When Palancar encountered the elves, they explained to him which land was theirs, which was the dwarves’, and which was the dragons’, and granted him the right to claim that which was unoccupied. They and the Riders also demonstrated their physical and magical prowess. Intimidated, Palancar dared not argue with them—at least not so long as his docked fleet was at their mercy—and so he agreed to their terms.
The Broddrings roamed Alagaësia for several years before they discovered Palancar Valley—as it was to be dubbed—and decided to make it the basis of their kingdom. After Palancar vanquished the local Urgals and founded the town that is now Therinsford, his hubris grew so massive, he thought to challenge the elves for the region between the Spine and Du Weldenvarden. It is still baffling why—having witnessed the Riders’ might and main—he believed he could prevail in this matter. On this subject, I agree with Eddison, who reasons that Palancar was in the early stages of dementia, an assumption that is borne out by his later actions and those of his family, for madness always runs through the bloodline.
Three times Palancar’s warriors faced the elves, and three times the elves obliterated them. Aware of the Urgals’ fate and having no desire to share in it, the Broddring nobles sent an envoy to the elves, and they signed a treaty without Palancar’s knowledge. Palancar was then banished from his throne. He and his family refused to leave the valley, however, and instead of killing him, the elves constructed the watchtower Edoc’sil—now Ristvak’baen—to ensure that he could cause no further strife.
The elves took pity on the remainder of our ancestors and allowed them to live in Ilirea, which the elves had abandoned during their war with the dragons nearly two thousand years earlier. Ilirea became the new capital of the Broddring Kingdom, which exists even to this day as the center of Galbatorix’s empire: Urû’baen.
That brief confrontation with Palancar—which cost humans far more than it cost the elves—convinced the then leader of the Riders, Anurin, to amend the elves’ magical pact with the dragons to include humans. Anurin recognized that, as a race, humans are hardier than the elves and that we reproduce faster than the dwarves, making it inevitable that we would soon proliferate across Alagaësia. Before that day arrived, he wanted to weld our species together—using a flux of spells, oaths, and commerce—in order to prevent what he saw as a likely war for domination of the continent.
The controversy incited among the elves by Anurin’s decision was so fierce and acrimonious, it prompted him to take one more momentous step: he and the other Riders seceded from the elf kingdom and established themselves on the island of Vroengard, where they built their great city of Doru Araeba. Many reasons existed for doing so, but the primary one was, and here I quote my own translation of Anurin’s account of the affair, “Since the Riders were now responsible for the protection and welfare of three races—although the dwarves yet insist upon guarding themselves—and also for the preservation of their combined knowledge, I believed that it was improper for any one group to control us. We had to be impartial if our authority was to be respected by dragons, elves, and humans alike.” Noble intentions, to be sure, but flawed by a fatal weakness: without some form of oversight, there was no one who could point out the Riders’ own lapses and indulgences.
For six and a half centuries, we humans built our villages, towns, and cities, ever more complacent within our envelope of safety. We were content to work our fields and shops and trade with the dwarves and elves, never pausing to consider that our greatest threat lay among those who had sworn to protect us.
And so it came to pass in the year of 7867 A.C. that a boy, Galbatorix by name, was born in the province of Inzilbêth. He became a Rider and showed great promise, but in his nineteenth year, a band of Urgals killed his dragon. The loss drove Galbatorix mad. Denied a second dragon, he slew two Riders and fled into the wilderness, where he remained for seven years. At the end of that time, he encountered Morzan, who became the first of the thirteen Forsworn.
Morzan helped Galbatorix steal another dragon, then they both hid until Galbatorix’s dragon, Shruikan, was grown and Morzan had learned all of his master’s dark secrets of magic.
Galbatorix and Morzan revealed themselves in the winter of 7896 A.C. By the spring solstice of 7900 A.C., Vrael was dead, Vroengard and Ilirea had been sacked, the elves and the dwarves had been forced to retreat to their ancient places of safety, and the Riders—the pride of the humans, elves, and dragons—the Riders were all but exterminated.
It is now the year 7982 A.C., and Galbatorix is still king, the dwarves and elves are seen no more outside of their caves and forests, and we have no hope that any mortal man can rival Galbatorix’s power or that he will ever be removed from the throne.
It is this story, then, that I intend to tell in full over the following pages. It may be conceit to think that I can compress eight millennia into one book… and yet I must try. We cannot allow this knowledge to be lost, no matter how grim the times we live in. I know that if we do someday find the means to overthrow Galbatorix, it will only happen by remembering the deeds of our ancestors and by avoiding their mistakes.
COMPLETE LIST OF PEOPLE AND CREATURES, PLACES, AND THINGS
PEOPLE AND CREATURES
Acallamh—elf from the song “Du Silbena Datia”
Ajihad—a leader of the Varden; Nasuada’s father (also Nightstalker)
Alanna—elf child in Ellesméra
Alarice, Lady—governor of Dauth
Albem—Carvahall villager
Albriech—Horst and Elain’s son
Ama—one of Ûndin’s guards
Analísia—elf bard
Angela—eccentric herbalist, witch, and fortuneteller
Angrenost—last human king
Anhûin—Grimstcarvlorss of Dûrgrimst Az Sweldn rak Anhûin
Anurin—Vrael’s predecessor
Argetlam—a term or title for a Rider
Arya—elf ambassador
Az Sweldn rak Anhûin—name assumed by Anhûin’s guard after their clan was nearly obliterated by Galbatorix and the Forsworn (translated as The Tears of Anhûin)
Baldor—Horst and Elain’s son
Barden—spellcaster who rode with King Orrin on the Burning Plains
Bardrick—Carvahall villager
Bartram—Horst’s predecessor
Bellaen—elf in Ellesméra
Beloth the Wise—Rider
Beroan—Rider
Berundal—elf mentioned in song in Ellesméra
Bid’Daum—a white dragon; paired with the elf Eragon Birgit—Quimby’s wife; Nolfavrell’s mother, among others (also Mardra)
Birka—one of Garrow’s horses
Bjartskular—elf title for Saphira
Black Hand, the—Galbatorix’s spy network
Blagden—a white raven
Bolvek tribe—an Urgal tribe
Bonden—sailor from Teirm
Brand—Teirm’s administrator of trade
Brenna—Carvahall villager
Briam—Rider
Broddrings, the—name of the humans’ culture
Brokk—Thorv’s father
Brom—storyteller from Carvahall; former Rider; Holcomb and Nelda’s son; paired with the first Saphira (also Neal)
Brugh—one of Garrow’s horses
Byrd—watchman in Carvahall; Felda’s husband; Mandel’s father
Cadoc—Garrow and Selena’s father; Roran and Eragon’s grandfather
Cadoc—Eragon’s horse, named after his grandfather
Calitha—Carvahall villager; Wayland’s stepdaughter; Thane’s wife
Caretakers, the—two elves, Iduna and Nëya, who guard, maintain, and embody the magical pact between elves and dragons
Carsaib—Durza’s birth name
Cawley—farmer on Nost Creek
Celdin—elf from Ceris
Ceranthor—elf king
Council of Elders, the—group that helps gove
rn the Varden (see Elessari, Falberd, Jörmundur, Sabrae, and Umérth)
Cripple Who Is Whole, the—Oromis (translation of Togira Ikonoka)
Dahwar—Orrin’s seneschal; Kedar’s son
Damítha—captain in Sílthrim
Darmmen—one of Loring’s sons
Däthedr—elf lord in Ellesméra
Dellanir—elf queen who preceded Evandar
Delwin—farmer in Carvahall; Lenna’s husband; Elmund’s father
Dempton—Therinsford’s miller
Derûnd—Ûndin’s father
Deynor—Ajihad’s predecessor
Dóndar—tenth dwarf king
Dormnad—Varden agent in Gil’ead
Dragon Riders, the—organization formed to keep the peace between the races; destroyed by Galbatorix
dragons—oldest sentient race in Alagaësia, along with dwarves
Drail—assassin in Aberon
Dream Dancer, The—werecat in Ellesméra (also Maud, Quickpaw, and The Watcher)
Dûrgrimst Az Sweldn rak Anhûin—dwarf clan (see Anhûin, Az Sweldn rak Anhûin, and The Tears of Anhûin)
Dûrgrimst Fanghur—dwarf clan (see Fanghur)
Dûrgrimst Feldûnost—dwarf clan; herders and farmers (see Feldûnost)
Dûrgrimst Ingeitum—dwarf clan; metalworkers
Dûrgrimst Nagra—dwarf clan (see Nagra)
Dûrgrimst Quan—dwarf clan; religious order
Dûrgrimst Ragni Hefthyn—dwarf clan that guards the Az Ragni Durza—a Shade (also Carsaib)
Dusan—elf child in Ellesméra
Dûthmér—one of Ûndin’s guards
Du Vrangr Gata—organization of magicians who serve the Varden (see Trianna and the Twins)
dwarves—oldest sentient race in Alagaësia, along with dragons
Eddison—author of his Dialogues
Edurna—elf from Ceris
Ekksvar—one of Ûndin’s guards
Elain—Horst’s wife; Albriech and Baldor’s mother
Elessari—member of the Council of Elders
Elmund—Delwin’s son
Elva—child Eragon blessed (also Shining Brow)
elves—first race to migrate overseas and colonize Alagaësia (also the Fair Folk; see Alalëa)
Eragon—a young human from Carvahall and the last true Dragon Rider; Selena’s son; Cadoc’s grandson; Garrow and Marian’s nephew; Roran’s cousin; paired with Saphira (also Argetlam, Evan, Firesword, and Shadeslayer)
Eragon—an elf and the first Rider; paired with Bid’Daum (properly spelled Eragön)
Eridor—a dragon
Ethlbert—farmer in Palancar Valley
Evan—alias for Eragon
Evandar—elf king who preceded Islanzadí; Islanzadí’s husband
Fair Folk, the—first race to migrate overseas and colonize Alagaësia (also elves; see Alalëa)
Falberd—member of the Council of Elders
Fanghur—dragon-like creatures that are smaller and less intelligent than their cousins; native to the Beor Mountains
Fäolin—elf killed by Durza
Farica—Nasuada’s handmaid
Farold—Carvahall villager
Felda—Byrd’s wife; Mandel’s mother
Feldûnost—mountain goats with extremely large curled horns; native to the Beor Mountains
Firesword—Urgal title for Eragon
Fisk—Carvahall’s carpenter; Isold’s husband
Flametongue—Urgal title for Saphira
Flint—sailor under Clovis
Folkvír—elven horse
Forsworn, the—thirteen Riders who betrayed their order to Galbatorix (also the Wyrdfell; see Morzan)
Fredric—Varden’s weapon master
Frewin—sailor under Torson
Fundor—Rider who fought a giant sea snake
Fûthark—dwarf smith of renown
Galbatorix—king of the Empire; destroyer of the Riders; paired himself with Shruikan (also Ushnark the Mighty)
Galina—Clovis’s daughter
Galton—grocer in Teirm
Galzra—Rider
Gamble—one of the Varden in Surda
Gannel—clan chief of Dûrgrimst Quan; Orm Blood-ax’s son
Gareth—bartender at the Green Chestnut
Garner—Carvahall villager
Garrow—farmer in Carvahall; Cadoc’s son; Selena’s brother; Marian’s husband; Roran’s father; Eragon’s uncle
Garzhvog—an Urgal; leader of the Bolvek tribe
Gashz—an Urgal
Ged—Carvahall villager
Gëda—elf of legend
Gedric—Carvahall’s tanner
Gerand—hero of the epic “Song of Gerand”
Gertrude—healer in Carvahall
Gilderien the Wise—Ellesméra’s champion
Gildintor—legendary steed
Glaedr—a gold dragon
Glenwing—elf killed by Durza
Greta—Elva’s caretaker
Gretiem—Rider
Grey Folk, the—race who enchanted the ancient language
Grieg—employer of Torkenbrand’s slavers
Gunnar—sailor under Clovis
Gûntera—king of gods (dwarf)
Haberth—farrier of Therinsford
Haeg—sorcerer who trained Durza
Haldthin, House—elf family
Hale—Carvahall villager
Hamill—chandler in Teirm
Hamund—one of Loring’s sons
Harwin—sentinel who shot at Eragon and Saphira on the Burning Plains
Hedin—one of Ûndin’s guards
Helen—Jeod’s wife
Helzvog—god of stone (dwarf)
Herndall—Urgal dams who rule their tribes
Heslant the Monk—author of Domia Abr Wyrda
Hida—Carvahall villager
Himinglada—Vardrûn’s daughter; Orik’s cousin-by-law; Thorgerd One-Eye’s wife; Hvedra’s mother
Hírador—Rider
Holcomb—Nelda’s husband; Brom’s father
Horst—Carvahall’s smith; Elain’s husband; Albriech and Baldor’s father
Hrothgar—dwarf king; clan chief of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum; Orik’s uncle and adopted father
humans—third race to arrive in Alagaësia
Hvedra—Vardrûn’s granddaughter; Thorgerd One-Eye and Himinglada’s daughter; Orik’s betrothed
Iduna—one of the Caretakers
Ingothold—Rider and author of the eponymously titled chronicles
Iormúngr—Vervada’s mate; Saphira’s sire
Irnstad—Rider and Shadeslayer
Irwin—Orrin’s prime minister
Islanzadí—elf queen; Evandar’s wife
Ismira—Sloan’s wife; Katrina’s mother
Isold—Fisk’s wife
Ivor—farmer in Carvahall; Svart’s nephew
Jarsha—boy with the Varden
Jeod—Helen’s husband (also Jeod Longshanks)
Jörmundur—the Varden’s most senior commander; member of the Council of Elders
Jura—Rider
Katrina—Sloan and Ismira’s daughter
Kedar—Dahwar’s father
Kelby—Carvahall villager
Kell—alias for Nolfavrell
Kelton—smith who finished Horst’s training
Kílf—goddess of water (dwarf)
Kinnell—master shipwright in Teirm
Kiselt—Carvahall villager
Knute—Carvahall villager
Kull—unusually large Urgals
Ládin—elf natural philosopher
Lady Nightstalker—Urgal title for Nasuada
Laetrí—elf and Shadeslayer
Larkin—Orrin’s father
Larne—Loring’s youngest son
Lenna—Delwin’s wife
Lethrblaka—giant flying beasts the Ra’zac ride on
Lifaen—elf from Ceris
Linnëa—elf who became the Menoa tree
Loring—Carvahall’s weaver; three so
ns: Darmmen, Hamund, and Larne (also Wally)
Lost Kings, the
Maerzadí—elf who killed himself to prove the future is not preordained
Mandel—Byrd and Felda’s son
Mardra—alias for Birgit
Marian—Garrow’s wife; Roran’s mother; Eragon’s aunt
Maud—werecat in Ellesméra (also The Dream Dancer, Quickpaw, and The Watcher)
Melkolf—Carvahall villager
Merlock—trader who visited Carvahall
Miolandra, House—elf family
Moratensis—man of myth who stepped fully formed out of a fountain after a maid wished for a perfect husband
Morgothal—god of fire (dwarf)
Morn—Carvahall’s tavern owner; Tara’s husband
Morzan—first and last of the Forsworn; Murtagh’s father
Mourning Sage, the—Oromis (translation of Osthato Chetowä)
Murtagh—one of Eragon’s traveling companions; Morzan’s son
Nagra—giant boar; native to the Beor Mountains
Narí—elf from Ceris
Nasuada—Ajihad’s daughter (also Lady Nightstalker)
Neal—alias for Brom
Neil—fur trader of Therinsford
Nelda—Holcomb’s wife; Brom’s mother
Nesbit—Carvahall villager
Nëya—one of the Caretakers
Niduen—weaver in Islanzadí’s house
Nightstalker—Urgal title for Ajihad
Nolfavrell—Quimby and Birgit’s son (also Kell)
Nolla—Orval’s wife
Nuada—elf from the song “Du Silbena Datia”
Nuala—elf poetess
Odele—young woman from Carvahall
Ohen the Strong—Rider
Orik—Thrifk’s son; Hrothgar’s nephew and adopted son; Vardrûn’s nephew-by-law; Himinglada’s cousin-by-law; Hvedra’s betrothed
Orm Blood-ax—Gannel’s father
Oromis—also the Cripple Who Is Whole, the Mourning Sage, Osthato Chetowä, and Togira Ikonoka
Orrin—king of Surda; Larkin’s son
Orthindr, House—elf family
Orval—farmer in Carvahall; Nolla’s husband
Osthato Chetowä—Oromis (translated as the Mourning Sage)