This is a list of key characters in ''
The Inheritance Cycle
''The Inheritance Cycle'' is a tetralogy of young adult fiction, young adult high fantasy novels written by American author Christopher Paolini. Set in the Fictional universe, fictional world of Alagaësia (), the novels focus on the adventures ...
'', a fantasy adventure series by
Christopher Paolini
Christopher James Paolini (born November 17, 1983) is an American author and screenwriter. He is best known for ''The Inheritance Cycle'', which consists of the books ''Eragon'', ''Eldest'', ''Brisingr'', ''Inheritance'', and the follow up short ...
. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the names Paolini has used originate from Old Norse, German, Old English, and Russian sources, as well as the invented languages.
With the exception of
Angela, the characters' personalities are entirely imagined and not based on actual people.
Some characters, like the titular character
Eragon
''Eragon'' is the first book in ''The Inheritance Cycle'' by American fantasy writer Christopher Paolini. Paolini, born in 1983, began writing the novel after graduating from home school at the age of fifteen. After writing the first draft for a ...
were developed before the series was written, while others (such as Angela) were added on an as-needed basis.
Major characters
* Eragon Bromsson – the human son of
Brom and
Selena
Selena Quintanilla Pérez (; April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995), known mononymously as Selena, was an American Tejano singer. Called the " Queen of Tejano music", her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mex ...
, although Eragon's true relationship to Brom is not revealed until
the third novel.
Eragon is the cousin of
Roran Garrowsson
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
and half-brother of
Murtagh
Murtagh ( Irish: '' Muircheartach'') is an Irish surname, and may refer to:
* St. Murtagh
* Andy Murtagh, Irish-born English cricketer, uncle of Chris and Tim
* Chris Murtagh, English cricketer, brother of Tim, nephew of Andy
* Ciarán Murtagh (bo ...
. Until the age of fifteen, he was raised by his uncle
Garrow.
After the dragon
Saphira
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
hatches for him, he travels to the
Varden Varden may refer to:
People
*Erik Varden (born 1974), Norwegian Roman Catholic prelate
*Evelyn Varden (1893-1958), American actress
*Helga Varden, American philosopher
*Norma Varden (1898-1989), English actress
* Varden Tsulukidze (1865–1923), Ge ...
, where he learns of the evils done by
Galbatorix
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
and determines to end the king's rule. He has romantic feelings for the elf
Arya
Aryan or Arya (, Indo-Iranian *''arya'') is a term originally used as an ethnocultural self-designation by Indo-Iranians in ancient times, in contrast to the nearby outsiders known as 'non-Aryan' (*''an-arya''). In Ancient India, the term ' ...
, but the two never become a couple as he leaves Alagaësia permanently at the end of the
final novel.
He is also known as Eragon Bromsson, Argetlam, Shur'tugal, Shadeslayer, Firesword, and Kingkiller.
:Eragon has dark brown eyes and hair and fights with bow and arrow or a sword, especially the sword ''Brisingr'', crafted for him by the master smith Rhunön.
After a magic ceremony in
the second novel, Eragon takes on the physical characteristics of an elf, although he retains some aspects of his human body (such as the ability to grow a beard).
He is a skilled magician and second to only Murtagh in his skill with the sword.
:The author originally intended Eragon's character serve in an autobiographical capacity. However, Paolini states, "Eragon has done many things that I haven’t—such as ride a dragon, fight monsters, and use magic—and these experiences have made him a different person than me. Eragon is now his own person, similar to me in some respects, but possessing a unique history, likes, dislikes, friends, and family." Eragon was the first character developed by Paolini, and the author's outline of how the character would develop drove the novels' storyline.
The name "Eragon" is an
aptronym
An aptronym, aptonym, or euonym is a personal name aptly or peculiarly suited to its owner.
History
The ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' attributes the term to Franklin P. Adams, a writer who coined it as an anagram of ''patronym'', to emphasize "apt ...
based on the word "dragon", and a play on the phrase "an
era
An era is a span of time defined for the purposes of chronology or historiography, as in the regnal eras in the history of a given monarchy, a calendar era used for a given calendar, or the geological eras defined for the history of Earth.
Comp ...
gone".
::Eragon was portrayed by
Edward Speleers in the
film adaptation of ''Eragon''.
*Saphira Bjartskular ("Brightscales") – a female blue
dragon
A dragon is a reptilian legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but dragons in western cultures since the High Middle Ages have often been depicted as ...
who hatches from an egg stolen from Galbatorix by Brom and
Jeod
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
. She is the last living female dragon in all of Alagaësia, although more dragon eggs are found at the end of the final novel.
Saphira is wise, fearless, protective of Eragon, and somewhat vain. She is also skilled at aerial acrobatics.
Her sire was
Iormûngr, a bonded dragon, and her dam was
Vervanda, a wild dragon.
At the end of ''
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of receiving private property, Title (property), titles, debts, entitlements, Privilege (law), privileges, rights, and Law of obligations, obligations upon the death of an individual. The rules of inheritance differ ...
'' she mates with
Fírnen
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
before leaving Alagaësia with Eragon.
::Saphira's name is derived from the word "
sapphire
Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide () with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. The name sapphire is derived via the Latin "sapphir ...
", and as such serves as an aptronym describing her coloration (blue being Paolini's favorite color).
She was voiced by
Rachel Weisz
Rachel Hannah Weisz (; born 7 March 1970 ) is an English actress. She is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Rachel Weisz, various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Laurence Olivier Award, and a BAFTA Award.
We ...
in the film.
*Arya Dröttningu – a female
elf
An elf () is a type of humanoid supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore. Elves appear especially in North Germanic mythology. They are subsequently mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's Icelandic Prose Edda. He distinguishes "ligh ...
and is the only daughter of
King Evandar and
Queen Islanzadí. Arya has served as courier of Saphira's egg and the elves' ambassador to the Varden.
She becomes queen of the elves after the death of her mother, as well as a dragon rider (bonded to Fírnen), at the end of the final book. She is also known as Arya Svit-kona and Arya Shadeslayer. Eragon rescues her in the first novel when she is being held captive by
Durza, a shade. When Eragon first pursues her romantically, she rebuffs his advances, telling him she had recently lost a close friend,
Fäolin, and that any relationship would be unwise because of their respective responsibilities and age differences. She holds traditional human
gender roles
A gender role, also known as a sex role, is a social role encompassing a range of behaviors and attitudes that are generally considered acceptable, appropriate, or desirable for a person based on that person's sex. Gender roles are usually cent ...
in disdain.
At the end of the final novel, she is willing to consider Eragon as a romantic partner, but he leaves before they can begin a relationship. She shows this by telling her true name to Eragon, which she refused to do before.
:Arya is over 100 years old. She is beautiful, wise, and possesses inhuman speed, strength, grace, and superior fighting and magical skills (like most elves). She has long black hair, slanted cat-like green eyes, and is very tall.
::She was portrayed by
Sienna Guillory
Sienna Tiggy Guillory (; born 16 March 1975) is an English actress and former model. She portrayed Jill Valentine in several entries of the ''Resident Evil'' action-horror film series. Other prominent roles include elf princess Arya Dröttningu ...
in the film.
*Murtagh Morzansson – the human son of Morzan and Selena, Eragon's half-brother. Eragon first meets him in ''
Eragon
''Eragon'' is the first book in ''The Inheritance Cycle'' by American fantasy writer Christopher Paolini. Paolini, born in 1983, began writing the novel after graduating from home school at the age of fifteen. After writing the first draft for a ...
'' and travels with him to the Varden, where he is mistrusted for being Morzan's son.
In ''
Eldest
''Eldest'' is the second novel in the ''Inheritance Cycle'' by Christopher Paolini and the sequel to ''Eragon''. It was first published in hardcover on August 23, 2005, and was released in paperback in September 2006. ''Eldest'' has been released ...
'', Murtagh is kidnapped by the Twins and forced to serve Galbatorix after the dragon
Thorn
Thorn(s) or The Thorn(s) may refer to:
Botany
* Thorns, spines, and prickles, sharp structures on plants
* ''Crataegus monogyna'', or common hawthorn, a plant species
Comics and literature
* Rose and Thorn, the two personalities of two DC Com ...
hatches for him.
He is an exceptionally skilled swordsman, and has enhanced strength and magic from Galbatorix, as well as Eldunarí (the source of a dragon's being and life force) to enhance his power. Due to his difficult childhood, he has little
empathy
Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another's position. Definitions of empathy encompass a broad range of social, co ...
for others.
He has romantic feelings for Nasuada, but does not pursue a relationship as he feels he can never be accepted by society, even after helping to defeat Galbatorix.
His name is entirely the author's invention.
::Murtagh was played by
Garrett Hedlund
Garrett John Hedlund (born September 3, 1984) is an American actor. His films include ''Troy'' (2004), '' Friday Night Lights'' (2004), '' Four Brothers'' (2005), ''Eragon'' (2006), ''Death Sentence'' (2007), '' Tron: Legacy'' (2010), ''Country ...
in the film.
* Galbatorix – the human king and tyrant of the Empire. When his first dragon,
Jarnunvösk was killed by Urgals, Galbatorix began a quest for revenge against the Riders which ultimately resulted in their extinction and his rise to power in the human kingdom.
He stole a dragon hatchling named
Shruikan and bound their minds in a crude approximation of a Rider's bond. He has derived incredible magical strength from the captured souls of dead dragons, the Eldunarí. He is at least 120 years old.
He is killed in the final novel.
Galbatorix's name means "Big King" in
Celtic
Celtic, Celtics or Keltic may refer to:
Language and ethnicity
*pertaining to Celts, a collection of Indo-European peoples in Europe and Anatolia
**Celts (modern)
*Celtic languages
**Proto-Celtic language
* Celtic music
*Celtic nations
Sports Fo ...
.
::He was played by
John Malkovich
John Malkovich (born December 9, 1953) is an American actor. He is the recipient of several accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards, a British Academy Film Award, two Screen Actors Guild Aw ...
in the film adaptation of ''Eragon''.
*Nasuada – the daughter of
Ajihad
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
and
Nadara, human members of the Wandering Tribes. Upon her father's death at the beginning of ''Eldest'', Nasuada becomes leader of the Varden.
She is Eragon's liegelord.
She is very cunning and trusted by both her people and Eragon, which leads her to become queen of the Empire in ''Inheritance''. Her later decision to force all magic-users to register and be monitored by the government is what drives Eragon to leave Alagaësia.
::Nasuada was played by
Caroline Chikezie
Caroline Chikezie (born 19 February 1974) is a British Nigerian actress, best known for playing Sasha Williams in '' As If'', and Elaine Hardy in ''Footballers' Wives''. In recent years she has gained popularity as Angela Ochello in the Nigeri ...
in the film version of ''Eragon''.
*Roran Garrowsson (Stronghammer) – Eragon's cousin and father of
Ismira, who grew up with him in Carvahall with Eragon. Roran has an almost obsession with his eventual-wife,
Katrina
Katrina or Katrine may refer to:
People
* Katrina (given name)
* Katrine (given name)
Meteorology
* List of storms named Katrina, a list of tropical cyclones designated as Katrina
** Hurricane Katrina, an exceptionally powerful Atlantic hurrican ...
, which leads him to travel with the whole of Carvahall to join the Varden.
He becomes an excellent
motivational speaker
A motivational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. Such speakers may attempt to challenge or transform their audiences. The speech itself is popularly known as a pep talk.
Motivational speakers ca ...
as a result.
Although he at first resents his cousin for inciting war and bringing about Garrow's death, the two make up and become quite close.
::Roran was played by
Chris Egan in the film ''Eragon''.
*Orik Thrifksson (also known as Grimstborith Orik and King Orik) – a dwarf, a member of the clan Dûrgrimst Ingeitum, and the nephew of King Hrothgar.
He becomes king (Grimstnzborith) and leader (Grimstborith) of Ingeitum after Hrothgar's death. Orik is a
smith
Smith may refer to:
People
* Metalsmith, or simply smith, a craftsman fashioning tools or works of art out of various metals
* Smith (given name)
* Smith (surname), a family name originating in England, Scotland and Ireland
** List of people wi ...
, a warrior, and Eragon's guide.
He adopts Eragon into his clan in ''Eldest''.
Orik later marries
Hvedra, the Grimstcarvlorss of Ingeitum.
Humans
*Brom – Eragon's father and first mentor. He is known for his intelligence and craftiness, surviving long after his dragon's death despite being hunted by Galbatorix (more than 100 years). Brom was the co-founder of the
Varden Varden may refer to:
People
*Erik Varden (born 1974), Norwegian Roman Catholic prelate
*Evelyn Varden (1893-1958), American actress
*Helga Varden, American philosopher
*Norma Varden (1898-1989), English actress
* Varden Tsulukidze (1865–1923), Ge ...
.
He had white hair and a long white beard, carried Morzan's sword Zar'roc, and could work basic magic. He was gruff yet kind towards Eragon. He is revealed to be a former Dragon Rider (bonded to the first Saphira) as he lays dying at the Ra'zac's hand in ''Eragon''.
Brom was played by
Jeremy Irons
Jeremy John Irons (; born 19 September 1948) is an English actor and activist. After receiving classical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Irons began his acting career on stage in 1969 and has appeared in many West End theatre ...
in the film adaption of ''Eragon''.
*King Orrin – the king of Surda, a minor human empire not yet ruled by Galbatorix. Orrin's royal line comes from the Broddring Kingdom, the human's first empire. He is an enthusiastic scientist, viewed by Nasuada as somewhat childish and undisciplined. Orrin secretly supports the Varden, and he allows them to move to his country in ''Eldest''.
He often comes into conflict with Nasuada when she encroaches on what he believes to be his rightful power, and develops a drinking problem in the final novel which she cites as a reason he should not replace Galbatorix.
**Irwin is the Prime Minister of Surda and opposes King Orrin's open support of the Varden.
*Elva – an orphaned baby whom Eragon attempts to bless in the first novel. From his missworded "blessing" Elva is compelled to protect other people from misfortune or danger. During the battle against Galbatorix, he mutes her and Elva therefore is of no help. However, previous to the battle she proves useful and helps Eragon, Arya, Saphira, and their spellcasters navigate Galbatorix's traps leading up to the throne room. Eragon tried to remove the curse, but failed. As a result, Elva is not forced to help others, but she can still sense their pain.
*Ajihad* – leader of the Varden and Nasuada's father. He is responsible for the Varden's alliance with the Dwarven nation.
Shortly after the Battle of Farthen Dûr, at the beginning of ''Eldest'', he is killed by
Urgals.
*Pronounced "AH-zhi-hod".
::Ajihad was played by
Djimon Hounsou
Djimon Gaston Hounsou (; ; born April 24, 1964) is a Beninese-American actor and model. He began his career appearing in music videos. He made his film debut in '' Without You I'm Nothing'' (1990) and earned widespread recognition for his role as ...
in the film version of ''Eragon''.
His name is entirely Paolini's invention.
*Jeod Longshanks is a merchant and scholar. He is an agent of the Varden, whom he supported with his business by smuggling various supplies until he was exposed to the Empire, causing him to suffer heavy losses.
He and Brom stole
Saphira
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
's egg from the Empire.
*Carvahall villagers
**Selena - she was the mother of
Eragon
''Eragon'' is the first book in ''The Inheritance Cycle'' by American fantasy writer Christopher Paolini. Paolini, born in 1983, began writing the novel after graduating from home school at the age of fifteen. After writing the first draft for a ...
and Murtagh, Morzan's consort and Garrow's sister. She was also known as The Black Hand (a name which is later used to describe a network of the Empire's spies in the Varden) Selena fell in love with Morzan, who trained her in magic and other warrior arts to act as his spy and assassin. After falling in love with Brom, she escaped to Carvahall to give birth to Eragon, dying shortly after.
**Garrow was
Roran
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
's father (with his deceased wife Marian) Eragon's uncle, and Selena's brother. He lived on a farm, away from the rest of the village. He is killed by the Ra'zac toward the beginning of ''Eragon''.
**Katrina is the daughter of Sloan and Ismira. She wishes to marry Roran, which causes her disapproving father to kidnap her when he allies himself with the Ra'zac. After Roran, Eragon, and Saphira rescue her, she marries Roran and the two have a child.
**:Katrina is portrayed by
Tamsin Egerton
Tamsin Olivia Egerton (born Tamsin Olivia Egerton-Dick; 26 November 1988) is a British actress known for her roles as Chelsea Parker in the 2007 film ''St Trinian's'', Holly Goodfellow in the 2005 film ''Keeping Mum'', and Guinevere in the 2011 t ...
in the film adaptation. However her scenes were cut in the final version of the film.
***Ismira is the name of both Katrina's mother ''(deceased, pre-series)'' and her daughter born in the final book.
**Sloan is Carvahall's butcher and Katrina's father. Sloan dotes upon his daughter and is highly possessive of her, betraying the rest of the village to the Empire in exchange for her safety. The Ra'zac blind and torture him. When Eragon meets Sloan after his betrayal, he curses him (with approval from the elven Queen) to go live among the elves and remain separate from his daughter until the man repents, and his magically binding true name changes.
**Horst Ostrecsson is a blacksmith, and husband of Elain and father of Baldor, Albriech, and Hope.
**Birgit Mardasdaughter, the mother of Nolfavrell, assists Roran during the village's flight from the Empire to Surda. Her husband was Quimby, the village brewer, who was accidentally killed by the Ra'zac's soldiers when he tried to break up an argument in the village's tavern, then eaten by the Ra'zac.
Birgit blames Roran and Eragon for his death, and tells Roran she plans to extract a blood price for this insult. When finally given the chance, she decides not to kill him.
* soldiers and magicians
**The Twins were powerful human magicians who claimed to support the Varden but really worked for Galbatorix.
**Trianna – After the disappearance of the Twins in ''Eldest'', Trianna leads Du Vrangr Gata, a group of weak human magicians. Trianna is put in charge of Nasuada's plan to use cheap
lace
Lace is a delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern, made by machine or by hand. Generally, lace is divided into two main categories, needlelace and bobbin lace, although there are other types of lace, such as knitted o ...
, made with magic, to finance the Varden's war efforts. She also leads Du Vrangr Gata in battle.
***Carn is a spellcaster who serves with Roran throughout the missions in ''Brisingr'' and remains a close friend of his. Although not a particularly strong magician, he compensates by inventing extraordinarily clever spells and worming his way into his opponents' minds.
Carn is killed in a Wizard's Duel in ''Inheritance'' by an enemy magician.
**Jörmundur is second-in-command of the Varden troops. He is also a member of the Varden's Council of Elders but is the only member to support Nasuada.
***Martland Redbeard is Roran's commander during his first Varden mission and a tactical genius. After losing a hand, he becomes one of Nasuada's military strategists.
****Edric is the commander of one of Roran's missions with the Varden. Edric is a competent but overbearing and rigid commander.
***Captain Brigman is a Varden officer who was sent by Nasuada to conquer the city of Aroughs. After an extended siege, Nasuada, wanting to conquer the city quickly, sent Roran to replace him as commander.
**Fredric is the Varden's weapon master. He aids Eragon in finding a new sword, a
falchion
A falchion (; Old French: ''fauchon''; Latin: ''falx'', "sickle") is a one-handed, single-edged sword of European origin. Falchions are found in different forms from around the 13th century up to and including the 16th century. In some version ...
. He wears a suit of pungent
ox hide armor, and wields a massive two-handed sword which is over five feet long.
*Lord Barst was a general who was known for his power in battle, said to be just as ruthless as Galbatorix.
In book 4, Galbatorix gave him an Eldunari to empower him in battle.
*King Palancar was the king of the humans when they first migrated and established a settlement in Alagaësia. He founded the Broddring Kingdom, but was defeated by the Dragon Riders when he attempted to annex elvish territory.
''(deceased, pre-series)''
*Marcus Tábor was the Lord of Dras–Leona before its siege by the Varden.
Riders
The Dragon Riders are the humans and elves who bonded with dragon hatchlings, as well as a kind of police force existing in the time before Galbatorix's rise to power. They began with the first Eragon, an elf who adopted a newly hatched dragon during a massive war between their two species. Their rule ended 100 years before the events of ''Eragon'' with the death of
Vrael.
*Oromis is Eragon's second teacher after Brom. He is an elf and the last remaining Dragon Rider of the old order. He is also known as "Osthato Chetowa, the Mourning Sage" and "Togira Ikonoka, the Cripple Who is Whole" because of a curse placed upon him by one of the Forsworn. He is bonded to
Glaedr.
*The Forsworn were a group of 13 Riders (and their dragons) who joined Galbatorix during the Fall. When the dragons learned that thirteen of their kind were willingly helping to exterminate the rest of their race, they banded together and erased the Forsworn's dragons' names and identities. After "The Banishing of the Names" the Forsworn's dragons became beastlike and some of the Forsworn themselves went insane.
**Morzan was a
Dragon Rider, long dead by the start of ''Eragon''; he is actually the father of Murtagh. He is described as "strong of body, but weak of mind" by Brom, who idolized him until the former's alliance with Galbatorix. Brom later killed him with his own sword.
**Kialandí was a male Rider. ''(deceased, pre-series)''
**Formora was a female elven Rider. ''(deceased, pre-series)''
**Glaerun was a male elven rider and one of the Forsworn. He died during a
nuclear
Nuclear may refer to:
Physics
Relating to the nucleus of the atom:
* Nuclear engineering
*Nuclear physics
*Nuclear power
*Nuclear reactor
*Nuclear weapon
*Nuclear medicine
*Radiation therapy
*Nuclear warfare
Mathematics
*Nuclear space
*Nuclear ...
-like explosion caused by the elven Rider Thuviel sacrificing himself at Doru Areba.
**Enduriel was a Dragon Rider and one of the Forsworn. It's implied that Enduriel died after the event of the destruction of Ilirea and Vroengard. He may have been killed by Brom or the Varden.
''(deceased, pre-series)''
*Vrael was the last leader of the Riders before their Fall and was bonded to the male white dragon
Umaroth.
**Anurin was an elven Dragon Rider, and leader of the Dragon Riders before Vrael.
*Arva was an elven Rider who was at Ilirea when the Forsworn attacked the city. He fought Kialandí (who dealt him a mortal blow) but managed to pass his sword Támerlein to his sister, Naudra (mate of Lord Fiolr).
*Thuviel was a Dragon Rider whose dragon was killed before the battle of Doru Areba. Crippled by the emotional and psychological effects of losing such a bond, Thuviel became depressed and no longer wished to continue living. Vrael however, encouraged Thuviel to sacrifice himself by turning his body into pure energy. Galbatorix long believed the eggs hidden within the Vault of Souls to have been destroyed in the explosion. Thuviel's sacrifice made Doru Areba uninhabitable for even hundreds of years afterward, akin to the effects of nuclear radiation.
Dragons
In the books, the dragons are grouped into those bonded to Riders and wild dragons. The wild dragons are far more fierce, while the bonded dragons are more intellectual. All dragons hatch from eggs, in which they can remain for a very long time; once hatched they have a nearly infinite lifespan and continue growing their whole lives. They can breathe fire and reproduce at about six months old.
When a dragon dies, it has the option to transfer its consciousness into a
diamond
Diamond is a Allotropes of carbon, solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. Another solid form of carbon known as graphite is the Chemical stability, chemically stable form of car ...
-like organ inside its body called an Eldunarí. If it disgorges its "heart of hearts" before its death, the dragon has no choice but to retreat into it when it dies. Such Eldunarí will live on until another creature destroys them.
Dragons are a variety of colors, which do not appear to be related to their parents' colors.
*Glaedr is the gold dragon bonded to
Oromis
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
. He is at least three times as large as Saphira and a skilled fighter, but lost his left foreleg in battle with Formora. After escaping the Forsworn, Glaedr and Oromis went into hiding in Du Weldenvarden to teach the first of the new generation of Riders.
He disgorges his Eldunarí shortly before his and Oromis's death in ''Brisingr'', and is thus forced to live on after his body dies.
*Thorn is a red male dragon bound to Murtagh. He has been magically grown to large proportions, but still has the mind of a child. Saphira refers to him as "Red-Shrike-Thorn".
*Shruikan is Galbatorix's black dragon, the largest of all the dragons to appear in the series. He was twisted into the king's service through black magic.
The dragon's name is a play on the word "
shuriken
A ''shuriken'' ( ja, 手裏剣; literally: "hidden hand blade") is a Japanese concealed weapon that was used as a hidden dagger or metsubushi to distract or misdirect.
They are also known as throwing stars, or ninja stars, although they were ...
".
**Jarnunvösk was Galbatorix's first dragon, who was royal purple. She was killed by Urgals ''(deceased, pre-series)''.
*Saphira is a female dragon bound to
Eragon
''Eragon'' is the first book in ''The Inheritance Cycle'' by American fantasy writer Christopher Paolini. Paolini, born in 1983, began writing the novel after graduating from home school at the age of fifteen. After writing the first draft for a ...
and a central character of the series. Eragon first encountered her as an egg (believing her to be a rare stone) while hunting in the wilderness of the Spine Mountains early in the first book. Her name is a play on the word "
sapphire
Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide () with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. The name sapphire is derived via the Latin "sapphir ...
", due in part to her deep blue coloration.
*Fírnen was one of the eggs that was captured by Galbatorix. His didn't hatch until Arya, his bond, brought him to the Crags of Tael'neir when the war with the Empire had finished. He is a small green dragon and Saphira's mate.
*Bid'daum – the dragon whose egg was found by the first Eragon. ''(deceased, pre-series)''
**Unnamed, or, He Whose Name Cannot Be Pronounced in any Language, a dragon (whose name "cannot be pronounced in this language or any"), who brokered the peace treaty between the elves and dragns, after ''Du Fyrn Skulblaka'', the Dragon War. ''(deceased, pre-series)''
*Umaroth (pronounced "oo-MAR-oth") was the white dragon bonded to Vrael, leader of the Dragon Riders before their downfall. He speaks for all the Eldunarí in the Vault of Souls.
*Cuaroc served as guardian of the Vault of Souls in a magical automaton body.
*Valdr (meaning "Ruler) is the eldest of the Eldunarí in the Vault of Souls. He gives Eragon a vision where the dreams of starlings are equal to the concerns of kings.
*Belgabad was an enormous, ancient, wild dragon who lived alone in the northern region of Alagaësia. ''(deceased, pre-series)''
*Raugmar The Black was black male wild dragon who was a distant descendant of Belgabad. Raugmar was a great-great-great grandsire of Vervada, Saphira's mother. ''(deceased, pre-series)''
Elves
The elves are one of the oldest races, but not native to Alagaësia. They came from a land called Alalea. They are very gifted in magic and live in the forest called Du Weldenvarden.
*Queen Islanzadí is queen of the elves until her death in the final novel.
She lives in the elven capital
Ellesméra
''The Inheritance Cycle'' is a tetralogy of young adult high fantasy novels written by American author Christopher Paolini. Set in the fictional world of Alagaësia (), the novels focus on the adventures of a teenage boy named Eragon and his ...
. She is the widow of the former king of the elves, Evandar, and the mother of Arya.
**King Evandar was the mate of Islanzadí and Arya's father. He was ruler of Du Weldenvarden before Islanzadí was. He died in the elves' and Riders' final siege of Urû'baen. ''(deceased, pre-series)''
**Queen Tamunora was the elven queen who worked with the dragons to create the pact that would lead to the formation of the Dragon Riders, ending Du Fyrn Skulblaka.''(deceased, pre-series)''
**Queen Dellanir was queen of the elves when Anurin decided to add humans to the pact so that there would be human Dragon Riders.
''(deceased, pre-series)''
**Lord Däthedr is a counselor of Islanzadi.
**Lord Fiolr is Arya's friend and leader of Sílthrim. He is well trained in magic. It is implied that he fought at Ceunon and Gil'ead. He lives in the House of Valtharos. He is the owner of Támerlein, one of the last swords of the Dragon Riders that was his wife's brother's sword. Later in Inheritance, Arya adopts this sword (with a few modifications) after she becomes a rider.
*Rhunön is an ancient elf who created all of the Dragon Riders' swords. After the betrayal of the Forsworn, Rhunön swore never to make another sword. In ''Brisingr'', Eragon works with her to circumvent that oath and forge his sword Brisingr.
*Blödhgarm (translated in an appendix as "Bloodwolf") is an elf who has magically edited his body to appear beast-like. His
scent
An odor (American English) or odour (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences) is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds that are generally found in low concentrations that humans and animals can perceive via their sense ...
attracts females. He is the leader of a small group sent to protect Eragon and Saphira.
**Wyrden was a powerful elven spellcaster under Blödhgarm.
*Vanir is a (comparatively) young elf, who is Eragon's sparring partner during his training in ''Eldest''. He is cocky and dismissive of Eragon until the latter's transformation during the Blood-Oath Celebration.
His name comes from the group of Norse gods known as the
Vanir
In Norse mythology, the Vanir (; Old Norse: , singular Vanr ) are a group of gods associated with fertility, wisdom, and the ability to see the future. The Vanir are one of two groups of gods (the other being the Æsir) and are the namesake of the ...
, associated with
fertility
Fertility is the capability to produce offspring through reproduction following the onset of sexual maturity. The fertility rate is the average number of children born by a female during her lifetime and is quantified demographically. Fertili ...
and
prophecy
In religion, a prophecy is a message that has been communicated to a person (typically called a ''prophet'') by a supernatural entity. Prophecies are a feature of many cultures and belief systems and usually contain divine will or law, or prete ...
.
Dwarves
The dwarves are one of the only humanoids native to Alagaësia. Their mythology holds that they were born from the rock of the mountains there.
*King Hrothgar – the King of the dwarves, controlling the thirteen dwarf clans and
Tronjheim, the city within Farthen Dûr. He admits Eragon as a member of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum, an honor that had never previously been bestowed upon a non-dwarf. He is killed with magic by Murtagh in the Battle of the Burning Plains. His name comes from that of
a legendary Danish king who lived in the 6th century and who appears as a character in the Anglo-Saxon epics ''Beowulf'' and ''Widsith''.
He is succeeded by his nephew Orik.
*Vermûnd is the Grimstborith of Az Sweldn rak Anhûin, a clan that lost everything during the Fall. Vermûnd orders the assassination of Eragon when he stays in Tronjheim during ''Brisingr''. Because of his crime, Az Sweldn rak Anhûin are banished from the dwarves by Orik and the other clan chiefs until Vermûnd is replaced. Vermûnd himself is branded a traitor and shall be ignored until he dies.
*Gannel Ormsson is Grimstborith ("clan chief") of Dûrgrimst Quan, the religious clan of the dwarves. He is also the head priest of the dwarves. He gives Eragon a necklace that will prevent anyone from scrying him. He supports Grimstborith Nado for the dwarven kingship, and later summons the chief dwarf god, Gûntera.
*Korgan was the first dwarf king. He discovered Farthen Dûr while tunneling for gold.
''(deceased, pre-series)''
*Ûndin Derûndsson Grimstborith of Dûrgrimst Ragni Hefthyn — "the River Guard", host of Eragon's party in Tarnag. He original voted for Gannel as the dwarves new king, but switched his vote to Grimstborith Nado under Gannel's orders.
*Hadfala is Grimstborith of Dûrgrimst Ebardac. She original supported Gannel as king, but converted her vote to Orik after the attempt on Eragon's life.
Other characters and creatures
*Angela is a
fortune teller
Fortune telling is the practice of predicting information about a person's life. Melton, J. Gordon. (2008). ''The Encyclopedia of Religious Phenomena''. Visible Ink Press. pp. 115-116. The scope of fortune telling is in principle identical w ...
,
herbalist
Herbal medicine (also herbalism) is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants, which are a basis of traditional medicine. With worldwide research into pharmacology, some herbal medicines have been translated into modern remed ...
,
witch
Witchcraft traditionally means the use of Magic (supernatural), magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In Middle Ages, medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually ...
, and a friend of Eragon's. She is accompanied by a
werecat
A werecat (also written in a hyphenated form as were-cat) is an analog to "werewolf" for a feline therianthropic creature.
Etymology
Ailuranthropy comes from the Greek root words ''ailouros'' meaning "cat",< and ''anthropos'', meaning "human" ...
named
Solembum
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
.
She makes most of her living by fortune-telling for the richer people of
Teirm
''The Inheritance Cycle'' is a tetralogy of young adult high fantasy novels written by American author Christopher Paolini. Set in the fictional world of Alagaësia (), the novels focus on the adventures of a teenage boy named Eragon and his d ...
and selling
potions
A potion () is a liquid "that contains medicine, poison, or something that is supposed to have magic powers.” It derives from the Latin word ''potus'' which referred to a drink or drinking. The term philtre is also used, often specifically ...
. It is implied that she is not entirely human and has lived for an incredibly long time.
:Her character is loosely based on Paolini's sister.
::Angela is portrayed by
Joss Stone
Joscelyn Eve Stoker (born 11 April 1987), known professionally as Joss Stone, is an English singer, songwriter and actress. She rose to prominence in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, ''The Soul Sessions'', which made the 2004 Merc ...
in the film ''Eragon''.
*
Werecats are sentient creatures who can shapeshift between what appears to be a small, childlike human form and a
lynx
A lynx is a type of wild cat.
Lynx may also refer to:
Astronomy
* Lynx (constellation)
* Lynx (Chinese astronomy)
* Lynx X-ray Observatory, a NASA-funded mission concept for a next-generation X-ray space observatory
Places Canada
* Lynx, Ontar ...
-like cat form. They are wise, magical, and have mild prophetic abilities. They get along very well with dragons.
**Solembum is a werecat who journeys with Angela. In Tierm, he gives Eragon and important prophecy: "When the time comes and you need a weapon, look under the roots of the Menoa tree. Then, when all seems lost and your power is insufficient, go to the rock of Kuthian and speak your name to open the Vault of Souls". Solembum has red (sometimes blue or yellow) eyes and his ears are tipped with black tufts when in cat form; as a human, he appears as a small dark-haired boy and fights with a dagger.
**Grimrr Half-Paw - the werecat's current "king".
**Maud is a werecat that lives in Ellesméra and is a friend of Solembum.
*The Ra'zac are extremely powerful beings of indeterminate origins who work for
Galbatorix
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
, in exchange for a supply of human flesh. They arrived in Alagaesia from the land the humans had migrated from; the Riders tried but failed to exterminate them. They have evolved to be the perfect human predators. It is impossible to sense their life force, which made it easier to sneak up on riders and kill them. Similar to insects, the Ra'zac have a three-staged life: first as eggs, then as humanoid youngsters and finally, after the first full moon of their twentieth year, they shed their skin and become huge beasts called the Lethrblaka.
:The Ra'zac are killed in the movie, but remain alive until ''Brisingr'' in the novels (although some Ra'zac eggs are later discovered in the final novel).
*Urgals – large, grey-skinned, horned humanoids. Although they are first considered beasts, Eragon later learns that the Urgals are as sentient and capable as humans, elves, or dwarves. Despite living in remote
matriarchal
Matriarchy is a social system in which women hold the primary power positions in roles of authority. In a broader sense it can also extend to moral authority, social privilege and control of property.
While those definitions apply in general E ...
mountain villages, the social rank and sexual attractiveness of males is determined by the number of foes they have vanquished, which leads to conflict with neighboring humans.
They make a pact with Galbatorix to fight for him in exchange for more land sometime before the events of ''Eragon''; when the king fails to deliver, they join the Varden.
Urgals who grow to more than eight feet tall are considered 'Kull', and make up the Urgals' elite force of warriors.
The Urgal race and the Kull were invented entirely by the author.
**Nar Garzhvog is a Kull warlord and brilliant strategist. He fights in the Battle of the Burning Plains and accompanies Eragon on a later journey to the foot of the Beor Mountains. Garzhvog hopes that, after Galbatorix's defeat, some kind of treaty and athletic contests can be established between the Urgals and humans to avert future conflict between their races.
**Yarbog is an Urgal who challenges the authority of
Roran
This is a list of key characters in ''The Inheritance Cycle'', a fantasy adventure series by Christopher Paolini. The series contains several hundred characters, while the following list contains only the most frequently mentioned.
Many of the na ...
(his commander) during a mission. Roran defeats him in an unarmed combat wrestling match and earns his respect.
*Shades are humanoid sorcerers possessed by spirits. They wish to kill all other living things and can only be killed by stabbing them directly through the heart.
They briefly are vanquished if they receive a normally mortal wound.
**Durza the shade, works for Galbatorix hunting down the new Rider Eragon and extracting information from Arya in the first book. He is killed by Eragon, but not before seriously wounding the Rider.
**:Durza is portrayed by
Robert Carlyle
Robert Carlyle (born 14 April 1961) is a Scottish actor. His film work includes '' Trainspotting'' (1996), ''The Full Monty'' (1997), ''The World Is Not Enough'' (1999), ''Angela's Ashes'' (1999), '' The Beach'' (2000), ''28 Weeks Later'' (20 ...
in the film ''Eragon''.
**Varaug is the Shade created by three magicians using the body of a soldier during the siege on the city of Feinster in the third book. He is killed by Arya.
*The Menoa Tree is one of the oldest and largest trees in
Du Weldenvarden
''The Inheritance Cycle'' is a tetralogy of young adult fiction, young adult high fantasy novels written by American author Christopher Paolini. Set in the Fictional universe, fictional world of Alagaësia (), the novels focus on the adventures ...
. The tree is the spirit of the elf Linnëa, who imbued her consciousness into the tree after being jilted by a lover. Linnëa was an elf who lived before the war between elves and dragons, when they first migrated to the new land.
*Blagden is a raven blessed by Evandar for pecking out an Urgal's eyes when the elf king stumbled during a fight, allowing him to recover and defeat the Urgal. The magic gave Blagden the ability to speak (though he primarily speaks in riddles) and see the future, but also unintentionally turned his feathers pure white.
Blagden's name is an
Old English
Old English (, ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the early Middle Ages. It was brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain, Anglo ...
name meaning "the dark/black
valley
A valley is an elongated low area often running between Hill, hills or Mountain, mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers ...
".
*The five creatures of the Beor mountains are five unique species living only in the mountain range, for which five dwarf clans are named.
**Feldûnost are large goat-like creatures used as
mounts and to produce
dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting or processing (or both) of animal milk – mostly from cows or buffaloes, but also from goats, sheep, horses, or camels – for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on ...
. Their name means "frostbeard" in the dwarf language.
**Nagra are giant
boars
The wild boar (''Sus scrofa''), also known as the wild swine, common wild pig, Eurasian wild pig, or simply wild pig, is a suid native to much of Eurasia and North Africa, and has been introduced to the Americas and Oceania. The species is n ...
hunted by the dwarves.
**Fanghur are rare creatures that resemble dragons, though not as large or intelligent as their cousins, and are unable to breathe fire. They are considered to be the most deadly of the native Beor creatures through the way they hunt, by letting out piercing screams or to attack their victim's minds to paralyze them while they go in for the kill. Three attack Saphira in the second novel.
**Shrrg are giant
wolves
The wolf (''Canis lupus''; plural, : wolves), also known as the gray wolf or grey wolf, is a large Canis, canine native to Eurasia and North America. More than thirty subspecies of Canis lupus, subspecies of ''Canis lupus'' have been reco ...
.
**Urzhad (called Beorn by the elves) are massive cave bears that grow to a large size. Urzhad are larger than most Beor creatures, about as big as a small house.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of The Inheritance Cycle Characters
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of receiving private property, Title (property), titles, debts, entitlements, Privilege (law), privileges, rights, and Law of obligations, obligations upon the death of an individual. The rules of inheritance differ ...