Dragon Rider (Inheritance Cycle)

In the history Paolini creates in the Inheritance Cycle, while Dragon Riders were first assigned to keep the peace between the Elves and Dragons, their duty soon expanded to keeping peace and order among all the races and governments throughout Alagaësia. As time went on, the Dragon Riders' deeds became well-known, and the Dragon Rider's Council came to control the land. While the Dragon Riders held sway, the land prospered and great cities were built. The Dragon Riders helped establish peace treaties between nations and even quell small skirmishes and conflicts. An ex-Dragon Rider, Brom, is known to have defined the effect in the following words: "How many men would draw their swords if they knew a great fire-breathing lizard—one with more natural cunning and wisdom than even a king could hope for—would soon be there to stop the violence?".

Although the Dragon Riders first lived in the then Elvish city of Ilirea (later the human capital, Uru'baen), a disagreement with the Elvish Queen, Dellanir, led to the leader Anurin to moving the Riders to the island of Vroengard, from which the Dragon Riders worked as independent peacemakers and controlled all the lands indirectly through the different rulers. This position placed the Riders above any scrutiny, the lack of which contributed to their downfall.

The Bond

In the Inheritance cycle, dragons form a small telepathic bond with their Rider, which develops over time. According to the descriptions in the novels, a spell is cast by the mothers of the eggs to ensure that the infant dragons inside would only hatch when the eggs were touched by the human or elf whom they wanted to bond with. The infant egg will wait for a long period of time if it has to until the dragon inside feel the presence of its Rider. Upon hatching, the infant dragon would make contact with its Rider for the first time, leaving a mark, the gedwëy ignasia ("shining palm"), on the Dragon Rider’s hand. The novels state that a bond forms between the dragon and the Rider that melds their minds on a basic level, binding them for life and endowing the Rider with an ability of magic - for those who did have any talents in magic.

The novel states that originally only the dragons and the elves participated in the bond, creating a mutually beneficial relationship and as a result, the elves possess supernatural strength, grace and long life while the dragons gain the use of language. Humans were the third race to enter the bond and at the time of the events in Eragon, the spell has not affected them strongly due to time consuming to recreate and altering the spell for human Rider. The novel states that the dwarves were never added to the spell and that as a result there has never been a dwarf Rider. Recently, after the events of Inheritance, Dwarves and Urgals have also been added to the spell.

The bond between a dragon and their rider was so strong that when one of them died, the other often went mad, and usually committed suicide, to join their bonded in death and not live on alone. This is explained because half of their very identity and their soul has been destroyed. It was for this reason that Galbatorix went mad and destroyed the Riders.

In the film adaption of Eragon this is different. In the movie Eragon is told that if the dragon dies, the rider will survive, but if the rider would be killed, the dragon would also die.

Magic

There is a language that has not been spoken in Alagasia for millenia, save for by the elves. This is the Ancient Language, the language that allows magic to be performed. In Eldest it is stated that a certain lost race, known as the "Grey Folk" who bonded the Ancient Language inseparably to the flow of magic.

"To use magic, one must have a certain innate power, which is very rare among folks nowadays. . ." (Brom, Eragon)

After this rather large prerequisite, the disciple in question (not necessarily a rider) must learn the words of power, the Ancient Language. Magic can be performed without speaking by imagining the intended effect, but this is very dangerous, as any stray thought could disrupt the spell and kill the caster. This mute technique is only demonstrated thrice in the book, by the elven queen Izlanzadi, by an elf named Vanir, and by a hermit by the name of Tenga, who turns out to be Angela the herbalist and witch's master.

Training

According to the novel, the bond with the dragons gave Riders a strong ability to use magic, as well as enhanced physical abilities. Extensive training will grant the Riders the ability to perform powerful magic as well as become competent swordsmen. The novel further states that newly bonded pairs of dragon and Rider were taken to the elvish capital of Ilirea (now the humans' capital Uru'baen then reinstated back to Ilirea) where the elder Riders trained one or two students at a time. The training is consist of the elder dragons training the young dragons in aerial maneuvers (especially those used in battle), building stamina for long distance flights, increasing speed, dragon lore, weather patterns, magic and the ancient language.

The novels state that as a mandatory requirement, the Rider and dragon would share their lessons so that by keeping their minds connected they could listen in on each other's lessons and learn. After class, the elder Rider would test the two to ensure that both had learned each other's subject. Both the elder dragons and the elder Rider were addressed by their students as 'Master' or 'Ebrithil'. To train a Rider to use magic, the novice was given a set of frustrating, apparently impossible tasks that could not be accomplished without the aid of magic. If a student discovered his or her ability before this regimen was complete, that student would be removed at once from the others and apprenticed to another elder.

After the Rider and their dragons have developed a strong and healthy bond with each other, their elders will reveal the concept of Eldunari to them so that Riders and bonded dragons alike do not make hasty decision in disgorging the Eldunari unless it is absolutely necessary.

The formal training of a Rider and dragon traditionally took many years, and the Dragon Riders continued to hone their skills throughout their lives. At the end of the training, the Elven smith Rhunön would forge a sword made from a meteoric ore called brightsteel (the concept is similar to the mythical metal adamantium) for the trained Dragon Rider.

History

The Beginning

According to the novels, before the formation of the Dragon Riders, about three millennia before the time of Eragon II, a young elf hunted and killed a dragon for sport. The dragons were naturally angered by this and banded together, attacking and killing the young elf. This began The Dragon War, or in the Ancient Language, Du Fyrn Skulblaka.

The novel states that five years into the bloody conflict, an elf called Eragon found a dragon egg, let it hatch, and raised the hatchling in secret. Together, they traveled across Alagaesia and stopped the war, allowing peace to follow. In order to prevent another war, the representative of the dragons met with the elven queen Tarmunora and both made a magical pact, called the Blood-Oath or Blödhren in Ancient Language, changing both races as described above. Humans were added to the pact later and were therefore not as immersed in it as were the elves. From then on, the Dragon Riders kept peace in the whole of Alagaesia.

The riders established themselves on Vroengard, an isle located to the northwest of Alagaesia after a disagreement with the elven queen. There they remained until the Fall, teaching any riders chosen by a dragon.

The Fall

According to the novels, one hundred years before the events of the Inheritance Cycle, Galbatorix--a Dragon Rider who was driven to insanity by the killing of his dragon by Urgals and the refusal of the riders to grant him a new dragon—led a rebellion that crushed the Riders and brought an end to the order. Along with another Rider, Morzan, whom he persuaded to follow him, he captured a young black dragon named Shruikan and forced the young dragon to obey him through powerful dark magic. Galbatorix then used his power to become the King of Alagaësia. He used the eldunari of the dragons he slew to increase his strength. As for the riders who survived, he eventually hunted them all down using Morzan and 12 other Riders who had betrayed their brotherhood.The dragons, enraged, wiped away the identities of the 13 dragons who betrayed them using magic, in the event known as Du Namar Aurboda, or The Banishing Of The Names. These 13, known as the Forsworn, ultimately fell due to disease and suicide and overuse of magic; three were killed personally by Brom, (the last known former Rider, who swore vengeance on Galbatorix and his servants for the death of his dragon Saphira) including Morzan, and he engineered the deaths of five others.

The Inheritance Cycle

In the events of the Inheritance cycle, there are dragons on each side of the war. Galbatorix houses one unhatched green dragon egg and his own dragon, Shruikan, while under Galbatorix's control are Murtagh and his dragon Thorn. Fighting against Galbatorix are Eragon Shadeslayer, the story's chief protagonist, and his dragon Saphira Brightscales, the last living female dragon. Another dragon was Glaedr, the golden dragon for Oromis, the oldest remaining Rider. In Brisingr, Oromis dies and Glaedr's mind is transferred to his Eldunari, a gemlike object located in the dragon's body which can house their consciousness.

Notable Swords

Upon completion of a Rider's training, he or she is presented with a sword crafted by the elf smith Rhunön. The swords are forged with Brightsteel, an ore taken from meteorites. The swords are usually the same color as the Rider's dragon and have a gemstone of the same color in the pommel, to store energy. The swords are laid with many enchantments during the smithing and can never break, dull, or stain. They are also able to cut through wards. After the death of Galbatorix, Eragon raided many of Galbatorix's personal chambers which stored many of his secret possessions and among them, Eragon found nearly all the Rider swords, more than 230 swords of various shapes and colors. Eragon noted that Rhunön, the elf smith would be delighted if she hear that her crafts managed to survive.

• Zar'roc - the sword of Morzan, and later, Murtagh. Zar'roc consists of a red blade and silver-wrapped handle whose pommel bears a ruby. It is intended to be wielded in one hand, although can be used with two hands if need be. Eragon receives the sword from Brom in Eragon, Brom having taken it from Morzan after he had killed him. During the Battle of the Burning Plains, Murtagh, after defeating Eragon, claims that the sword should have gone to the eldest son, not the youngest, for at the time it is believed that Eragon and Murtaugh are full brothers. Actually, Brom is Eragon's father, which isn't learned until the third book, Brisingr. The name "Zar'roc" in the ancient language means "Misery".
• Brisingr - the sword of Eragon, Brisingr is a blue-bladed hand-and-a-half sword ornamented by a sapphire. Unlike most swords, it bears the additional ability of producing fire each time Eragon speaks its name in its presence. This is because either Eragon accidentally discovers the sword's true name in the ancient language, because he helped make it, or, as is speculated by fans, because part of Eragon's true name in the ancient language is brisingr. The name "Brisingr" in the ancient language means "Fire". This name is much to the disappointment of the herbalist, Angela, who is appalled by Eragon's lack of creativity and wit. Before Eragon got Brisingr he had a falchion (a single-bladed sword created by dwarves).
• Naegling - the sword of Oromis, which consists of a bronze blade and several stones which are used as stores of magical strength. Much of Oromis' power lies in Naegling, with it he "could shift a mountain." The wards placed on the sword prevent Oromis' seizures from incapacitating him in battle. The loss of his sword in his battle with Murtagh is what leads to his death.
• Támerlein - Támerlein is a dark-green sword forged for the Rider Arva. Támerlein resides with the elven Lord Fiolr in the House of Valtharos. It was forged for a Rider who's fighting style was based more on "cutting and slashing than the faster, more elegant techniques Brom had taught him (Eragon)." Támerlein in the Ancient Language means, "The bringer of the final sleep." Támerlein was later modified by Rhunön for Arya
• Arvindr - Arvindr is one of the last Rider swords not yet lost or in the hands of Galbatorix. It currently resides in the elven city of Nädindel. It is unclear what color Arvindr is, or what is means in the ancient language.
• Undbitr - Brom's sword, which was lost during the Fall.
• Islingr/Vrangr - The sword of Vrael, and later, Galbatorix. Islingr means "light-bringer" but Galbatorix renamed it "Vrangr" (awry), thinking that it was more appropriate.

Notable Dragon Riders

The novels mention the existence of previous Riders including:

• Arya - A female elf, and the rider of the green dragon on the cover of Inheritance, book 4. Her dragon is a male and is named Fírnen.
• Anurin - an elf who was a leader of the Riders millennia before the events in Eragon. Although only mentioned once in the Inheritance books, Anurin played a highly significant role in the history of the Riders by convincing the elvish queen to allow humans into the Dragon Rider bond, which previously had only included elves and dragons. He was also responsible for moving the Riders to the island of Vroengard.
• Brom - an ex-Dragon Rider; his blue dragon, Saphira (whom Eragon unknowingly named his dragon after), was killed at the battle of Doru Araeba. Vowing vengeance, he led attacks against the Forsworn, of whom he killed three (including Morzan, his archenemy) and caused the deaths of five others. When the new dragon hatched, Brom took her Rider Eragon far from Carvahall and taught Eragon through the ways of the Dragon Riders. When captured by the Ra'zac, Brom sacrificed his life to save Eragon and Saphira. Before dying, he revealed to Eragon that he too was once a Dragon Rider, and gave him the sword, Zar'roc. It is later revealed in Brisingr that Brom is Eragon's father. His sword "Undbitr", was lost in the Fall. After slaying Morzan, he took his blade, "Zar'roc" and claimed it for himself.
• Eragon I - an elf who became the first Dragon Rider. Along with his white dragon, Bid’daum, Eragon ended the war between the elves and dragons, and then established the Dragon Riders.
• Eragon Bromsson - Named after the first Dragon Rider. He and his blue dragon, Saphira, are the first new Riders since Vrael's death over a century ago. He is also known as "Shadeslayer", "Firesword", "Shur'tugal" ("Dragon Rider" in the ancient language), and "Argetlam" ("silver hand" in the ancient language). His blade was "Zar'roc" until it was taken from him by Murtagh. With the help of Rhunön he forged a new blue blade, "Brisingr".
• Galbatorix - a highly gifted Rider who was rendered mentally unstable after his dragon Jarnunvösk was killed. He later stole another dragon, killed the Riders who refused to serve him as well as the human king Angrenost, and has ruled for a century ever since. His new dragon, Shruikan, was stolen as a hatchling from a Rider in Ilirea and enslaved by unbreakable oaths and black magic. He draws energy from Eldunari that he has stolen so he can be more powerful. He was killed by Eragon in "Inheritance".
• Morzan - first of the thirteen Riders (called the 'Forsworn' or the 'Thirteen Servants') who allied with Galbatorix and killed the other Riders. He, as well as Brom, was once a student of Oromis. He is Murtagh's father, and is stated to be Eragon's father as well, though this is later told to be false. Morzan also threw Zar'roc at Murtagh when he was drunk. Zar'roc was taken from Morzan when Brom slew him.
• Murtagh - Morzan's son and Eragon's half-brother. He was forced into Galbatorix's service against his will and bound oaths through the ancient language, then Thorn, a red dragon hatched for him. Under the king, he and his dragon learned enough to overcome Eragon and Saphira on the Burning Plains. Murtagh took Zar'roc from Eragon on the Burning Plains.
• Oromis - an elven Rider, the last of the old order still alive, except for Galbatorix. Oromis and his gold dragon Glaedr are disabled in different ways, and so they suffer great disadvantages in battle. Oromis was Morzan's and Brom's tutor, and hid himself during The Fall. Later, he and Glaedr became Eragon and Saphira's tutors. After Eragon's return they join the elves in their battle and die at the hands of Galbatorix, who was controlling Murtagh's body. Glaedr lives on, his soul preserved in his Eldunari or "heart of hearts" which was entrusted to Eragon in "Brisingr" before Oromis and Glaedr died.
• Vrael - the last leader of the old order of Riders, and Rider of the white dragon Umaroth. He was the only one to have overpowered Galbatorix, but hesitated to kill him, allowing the younger Rider to escape. Vrael was subsequently killed when Galbatorix, during a later combat, slew his elder by beheading him. Galbatorix took his sword Islingr after killing him.
• Kialandí - One of the Forsworn, a male elf. He assisted in capturing and torturing Oromis and Glaedr with the help of the stolen Eldunari of a female dragon named Agaravel. He also killed the owner of Támerlein (a dark green Rider's sword) Arva. His dragon was purple.
• Formora - One of the forsworn, a female elf. Assisted in capturing and torturing Oromis and Glaedr with the help of the stolen Eldunari of a female dragon named Agaravel. Her dragon was named "an ugly brown thing" by Glaedr. Formora was the Forsworn who cut off one of Glaedr's forelegs.

References

2. Eragon

3. Eldest

4. Brisingr

External links

• Alagaesia.com Official Inheritance cycle website
• Inheriwiki, the site of the Inheritance Cycle Wikia