Summary
An underrated and lesser-known party fromDungeons & Dragonslore is exactly what I hope to see from a Drizzt Do’Urden TV series. Easily the most important hero inDungeons & Dragons’vast library of characters, Drizzt’s name has come up quite often in discussions concerning live-action D&D adaptations. In addition to almost becoming a part ofDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’cast, the iconic dark elf ranger was also under heavy speculation to be the lead of a TV series.
Paramount+’s plans for aDungeons & Dragonsshowhave unfortunately come to a halt, but that doesn’t put an end to a Drizzt project happening at all. WhenevertheDungeons & Dragonsfranchisegets another live-action installment, Drizzt will naturally be a top candidate for the protagonist role. As for who would join him in the adventure, the obvious answer would be his usual allies, the Companions of the Hall. But while I’d love to see Drizzt team up with Wulfgar, Bruenor Battlehammer, and all the rest, there’s another team of his I hope to see first.
Along with Drizzt and Guenhwyvar, the Companions of the Hall typically consists of Bruenor Battlehammer, Regis, Catti-brie, and Wulfgar.
Drizzt Do’Urden’s First Party In Dungeons & Dragons Party Explained
Drizzt, Guenhwyvar, Belwar, And Clacker
Long before forming the Companions of the Hall,Dungeons & Dragons’Drizzt Do’Urdenwas a member of a much smaller and markedly different party of adventurers. The Companions were introduced first, as they debuted with him in theIcewind Daletrilogy, published between 1988 and 1990. But chronologically, his time with them was preceded by his travels with Belwar Dissengulp and Clacker, the first real friends he ever had (other than Guenwhyvar). Drizzt and Guenhwyvar encountered both inExile, the second book inThe Dark Elfprequel trilogy, which explored what happened after he turned his back on Drow society.
Exile was an important transition period for Drizzt Do’Urden, as it took place between his departure from his home city of Menzoberranzan and his arrival on the surface. Drizzt spent a lot of time in isolation while surviving in the Underdark before finding an ally in a svirfneblin fighter named Belwar Dissengulp. In the previous book, Drizzt was part of a Drow war party that slaughtered Belwar’s people, but thanks to Drizzt’s intervention, Belwar only lost his hands. Remembering Drizzt’s kindness, Belwar wound up traveling with him in the Underdark.
Svirfneblin are gnomes native to the Underdark.
The last member of the team was Clacker, a hook horror. InDungeons & Dragons, hook horrors are grotesque monsters with hooks for hands and vulture-links. Clacker, though, was not a natural hook horror; he was transformed into one by an evil wizard. In the book, Clacker struggled (sometimes unsuccessfully) to fight against his nature as a hook horror and maintain his free will. After finding companionship with Drizzt and Belwar, he risked his life to protect his friends.
Why Belwar & Clacker Belong In Drizzt’s Party In A TV Show
Drizzt Could Join Forces With Belwar & Clacker For A Multi-Episode Adventure
Drizzt’s days of fighting beside Clacker and Belwar were short-lived, as they ended with Clacker’s death in the same book that he and Belwar joined up with Drizzt. With that in mind, there’s a chance both characters would only appear briefly or get glossed over completely in a Drizzt TV show. But while they only account for a small chapter inThe Legend of Drizzt’s39-book story, their significance to his personal arc isn’t easily overstated, hence why I think their adventures with him are deserving of at least a full season of exploration - if not more.
Both are crucial to Drizzt’s character development, as they came into his life at a time when Drizzt was short on hope or any sort of positive emotion.With Belwar, he experienced friendship for the first time, which was something that Drizzt needed to continue persevering. Belwar’s loyalty to Drizzt, expressed through his willingness to wander the Underdark with him, made him a memorable character and someone I think could form a great, onscreen dynamic witha live-action version of Drizzt.
As for Clacker, he too could bring something special to the story, just as he did to the book. What stood out to me about Clacker was how similar he was to Drizzt, despite the differences in their situations. As a heroic Drow with a strong moral compass, Drizzt was an outcast who found little common ground with anyone, and it was easy to see Clacker, a person transformed into a monster, the same way.They were both misfits who had no places in their respective societies.
Honor Among Thieves 2 Must Kill Off A Main Character For A Hilarious Dungeons & Dragons Gag
In order to pull off a hilarious Dungeons & Dragons gag that would connect it to the game, Honor Among Thieves 2 must kill off a major character.
What made their connection even more meaningful was the fact thatboth were trying to defy their own instincts. Whereas Clacker was fighting off the homicidal impulses that came with his hook horror form, Drizzt was dealing with “the Hunter,” a cold-blooded, savage persona he had subconsciously crafted for himself in order to survive inDungeons & Dragons’Underdark. In the show, Clacker winning his inner battle can be juxtaposed wonderfully with Drizzt’s story, perhaps giving him the strength he needs to put “the Hunter” behind him and move forward in his journey.
Drizzt’s Underdark Party Would Be The Perfect D&D Team After Honor Among Thieves
Drizzt’s Underdark Team Would Contrast Nicely With Honor Among Thieves
By leaning on his experiences with Clacker and Belwar in the Underdark, a Drizzt Do’Urden series would have an opportunity to get the show off to a strong start. While the Companions of the Hall are certainly an interesting group in their own right, the Underdark trio inExilewill be essential in shaping Drizzt’s character and creating an emotional connection between him and the audience.Homelandsucceeded in making Drizzt sympathetic, but to me,Exiletook that to the next level, as it added a new layer of tragedy to his story through Clacker’s death and Drizzt’s determination to do whatever it takes for the sake of his new friends.
These elements, as well as the characters themselves, would make the team a fitting follow-up to the heroes we were introduced to inDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. I thought the party of heroes assembled for the film fit the story well, with their various personalities going a long way toward influencing the humor. I liked the approach it took, but I think forDungeons & Dragonsto showcase the range of stories and characters it can offer, it would benefit from a distinctly different but equally intriguing cast, and that’s where Drizzt, Belwar, and Clacker can come into play.
Through numerous jokes shared between the main characters and their individual quirks,Honor Among Thievesestablished itself as a fun, fantasy comedy. A Drizzt-focusedDungeons & DragonsTV show wouldn’t be able to copy that formula without diverging from who Drizzt is as a character, who has never been depicted in a comedic light. In using Drizzt and his Underdark allies, the show can create a separate identity for itself, and at the same time, build on what madeHonor Among Thieveswork, with Drizzt’s first party helping to deliver some truly thoughtful and emotional moments for its characters.
Dungeons & Dragons
TheDungeons & Dragonsfranchise is a fantasy adventure series based on the iconic tabletop role-playing game. The franchise includes both live-action and animated adaptations, with the most notable being the recent filmDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves(2023), which brought the fantasy world of D&D to a broader audience with its blend of humor, action, and classic D&D elements. The franchise explores themes of heroism, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of adventuring in a magical world filled with dragons, wizards, and mythical creatures.
