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i_read_whatSo last time in the Crystal Shard we actually got to spend time with our heroes and got our first taste of Drizzt's taste for pontification. We'd best get used to that. Hopefully soon he will stab something, which is much more fun.
So this new chapter starts us in Bryn Shander, which, we are told, is unlike the other communities of Ten Towns. It's basically the market place, whee the merchants, dwarves, craftsmen and so on come to trade. There are big walls and cramped quarters, and it is "the largest taste of civilization a person could find for four hundred long and desolate miles".
Regis is our viewpoint character and tells us that like Calimport, the people of Bryn Shander are a cross-section of every heritage the Realms had to offer. I appreciate Mr. Salvatore for specifically mentioning dark skinned desert folk because I know quite a few fantasy geeks who are quick to say that because they're not specifically mentioned, people of color can't exist in certain settings. It's a ridiculous argument anyway (in the real world, there are records of Vikings trading with Arabic Muslims), but I appreciate that there's no wiggle room for that excuse here. There are dark skinned people in the Icewind Dale region, no ifs ands or buts.
We're given lots of city description here, as Regis passes the palatial home of Cassius, the spokesman of Bryn Shander. I'm guessing with that name, he's evil. Just saying. The next bit adds to that impression: apparently his palace was originally meant for meetings, but Cassius made it his residence and moved the Council to a warehouse instead. Charming fellow.
We're told that Regis feels out of place. He's only elected spokesman because no one else in his town wanted to do it, but most of his fellows are heroes who've seen many goblin and barbarian battles. Regis, we're told, was the sort of councilman who followed his fellows, so he was never particularly intimidated until today. He's also got doubts about whether or not his jewel will work like Drizzt says it will.
So we get to the meeting: which seems primarily to involve disputes between the cities. It's not terribly interesting and just serves to reinforce what we knew before: the towns don't get along. There is an interesting bit about the Town of Easthaven deciding to up and build a road directly to Bryn Shander, and thus increase its position considerably. But even then, it's hard to care about this stuff when we know Regis has far more important news.
Thankfully, Regis interrupts the arguing to deliver his news. His main adversary is Kemp of Targos. This is something we knew from last chapter, and annoyingly, Mr. Salvatore interrupts the speech to reminisce about Drizzt's words of wisdom that they need to turn Kemp first.
We know this, Mr. Salvatore. We saw the discussion between Drizzt and Bruenor. I don't need to hear more direct quotes on the issue. I get it. Drizzt is wise and knowledgeable.
Things get more interesting back in the present, when Kemp challenges Regis on where he learned the information: Drizzt of course, and Kemp calls into question any information given to them by a drow elf.
Regis gets a pretty good moment though, as he springs up literally onto the council table and pulls out his pendant surreptitiously. He gives a good speech in defense of Drizzt but is self-aware to realize that he's going to need more than that, and manages to get himself in range to dazzle Kemp with the ruby.
I still have ethical qualms with this whole set up, but it's done better than I expected. I wish Mr. Salvatore had been a little bit clearer on what Kemp of Targos's main issue actually is. Because right now, it seems like Kemp is (or was) being stupid just to be stupid. We've been told that all of these men have fought barbarians before, so even if Regis is wrong about a big attack coming, why would it be a bad thing for the towns to unite in self defense?
If I wrack my brain I can think of some reasons why an individually powerful politician might want to avoid it, but I really do think it's the author's job to relate this to us. Right now, Kemp seems as nonsensical as R'gul or T'ron in Pern.
I do find myself intrigued by Cassius though. He hasn't done anything yet, but I feel like he might be poised to be a much more interesting adversary than Kemp.
As for our heroic character, Regis comes across far better in this scene than he did in his previous one. So much so that it's hard to believe he's the same character. Here he's self-aware, alert and socially adept. And it's hard to overlook that, for all of his nervousness, the thing that really gets him to his feet is an insult to his friend. That's a good character beat.
So this new chapter starts us in Bryn Shander, which, we are told, is unlike the other communities of Ten Towns. It's basically the market place, whee the merchants, dwarves, craftsmen and so on come to trade. There are big walls and cramped quarters, and it is "the largest taste of civilization a person could find for four hundred long and desolate miles".
Regis is our viewpoint character and tells us that like Calimport, the people of Bryn Shander are a cross-section of every heritage the Realms had to offer. I appreciate Mr. Salvatore for specifically mentioning dark skinned desert folk because I know quite a few fantasy geeks who are quick to say that because they're not specifically mentioned, people of color can't exist in certain settings. It's a ridiculous argument anyway (in the real world, there are records of Vikings trading with Arabic Muslims), but I appreciate that there's no wiggle room for that excuse here. There are dark skinned people in the Icewind Dale region, no ifs ands or buts.
We're given lots of city description here, as Regis passes the palatial home of Cassius, the spokesman of Bryn Shander. I'm guessing with that name, he's evil. Just saying. The next bit adds to that impression: apparently his palace was originally meant for meetings, but Cassius made it his residence and moved the Council to a warehouse instead. Charming fellow.
We're told that Regis feels out of place. He's only elected spokesman because no one else in his town wanted to do it, but most of his fellows are heroes who've seen many goblin and barbarian battles. Regis, we're told, was the sort of councilman who followed his fellows, so he was never particularly intimidated until today. He's also got doubts about whether or not his jewel will work like Drizzt says it will.
So we get to the meeting: which seems primarily to involve disputes between the cities. It's not terribly interesting and just serves to reinforce what we knew before: the towns don't get along. There is an interesting bit about the Town of Easthaven deciding to up and build a road directly to Bryn Shander, and thus increase its position considerably. But even then, it's hard to care about this stuff when we know Regis has far more important news.
Thankfully, Regis interrupts the arguing to deliver his news. His main adversary is Kemp of Targos. This is something we knew from last chapter, and annoyingly, Mr. Salvatore interrupts the speech to reminisce about Drizzt's words of wisdom that they need to turn Kemp first.
We know this, Mr. Salvatore. We saw the discussion between Drizzt and Bruenor. I don't need to hear more direct quotes on the issue. I get it. Drizzt is wise and knowledgeable.
Things get more interesting back in the present, when Kemp challenges Regis on where he learned the information: Drizzt of course, and Kemp calls into question any information given to them by a drow elf.
Regis gets a pretty good moment though, as he springs up literally onto the council table and pulls out his pendant surreptitiously. He gives a good speech in defense of Drizzt but is self-aware to realize that he's going to need more than that, and manages to get himself in range to dazzle Kemp with the ruby.
I still have ethical qualms with this whole set up, but it's done better than I expected. I wish Mr. Salvatore had been a little bit clearer on what Kemp of Targos's main issue actually is. Because right now, it seems like Kemp is (or was) being stupid just to be stupid. We've been told that all of these men have fought barbarians before, so even if Regis is wrong about a big attack coming, why would it be a bad thing for the towns to unite in self defense?
If I wrack my brain I can think of some reasons why an individually powerful politician might want to avoid it, but I really do think it's the author's job to relate this to us. Right now, Kemp seems as nonsensical as R'gul or T'ron in Pern.
I do find myself intrigued by Cassius though. He hasn't done anything yet, but I feel like he might be poised to be a much more interesting adversary than Kemp.
As for our heroic character, Regis comes across far better in this scene than he did in his previous one. So much so that it's hard to believe he's the same character. Here he's self-aware, alert and socially adept. And it's hard to overlook that, for all of his nervousness, the thing that really gets him to his feet is an insult to his friend. That's a good character beat.