R. A. Salvatore (edit name/settings)

Robert Anthony Salvatore, who writes under the name R. A. Salvatore, is an American author best known for his Forgotten Realms novels. He was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, and became interested in fantasy after reading J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings". In 1982 he started writing more seriously, developing a manuscript he titled Echoes of the Fourth Magic. After finishing the script in 1987 he was asked by TSR to audition for writing the second book in the "The Forgotten Realms" line. He won and has since published over three dozen books in this universe.

One of his most popular characters is Drizzt Do'Urden, a dark elf, or drow, who left the merciless and barren land of the Underdark in a journey for freedom. This leads Drizzt to the surface where he faces discrimination at every turn because of his heritage. He stumbles along in a harsh world until he meets others who are able to look beyond the color of his skin and see the good in him. Thus starts the epic journey of Drizzt, the drow, who favors friendship and peace over hatred and violence.