The Crystal Shard introduces us to the windswept towns of Icewind Dale, a cold and unforgiving place. Here, Drizzt Do’Urden, a drow ranger, finds both new friends and formidable foes. His days in the Underdark are far behind him as he sets down roots in the harsh environment of Ten-Towns, which is on the brink of a catastrophic war, threatened by the barbarian tribes of the north.

In the midst of battle, a young barbarian named Wulfgar is captured and becomes the ward of Bruenor, a grizzled dwarf leader and a companion to Drizzt. With Drizzt’s guidance, Wulfgar transforms from a feral child into a man with the heart of a dwarf, the instincts of a savage, and the soul of a hero.

But even this transformation may not be enough to defeat the corrupt wizard who wields the demonic power of Crenshininbon—the fabled Crystal Shard. This tale is the first book in the Icewind Dale Trilogy and the fourth book in the Legend of Drizzt series.