Drow mercenary leader, one of very few male Drow with power and influence in the Lolth-female dominated culture. While building this out of persistence and cleverness, he also enjoyed a rare fluke of being seen as favored by the Spider Queen (see later). Jarlaxle was trained in the warrior's academy of Melee-Magthere and renowned for his mind for strategy and tactics.
Jarlaxle is famous as a character in the Forgotten Realms books, video games and board games around the stories of the hero Drizzt Do'Urden.
Banding together with other rogue male dark elves, he formed a powerful faction called the Bregan D'aerthe, becoming a sort of underworld within the Underdark. The group was often employed by House Baenre itself. As its influence extended to the surface, however, and the freedoms and wonders to explore it offered, the faction has now become the true power over the city of Luskan. He was even part of the group succeeding in restoring the Host Tower, gaining support from the Arcane Brotherhood.
Extremely likeable, his personality won him many allies both within the Underdark and on the surface - particularly in reaching strength in races otherwise hateful of the imperious and slave-making Drow. He was known as a dandy in Menzoberranzan, wearing bright-colored clothes, a shimmering cape and audacious hat. A magical eye-patch is said to lend him special vision as well as protect his mind. Fitting his character, he has had numerous romances over the years and many half-drow and elf-drow are unchallenged in claiming him to be their father.