While these days R. A. Salvatore is busy creating the world of our epic new MMOG as one of the visionaries of 38 Studios, he is known worldwide as the creator of Drizzt Do’Urden, the now-famous Drow ranger who first came to life as a supporting character in his 1988 Forgotten Realms® novel The Crystal Shard. Over 20 books later, the ongoing story of the white-haired violet-eyed Dark Elf continues to thrill readers around the world.

One of the highlights of this year’s Gen Con (2008) was the celebration of Drizzt Do’Urden’s 20th anniversary. To commemorate the milestone, there were seven book signings throughout the four days, as well as a party at The Ram Restaurant & Brewery in Indianapolis. Attendees enjoyed 24-oz. bottles of Underdark Stout with exclusive artwork on the glass growler labels that the author autographed onsite. (The brew was described by one of the party organizers as “a real wicked, dark and oaty stout.”) A large cake representation of Guenhwyvar, Drizzt’s magical black panther companion from the Astral Plane, was presented to Salvatore.

“They made me cut it!” Salvatore said. “It broke my heart.” Despite the momentary hesitation to carve into his own creation, he did the deed and the festivities continued long into the night.

At the convention, Salvatore conducted a seminar entitled, “From the Mind of R.A. Salvatore,” an annual one-hour Q&A and update session. This year there was standing room only – and the line to get in extended into the corridor outside the hall!
The entire Salvatore family attended the convention, including R.A.’s wife Diane, their daughter Caitlin, and sons Bryan (a game designer at 38 Studios) and Geno, an aspiring author whose first novel, The Stowaway, will be out in September. Co-written with his father, it’s the first installment in a new fantasy trilogy written for young readers.