Elfshadow

image-right Initially published in 1991 as a stand-alone novel in the Harpers series, Elfshadow was later reprinted as book 1 of the Songs & Swords series.  These tales follow the adventures of half-elf fighter Arilyn Moonblade, nobleman Danilo Thann, and elven crime lord Elaith Craulnober.

Elfshadow is a mystery in a fantasy setting, my first Forgotten Realms book, and my first published novel. The storytelling process felt very much like a treasure hunt followed by a puzzle quest.  Intriguing bits of lore in Ed Greenwood’s campaign setting (affectionately known to gamers as The Old Gray Boxed Set)  fit together to form questions that just had to be explored. For example, the defenses of the elven city Evereska were shored up around the time King Zaor of Evermeet died. Evereska is a very long way from Evermeet, but it seemed to me that there must be a connection.

Turns out I was right about that.

The Harpers, a semi-secret organization of adventurers and bards who strive for to maintain balance and preserve the memory of great deeds, are under attack. Several members have fallen to an assassin, and it does not escape the notice of archmage and Harper leader Khelben Arunsun that Arilyn Moonblade has been nearby when each of these deaths occurred. He sends his nephew, Danilo Thann, to ingratiate himself with Arilyn and determine whether she’s a target or a killer.  The search for the Harper Assassin soon entwines with a much older mystery: the nature of the ancient sword Arilyn inherited from her elven mother.

Here’s a list of  stories featuring Arilyn, Danilo, and Elaith:

Novels:

Elfshadow, Songs & Swords Book 1

Elfsong, Songs & Swords Book 2

Silver Shadows, Songs & Swords Book 3

Thornhold, Songs & Swords Book 4  (Danilo, Arilyn & Elaith have minor roles)

The Dream Spheres, Songs & Swords Book 5

City of Splendors (Elaith has a minor role in this novel, which was co-written with Ed Greenwood)

Short Fiction:

“The Bargain”—Realms of Valor (1993)/The Best of the Realms, Book III: The Stories of Elaine Cunningham(2007)  (Danilo and Arilyn on a mission to Tethyr.)

“The More Things Change”—Realms of Infamy(1994)/The Best of the Realms, Book III: The Stories of Elaine Cunningham (2007)  (Elaith’s fall from grace.)

“The Great Hunt”—Dragon Magazine #246 (1998)/The Best of the Realms, Book III: The Stories of Elaine Cunningham (2007) (Arilyn and Elaith adventuring in the Wealdath.)

“Speaking with the Dead”—Realms of Mystery (1998)/The Best of the Realms, Book III: The Stories of Elaine Cunningham (2007)  (Elaith is accused of murder; Arilyn & Danilo must prove his “innocence.”)

“Stolen Dreams”—Dragon Magazine #259 (1999)/The Best of the Realms, Book III: The Stories of Elaine Cunningham (2007)  (The events of “Speaking with the Dead” retold through the eyes of Isabeau Thione)

“Games of Chance”—Dragon magazine #335 (2005)/The Best of the Realms, Book III: The Stories of Elaine Cunningham (2007)  (Elaith tries to improve his daughter’s chances of inheriting the Craulnober moonblade.)

“The Knights of Samular”—The Best of the Realms, Book III: The Stories of Elaine Cunningham (2007)  (This story ties up some of the loose ends of Thornhold. This is Algorind’s story, but Danilo appears as a secondary character.)

“Redemption”– Realms of War(2008)  (Elaith is called upon to help the Wealdath’s elves.)

Graphic Novels:

“The Great Hunt”–A graphic novel adaptation of the short story, published in Worlds of D&D #8 by Devil’s Due Publishing (2010)


Sample chapter

GoodReads reviews for Elfshadow


Purchase the book

Paperback: Amazon

Ebook:  Amazon

Audio book: Available through Amazon.com