"Any encounter with the Zhentarim should be handled with a sword, not with diplomacy and bargaining."
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In 1991 Elaine Cunningham stormed the Realms with book two in the open-ended series about Harpers called The Harpers. This is a series of loosely interconnected tales, that connection is that it is about the Harpers somehow. This one has no connection to book one, The Parched Sea. More importantly, this is book one in the Songs and Swords pentalogy, though there was a sixth book that was planned but ultimately cancelled. I hope someday we get it. My first Forgotten Realms Cunningham but my second novel by her (the first being her EverQuest novel). A long time coming. Though I’ve read some of her Realms short stories, I was very glad to finally read this earlier this year.
The story starts with an elf tracking in the woods. This is Fenian Ni’Tessine, he is a gold elf and tracks a gray elf and her human companion. He is an assassin that hates King Zaor and the duo he tracks. We learn some of Evermeet royalty, including Amnestria Moonflower. The year seems to be 1321 DR. This is all a prelude.
The story proper begins with the temple of Hannali Celanil, Seldarine (the elven pantheon goddess of love and beauty, like Sune Firehair) in the Greycloak Hills of Evereska. Arilyn, a half-elf, quietly in shock mourns her murdered mother, Z’beryl. She is only 14 years old, it’s 1334 or 1335 DR.
With her mothers death she met her distant kin and gained a moonblade. We are quickly introduced to Kymil Nimesin: one of her heroes, though they’ve never met. Arilyn must decide what to do now, and it seems something to do with the blade is inevitable. She is skilled at combat.
The tone is somber and death really sets the mood. The moonblade is an interesting weapon tied to elves and deadly to those wielding them not accepted by the blade. There is also more magic inherent in it, and it must be discovered by Arilyn.
In a way this is a coming of age. We learn about Arilyn as she learns about herself, including her heritage. It’s a bit obvious at parts but well executed, it’s entertaining.
Most of the story she is an adult though. She has dealings with the Zhentarim, Harpers, and others. Most notable is Danilo Thann, known as her partner and he also graces the cover with Arilyn. He is a Waterdhavian noble that acts like a spoiled and witless fop while being an actually rather competent spy and wizard trained by the Blackstaff himself. The two meet via a mutual relationship with one Rafe Silverspur.
The plot is focused on a few things. After the events of the novel Crusade, Zhentarim power in the region, particularly from Darkhold, has increased greatly. There was also a murder of some clergy of Sune. Their lives cannot be recovered but their relics can. So an assassin is sent by the Harpers as the local government’s hands are tied. Hence Arilyn, who is not a Harper but hired by them as a sort of contractor. This leads into an assassin that targets Harpers going after her. There is some mystery involved.
So she gets her hands dirty. The book is surprisingly sexual though this is done via innuendo. Also, a certain scene with an incomplete manuscript is nothing short of poetic. It really casts into light our concepts of good and evil and paints Arilyn as more grey than anything.
It’s 1361 DR, I believe. I learned more about Darkhold and the priesthood of Cyric, so look out for that. Other lore includes some elf words like etriel and quessir, and a farewell used by elves. Also that "gray elf" is generally a derogatory term for moon elves. Arilyn deals with misogyny too which is nice to read and somewhat unexpected for a D&D novel from the early 90s.
Her character depth is expanded by references to prior adventures and the Time of Troubles. She also doesn’t like magic outside of her own moonblade.
There is a great map showing the Sword Coast with Waterdeep and Candlekeep noted along with Darkhold, Chelimber Marsh, The High Moor and High Forest, and The Half Way Inn. Also the character of Elaith Craulnober is important. I’ve seen artwork of him but not seen him in any story. The Blackstaff himself also has a decent page count in this one.
It was cool to see a piwafwi show up outside of the Underdark and a dark elf focused novel. There are also some game mechanics coming in, like spot hidden doors. I also did not know Evermead was mentioned in works before the D&D cookbook.
Most importantly, and to conclude, I’m very impressed with Cunningham’s take on the Forgotten Realms. While the more popular feels cartoony and almost like fan fiction, Cunningham brings the world to life with great characters and atmosphere and things I could use in my own D&D games. It’s also the start of a great duo akin to Leiber’s Ill Met in Lankhmar. It’s got good humor too. No wonder she is so highly regarded by fellow Realms fans.
Also this was her debut and while sure it feels cliche at times, is very fast where a modern author would make it last a hundred pages longer, it is effective by itself and as the start of something bigger. Quite an Exceptional novel. You can listen to my thoughts here.
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