a novel will ever come to be, at least with that particular story being front and primary, and not being retold or anything like that via flashback scenes, and whatever else.
#12 vraeldragonrider Jun 16, 2009 23:56:27	( I believe EC's novels take place after the Mithral hall war right?)view is shown through the eyes of a female and focuses more on the society. Just taking a guess: this war occurs after The Legend of Drizzt: The Legacy?
#13 drizztsmanchild Jun 17, 2009 1:41:23	Yes. Sorry if I spoiled it for you
#14 vraeldragonrider Jun 17, 2009 7:31:31	You didn't haha. I'd glanced at the Prelude for it when I was at the bookstore a few days ago and saw some old faces were still around.