Servant of the Shard

Artemis Entreri: Do not underestimate Jarlaxle. Many have; they all are dead.

A man inferior with the blade or with his thoughts can still so elevate himself," Entreri explained curtly, "if he can impart the belief that some god or other speaks through him. It is the greatest deception in all the world and one embraced by kings and lords, while the minor lying thieves on the streets or Calimport and other cities lose their tongues for so attempting to coax the purses of others.

when all is a facade, wound within webs of deception, the truth is what you make of it.

Nothing pains a liar more than when an opponent turns one of his lies into truth.

I know not yet where I hope to go, what challenges are left before me, but I do understand now that the important thing is to enjoy the process of getting there.

Everyone dies, Dwahvel [...] It is how one lives that matters. -Artemis Entreri

Always I seem doomed to protect those I most despise,” Entreri whispered

You do not parlay with demons. You do not hear their lies. You cast them out, destroy them, rid the world of them—even if the temptation is present to utilize their powers to save what you perceive to be a little corner of goodness.

Jarlaxle tipped his hat to the assassin, motioned for Entreri to go left, and went right, blending into the shadows so perfectly that Entreri had to blink to make sure they were not they were not deceiving him. He knew that Jarlaxle, like all dark elves, was stealthy. Likewise he knew that Jarlaxle’s cloak was not the standard drow piwafwi, it did have many magical qualities. It surprised him that anyone, short of using a wizard’s invisibility spell, could find a way so to completely hide that great plumed hat.

Jarlaxle survived, in part, by remaining mysterious, even to those around him. No one could ever really get a good look at the mercenary leader. He kept allies and opponents alike off-balance and wondering, always wondering, and yet, here he was, revealing so much to Artemis Entreri.

You did not outmatch me with speed,” the assassin started to argue, shaking his head. Jarlaxle came forward, his glowing eyes narrowing dangerously- a threatening expression, a look of rage, that the assassin rarely saw upon the handsome face of the always-in-control dark elf mercenary leader. “I have this!” Jarlaxle announced, pulling wide his cloak and showing Entreri the tip of the artefact, Crenshinibon, the crystal shard, tucked neatly into one pocket.

And the real thing can kill you whether you believe in it or not,

There are reasons for things that a casual observer might not understand.” – Jarlaxle Baenre

We must allow for every contingency, must prepare for every eventuality and turn in the game.

The wise thief does not steal the egg if his action will awaken the dragon.