Jarlaxle - History

History

Jarlaxle, who led the mercenary band Bregan D'aerthe, seems to hold a grudging loyalty to the ruling family of Baenre, which raises questions about his relationship to them. He eventually gave up his leadership of Bregan D'aerthe to the powerful drow psionicist Kimmuriel Oblodra and now travels the lands of Faerûn with his new companion, Artemis Entreri. It is revealed at the end of Servant of the Shard that his full name is Jarlaxle Baenre and that he is the third son of Yvonnel Baenre and was once sacrificed to Lolth. It is customary for the third sons of drow noble houses to be sacrificed to Lloth to reduce infighting; therefore, Jarlaxle was probably sacrificed for this reason.

The book Road of the Patriarch mentions that Jarlaxle's birth was an irony and chaos that Jarlaxle himself would appreciate. The psionicist Matron Mother of House Oblodra, the third house in Menzonberranzan, for reasons of her own, put a kinetic barrier on the infant Jarlaxle, a psionic trick that absorbs and stores energy encountered by it for a time, and then vents it all at once. Matron Baenre grew increasingly frantic, rapidly stabbing at her newborn son, and then the secondboy Doquiao tried to pick up Jarlaxle, and had his chest almost completely destroyed by the venting force. Matron Baenre assumed Jarlaxle was Lloth-blessed and in fright, had him put out on a small island in Menzoberranzan's lake. Details are sketchy and Jarlaxle's upbringing are unknown, but Jarlaxle did seem to attract Lloth's approval at one point. Lolth had apparently chosen him to be one of her Agents. It also is hinted that a few drow are beginning to suspect that Jarlaxle is no longer blessed by Lolth. Later when it was revealed to Jarlaxle that he was indeed blessed by Lolth, the spider queen herself gave him his memories as an infant. Despite this, Jarlaxle claims he has never kneeled before the evil goddess Lolth. At some point, this refusal apparently resulted in Lolth revoking his status as one of her Agents. It should be noted, however, that, typically, losing the Spider Queen's favor almost always results in the individual or organization's destruction, as the Spider Queen ensures that all other interested parties in Menzoberranzan learn that she has placed this particular party in her disfavor (typically, an individual or house who has lost Lolth's favor is the last to know.) Losing Lolth's favor means either fleeing all Lolth-worshiping drow society (as Drizzt did) or being destroyed. Jarlaxle, however, has been able to keep the secret that he no longer enjoys favored status with Lolth, and even prosper, apparently for centuries, in Menzoberranzan. Therefore, it seems reasonable to conclude that he has not completely lost Lolth's favor, even if he is no longer one of her favored Agents.

Jarlaxle is an extremely cunning and devious drow, confident and unshakable no matter the situation. His true intentions are never fully revealed and he seems to thrive on causing chaos. The reason for him leaving behind his leadership of Bregan D'aerthe is truly unknown, though it seems he wishes to experience the same joys as Drizzt. Even though he takes no active part in the activities of Bregan D'aerthe, he still keeps in regular contact with the band's new ruler, Kimmuriel Oblodra.

He hopes to bring some meaning to the life of his traveling companion, Artemis Entreri. Jarlaxle has collected many mysterious magical items that once belonged to the Witch King Zhengyi, whose powers may prove to be more useful than expected.

As of the end of Road of the Patriarch Entreri had left Jarlaxle and his manipulations. Jarlaxle seems to have found a new companion in the emotionally disturbed and infinitely lived dwarf, Athrogate. The last line of text implies that Jarlaxle has given up his manipulating ways, though this is doubtful considering his nature.

Jarlaxle was also a good friend of Zaknafein Do'Urden, and often shows the dead elf a great deal of respect, although it is revealed in Road of the Patriarch that he betrayed Zaknafein in some way.

He is featured in The Pirate King where he manipulates pirates to help him control Luskan and leads to the eventual downfall of the City of Sails and the death of Captain Deudermont. Jarlaxle is further featured in the The Ghost King as one of the targets of the Ghost King's ire. When Catti-Brie's body is discovered missing a distraught Drizzt and Bruenor offer him a great sum of money to find her. Though he goes against type and refuses any payment.

He appears in the novel Gauntlgrym, along with his dwarf friend Athrogate.