The Crystal Shard - Book One - Chapter Three - And now Vikings

[kalinara]

So last chapter, we actually got to see some of our heroes: Regis, the comically stupid halfling, Drizzt, the most famous character in Forgotten Realms history before he became big, and Bruenor, who is way too awesome for his book.

We haven't had much chance to actually get to know them beyond broad strokes, since Drizzt and Regis spent most of their sections navel gazing, but the banter between Bruenor and Drizzt was promising. And I didn't hate any of them. It seems like there's quite a lot to build on here. Another chapter of interaction and I could probably really get invested.

So of course, Chapter Four involves none of our heroes (...possibly). Instead we join a bunch of Viking stereotypes far north of the Ten Towns.

Look, I realize that in a book in a pre-established setting like this one, one of the first things a writer has to do is establish the villain and the stakes. But thus far, we've had one prelude and two chapters devoted to antagonists, and just one for the heroes that we're actually supposed to care about.

And so far, none of these adversaries are particularly compelling.

( But let's visit the not-Vikings )