"There's a lot that Jarlaxle doesn't know: is he the lone survivor of the raid on the slaad fortress, can he even find a way to get out, and beyond his immediate predicament, could he possibly escape the ice caverns and get help for his friends? However, what Jarlaxle does know is that if he plans to come back--if Catti-brie, Entreri, and Zaknafein are to have any hope of surviving--he's going to have to bring back far more firepower. An army of aevendrow...

In the wake of the demon uprising and two years of peace, a Civil war is in the offing, and Jarlaxle and a small group of friends go on an expedition in search of Doum'wielle, the last wielder of the powerful sword known as "Cutter", in hopes that she may be the key to unlocking the sword's potential.

"Wily elf Drizzt Do'Urden has been around for 35 years, and he's a legend in the drow city Menzoberranzan for having escaped its evils. Here, the city is on the edge as the drow begin questioning rampant corruption and the very story of the city's founding, with Drizzt along for the ride to examine his role as father, friend, and quester."

Continues the adventures of the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden and his companions, Wulfgar the barbarian, Bruenor the dwarf, and Regis the halfling, as they encounter the wizard Akar Kessell and the assassin Artemis Entreri, and navigate the Underdark.

When Crenshinibon threatens the world again, Drizzt and company seek the help of the legendary cleric Cadderly to destroy the Crystal Shard once and for all.