The Inheritance Cycle: Difference between revisions
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===''Eragon's Guide To Alagaësia''=== |
===''Eragon's Guide To Alagaësia''=== |
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Eragon's guide to Alagaësia is a Dragonology-like book with all the detailing information about the series. |
Eragon's guide to Alagaësia is a Dragonology-like book with all the detailing information about the series. |
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==Alagaësia== |
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*Alagaësia - The fictional continent where the story takes place. |
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*Du Weldenvarden - A vast forest in Northern Alagaesia. Home to the elves. The name means "The Guarding Forest" in the Ancient Language. |
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*The Empire - The country ruled by the evil [[King Galbatorix]]. |
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*Surda - The land of the resistance to the Empire; it lies far to the south. It is considered to be its own country. |
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===Geography=== |
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*Beor Mountains - The mountains underneath which the Dwarven cities and tunnels lie. Many times higher than the Spine, they lie along the southern edge of the Empire. The mountains average 10 miles in height and are supposedly the tallest in the world. In Brisingr, it is stated that in Urgal mythology, one of their gods raised the mountains while fleeing from the great Dragon. |
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*Carvahall - The small village where [[Eragon (character)|Eragon]] was raised by his Uncle Garrow. Found in Palancar Valley, the village is destroyed when Roran and the majority of the villagers have fled when running from the Ra'zac. |
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*Farthen Dûr - A huge, hollow, almost impregnable mountain where the dwarf city [[Tronjheim]] is located, and where the Varden hid from the Empire. Found by the ancient Dwarf King Korgan while tunneling for gold. |
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*Hadarac Desert - The vast desert stretching from the centre of Alagaësia up to the eastern edge that Eragon and Murtagh crossed to reach the Beor Mountains. It is almost impossible to cross. It was formerly a fertile land in which the dwarves lived, but slowly dried up, forcing them to move. It is therefore similar to the [[Sahara Desert]]. |
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*The Spine - A mountain range that runs most of the vertical span of the Empire along the western coast. It is a mysterious place that many people fear and may be the home of the Urgals. It was the hiding place Eragon chooses for Saphira in the first book. |
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*Urû'baen - The capital city of the Empire and where Galbatorix and his dragon, Shruikan, reside. Known as Ilirea, capital of the Broddring Kingdom, until Galbatorix seized power. |
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*Ellesméra - The hidden capital city of the elves, it stands in the heart of Du Weldenvarden. Like most elf cities, it blends seamlessly into the forest, the homes grown out of ancient trees through magic. The elf queen, Islanzadí, mother of Arya, and most of her court of nobles reside here. Other notable inhabitants include Oromis and Glaedr, Rhunön the smith, Blagden the raven, Gilderien the Wise, Maud the werecat and only two elf children, among others. Sloan, the former butcher of Carvahall, is sent here by Eragon to live in solitude. |
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*No one knows what lies to the far north, east, and south of Alagaesia but the elves arrived from over the ocean to the far west. |
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===Races=== |
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*[[Human]]s - The most common race in the land, and one of the most short lived. This, coupled with their great ability to adapt to their surronding, has allowed them to spread and thrive even in the harshest places Alagaesia. Only a few were Dragon Riders, notably Brom, Eragon, Morzan, Murtagh and Galbatorix. |
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*[[Elf|Elves]] - The elves take cover in Du Weldenvaden and are the most magical race in the land other than dragons and spirits. The elves migrated to the land of dwarves and dragons apparently fleeing danger from across the sea. The elves formed a pact with the dragons, following the war between the elves and the dragons, in which Eragon the elf, Eragon the Rider's namesake, found a white dragon egg and raised it as a companion. In this pact the Dragon Riders were formed. Elves cannot grow beards or have any body hair, unless they choose to change their form. They are immortal unless sword or illness takes them, and they are several times strong then any man. The elves are often referred to as "fair folk", because of their grace and beauty, and speak in the ancient language, the language of magic. |
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*[[Dragons]] - The dragons are a species of enormous reptiles with magical properties. After their pact with the elves, and later humans, dragon eggs set aside for the Riders would only hatch for their chosen riders. The wild dragons would only be born under the right conditions to satisfy their growth. Their scales shown like gems and where as tough as the strongest armors. There were even rumors about a group of dragons who's looked as if they where living rainbows before the Fall of the Riders. Once dragons reach five to six months of age they can breathe fire. Dragons rely on magic in order to fly and never stop growing. Before the Fall, the oldest and most ancient dragons could have been mistaken for a large hill. If a dragon dies it can transfer its consciousness to its Eldunarí, or Heart of Hearts, a gemlike organ found in the chest. During the destruction of the Dragon Riders, almost all of the Dragons were killed. The only dragons alive are Saphira, Shruikan, Thorn, and one unhatched egg in the possession of Galbatorix; however, Galbatorix has enslaved many of the dragons as Eldunarí to fuel his power. |
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*[[dwarf (mythology)|Dwarves]] - A race that had been in Alegasia longer than the elves, and of no small power. They are master smiths and builders, having constructed some of Alagaësia's most imposing structures, among them Tronjheim, the crown jewel of their achievement, a city in the shape of an artificial mountain of white marble one mile tall, hidden in a colossal extinct volcano, Farthen-Dur ("our father" in dwarfish), in the Beor Mountains. The Dwarves are sheltered in the [[Beor Mountains]] where Orik has become their king, following Hrothgar's death. Orik is a friend and foster brother of Eragon, who was the first human to be adopted into a dwarf clan. The dwarves use their own language, in which they are called ''knurlahn''. Because of their long memories, they have difficulty trusting any non-dwarf and some hate dragons, because of Galbatorix and also because wild dragons would sometimes attack them and steal their livestock. Another example of their hatred of dragons is Az Sweldn Rak Anhuin, a dwarven clan that mines amythest and was almost wiped out by the Forsworn in the fall of the riders. The Az Sweldn Rak Anhuin declared themselves enemies of Eragon and their leader trying to assassinate him, which resulted in the clan's banishment. Banishment in dwarven lands is severe, returning is punishable by death and they are treated like they no longer exist at all; they are also given a title called Vargrimstn. |
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*Ra'zac - The anthropophagous pupae of a race of dragonlike predators known as the Lethrblaka and are described as being the natural predators of humans because they are evolved to effectively hunt them. They are described as being black, beetle-like creatures, with thick black [[carapace]]s, a sharp beak and large, lidless eyes the colour of haematite. Their bodies are described as being twisted, hunched and perpetually covered by cloaks to hide their true form. The Ra'zac were hunted down almost to extinction during the age of the Riders; two full-grown Lethrblaka survived, and were bred for Ra'zac and employed as Galbatorix's elite hunters. The Ra'zac are unable to use magic, dislike sunlight and cannot swim; however, they have greater speed and strength than a human, are able to see in the dark, and have a putrid breath which immobilizes humans (it also weakens dwarves, but has no effect on elves). When Eragon and Roran invade Helgrind, one Ra'zac was killed by Roran, one was killed by Eragon, and the Lethrblaka were slain by Saphira, rendering their species effectively extinct in Alagaësia. These creatures are loosely based on something called a Seeker in the Elenium trilogy by David Eddings{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}}, in which the creature talks like the Ra'zac meaning it rolls its S's also, it also has an aversion to sunlight and can stop a human with a "gaze" or "it's breath" and eats humans; it is also a pupea form how ever it is described more like a giant ant. |
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**Lethrblaka - The name, translated from the ancient language, is literally "Leather Flapper". The adult form of the Ra'zac. Once a Ra'zac matures, it sheds its beetle-like exterior and emerge as gargantuan, [[pterosaur]]-like creatures, with leathery skin, wings, and a longer beak. Two survive the Riders' attempt to render the species extinct, and serve as the mounts for the Ra'zac, their offspring. Both of the Lethrblaka are killed by Saphira. |
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*Urgals - A tribal race of creatures having [[orc]] or [[troll]]-like qualities. They stand between six and eight feet tall, are gray in color, and have a leathery hide covered in short, spiky hair. Males grow large, curved horns on the sides of their heads and are known as "Rams" instead of men. Urgals love feats of combat, and a female will not choose a ram as a mate unless he has proven himself by defeating at least three opponents. In an effort to satisfy their lust for battle, Urgals wage war among themselves and with the other races of Alagaësia, which has caused them to be hated and feared by the 'civilized' races. A large number of Urgals were enslaved by the shade Durza, and it was this host that attacked Farthen-Dur, subsequently being released when Eragon killed Durza. At the battle on the Burning Plains in ''Eldest'', one tribe of Urgals, lead by a ram called Garvzhog, allied with the Varden to bring down Galbatorix. The name is said to be derived from their own term for themselves, "Urgralgra". |
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**Kull - Elite Urgal warriors, used as [[Shock troops]] and bodyguards to chieftains (who themselves are Kull, too). An Urgal is considered Kull when it grows over eight feet tall (which is large even by Urgal standards). |
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*Spirits - Strange and mysterious beings without physical bodies, who exist as concentrations of unknown energies. Although fundamentally different from the other races of Alagaesia to the point of being unfathomable to them, most spirits are not dangerous or evil, and none heed the mortal world on their own. Sorcerers strive to control spirits to do their bidding because of the spirits' great potential of raw power and close link to magic; sometimes, they summon too strong a spirit and it overwhelms them. If this spirit has an evil disposition, it will possess the sorcerer and a Shade is created, however Varaug seemed angry with the fact that the spirits that made his mind were trapped in a body. Spirits in Alagaesia are not linked to the souls of deceased mortals. |
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*Shades - Creatures of twisted magic, and competely evil, who are created when sorcerers (ever accidentaly or voluntarily) summon spirits too powerful for them to control. The sorcerers are then possessed by the spirits, becoming essentially immortal, exceptionally strong both physically and in magical prowess, and inherently evil. Shades can only be slain by a thrust through the heart, upon which the Shade disintegrates, freeing the spirits. Only four warriors have killed a Shade and survived: Laetri the Elf, Irnstad the Rider, Eragon the Rider, and Arya the Elf (the last two now twice, both times in cooperation). The only Shades to appear were Durza and one calling himself Varaug. Both were killed by Eragon and Arya, respectively. |
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*Grey Folk - Possibly the oldest civilized race in Alagaesia, and the most powerful, the Grey Folk linked the magic of the world to their language, the "Ancient Language," to prevent accidental discharges of magical energy, an effort that supposedly drained the vitality of their race. They then "faded" - most likely died out or intermingled with the other races. Little record of their time in Alagaësia survived. |
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*Werecats -Werecats are sentient creatures with shapeshifting abilities, being able to take on the appearance of either a human or a large, shaggy cat. Whether they migrated to Alagaësia or were native to the land was unknown. They were quite rare; the few who were alive during Eragon's time did not often reveal themselves. |
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Werecats were said to be very smart and dangerous at times. |
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In Book 1, it was revealed that werecats can command regular cats as well as their own kind. |
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"They are quite real. During the Riders' years of glory, they were as renowned as the dragons. Kings and elves kept them as companions - yet the werecats were free to do whatever they chose. Very little has ever been known about them. I'm afraid that their race has become rather scarce recently... they could certainly do unusual things. They always seemed to know what was going on and somehow or another manage to get themselves involved." |
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— Brom |
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===Magic=== |
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[[Magic in fiction|Magic]] takes energy from its user, as its most basic definition is the ability to manipulate energy. Strong magic can exhaust its user, possibly to the point of death. The full nature of magic is unknown, being very unclear why the elements of nature obey commands through their [[True name]], but the series as a whole suggests that the true names are the essence of the world itself. |
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In these books Eragon and Saphira communicate telepathically. Eragon can do this with any other creature he chooses, but not to such a degree except with the werecat Solembum. |
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==Characters== |
==Characters== |
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Revision as of 16:04, 31 July 2010
   The covers of the first three books. | |
Eragon Eldest Brisingr Untitled fourth book | |
| Author | Christopher Paolini |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | John Jude Palencar |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young-adult fiction, Fantasy |
| Publisher | Paolini LLC (early edition of Eragon) Alfred A. Knopf |
| Published | 2002 – present |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, paperback) and Audio (Compact Disc) |
The Inheritance Cycle is a series of fantasy novels by Christopher Paolini. It was previously entitled the Inheritance Trilogy until Paolini's announcement on October 30, 2007 that there would be a fourth book. Set in the fictional world of Alagaësia (Template:Pron-en), the novels focus on a teenage boy named Eragon and his dragon Saphira as he becomes one of the few remaining Dragon Riders, a legendary group who governed the land in times past but were almost destroyed by a Rider named Galbatorix and the Forsworn, a group of thirteen Riders who betrayed their fellow Riders by swearing fealty to Galbatorix. After the Fall, when most of the Riders were slain, Galbatorix claimed the throne of Alagaësia. The tyrant king's greatest fear is that a new Rider will rise up and usurp his position as king of the Empire. Through the efforts of the rebel group, the Varden, and their leader/founder, Brom (in collusion with Jeod and Hefring) a dragon egg is stolen from Galbatorix, and by a whim of fate, is thrust upon a young farmboy in Palancar Valley named Eragon. As Galbatorix attempts to capture Eragon and his dragon, Eragon begins a journey into the past and the future of Alagaësia.
The first book in the series, Eragon, was self-published by Paolini's family in 2002 and re-published in 2003 by Knopf; it was followed by Eldest in 2005. Both were New York Times bestsellers[1][2] and together have sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.[3] The third book in the series, Brisingr, was published on September 20, 2008,[4] and publication details for the untitled fourth book, have not been set.[5] The series was intended to be a trilogy, but this changed as Paolini decided that the story was too complex to conclude in one book.
In 2006, Eragon was adapted into a feature film of the same name, starring Edward Speleers in the title role of Eragon, as well as Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Rachel Weisz, Sienna Guillory and Robert Carlyle.
Publication history
Homeschooled by his parents, Christopher Paolini graduated from high school at the age of fifteen, but felt he was not yet mature enough for college, so he wrote Eragon in his spare time. After writing the first draft for a year, he spent a second year rewriting it and fleshing out the story and characters, and then presented it to his parents. They had it self-published by the family publishing company, Paolini International, and Paolini then traveled around to various schools advertising his novel. By chance, the book was discovered by Alfred A. Knopf and was republished under Knopf in 2003.
Eldest was released as a hardcover edition in August 2005. A limited edition, featuring extras such as a brief history of Alagaësia, a double-sided poster featuring Brom's ring and Glaedr, and a sneak peek of Brisingr was released in September 2006. A paperback edition was released in March 2007. The deluxe edition of Eldest had an excerpt from the third chapter of the third book.
Brisingr (otherwise known as The Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular) - a word meaning 'fire' in the fictional Ancient Language - was published on September 20, 2008, as announced on October 30, 2007 on Christopher Paolini's website, [1]. Also included in the announcement, both by Random House and in an internet video by Paolini himself, was the revelation that the Inheritance Trilogy would now contain four books instead of three, thus resulting in the renaming of the series to the Inheritance Cycle. Paolini also announced that he would end the third book with the death of a major character.[6]
Synopsis
In the fictional land of Alagaësia, there was an order who oversaw the countries and brought peace to the world. This group was known as the Dragon Riders, for they rode Dragons, which they were bonded with at the birth of their dragon, in accordance with a pact made between elves and dragon millennia earlier. One Dragon Rider named Galbatorix had his dragon slain by a group of Urgals(somewhat similar to orcs from other fantasy) which drove him mad. Denied another Dragon by the Council of Elder Riders, Galbatorix blamed the Council for the death of his dragon and sought to destroy the order. He made an alliance with a young rider, named Morzan, and with his help slew an elder rider. Then, with the help of Morzan, the first of the thirteen Forsworn, he stole a black dragon, named Shruikan. He forced Shruikan to bind with him (a perverted version of the real binding between a rider and dragon), and later destroyed the Riders and their dragons, except the thirteen forsworn. Since then, he has ruled parts of Alagaësia as a tyrannical King. He hasn't ruled the elves nor dwarves.
While an accurate time-line of various events is as yet unavailable, Paolini has hinted on an interview that based on character Elain's pregnancy, we may infer the events of the first three books to have happened within a span of months.[7]
Eragon
While hunting, Eragon, a 15-year-old farm boy, finds a polished stone in a dangerous mountain range known only as "The Spine." He takes the "stone" to his native village Carvahall, but fails to trade it for food to the village butcher, Sloan. Eragon then elects to bring the stone back to his uncle Garrow's farm and leave it aside as a curiosity. Soon afterward, Eragon realizes that the "stone" is actually a dragon egg, as it hatches. Soon later two mysterious strangers appear in Carvahall, inquiring about the egg. Fearful that they will harm his already-hatched dragon, Saphira, Eragon flees his hometown for a night, only to return to find his uncle Garrow killed and his farm destroyed. The town's storyteller, Brom, offers to flee with Eragon, promising to teach him all he knows of magic and dragons, in order to defeat Alagaesia's evil king, Galbatorix and help him in pursuing his uncle's killers, the Ra'zac. But Brom is killed in an ambush by the Ra'zac. Then Eragon with the help of Murtagh rescues an elven woman, Arya who is being tortured by a shade, Durza. Later, in battle, Eragon kills Durza with help from Arya.
Eldest
Following the battle of Farthen Dûr, Ajihad, leader of the Varden, is killed in a sudden surprise attack by Urgals. Murtagh and the Twins (the Varden's chief magicians) are thought to disappear during the attack, but later in the book, Eragon realizes that the Twins were traitors who had planned the ambush to capture Murtagh and kill Ajihad. After swearing fealty to Nasuada, Ajihad's daughter and the new leader of the Varden, Eragon travels to Ellesméra, accompanied by the dwarf Orik, nephew and heir of the dwarf king Hrothgar and Eragon's friend. Before leaving, Hrothgar offers Eragon a place in his clan, Durmgrist Ingeitum, giving him full citizenship rights in dwarvish society.
Much of the book's remainder is devoted to Eragon's training with the ancient Dragon Rider Oromis, also known as Togira Ikonoka (The Cripple Who Is Whole) or Osthato Chetowa (The Mourning Sage), and his unsuccessful attempts at wooing Arya, newly discovered to be of elvish royalty, who is dedicated to her mission and considers his feelings misplaced. It is later revealed that, as a result of a badly-worded blessing Eragon placed on an orphaned baby before the Battle of Farthen Dur, the child Elva, is compelled to put herself in the place of others who are about to be hurt.
The spirits of the dragons heal Eragon's scar in a ceremony called the Agaetí Blödhren. Eragon wakes up the next day with elven qualities that make him much stronger and more agile. It is after the transformations that Eragon pursues Arya once more, but is again refused, and she returns to Surda the next day.
Meanwhile, Roran (Eragon's cousin and son of Garrow) returns to Carvahall after learning of his father's death, and discovers that he is wanted by Galbatorix. His presence is endangering the entire town, which has come under attack by the Ra'zac and caused many villagers' deaths. Sloan (father of Katrina, Roran's fiancee) betrays the town to the Ra'zac, resulting in the kidnapping of Katrina and the near death of Roran. The next day, Roran convinces most of the villagers to follow him in an attempt to reach sanctuary in Surda. Roran and company cross the treacherous Spine Mountains, sail barges down Alagaseia's western coast and join up with Jeod (an old friend of Brom's) at the city of Teirm. They set sail in a pirated ship for the southern coast, evading the Ra'zac and Empire.
Eragon returns to the Varden to help them in the approaching battle against Galbatorix's army. Arya forgives him, and their friendship is renewed. Soon after, the Battle of the Burning Plains commences. During the battle, a new Rider, revealed to be Murtagh, appears riding a red dragon named Thorn. After Murtagh killed Hrothgar, he reveals that he has now become Galbatorix's slave and is oath-bound to capture Eragon and bring him and Saphira back to Galbatorix. He also reveals that Saphira is the last female dragon in existence and that this is the reason Eragon and Saphira are still alive. Murtagh and Eragon begin to fight and Eragon is surprised by how much strength a relatively young dragon and inexperienced Rider possess; Eragon is defeated, but he convinces Murtagh to reinterpret his oath and allow their freedom. Murtagh does so, but first says that they are brothers and that Eragon's father is Morzan (one of the 13 forsworn) - a revelation that deeply shocks and sickens Eragon.
Also in the battle, the Twins' treachery is revealed when they appear on the Empire's side and kill many of their former comrades amongst the Varden. The timely arrival of Roran, Jeod, and the villagers allows Roran to kill the Twins, turning the battle in the Varden's favour.
After reporting to his superiors, Eragon explains in full the story of Saphira to Roran, attempting to apologize for the death of their father and uncle. The book ends with Eragon promising to accompany Roran and free Katrina in Helgrind, the place where the Ra'zac and their Lethrblaka parents stay.
Brisingr
Otherwise known as The Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular
Eragon, Roran, and Saphira travel towards Helgrind, the mountain dwelling of the Ra'zac where Katrina is being held. They infiltrate the mountain, rescuing Katrina and killing one Ra'zac; but Eragon secretly finds Sloan, who was tortured and blinded for information, but finds that he cannot kill him. Telling Roran and Katrina that Sloan is dead, he sends them back to the Varden on Saphira, and remains in Helgrind to kill the remaining Ra'zac and rescue Sloan. The last Ra'zac attempts to strike a deal with Eragon, informing him that Galbatorix has almost found "the name", in exchange for him keeping alive the memory of the Ra'zac as the monsters of humanity's nightmares. Eragon refuses the deal and kills it. Later, while debating his course of action regarding Sloan, he discovers Sloan's true name and, thus, gains great power over him and causes pain to Sloan who cannot bear the revelation of who he truly is.After consulting with the elvish Queen Islanzandi, Eragon decides to place enchantments on Sloan that will allow him to reach sanctuary with the elves, on condition that he never see Katrina again and attempts to rectify his ways, instead of killing him for his betrayal. If he does, the elves agree to restore his sight.
Arya, who went searching for Eragon after he fails to return with the others, meets Eragon in the town of Eastcroft , where Roran and the villagers of Carvahall who had not settled in Surda have joined the war.
Roran informs Eragon that he and Katrina wish to marry, and that Katrina is pregnant. The day of the wedding, a small unit of 300 soldiers from the Empire, including Murtagh and Thorn, attack the Varden. Again, Murtagh is difficult to beat with an apparent source of supernatural power aiding him, but Eragon, Arya and twelve elven spellcasters are able to combine their powers and best him: he retreats, but vows to return stronger than ever. Orrin, King of Surda, and his cavalry, meanwhile manage to destroy the enemy army, but discover that its soldiers are immune to pain, and can suffer the most grievous wounds without dying: only decapitation stops them. Roran and Katrina's marriage is then completed.
Nasuada orders Eragon to attend the election of the new dwarf king as a member of Durgrimst Ingeitum, Saphira remaining behind in case Murtagh attempts to attack. Eragon is reunited with Orik, the new clan-chief of Durgrimst Ingeitum. An attempt is made on Eragon's life by a clan who have shown hostility towards Eragon and Saphira. Orik has the clan's leader, who orchestrated the attack, banished and he is elected the new king. Saphira then comes to Tronjeim, where she and Eragon are reunited.
Meanwhile, Roran becomes involved in many Varden attacks on the Empire, all of which he acquits himself well in. However, in his second-last engagement, he is assigned to an incompetent general, Edric, who orders a full-scale charge into a force far bigger than the Varden and one that would have caused mass death and defeat. Roran refuses to let his regiment do this, starting a different plan that saves most of his men and entirely destroys the opposing force (Roran killing nearly 200 of these by himself) but he is later punished for his insubordination with fifty lashes on the whipping post. Later, Nasuada comes to him, apologizing for the necessity of the punishment, informs him that Edric has been decommissioned, and requests that he now take command of an entire force. Urgals, a race most of the races of Alagaseia despise, are amongst this group since Nasuada had earlier allowed their assistance before the Battle of the Burning Plains (Eldest) but the alliance is crumbling because of the mutual distrust of both races. Roran has to battle one of the Urgals to assert his authority during his first command; winning, the Urgals under his command do not question his leadership again and, later, fight alongside him at the siege of Feinster.
Eragon and Saphira return to Ellesmera to complete their training. There, Eragon learns that Brom, his former mentor, was his mother's paramour and Eragon's true father, who fell in love and worked together to undermine and bring down Morzan, Galbatorix's right-hand man and his mother's former lover. The next day, Eragon is told the source of Galbatorix's power: many "heart of hearts", or Eldunari, a gemlike organ which can contain a dragon's consciousness if separated from the body. Glaedr explains that Galbatorix controls hundreds of these, taken from dragons he slew during the Fall, and these are the source of his power and presumably that of Murtagh. Eragon makes himself a new sword, being directed by the smith Rhunön. Eragon names the sword "Brisingr", with the result that it emanates fire, its namesake, every time Eragon says its name.
Glaedr gives his heart of hearts, an Eldunari, to Eragon and Saphira, who leave to help the Varden's siege on Feinster, one of the Empire's cities. Oromis and Glaedr join the elves in Gil'ead.
Eragon and Saphira join the siege, where they are reunited with Arya. They find the leader of Feinster, Lady Lorana who is forced to follow Galbatorix but still requests assistance from Eragon and Arya to stop Feinster's magicians from creating a Shade. Arya kills the Shade with some assistance from Eragon, and with the surrender of Lorana, the siege is won. During the siege, Glaedr's heart of hearts sends his experiences to Eragon: During a battle against Thorn and Murtagh (who is later possessed by Galbatorix) Oromis and Glaedr are both killed, but Glaedr's existence continues in the Eldunari possessed by Eragon. After the battle, Eragon reveals the existence of the Eldunari, and the death of Oromis, to Nasuada; heartened by the revelation of Galbatorix's dependence on the Eldunari, and thus his weakness without them, Nasuada tells Eragon that the Varden plan to march to Belatona, then to Dras-Leona, then to Uru'baen, where they will slay the king. Eragon feels lost in the absence of a mentor, but is comforted by the fact that Galbatorix has at least one weakness which they intend to exploit in the upcoming confrontation.
Eragon's Guide To Alagaësia
Eragon's guide to Alagaësia is a Dragonology-like book with all the detailing information about the series.
Characters
- Ajihad - Leader of the Varden until his death in the first chapter of Eldest. Father of Nasuada and responsible for giving sanctuary to Eragon when he was on the run from the Empire.
- Arya - The Elven princess rescued by Eragon, with whom he falls in love. Until she was ambushed and captured by Durza, she acted as a courier for Saphira's egg, carrying it between the elves and the Varden. She refuses to be with Eragon because of their duties, but warms to him by the end of Brisingr.
- Brom - Former Dragon Rider and Eragon's first mentor. Has defeated three of the Forsworn personally, including Morzan, and was responsible for the death of five others. He was Oromis's pupil as a Dragon Rider and later pronounced 'Elf Friend'. He was killed by the Ra'zac. He was the founder of the Varden and later found to be Eragon's father.
- Durza - A "Shade"; a sorcerer subject to demonic possession as a result of having summoned spirits too powerful for him to control. He was killed by Eragon.
- Eragon - The protagonist. His quest begins when he finds a mysterious stone, which turned out to be a dragon egg, during a hunting trip. He gradually learns how to fight, use magic, and read. He was named by his mother after the first Dragon Rider. He has become known by various titles such as "Shadeslayer", "Argetlam" ("silver hand"), "Firesword", and "Bane of the Ra'zac."
- Galbatorix - Antagonist of the story. Initiator of the rebellion responsible for the Fall of the Riders. Now the king of the Empire, he has amassed unparalleled (and unnatural) power because of the enslavement of the dragons, resulting in no one being able to dethrone him for the last +100 years. He is described as cruel and merciless, with little regard for human life (or any other life, for that matter).
- Garrow - uncle of Eragon, father of Roran, and brother of Selena. He is killed by Ra'zac.
- Glaedr - Oromis's golden dragon. He lost one of his forelegs during the fall of the Riders, and had been hiding with Oromis in Du Weldenvarden. He gave Eragon his Eldunari, but is eventually killed, reducing him to existence only inside his detached Eldunari.
- Murtagh - The son of Morzan, and Eragon's older half-brother. Murtagh rescued Eragon from the Ra'zac and went with him to Farthen Dûr. Later, he was captured and brought to Galbatorix, who devised Murtagh's true name, making Murtagh his slave. Murtagh was then presented with the two remaining dragon eggs, one of which hatched. Murtagh thus became a Rider who is forced to fight for Galbatorix. His dragon is a red male named Thorn.
- Thorn - Murtagh's red dragon. Though only a few months old, Thorn is physically the same size as Saphira as a result of Galbatorix's magic. He, along with Murtagh, is a name-slave to Galbatorix, and thus fights for the mad king. He and Murtagh killed Oromis and Glaedr.
- Nasuada - Daughter of Ajihad and leader of the Varden after Ajihad dies. She dislikes magic in any form.
- Oromis - He is the last of the Dragon Riders of old. He is an elf, hiding in Du Weldenvarden, and is Eragon's second teacher. He has a handicap which separates him from all but the smallest forms of magic, caused when he was captured and tortured at the hands of Kialandi and Formora of the Forsworn. He is killed by Murtagh. Has a dragon named Glaedr.
- Roran - Eragon's cousin, and (now) revolutionary leader of Carvahall. Meets Eragon again in Surda. Also known as Stronghammer for his bravery in fighting the Ra'zac and Galbatorix's soldiers with his trusted war hammer (which is nothing more than an ordinary hammer used for smithing). He is married to Katrina in the third book.
- Saphira - Eragon's blue dragon, sharing the name of Brom's former dragon, she is the last female dragon and the only dragon free from Galbatorix's control, other than Glaedr. Also known as "Bjartskular", "Irontooth", "Brightscales", and "Flametongue".
- Morzan - Father of Murtagh and believed to be the father of Eragon until near the end of Brisingr. First and last of the Forsworn, and Galbatorix's most loyal Rider.
Criticism
The books have been criticized for their derivative nature. The two most commonly discussed sources are Star Wars (because of numerous similarities in the plots[8]) and The Lord of the Rings (because of the setting, elven[9][10] and dwarven races,[9] the language[9] and character and place names). Even many positive reviews note that the work pulls strongly from the conventions of fantasy, in character, dialogue and concepts.[11]
The reviews of Eldest were similar. Paolini was cited as having developed as a writer from Eragon, but also noted were strong use of The Empire Strikes Back as source material, as well as The Two Towers and Dune.[12] USAToday also cited strong echoes of Star Wars in Eragon's plot,[9] while Entertainment Weekly writes that the plot closely resembles that of the The Lord of the Rings.[13]
Film adaptations
On December 15, 2006, a film adaptation of Eragon was released. The movie, starring Ed Speleers, Jeremy Irons, and John Malkovich, was produced by 20th Century Fox. Stefen Fangmeier made his directorial debut with Eragon. The screenplay was written by Peter Buchman. Principal photography for the film took place in Hungary and Slovakia. A DVD of the movie was released March 20, 2007. The film performed modestly at the US Box Office, but received generally negative reviews. The possibility of future films was thrown into uncertainty.
Reviews
- Video clip from Amazon.com
- Recorded audio of interview with Christopher Paolini, from "Bill Thompson's Eye On Books"
- Recorded audio of interview with Christopher Paolini, from Homeschool.com
- "Philip Pullman, Tamora Pierce, and Christopher Paolini Talk Fantasy Fiction", from Powell's books
Footnotes
- ^ "Best sellers: September 14, 2003". www.nytimes.com. The New York Times. 2003-09-13. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
- ^ "Children's best sellers: September 11, 2005". www.nytimes.com. The New York Times. 2005-09-11. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
- ^ "Interview with Christopher Paolini". The Author Hour. 2009-01-21.
- ^ "Brisingr by Christopher Paolini". www.randomhouse.com. Random House. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
- ^ Rich, Motoko (2007-10-31). "Eragon Author Extends Series". www.nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
- ^ "Series will be expanded to include a fourth full-length novel" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-10-31.
- ^ http://www.shurtugal.com/?news=681
- ^ Commonsense Media: Review of Eragon
- ^ a b c d "More of the 'Rings' magic", USA Today 1/20/2004
- ^ Books 2005: The 5 Worst", Entertainment Weekly
- ^ Barnes & Noble Editorial Reviews
- ^ Commonsense Media: Review of Eldest
- ^ 94586 0_0_,00.html Book Review: Eldest, Entertainment Weekly, 08/19/05
External links
Inheritance Cycle, an external wiki
- Official Inheritance Cycle website
- Official Australian Brisingr website
- Eragon page, from Random House
- Shurtugal.com, Leading Inheritance Cycle website
- Unofficial Fan Outlet
- Inheritance Cycle Wiki