Exile by R.A. Salvatore Summary, Characters and Themes
Exile is the second novel in R.A. Salvatore’s The Dark Elf Trilogy, chronicling the ongoing journey of Drizzt Do’Urden, a renegade dark elf who rejects the cruel, corrupt society of his people in the subterranean city of Menzoberranzan.
Fleeing into the perilous Underdark, Drizzt grapples with isolation, identity, and the emergence of a brutal alter ego—the Hunter. Haunted by memories and hunted by enemies, he must confront both inner demons and real-world threats. Salvatore blends high fantasy with philosophical introspection, crafting a tale of redemption, resilience, and the pursuit of moral clarity in a world drenched in darkness.
Summary
Exile opens ten years after Drizzt Do’Urden flees the drow city of Menzoberranzan. Now a feral wanderer in the Underdark, Drizzt battles monstrous foes and increasingly gives way to a savage alternate persona known as “the Hunter.”
Detached from society and tormented by loneliness, he clings only to his panther companion, Guenhwyvar, while suppressing the emotional and moral core that once defined him.
Meanwhile, back in Menzoberranzan, Matron Malice, his mother, seeks divine favor from the spider goddess Lolth by plotting Drizzt’s capture and sacrifice. She enlists help from the sinister mercenary Jarlaxle and the resurrected corpse of Zaknafein, Drizzt’s father, transformed into a mindless, deadly spirit-wraith.
When Drizzt wanders near the svirfneblin city of Blingdenstone, he’s spotted and feared, but is eventually taken in thanks to Burrow-Warden Belwar Dissengulp, a gnome whose life Drizzt once spared.
Though mistrust lingers, Drizzt finds a brief refuge among the deep gnomes and begins to recover a fragment of his lost identity. The stay is short-lived, however, as dark rumors and the growing threat of the approaching spirit-wraith force Drizzt to leave, choosing exile once again to protect those around him.
Joined by Belwar, Drizzt sets out through the dangerous wilds of the Underdark. Along the way, they encounter a creature known as Clacker—a pech transformed into a hook horror by foul magic.
Though monstrous in form, Clacker retains fragments of his mind and joins the party, forging a tragic bond with the companions as he slowly loses his grip on sanity.
As they journey, the trio fends off relentless predators while the shadow of Zaknafein’s spirit-wraith draws ever nearer.
When the inevitable confrontation comes, Drizzt is shattered by the realization that his beloved father’s body has been corrupted and weaponized against him. A fierce and emotionally charged battle ensues, but in a fleeting moment of lucidity, Zaknafein’s spirit breaks through the dark enchantment and finds peace in death. Drizzt gains closure, though the loss reopens old wounds.
The aftermath leaves Drizzt emotionally hollow. Clacker, now at the edge of madness, chooses to end his life on his own terms.
With Belwar’s help, Drizzt honors Clacker’s final wish, a heartbreaking act that underscores the cost of survival in the Underdark. Left again with only each other, Drizzt and Belwar continue wandering, battered by grief but no longer aimless.
Gradually, Drizzt begins to rebuild his sense of self.
No longer simply fleeing the darkness, he reflects on the concept of faith—not in deities, but in his own code of ethics. He formally abandons the Hunter persona, reclaims his identity, and embraces the idea of living with purpose, no matter how uncertain the road ahead.
Strange phenomena and shifting threats in the Underdark hint at larger forces at play, but Drizzt is done living in fear.
He’s found something resembling hope. The story ends as Drizzt and Belwar discover a tunnel leading toward the surface world. There, for the first time, Drizzt sees natural light—a symbol of a new beginning.
Though the surface remains unknown and potentially hostile, the promise of freedom and belonging compels him forward.
In Exile, Salvatore deepens the emotional core of Drizzt’s journey, transforming a tale of escape into one of self-discovery. With his past behind him and his purpose restored, Drizzt steps into the light—no longer just a fugitive, but a warrior guided by honor, memory, and choice.
Characters
Drizzt Do’Urden
Drizzt is the protagonist of Exile and one of the most iconic characters in R.A. Salvatore’s Forgotten Realms universe. A drow, or dark elf, Drizzt stands apart from his people due to his strong moral compass and his rejection of the cruel, chaotic society of Menzoberranzan.
In the first part of the book, Drizzt is isolated, both physically and emotionally. He lives in the Underdark, haunted by the persona of “the Hunter,” a brutal alternate identity he assumes in combat, which pushes him further from his former self.
Throughout the novel, Drizzt struggles with his identity, caught between his inherent nature as a drow and his desire to be a better being. His relationship with Guenhwyvar, the magical panther, serves as his emotional anchor.
Drizzt’s journey is one of personal redemption, as he battles both external threats and his internal demons. His growth from an isolated and emotionally scarred figure to someone who reclaims his identity and moral direction is a central theme of the story.
Belwar Dissengulp
Belwar, a svirfneblin (deep gnome), plays a significant role in Drizzt’s emotional recovery. Belwar is a compassionate and practical character, whose bond with Drizzt is rooted in their past.
Having been spared by Drizzt in the first book, Belwar feels a deep sense of loyalty and is driven by a desire to repay that kindness. He is pragmatic and embodies wisdom, often acting as a grounding force for Drizzt.
In Exile, Belwar’s character is a beacon of hope and understanding, providing much-needed emotional support when Drizzt is at his lowest. However, Belwar also struggles with the guilt of bringing Drizzt to Blingdenstone, worried that he has exposed his people to danger.
His character development is more subtle compared to Drizzt’s, yet he serves as an essential stabilizing presence throughout the narrative.
Guenhwyvar
Guenhwyvar, Drizzt’s panther companion, symbolizes loyalty and the bond between Drizzt and nature. Although a non-speaking creature, Guenhwyvar’s presence is a constant source of comfort and companionship for Drizzt, providing him with a connection to the world outside his troubled mind.
Guenhwyvar helps Drizzt maintain a sliver of humanity as he confronts the overwhelming bloodlust of the Hunter persona. The panther’s instincts and abilities make her an invaluable ally in combat, yet her emotional support is just as important for Drizzt’s psychological well-being.
Guenhwyvar is a mirror to Drizzt’s internal struggle, symbolizing his attempts to hold on to something pure and good in a world of violence.
Zaknafein Do’Urden
Zaknafein is Drizzt’s father and mentor, whose spirit becomes a central figure in Exile. In life, Zaknafein was a highly skilled fighter and a rare individual who defied the evil teachings of the drow society.
His death, however, becomes a significant plot point when his body is reanimated as a spirit-wraith by the dark magic of Lolth. This act of sacrilege is deeply painful for Drizzt, as Zaknafein was the closest thing to a moral figure in his life.
Zaknafein’s spirit, although corrupted by Lolth’s magic, still holds moments of clarity and affection for Drizzt, offering him a bittersweet final act of love. Zaknafein’s transformation into a wraith serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle between Drizzt’s past and his quest for redemption.
Zaknafein’s tragic fate underscores the theme of loss, sacrifice, and the haunting influence of the drow culture.
Clacker
Clacker is a tragic character, a pech transformed into a hook horror through dark magic. Although his appearance is monstrous and his mind is deteriorating, Clacker retains elements of his former identity.
His tragic story parallels Drizzt’s own internal struggle with identity, as both characters are caught between what they were and what they have become. Clacker’s loyalty to Drizzt and Belwar shows his compassion despite his horrifying physical form.
His eventual choice to die with dignity, rather than lose his humanity completely, highlights the theme of self-determination and the importance of maintaining one’s soul even in the face of overwhelming darkness.
Clacker’s tragic death adds a layer of sorrow to the narrative, illustrating the high cost of magic and the fragility of life in the Underdark.
Matron Malice
Matron Malice is the matron mother of House Do’Urden and a manipulative, power-hungry character. She is deeply entrenched in the politics of Menzoberranzan and represents the epitome of the drow matriarchal society, where power and control are everything.
Her obsession with eliminating Drizzt and securing her family’s dominance leads her to make drastic decisions, such as using magic to summon a demon and reanimating Zaknafein’s corpse. Malice’s character embodies the cruelty and ruthlessness of the drow, and her actions propel much of the conflict in Exile.
Her relentless pursuit of Drizzt highlights her single-minded determination and the destructive nature of the drow society, but it also contrasts with Drizzt’s growing desire for freedom and redemption.
Themes
The Struggle for Identity and Belonging
In Exile, Drizzt Do’Urden’s journey is a profound exploration of self-discovery, highlighting his quest to reconcile his drow heritage with his innate moral compass. Having been raised in the cruel and unforgiving society of Menzoberranzan, Drizzt initially grapples with his identity as an outcast, someone who doesn’t fit into the societal mold that values treachery and darkness.
His isolation in the Underdark symbolizes the broader theme of alienation, as Drizzt battles not only external monsters but also the monsters within himself—his memories, his emotions, and his survival instincts. His relationship with the Hunter, a persona that embodies his savage instincts and bloodlust, showcases his internal conflict, as he struggles to preserve his humanity amidst a world that encourages ruthless survival.
The appearance of the spirit-wraith of Zaknafein, his father, further complicates Drizzt’s identity crisis, forcing him to confront the emotional and spiritual weight of his past. In this, the theme of identity is explored through the lens of conflict between one’s origins and personal growth, and the quest to find a place where one truly belongs.
The Corruption of the Past and the Pursuit of Redemption
Another central theme is the influence of the past on the present and the ongoing struggle for redemption. Drizzt’s life is haunted by the deeds of his family and the moral compromises he was born into. The betrayal of his people, his early loyalty to Lolth’s evil, and the corruption of Zaknafein’s spirit are all manifestations of the lasting effects of one’s past actions.
However, Drizzt’s interactions with others, such as Belwar and Clacker, as well as his ultimate confrontation with Zaknafein’s corrupted form, illustrate a deeper desire for redemption. The emotional and spiritual battles Drizzt faces—particularly the need to defeat the spirit-wraith of his father—underscore the cost of redemption.
Redemption, in this narrative, is not just about personal salvation but also the challenge of overcoming the darkness that has been inflicted by others and oneself. Drizzt’s journey towards spiritual and emotional clarity signifies the broader theme of the struggle to atone for past sins and to build a better future, even when one’s history is fraught with evil.
The Psychological Toll of Violence and the Nature of Morality
Salvatore explores the psychological ramifications of violence through Drizzt’s transformation into the Hunter, a brutal alter-ego that surfaces during combat. The Hunter represents Drizzt’s descent into savagery, and as the story progresses, it becomes evident that violence is not simply an external threat but also an internal one.
Drizzt’s own ability to become a killer, to embrace bloodlust, challenges his fundamental beliefs in honor, justice, and morality. This internal struggle represents the broader theme of the nature of morality, particularly in a world where survival often demands brutality.
The moral ambiguity of Drizzt’s actions—whether in battle or in moments of isolation—forces the reader to consider the cost of survival and whether true morality can exist in a world driven by conflict. Furthermore, the presence of the spirit-wraith of Zaknafein, who once served as Drizzt’s mentor, is not just a physical challenge but a psychological one, as it forces Drizzt to confront the moral corruption of his own past.
Ultimately, the novel questions whether one can truly overcome the violent nature of their upbringing, or if it will forever be a part of them.
The Bonds of Friendship and Loyalty Amidst Chaos
In a world filled with treachery and betrayal, the theme of friendship and loyalty emerges as a powerful counterpoint. Drizzt’s relationships with Belwar and Clacker illustrate the potential for trust and camaraderie even in the most dire circumstances. These friendships become a sanctuary for Drizzt, offering him the emotional support he desperately needs to remain anchored in his humanity.
The loyalty shared between the characters emphasizes the importance of connection in the face of overwhelming darkness. Belwar, in particular, serves as a grounding influence on Drizzt, providing him with both practical help and emotional support as they navigate the dangerous depths of the Underdark.
This bond is not without its complexities, as Belwar himself is torn between the growing pressure from the gnome community and his loyalty to Drizzt. Meanwhile, Clacker’s tragic transformation and his eventual death underscore the theme of loyalty and sacrifice, as his companionship with Drizzt becomes both a source of strength and sorrow.
These relationships ultimately reinforce the notion that in a world devoid of trust, the loyalty between individuals can be a powerful force for good, offering a glimmer of hope and redemption.
The Ever-Looming Influence of Evil and the Struggle Against Fate
A persistent theme in Exile is the presence of evil forces and the struggle against a seemingly predestined fate. The drow society, governed by the malevolent goddess Lolth, is a constant reminder of the oppressive forces that dictate Drizzt’s origins. Lolth’s influence is not just a political or religious one but is embedded in the very fabric of the world Drizzt comes from.
As Drizzt attempts to escape this legacy, he faces continuous challenges, both external and internal, that suggest an unyielding destiny tied to his birthright. The spirit-wraith, sent by Lolth, is a literal manifestation of this fate, and its pursuit of Drizzt serves as a reminder of the inescapable evil that tries to reclaim him.
However, Drizzt’s journey is also a battle against the concept of fate itself. By rejecting the evil of his people and choosing a different path, he asserts his agency in the face of overwhelming odds.
This struggle against fate, encapsulated by Drizzt’s battle with the spirit-wraith, emphasizes the theme of resistance against predetermined destiny, as well as the power of individual choice in shaping one’s future, even when the world around them seems to conspire against them.