List of the Inheritance Cycle characters

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This is list of the characters in Christopher Paolini's fantasy series The Inheritance cycle.

Major Characters

Arya Dröttningu

Arya (titled Arya Svit-kona; also known as Arya Dröttningu) was a female elf, the daughter of Queen Islanzadí Dröttningu and her husband Evandar, and therefore a princess. Arya is described as having black hair and green eyes in the book. She was also a masterly swordswoman and skilled at using magic. Eragon expressed his deep feelings for her on many occasions, but because of the broad age gap between them and the fact that she was in love with one of the elves whom Durza killed while trying to steal the egg, Arya chose to reject his advances.

History

Arya was banned from Islanzadí's presence because she chose to devote herself fully to the cause of the Varden. She was appointed the courier of the one dragon egg Brom and Jeod had managed to recover from Galbatorix's clutches, and spent 15 years conveying the precious egg back and forth from Farthen Dûr to Ellesméra, in the hopes that eventually a new Dragon Rider would be found.

Galbatorix somehow got wind of this arrangement (probably by the twins), and sent the shade, Durza, to ambush Arya and recapture the egg. The Shade managed to accomplish the former, but failed the latter, for Arya teleported the egg into the wilds of the Spine, intending that Brom, in Carvahall, would find it. Instead, the egg came to Eragon, and Arya was imprisoned in Gil'ead.That is where she underwent torture, refusing to reveal any information about the Varden or the Elves. Each day, she was given a dose of a deadly poison, called Skilna Bragh, that would slowly kill her. She was also given some sort of drug designed to suppress magical powers.

She subconsciously reached out with her mind searching for something familiar, she had become accustomed to Saphira's presence and so touched Eragon's mind while he was asleep. Later Eragon was able to scry her. Eragon was heavily impacted by his visions of this mysterious lady. When he himself was captured by Durza and imprisoned in the same prison as the Elf was being held he encountered her for the first time.

When Murtagh and Saphira staged a daring rescue mission, Eragon insisted that Arya come along with them, despite the difficulties this might incur upon their travels. When Eragon attempted to heal her, he found she was branded, whipped, and beaten. Arya remained in a self-induced comatose state, which slowed the effects of the deadly poison within her. Mentally communicating with Eragon, however, she informed him that unless they could reach the Varden, who had the antidote - Tunivor's Nectar¥ - she would die within three or four days.

They managed to reach the Varden in time to save her, and she was healed sufficiently to fight when Farthen Dûr came under attack from Urgals and Kull. During the battle, she saved Eragon's life by distracting Durza with the breaking of the star sapphire, Isidar Mithrim, though her action earned her the dislike of the dwarves.

After the battle and the havoc wreaked by the death of Ajihad, she accompanied Eragon to Ellesméra, where she was reconciled with her estranged mother. Her feelings towards Eragon, however, began to grow cool, as he approached her with unwanted admiration. Following the Blood-Oath Celebration, she returned to the Varden, and aided them in preparing for attack by Galbatorix's forces. She fought at the Battle of The Burning Plains.

Arya's family was one of the several royal houses in Ellesméra. The House of Dröttningu, which line possibly dated back to Queen Tarmunora, had been in power for many years. Tarmunora was succeeded by Dellanir, Arya's grandmother, implying that Tarmunora was a Dröttning. However, she could have handed the throne to another royal house, as Elves sometimes do. Dellanir ruled for centuries before voluntarily abdicating in favor of her son, Evandar. Evandar then became king and mated with an Elf princess, Islanzadí, who gave birth to Arya. Evandar died at the hands of either Galbatorix or one of the Forsworn during the Rider War, and Islanzadí ruled after him.

It is unclear how many family members Arya has apart from her mother; however, Arya has stated that she has no brothers or sisters. The only other Dröttningu mentioned, and that only in passing, was named Niduen. Niduen sent a gift to Eragon when he arrived in Ellesméra, but it is uncertain what relation Niduen was to Arya.

Other

• Arya was portrayed by Sienna Guillory in the film version of Eragon.
• The word "Arya" itself is a Sanskrit and Avestan word that means "noble".
• Arya is one of two characters in the Inheritance cycle series whose last name is revealed. Her surname, Drottning, means 'queen' in Icelandic and Swedish.
• Arya is one of the most-criticized characters of Inheritance. It is argued that she is a flat character, as Paolini focuses more on her beauty and skills in battle than her personality. Many critics have accused her of being a Mary-Sue, an overly-perfect character in literature. The scene in Eldest when she attacks a dwarven priest's religious beliefs has also been criticized, as it made her appear bigoted and intolerant.

Brom

Brom was a former Dragon Rider and the founder of the revolutionary group of the Varden. He is one of the series' main characters through first book, through his role as Eragon's mentor. During his years as a Dragon Rider, he held a strong devotion and a close friendship with Morzan, who later became the evil leader of the Forsworn. However, during a final battle Morzan kills Brom's dragon Saphira. On the verge of insanity and thirsty for revenge, Brom went on to become responsible for the deaths of many of the Forsworn, including Morzan, whom he defeated with Morzan's own sword. However, in the book, Murtagh later states "It's the only thing I expected to get as an inheritance, before Brom stole it from my father's body." Brom later passes Zar'roc on to Eragon. Near the end of Eragon he is killed by the Ra'zac, and set in a tomb of diamond through the magic of Eragon's dragon, also named Saphira. Throughout the second book of the series, Eldest, he remains somewhat of an enigma and Eragon retains a strong interest and allegiance to him.

Eragon

Main article: Eragon (character)

Eragon, also known as Shadeslayer or Argetlam, was born near a small town of Carvahall, to the north of Alagaësia. He grew up in relative poverty with his Uncle Garrow and cousin Roran, never knowing his parentage. Eragons mother, Selena, named her son after the first rider. Recognized as an excellent hunter, he frequently entered the nearby mountains known as The Spine, despite local superstition rendering the place taboo. One night while hunting, he came across a large, polished blue stone, which later turned out to be a dragon egg teleported to that spot by its guardian, Arya. The egg hatched, bringing to life the dragon Saphira and making Eragon the first new Dragon Rider since the Order's fall a century previously. In constant danger of being captured by King Galbatorix, he is trained in both warcraft and the art of magic by Brom, who is a former Dragon Rider himself. He becomes a master at both, partly through his natural skill given to him through his intimate link with Saphira. After Brom's death, he rescues elf and future love interest Arya, with whom he journeys to the Varden in Farthen Dûr. At the end of Eragon he successfully kills the Shade Durza during the final battle between the Varden and Galbatorix's forces, giving him the name of Shadeslayer. During their battle, Durza slashes Eragon's shoulder, leaving a disfiguring and debilitating scar. This becomes a major plot point in Eldest. In Eldest, he travels to the elven city of Ellesméra and gains a highly extensive training with Oromis, an elf and also a fellow Dragon Rider. During the elves' Blood-Oath Celebration, that just happens to coincide with Eragon's appearance in Ellesmera, he is granted a gift by the dragons; he is healed of every scar on his body, including the one on his shoulder, and is given the appearance and skill in battle and magic of an elf. Despite this, Arya continues to spurn his romantic advances due to their vast differences in both age and experience. At the end of Eldest, Eragon and Saphira are defeated by former friend Murtagh and his dragon Thorn at the Battle of the Burning Plains. Murtagh spares Eragon but takes his inheritance, Zar'roc, the sword of Morzan given to him by Brom.

Galbatorix

Galbatorix is the primary antagonist of the Inheritance cycle. He is an immensely powerful Dragon Rider, who revolted from the Order, overturning the peaceful nation so strived for and creating his Empire. After his first dragon died, he forced Shruikan to bond with him after killing its original rider using dark forms of magic and is now the King of a large portion of Alagaësia. Galbatorix has yet to appear in person in the series, but he is integral to the plot.

Murtagh

Murtagh was born into the elite ruling class of the Broddring Kingdom. His father was Morzan, powerful leader of the Forsworn. His mother was Selena, the unfortunate companion and lover of Morzan. His childhood was unpleasant and left him with a scar on his back given to him by his father when he was three years of age. On his 18th birthday, he escaped the castle and later hunted the Ra'zac, leading him to Eragon. They become good friends until he disappears, returning as a Dragon Rider of sworn allegiance to Galbatorix. Murtagh and his dragon Thorn defeat Eragon and Saphira at the Battle of the Burning Plains. He reveals to Eragon that they are brothers, and that Galbatorix sent him to capture Saphira and Eragon, and bring them back to Urû'Baen. After taking Zar'roc, he defies Galbatorix's wishes by leaving Saphira and Eragon on the battlefield.

Nasuada

Nasuada is the daughter of Ajihad, leader of the Varden. The dwarf prince Orik tells Eragon that her mother's identity is a secret known to no-one - Ajihad simply showed up one day with a baby in his arms and claimed her to be his daughter. Orik remarks that she is "an unusual girl" who, despite her young age, is skilled at manipulating her father's enemies. Upon her father's death at the beginning of Eldest, Nasuada becomes leader of the Varden, showing herself to be a strong, determined and capable leader. Due to limited resources in the Varden's stronghold in Farthen Dûr, she leads her people to Surda, a rebel country to the south of Alagaësia that holds a secret allegiance to the Varden. Nasuada there convinces King Orrin of Surda to become open in their allegiance, and together they lead their army to fight in the Battle of the Burning Plains.

Roran

Roran is Garrow's son and Eragon's cousin, who grew up in Carvahall side by side with Eragon. He does not play a major role in the first book, but it is revealed that he is in love with Katrina, the daughter of the village butcher Sloan. Early in Eragon, he leaves Carvahall to work as a miller's assistant in the neighboring town of Therinsford, and is not seen again in that book, apart from a brief scrying by Eragon. However, Roran plays a much more prominent part in Eldest, a part firsted only in importance by that of Eragon himself. In Eldest, the Ra'zac return to threaten Carvahall, their intentions were to take Roran in for interrogation for information on Eragon and kill or sell the remaining villagers into slavery. Roran and his friends in Carvahall lead a brave and ferocious defense against the soldiers, until Roran's recent fiancée Katrina is finally taken by the Ra'zac. Stricken, Roran proceeds to lead his people to desert Carvahall and take the treacherous road over the spine towards the coast to Teirm, where he finds a ship to take them all to the relative safety of rebel country Surda. Events eventually lead to Roran and Eragon meeting once more at the Battle of the Burning Plains.

Dragon Riders

See also: Dragon Riders

Anurin

Former leader of the Dragon Riders, predecessor to Vrael.

Eragon I

First Dragon Rider, and the first Head Rider. He and his white dragon, Bid'Daum, forged an alliance between the elves and the dragons.Eragon, also known as Shadeslayer or Argetlam, was born near a small town of Carvahall, to the north of Alagaësia. He grew up in relative poverty with his Uncle Garrow and cousin Roran, never knowing his parentage. Eragons mother, Selena, named her son after the first rider. Recognized as an excellent hunter, he frequently entered the nearby mountains known as The Spine, despite local superstition rendering the place taboo. One night while hunting, he came across a large, polished blue stone, which later turned out to be a dragon egg teleported to that spot by its guardian, Arya. The egg hatched, bringing to life the dragon Saphira and making Eragon the first new Dragon Rider since the Order's fall a century previously. In constant danger of being captured by King Galbatorix, he is trained in both warcraft and the art of magic by Brom, who is a former Dragon Rider himself. He becomes a master at both, partly through his natural skill given to him through his intimate link with Saphira. After Brom's death, he rescues elf and future love interest Arya, with whom he journeys to the Varden in Farthen Dûr. At the end of Eragon he successfully kills the Shade Durza during the final battle between the Varden and Galbatorix's forces, giving him the name of Shadeslayer. During their battle, Durza slashes Eragon's shoulder, leaving a disfiguring and debilitating scar. This becomes a major plot point in Eldest. In Eldest, he travels to the elven city of Ellesméra and gains a highly extensive training with Oromis, an elf and also a fellow Dragon Rider. During the elves' Blood-Oath Celebration, that just happens to coincide with Eragon's appearance in Ellesmera, he is granted a gift by the dragons; he is healed of every scar on his body, including the one on his shoulder, and is given the appearance and skill in battle and magic of an elf. Despite this, Arya continues to spurn his romantic advances due to their vast differences in both age and experience. At the end of Eldest, Eragon and Saphira are defeated by former friend Murtagh and his dragon Thorn at the Battle of the Burning Plains. Murtagh spares Eragon but takes his inheritance, Zar'roc, the sword of Morzan given to him by Brom.

Vrael

Vrael was the last leader of the era of the Dragon Riders, and held power during their downfall and the last battle at Dorú Areaba. His earliest predecessor (as leader of the Riders) was the elf Eragon I, very first of their order. His immediate predecessor was Anurin.

Not much is known about Vrael, except that he was one of the last Riders (apart from Brom and Oromis) to escape from the madness of Galbatorix. When Vrael came close to killing the tyrant, he could not bring himself to do so, and thus Galbatorix stabbed the rider and weakened him severely. He fled to seek refuge, but was eventually caught by Galbatorix. They fought, but the corrupted rider gained the advantage by kicking him in the crotch and beheaded him.

Oromis

Oromis is Eragon's second teacher after Brom. An elf and the last remaining Dragon Rider of the Old Order, he lives with his dragon, Glaedr on the brink of the Crags of Tel'naeír in Du Weldenvarden, the forest realm of the elves.

He is also referred to as Osthato Chetowä - The "Mourning Sage" and Togira Ikonoka - The "Cripple-Who-Is Whole". He is an elven prince descended from one of the royal houses, although not the ruling house. In Eldest, before Eragon leaves for the final battle, Oromis says farewell, reciting his full title:

"And may peace live in your heart," finished the silver-haired elf. He repeated the exchange with Saphira. "Now go and fly as fast as the north wind, knowing that you - Saphira Brightscales and Eragon Shadeslayer - carry the blessing of Oromis, last scion of House Thrándurin, he who is both the Mourning Sage and the Cripple Who Is Whole."

Characters from The Empire

Galbatorix's Followers

Durza

Durza is a Shade, a sorcerer possessed by evil spirits. He is the chief antagonist in Eragon after Galbatorix himself. Durza, being a Shade, has incredible magic powers (in the book, he manages to incinerate a half-league radius of forest to catch Arya, guardian of Saphira's egg). He is able to wield control over the Urgals through linking spirits. He also is a supernaturally good swordsman, and easily defeats Eragon, giving him the scar that pains him to such an extent that his training in Ellesméra is hindered. However, the scar is later healed with Eragon's transformation at the Agaeti Blödhren. One of the Shade's most potent powers is his resistance to death - if a Shade is not killed by being pierced through the heart, he will merely regenerate elsewhere stronger than ever before. While a Dragon Rider has limits to his or her magic, a Shade appears to have very little. At the end of the first book, Durza is killed by Eragon thanks to a sitraction from Arya

Morzan

Morzan is a deceased Dragon Rider. Though not actually making an appearance in the books, he is mentioned several times and his presence is somewhat integral to the plot. He is later revealed, though not confirmed, to be both Eragon and Murtagh's father.

Galbatorix convinced Morzan into betraying the other Riders and to help him steal the dragon hatchling Shruikan, killing Shruikan's chosen Rider in the process. Morzan swore fealty to Galbatorix, becoming the first, and last of the thirteen Forsworn — traitor Dragon Riders who helped Galbatorix destroy their former allies.

For many years afterward, Morzan served Galbatorix and aided him in his dark designs. During this time, he met a woman while traveling, and she fell in love with him. This woman, Selena, became Morzan's secret weapon in dealing with the other Forsworn, and he taught her several elements of magic. Selena gave birth to two sons, Murtagh and Eragon for whom Morzan showed no compassion, even throwing his sword at Murtagh in one of his drunken rages and leaving him with a scar on his back. Expecting her second child (Eragon), Selena later disappeared, out of fear that similar misfortunes may occur on the unborn child. She gave birth to him in Carvahall, in secret.

Morzan's end was brought about when he went hunting for the dragon egg stolen by Brom and Jeod. Brom, enraged at Morzan's betrayal and holding him responsible for the death of his own dragon, engaged Morzan in combat. Brom slew Morzan with his own sword, thus putting an end to his threat, but not to his legacy.

Morzan's weapon was the elven-forged Rider sword Zar'roc, meaning "Misery" in the ancient language. It was forged by the elf Rhunon. It had a red blade and sheath, matching the color of Morzan's dragon. After Morzan's death, it was taken by Brom, who kept it for many years before bestowing it upon Eragon. Eragon carried it for a time, becoming a proficient master of swordsmanship, but it was later taken by Murtagh upon his defeat of Eragon at the Battle of the Burning Plains, claiming it as his inheritance. Murtagh's dragon Thorn, coincidentally, has ruby-red scales that match Zar'roc. At the end of Eldest, Murtagh says in the ancient language to Eragon that they are brothers - Eragon is Morzan's second son. The truth of this statement, however, is still under debate. Whether or not Eragon is truly Morzan's son, no doubt Murtagh and Eragon are brothers, for it has been confirmed that Selena was indeed both Murtagh and Eragon's mother.

The Ra'zac

The Ra'zac are beetle-like beings, the natural predators of humans. The only two notable Ra'zac of the trilogy so far remain unnamed and untitled. They are capable of speech, and speak with a certain hiss, yet converse with one another in clicking sounds. Physically, the Ra'zac are extremely powerful, carnivorous, non-human beings that are unable to use magical attacks. They are encased in an exoskeleton that they hide in their dark, black cloaks so they may blend in with humans and attempt to hunt them, their favorite prey. After maturing for 20 years, they shed their exoskeletons and become dragon-like beasts called the Lethrblaka. The Ra'zacs mounts are Lethrblaka and are also their parents - while Ra'zac are cunning if narrow-minded, Lethrblaka are as intelligent as any human or dragon. The elves believe the humans immigrated from across the sea to Alagaësia to escape the Ra'zac and Lethrblaka. These Ra'zac are suspected to be the last of their kind, at least in Alagaësia. They work for the King Galbatorix as his personal dragon hunters.

People of Carvahall

Sloan

Sloan is Carvahall's butcher and Katrina's father. Sloan is a disagreeable, unpleasant man. He shows a bloodthirsty side during the Battle for Carvahall, taunting a soldier who runs away, and asks "Shall I gut and hamstring you?" Sloan dotes upon his daughter, although he is also highly possessive of her. He made it clear that he wants a good match for his daughter, and "not a poor farmer like Roran."

Sloan told the Ra'zac about the blue stone Eragon found in the Spine, leading them to attack Garrow's farm. In Eldest, Sloan initially defends Carvahall, splitting open the helm of a soldier with a thrown cleaver. Roran tells Sloan during the defense of Carvahall that he is engaged to Katrina, and furthermore, that all the women and children in Carvahall are going to hide in the Spine - even Katrina. An enraged Sloan swings at Roran, only for the young man to send him sprawling. Humiliated, Sloan disowns Katrina, then runs back to his shop weeping. He kills the villager Byrd, and after betraying his fellow villagers to the Empire, is forced to travel to Helgrind along with his captured daughter.

Garrow

Garrow is Roran's father, Eragon's and Murtagh's uncle, Selena's brother, and Marian's husband. About fifteen years before the events in Eragon, Selena arrived at Carvahall, alone and pregnant. She pleaded desperately for Garrow, her brother, to take care of her baby. Once Eragon was born, she fled and was never seen again. From then on, Garrow took care of Eragon, even after Marian's death. Roran and Eragon got along perfectly, and always considered each other brothers, even if not by blood.

Katrina

Katrina is the daughter of Sloan, the butcher of the village of Carvahall in Palancar Valley. Tall and attractive with copper hair and amber eyes, she is engaged (without her family blessing) to Roran, Eragon's cousin.

While still a child, she lost her mother who had an accident in the the Spine, a range of mountains that has been said to be cursed. Since then, she has feared these mountains and has been forbidden by her father to go near them. She is the object of Roran's love and loves him like no other, although this love is hidden to her father as Roran and Sloan have never been on very friendly terms.

After Eragon and Saphira secretly flee Carvahall with Brom, the king's servants return again. This time, they are here to find Roran and take him in for interrogation under torture about Eragon's motives and whereabouts. Roran rallies the villagers who twice manage to fend the Ra'zac and the soldiers off. However, the third time, the Ra'zac and six Imperial soldiers slip into the now-fortified settlement and enter Roran's bedroom when he is sleeping with Katrina. In the struggle that follows, Roran kills three of the soldiers and critically wounds two with his hammer. The Ra'zac seize Katrina and flee the house, and though Roran and his friends try to follow, the Ra'zac escape on the Lethrblaka.

Katrina appears in two deleted scenes in the Eragon film. One shows Katrina sneaking Eragon some meat. The second shows Katrina leaving with Roran - neither of these scenes agree with the events of the book.

Other people

Angela

Angela is a witch, herbalist, and a friend of Eragon who is accompanied by a werecat named Solembum and based on the author's younger sister, Angela Paolini, although Christopher says his sister is nothing like Angela in the book . She is a short, curly-haired woman. She makes most of her living by fortune-telling for the richer people of Teirm, and selling potions that she implies with a certain amount of humour are ineffective. Some of her hobbies include gathering mushrooms, and Angela claims that she does not use true arts to tell the fortunes of the aristocrats but she uses magic to learn Eragon's future by using dragon knucklebones.

Angela later appears in Tronjheim. There she seems to be one of the more powerful users of magic. She claims that if the twins tried to read her mind she would leave them broken. She comes to Eragon's rescue during the battle of Farthen Dûr, wielding a two handed dwarf weapon called a huthvir; later it is revealed that she had won the huthvir by "trickery" at the dwarven temple at Tarnag. She heals most of Eragon's injuries after the Battle under Farthen Dûr. She also watches over Elva. During the Battle of Burning Plains she poisons the enemy army's food and water supply. She claims to be older than she appears, saying that the herbs she eats in times of famine result in her young appearance.

Angela is portrayed by Joss Stone in the film adaptation.

Jeod Longshanks

Jeod Longshanks (pronounced 'Jode') is a wealthy merchant of Teirm and a good friend of Brom. He is an agent of the Varden and supported them with the proceeds from his business until he was found out, causing him to suffer heavy losses in his business. He was also the one to find the secret passage to Uru'baen, enabling him and his companion Brom to steal Saphira's egg from the Empire. Jeod has been dogged by misfortune, many of his ships and their cargoes have been lost and he is bankrupt when Eragon first meets him.

Even as he is coping with this grim situation, he is encountered by Brom and Eragon, who are pursuing their quest to locate the Ra'zac. Eragon asks for his aid in determining where the Seithr Oil they seek is being delivered to. Jeod helps them break into the record room of the city's capital building in order to find the necessary information. In Eldest Jeod meets Roran and offers him much-needed assistance, revealing to him that he is a supporter of the Varden. It is Jeod who finally tells Roran the truth about Eragon and the fact that he is the rumoured new Dragon Rider. Together, Jeod and Roran escape Teirm on a a pirated ship with the villagers of Carvahall and make their way to Surda.

Selena

Selena is the mother of the character Eragon. She is also the mother of Murtagh, the wife of Morzan (first and last of the Forsworn) and the sister of Garrow. Selena married Morzan, who used her as a spy to convey messages and retrieve information. He also taught her some rudimentary magic, realising her importance to him through the fact that her love would prevent her from ever betraying him. When she gave birth to Murtagh it was kept a secret from all but Morzan, a few trusted servants, and Galbatorix. When Murtagh was three years old he was nearly killed by Morzan who threw his sword, Zar'roc, at him in a drunken rage. Because of this, Selena decided to hide her youngest child, Eragon, and leave him in her brother Garrow's care in Carvahall. She disappeared soon after giving birth to Eragon. Her trail is hard to follow, but it can be deduced that Selena met Angela before her marriage to Morzan, and that Angela said that her fate was to marry one of the Forsworn.

Characters from Du Weldenvarden

Dellanir

Queen Dellanir is the grandmother of Arya Dröttningu, and the mother of Evandar.

Islanzadí

Islanzadí is queen of the elves. She lives in the elven capital Ellesméra in the land of Alagaësia. She is the widow of the former king of the elves, King Evandar, and the mother of Arya. As a character, Islanzadí is often proud, imperious, and passionate. She is capable of using magic, with or without a definite incantation.

Vanir

Vanir is a young elf whom Oromis sent to duel with Eragon every morning during his stay in Du Weldenvarden for two hours, as part of his training. He was often rude and spiteful towards Eragon before his transformation, considering him to be unworthy of the title Dragon Rider, thinking him sorely lacking in any skill in comparison to the elves. He even went as far as to insinuate that Saphira must have been confused to choose Eragon as her rider. He is also credited with the power to use magic without saying the incantation aloud. After Eragon had been granted greater magical abilities and physical strength, as well as having his back infirmity healed, Vanir came to respect Eragon, and apologized for his earlier behavior.

Characters from Surda

King Orrin

Orrin is the King of Surda and secretly resists Galbatorix until the events of the Battle of the Burning Plains, in which he openly allies himself to the Varden. He allows the Varden to remove to his country once the resources of Farthen Dûr become scarce, and initially sponsors them in their activities. However, this later becomes unnecessary once Nasuada finds funds through the selling of inexpensive, magically-wrought lace. Orrin considers himself a philosopher and a scientist, and he conducts many chemical experiments in his laboratory. Though he is noble, Orrin is easily distracted by the pleasures of his hobbies, and often does not concentrate on the vast problems facing both Surda and the Varden. In the Battle of the Burning Plains, he and the Surdan cavalry are a crucial part of the Varden's victory.

Characters from the Beor Mountains

Dwarves

Hrothgar

Hrothgar is the King of the dwarves and controls the thirteen dwarf clans. The master smith's and metal worker's clan, Durgrimst Ingeitum, is ruled directly by Hrothgar whilst he simultaneously runs the other twelve dwarf clans and gives jurisdiction to their own leaders. He is in complete and utter control of Tronjheim, the city within Farthen Dûr. Although Hrothgar holds such power he is known for his wisdom and his caution, despite being "quick to anger". Hrothgar has faith in Ajihad, the leader of the Varden, and is one of the few forces that is able to keep the humans and dwarves peacefully allied. He is the forty-second King of the dwarves and has been on the throne for more than a century, making him ancient even for a dwarf. Regardless of his age, Hrothgar is incredibly strong as can be seen during the Battle under Farthen Dûr in which he wields an enormous mace, Volund, forged by Korgan, the first dwarf king. Being wise in alliances and hardy on the battlefield, he proves to be a helpful friend of Eragon, who is made a member of Durgrimst Ingeitum, an honour that has never before been bestowed upon another non-dwarf. He is eventually killed by Murtagh in the Battle of the Burning Plains. It is said that Hrothgar wanted to die facing a foe in melée combat, not by a magic user.

Hrothgar is the name of the king of the Danes in Beowulf.

It is also the name of a dwarf in the computer game Icewind Dale, which may have a connection with Inheritance Hrothgar's predecessor Korgan, who shares a name with a dwarf in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.

In addition, Hrothgar is the name of a Dwarven king in the Lord of the Rings continuity.

Orik

Orik is a dwarf, a member of the Durgimst Ingeitum ("Clan of Smiths"), and an ally of Eragon. He is also the adopted heir and nephew of the dwarf king Hrothgar, and the son of Thrifk. Orik, short as he is, is quite burly and strong, he is also very afraid of heights, and good at riddles. He respects the rights of others and despises The Twins, two powerful magic-users of the Varden. He is a smith, a warrior, and a guide to Eragon and Saphira.

Orik is first encountered when Eragon, Murtagh, Saphira, and the gravely injured Arya come to Farthen Dûr, seeking the aid of the Varden. He persuaded the Twins to allow Murtagh to stay with the Varden, despite him being Morzan's son. He develops a friendship with Eragon that continues into the second book.

"In the interest of fairness," King Hrothgar sends Orik to accompany Eragon to Ellesméra, the elf kingdom, where Eragon will continue his training as a Dragon Rider. Eragon's first reaction to this is irritation, as it means the journey will have to be made over land, rather than on Saphira's back. However, he later acknowledges Hrothgar's plan as a wise one, realising that it is important to maintain equality between the different races in which they will be dealing. During Eragon's training, Orik remains in the background, coping with the tension between the elves and himself. By the end of Eragon's time in Ellesmera, Orik and the elves have become more tolerant of each other; Orik even submits a piece to the Blood-Oath Celebration, a traditional elvish ceremony commemorating the pact between the elves and dragons.

Because of the need for haste when Eragon decides to return to Surda after learning Galbatorix's planned attack against the Varden, Orik becomes the first dwarf ever to ride a dragon.

When King Hrothgar is killed Orik mentions that both a new leader of Clan Igneitum, and a new Dwarf King must be chosen. Since Orik is considered Hrothgar's heir, he may thus be a candidate for either or both positions.

Humans

Trianna

Trianna is one of the few magic users that serve the Varden. She is a sorceress, meaning she manipulates spirits to her bidding and thus create magic. She has a certain magical talisman called Lorga, which is shaped like a snake and which she can apparently bring to life at will. The exact extent of her powers are unknown, though evidently fairly great.

Trianna is introduced early in Eldest, where she first meets Eragon and flirts with him, while at the same time trying to convince him to join Du Vrangr Gata, the Wandering Path. While Eragon seems attracted to her, Saphira is not at all amused and interrupts them, leading to an argument. Saphira tells him that since whoever Eragon associates with will be inevitably involved in her life, she insists it be someone she trusts, while she apparently does not like Trianna.

After the disappearance of the Twins in Eragon, Trianna goes on to lead the Du Vrangr Gata in Eldest. She was, unwillingly at first, put in charge of Nasuada's plan to use lace to finance the Varden's war efforts. She was also in charge of the other magic-related operations, including tracking down the assassins in Aberon. Later, Eragon confronts Trianna and the other members of Du Vrangr Gata, when he has been put in charge of the Varden's magic-users; while Trianna is suspicious and does not want to relinquish her power, Eragon uses diplomacy to arrange a kind of sharing of authority between the two.

Elva

Elva was a Varden orphan baby who had only an old woman, Greta, to care for her. The day Eragon came to Tronjheim, Greta begged him to bless the baby. However, Eragon had never blessed anyone in his life, but he did the best he could by saying, or so he thought at the time, in the Ancient Language: "May luck and happiness follow you and may you be shielded from misfortune." Saphira then dragon-marked her brow with a star resembling the gedwey ignasia, the mark Riders carry on their hands.

Later Eragon learned that what he really said to Elva was, "May luck and happiness follow you and may you be a shield from misfortune". As a result of this, Elva is compelled to protect other people from harm, at the cost of her own peace of mind. If she tries to ignore the urge to shield others from harm, she suffers terrible pain. The draconic magic placed by Saphira allowed Elva to increase in size until she seemed to be four years old, whereas her mind developed adult faculties. Her abilities developed further, until she was able to anticipate events in detail, two to three hours in advance. This ability enabled Elva to save the Varden's leader, Nasuada, from an assassination attempt by King Galbatorix's most dangerous magicians. Since then she has been taken on as one of Nasuada's bodyguards, others of whom are soldiers and sorceresses. Eragon has promised to undo the curse on Elva, and would have done so before the battle on the Burning Plains had Elva not told him to save his energy. He then promised her that he would do so after the battle.

Elva has pale skin, large violet eyes and black hair. She is often called "Shining Brow", for the star-shaped dragon's mark on her forehead. She eats voraciously, possibly as a result of her accelerated metabolism.

Ajihad

Ajihad was the leader of the Varden. At the time of the Eragon story, Ajihad had been in power for around fifteen years, and had led the Varden extremely well. Rumors of him spread through the Empire's disgruntled citizens heighten the mystery surrounding him and the Varden, but he was known to be a master strategist and a brutal fighter. Ajihad is black, a feature apparently odd in Alagaësia, which may point toward a southern land like Surda, or a realm outside of Alagaësia as his home; his exact origins are not known. He is a brilliant tactician and a cunning warrior, and has led the Varden to victory many times; he was even skilled enough to duel with Durza and survive, leaving a scratch on the Shade's sword. He lives in Tronjheim in the Beor Mountains, courtesy of the dwarves who assist them in their fight against Galbatorix.

Ajihad befriends Eragon when he and Saphira first arrive at Tronjheim. Ajihad governs all of the human rebels within the dwarf city and is given some jurisdiction over a few of the dwarves by King Hrothgar. Ajihad's history is mysterious, but he is a born leader and brave soldier. His daughter, Nasuada is known to help him in many of his diplomatic moves, subtly maneuvering his enemies (sometimes even without his knowledge) and planning with him the future of the resistance. He trains her from an early age to become his successor.

Ajihad is slain in Eldest shortly after the Battle of Farthen Dûr. He is attacked by Urgals, killing five before he was defeated; he had previously been hunting surviving Urgals in the mountain tunnels, and earned the nickname "Nightstalker" from them by his proficiency as a hunter. His daughter, Nasuada, takes control of the Varden. Later it was revealed that he was betrayed by his personal guards, the Twins, who recruited the Urgals to slay him. When Eragon's cousin Roran kills the Twins in the Battle of the Burning Plains, Nasuada acknowledges herself to be personally in Roran's debt. Ajihad is considered by many to be the greatest of the Varden's leaders. He is eventually entombed in the crypts under Tronjheim– a great honor when bestowed by the clannish Dwarves.

The Twins

These two twins are spies for Galbatorix, and kill the leader of the Varden, Ajihad. The Twins are powerful human magicians who say that they support the Varden. Little about their past or their personal lives is revealed; they are described as being bald, and their names are unknown - they are called simply 'the Twins' throughout, as they are identical twins. As a result, they are treated as a single entity, and no difference is shown between the two in personality or dressing style. They are responsible for mentally probing all who come to Tronjheim. They show animosity towards Eragon, and attempt to convince him to join their group of magic users, the Du Vrangr Grata (The Wandering Path), so that they can learn more of the Ancient Language. They are assigned to tell Eragon what was happening in the battle, but Eragon loses contact with them and consequently is forced to defeat the Shade Durza alone.

Early on in Eldest, an Urgal party attacks the unprepared Varden and kidnaps the Twins and Murtagh; they are assumed dead. Later, the ancient Dragon Rider Oromis reveals that the Twins, who knew much about the Varden's secret dealings, had turned traitor before the battle; they had intentionally failed to protect Eragon so that Durza could capture him. However, Durza ended up dead, so that plan fell through.

During the Battle of the Burning Plains, it is learned that the Twins had, in fact, survived; they had taken control of a group of Urgals with the intent of killing Ajihad and capturing Murtagh. After the successful assassination of Ajihad, they had then bewitched Murtagh so he could not escape, and had taken him to Urû'baen, where he was forced to swear loyalty to Galbatorix. They then fought with the forces of Galbatorix, but meet their end at the hands of Roran, who struck one of them with a fatal blow on the head with a medium-sized hammer. This affected the other twin so much that he could not defend himself when Roran struck him down.

Jörmundur

Jörmundur is second-in-command of the Varden troops. He is in the Council of Elders, and in Eragon he is Ajihad's right-hand man and in Eldest he is Lady Nasuada's. He commanded a battalion in the Battle Under Farthen Dur, he controlled Eragon's regiment. He is an importance to Ajihad, Nasuada, and the Varden, for he is skilled in wisdom and battle. He is also a member of the Vardens Council of Elders.

Dragons

Saphira

Saphira is a female sapphire-blue dragon from the sapphire colored egg which was found and taken by Galbatorix during The Fall, along with a ruby egg and an emerald egg . Galbatorix tried desperately to get her egg, as well as the others, to hatch, but he was unsuccessful. None of the dragon eggs responded to the touch of anyone he had selected as possible riders. After many long years, the egg fell into the hands of Eragon, when Saphira hatched. Saphira is the last female dragon in existence. Since Saphira is the last female, Galbatorix wants her to be the future mother of all her race.

Shruikan

Shruikan (IPA pronunciation: 'ʃrukɪn) is King Galbatorix's black dragon.

Centuries ago in Ilirea, the capital of the Broddring Kingdom, Shruikan and his rider were being tutored with other Riders and their young dragons. Galbatorix, a Rider who was denied a new dragon after his was killed, and another Rider named Morzan, murdered Shruikan's true Rider, whereupon Galbatorix twisted the young black dragon's mind through dark magic so that he would serve him.

The union of Shruikan and Galbatorix is unnatural, because rather than being mutually chosen partners, Shruikan is a slave and Galbatorix his tyrant. There is therefore no true bond between Galbatorix and Shruikan, no love or loyalty on either side. The mental link between them is also a poor imitation of the telepathic connection between a rider and a dragon.

Shruikan, like Galbatorix, has yet to appear in the books, but he is briefly seen at the end of the Eragon movie, when Galbatorix, in his rage, draws his sword and cuts a tapestry-map of Alagaësia in half, revealing his dragon. Shruikan briefly roars and breathes fire.

Glaedr

Glaedr is a gigantic (2 to 3 times bigger than Saphira), golden dragon. He is the centuries old dragon of Oromis, an Elf, who are the last of the Old Order of Riders. They had hidden in Du Weldenvarden, to teach the first of the new generation of Riders. He first appears in Eldest, prior to this he lost his left forelimb (therefore he cannot serve in battle), which is now a white stump in place of his lost limb. He serves mainly as Saphira's mentor and helps teach Eragon about dragon-riding. In the book Eldest, finding out that another hatched dragon existed, Saphira falls in love with Glaedr. Later in the book Saphira learns that her love for Glaedr is not meant to be, after a bloody fight between the two.

Thorn

Thorn is a dragon from Christopher Paolini's Inheritance cycle. He is bound to the Dragon Rider, Murtagh. He also appears on the cover of Eldest, the second book of the series

Thorn is a red male dragon, smaller than Saphira, but wider in the legs and shoulders. Like all dragons, Thorn's eyes match his sparkling ruby hide, and his talons, teeth and neck spikes are snow white. Thorn is trained by the king's dragon Shruikan (perhaps the reason why he is so skilled) in the Riders' arts, and although he is much younger than Saphira he is extremely skilled in aerial combat and is able to effectively combat her in the air in spite of his youth. Murtagh is unwillingly under Galbatorix's control, but is unclear how Thorn feels about their predicament. In Eldest it is implied that Murtagh and Thorn argued over letting Eragon escape at the Battle of the Burning Plains. Otherwise, Thorn has not spoken.

After the events in Eragon, Murtagh was captured by the Empire. Murtagh was brought to Galbatorix, and it turned out that one of the dragon eggs that Galbatorix was keeping hatched for Murtagh. The dragon was named Thorn. It is unclear how Thorn matured to rival Saphira despite their age difference, but Christopher Paolini has stated that it will be revealed in the third book of the trilogy. It is most likely that Galbatorix has given Murtagh some hidden secret. Perhaps the one that allows him to grow in strength as days pass.

Both Thorn and Murtagh were forced to make an unbreakable magical vow in the Ancient Language to King Galbatorix to serve him. Galbatorix knows their true names-- the names which the Ancient Language has for them-- and is therefore able to completely control them, unless he chooses to release them. Thorn and Murtagh have no free will, and Galbatorix binds them further by continually forcing them to make further oaths to him in the ancient language.

"He knows our true names, Eragon...we are his slaves forever." - Murtagh

Apparently, Thorn will be given a much bigger part in the third book of the Inheritance cycle.

Werecats

Maud

Maud is a werecat from Ellesméra. She first appears in Eldest and is described (as a "human") as having feral eyes, stiff, shaggy white hair bleached with age. Her face is creased and lined like a dry withered apple with rows of sharp teeth. She is also known as The Dream Dancer, Quickpaw, and The Watcher. Eragon meets her during his first night in Ellesméra. She has also met Solembum, a major werecat in the Inheritance cycle. It is also forementioned that Solembum and Maud are kin. Maud did not give her real name, because true names are a powerful thing in Du Weldenvarden.

Solembum

Solembum is a werecat and friend of Eragon. He usually accompanies Angela, a powerful witch. Solembum takes the form of a young boy when he changes from his catlike form. As a cat he has red eyes, a strong lean body, oversized paws, and fangs that curve down over his jaw. Eragon first sees him in Angela's shop in Teirm. Solembum later gives Eragon cryptic advice, which is to look under the roots of the Menoa Tree when he is in need of a weapon, and when all seems lost and Eragon's power is insufficient, to go to the rock of Kuthian and say his name to open the Vault of Souls. Later he warns Eragon about approaching guards when Eragon, Brom, and Jeod had snuck into the records room in Teirm to procure information regarding converted Seithr oil. Solembum also appears in Tronjheim to lead Eragon to Angela and to simply chat with Saphira.

Since Solembum has been with Angela, he has only spoken to four people (that we know of) besides Angela: Eragon, Selena, Jörmundur, and a blind beggar. Also he has talked to the dragon, Saphira

Solembum makes a brief appearance in Eldest, mentioning to one of the Varden's soldiers that Nasuada should visit Elva. He also shows recognition when Saphira tells him of another, older werecat, Maud.

Solembum did not appear in the Eragon film, though Angela did.