''Shadowdale'' is the first book in The Avatar Series, written by Scott Ciencin—originally under the pen-name 'Richard Awlinson'.

Plot summary

''Shadowdale'' centers around the members of the "Company of the Lynx" and the search for the

Tablets of Fate ''Forgotten Realms'' is a campaign setting for the '' Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as ...

, divine tablets that hold a listing of the Gods and their roles in the balance of Law and Chaos, during the Time of Troubles. The theft of these tablets was the actual cause of the Time of Troubles as all the gods with the exception of

Helm Helm may refer to: Common meanings * a ship's steering mechanism; see tiller and ship's wheel * another term for helmsman * an archaic term for a helmet, used as armor Arts and entertainment * Matt Helm, a character created by Donald Hamilton * ...

were cast to Toril and faiths and magic ran wild. The Company of the Lynx consisted of

Kelemvor Lyonsbane ''The Avatar Series'', originally ''The Avatar Trilogy'', is a series of Dungeons & Dragons fantasy novels in the ''Forgotten Realms'' setting, covering the event known as the Time of Troubles. The books were: #'' Shadowdale'' by Scott Cienci ...

Adon Adon ( phn, 𐤀𐤃𐤍) literally means "lord." Adon has an uncertain etymology, although it is generally believed to be derived from the Ugaritic ad, “father.” Ugaritic tradition The pluralization of adon "my lord" is ''adonai'' "my lord ...

of Sune,

Midnight Midnight is the transition time from one day to the next – the moment when the date changes, on the local official clock time for any particular jurisdiction. By clock time, midnight is the opposite of noon, differing from it by 12 hours. ...

(whose true name was Ariel Manx), and

Cyric ''Forgotten Realms'' is a campaign setting for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a ...

Reception

In the '' Io9'' series revisiting older ''Dungeons & Dragons'' novels, Rob Bricken commented that "it ''feels'' like a real novel by a real novelist instead of a book by someone ''trying'' to be a novelist. Thus, even though I might be grading on a curve after the abysmal ''Greyhawk: Saga of Old City'', ''Shadowdale'' rolls a 14 on the ol' 1d20."

References

{{D&D topics 1989 novels Forgotten Realms novels