Dragon Riders
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dragon Riders are an integral part of Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy. Called [[Shur'tugal]] in the ancient language, Dragon Riders are humans or Elves who help maintain peace in Alagaësia with the help of their dragons.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] The Beginning
Around three millennia before the tale of modern-day Eragon, an Elf hunted and killed a dragon. The mistake caused a large-scale war between the Elven and Dragon races, until one day an Elf named Eragon (the present Eragon's namesake), found an abandoned dragon egg, and, realising the benefits it could cause, raised the baby dragon who hatched from it. The two become great friends and acted as ambassadors between the two races. The Dragon rider is a powerful being, though it is not a sorcerer it is very skilled in the art of magic. As stated earlier the dragon riders use their magic and skill with a blade to help maintain peace throughout all of the peoples and places in Alagaësia.
[edit] The Bond
A spell was cast over the Dragon eggs to ensure that the baby Dragons inside would only hatch when the egg was touched by the Human or Elf whom they believed was best suited for them. When the Dragon hatches and makes contact with its Rider for the first time, this touch leaves a mark, the Gedwëy Ignasia, or "shining palm", on the Dragon Rider’s hand. Through this, a bond forms between them that melds their minds on a basic level, binding them for life in the most enduring friendship that can possibly exist, and endowing the Dragon Rider with magic.
When the powerful binding spell was first cast, only the Dragons and the Elves participated in it, in a mutually beneficial relationship that granted the Elves immortality, and gave the Dragons the gift of speech through telepathy. Humans, the third race to enter the bond, were added only later, and so, at the time of the events in Eragon, the spell has not affected them as strongly. Also, Dwarves were never added to the spell, and there has never been a Dwarf Rider, because the dragons despised dwarves, an affection that was returned just as strongly by the dwarves, due to their numerous wars and disputes.
[edit] The Downfall
Main article: The Fall (Inheritance)
Long ago, Galbatorix - a Dragon Rider who was driven to insanity by the killing of his dragon by Urgals - 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 small black Dragon named Shruikan and forced the young Dragon to obey him though powerful dark magic. Galbatorix used his power to become the King of Alagaësia.
[edit] The Forsworn
The Forsworn were the group of corrupted Riders used by Galbatorix in his rebellion. The Forsworn,or the Thirteen Servants, joined Galbatorix partly out of fear, but also for power and protection. One by one, they slew the Dragon Riders, until none were left of the old order.
There were thirteen Forsworn in all, Morzan being the first to join and the last of them to die. Morzan was the only one of the thirteen to have children (Murtagh, who accompanies Eragon for quite a while, and Eragon himself as revealed in Eldest).
Brom, a Dragon Rider, eventually slew Morzan and personally killed two others, and was responsible for the deaths of five more of them. They died mostly through the work of Brom and the Varden, but also died from overuse of magic, suicide, ambush, and in-fighting among their own numbers. It is said that, at all times, Galbatorix knew what the Forsworn were thinking and doing, and out of boredom would watch them fight amongst each other, sometimes helping one or the other for his own amusement.
[edit] Benefits
[edit] Dragon Riders
Through the bond between Dragon and Dragon Rider, Human Riders gain unnaturally long life; Elves are born immortal. There are, however, other changes that the association with a Dragon brings about. All Riders become stronger of body, keener of mind, and truer of senses, whether they be Elf or Human. Both Human and Elf Dragon Riders experience other physical changes over decades and centuries, the Humans eventually resembling the Elves. Also, all Dragon Riders become magicians, and, as their Dragon grows, their magical potential surpasses that of any non-rider magician.
The Dragon Riders also have the ability to telepathically communicate with their Dragons, as well as any other beings with a brain, which is especially useful in battle. All magicians can gain this ability gradually through practice, but a very strong bond between Dragon and Rider is formed with their first physical contact.
[edit] The Dragons
The partnership between Rider and Dragon tempers the Dragon's savage nature and endows it with the gift of telepathic speech. The identities between the dragon and the Rider merge so that they become one.
[edit] The Purpose
Although the original purpose of the Dragon Riders was to keep the peace between the Elves and Dragons, their duty soon expanded to keeping peace and order throughout the land, among all the races and governments. As time went on, the Dragon Riders' deeds became well-known, and the 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 small skirmishes and conflicts. As an ex-Dragon Rider, Brom, said, "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-Elfish city of Ilirea (now the King's capital, Uru'baen), a disagreement with the Elfish 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 virtually controlled all the lands, though through the different rulers.
[edit] The Dragons
Dragons are an intelligent race that inhabit Alagaësia, a fictional fantasy world created by Christopher Paolini. They are a key part of the Inheritance Trilogy, in which dragons are a nearly extinct and magical race.
[edit] Overview
Dragons have lived in Alagaësia since ancient times with the Dwarves. The skin of a Dragon is nearly impenetrable, though the thin membrane of the wings can be easily pierced. Their scales glitter like gems, although each Dragon only has one scale color. They also have the same eye color as their scales, and their teeth and neck spikes are bone white. The Dragons breath flame the color of their scales, and some can impressively hold the flame for over an hour. The older the dragon grows, the longer they can hold the flame. They never stop growing until their death.
Since the Dragons are bound to Alagaësia, they possess magical properties. Strange things seem to happen around Dragons - people live longer, the earth changes, and things of that nature, yet no one knows how it happens. It is possible these things happen because the Dragon's magic, which permeates every inch of their body. They cannot willingly use their magic, except for their fire. However, when using magic, their strength is unparalleled.
[edit] History
Before the formation of the Dragon Riders, a young elf hunted and killed a dragon like it was a common animal. The Dragons banded together and furiously attacked the Elves, leading into war.
Five years into the war, an Elf called Eragon found a white Dragon egg and raised the hatchling within, naming him Bid'Daum ; it was they who stopped the war, allowing peace to follow. In order to prevent another war, the Dragons connected their souls with the Elves, changing both races. Dragons gained the use of language and other trappings of civilization, as well as becoming less fierce. Since Humans came afterwards, the Human Riders were never affected by the Dragons as greatly as the Elves were.
[edit] As mounts for Dragon Riders
The few Humans and Elves who ride Dragons like the Elf Eragon I are aptly called Dragon Riders. Dragons give their Riders "shining palms," a silver mark, or the "gedwey ignasia" as a result of the first physical contact between rider and dragon. Dragons communicate telepathically with their Riders, and house incredible magic that can combine with that of the Rider. Dragons are immortal and can also allow their Riders to be nearly immortal; old age will seldom kill them, although wounds or poison can. Over time the link between the dragon and rider will change the rider's appearance.
[edit] Major Dragons
 |
This article or section describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style and may need cleanup. Please help rewrite this article according to the guidelines on writing about fiction, or discuss the issue on the talk page. |
| Inheritance Trilogy character | |
 Glaedr as painted by John Jude Palencar on the cover of the second Japanese volume of Eldest |
|
| Glaedr | |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Hair colour | Unknown |
| Eye colour | Gold |
| House | Unknown |
| Allegiance | Oromis |
| Film portrayer | None |
| First appearance | Eldest |
Glaedr (Pronounced Glay-Dur) is a male golden dragon in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy. He first appears in Eldest, the second book of the trilogy. His Rider is Oromis, who also is called Osthato Chetowä—"The Mourning Sage" and Togira Ikonoka - "The Cripple Who Is Whole."
Glaedr is the oldest dragon in the trilogy, senior even to Galbatorix's black dragon Shruikan. He is three times larger than Saphira, the main character's dragon. Like his Rider, Glaedr is disabled——his left foreleg is nothing but a white stump in place. Glaedr and Oromis live in Du Weldenvarden, a forest in the north of Alagaesia, the world in which the trilogy takes place. The two hid during The Fall when the dragon riders and dragons were being killed by a rebellious rider named Galbatorix, for if Glaedr and Oromis had died before one of the remaining dragon eggs had hatched, then there would be no one left to pass on the secrets to the new Rider.
Oromis and Glaedr tutored the young riders Morzan and Brom.
[edit] Role
In Eldest, Glaedr becomes Saphira's teacher and the object of her affections. Oromis trains Saphira's Rider, Eragon. Saphira thinks that Glaedr will be her mate, but he rejects her. In this, Glaedr and Saphira have a fight which Saphira starts by scratching Glaedr in the right forleg. Glaedr respondes by biting Saphira in the thigh. Glaedr believes that the young female is meant for one of the unhatched dragon eggs. Later, on Eragon's advice, Saphira apologizes to Glaedr.
[edit] Role in the Inheritance Trilogy
In the events of the Inheritance Trilogy, there are Dragons on each side of the war - Galbatorix houses one green unhatched Dragon egg and his own Dragon, Shruikan; under Galbatorix's control is Murtagh and his dragon Thorn. Fighting against Galbatorix for the Varden is Eragon and his dragon Saphira, the last female dragon. Another Dragon is Glaedr, who is the Dragon of Oromis, the oldest remaining Rider, who is an Elf.
So far, the only dragon colors known are green (new dragon-unknown rider), blue (Saphira - Eragon, Brom), red (Thorn - Murtagh) and, we can assume Morzan since riders swords are the same color as their dragon), gold (Glaedr - Oromis), black (Shruikan - Galbatorix), white (Bid'Daum - Eragon the elf), brown (Mentioned by the elf Rhunon andBrom tells Eragon that Miremel was brown), and purple (Mentioned by CP in an interview).
Here is a chart of the known dragons and their riders. Dragons Rider Color
- Unknown / Unknown / Green
- Thorn /Murtagh /Red
- Saphira (2) / Eragon (2) / Blue
- Saphira (1) / Brom / Blue
- Shrukian / Galbatorix /Black
- Glaedr / Oromis /Gold
- Bid'daum /Eragon (1) / White
- Unknown but probaly also named Thorn / Morzan / Red
- lormungr / Unknown / Unknown
- vervada / none / white
The (1) indicates the First Eragon or Saphira- the original rider and Brom's dragon and the (2) indicates the main character Eragon in the first and second book.
Here is a list of all the other known dragons mentioned by Brom in book 1 (Eragon):
- Jura
- Fundor (Who fought the giant sea snake)
- Galzra
- Briam
- Ohen the Strong
- Gretiem
- Beroan
- Roslarb
- Vanilor (male)
- Eridor (male)
- Ingothold (male)
- Miremel (female, brown dragon)
- Opheila (female)
- Lenora (female)
Saphira's parents were Iormunger and Vervada. Iormunger was a rider's dragon but Vervada was a wild female dragon who only gave 1 egg to the riders.
| Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Trilogy | |
|---|---|
| Books | Eragon | Eldest | Book 3 |
| Films | Eragon |
| Games | Eragon |
| Main Characters | Eragon | Brom | Arya | Galbatorix | Murtagh | Roran | Durza | Ajihad | Nasuada | Angela | Saphira | Oromis | more... |
| Places | Alagaësia | Beor Mountains | Ellesméra | Farthen Dûr | Teirm | Inheritance Trilogy locations | more... |
| Events | Blood-Oath Celebration | Battle of the Burning Plains | Battle for Carvahall | Battle under Farthen Dûr | Dagshelgr Invocation | The Fall |
After The Fall, Galbatorix took over Vroengard and the Island of the Riders became a part of his Empire.
[edit] Training
The bond with the Dragons gave Riders a strong ability to use magic, as well as enhanced physical abilities. These abilities were developed by extensive training to make Riders some of most powerful mages and swordsmen of the land.
When a young person was bound to a dragon hatchling, the Riders took them to the Elvish capital of Ilirea (now the corrupt capital of Galbatorix) where retired Riders trained two students together. In these classes, the senior Rider's dragon would sometimes take the young dragons and train them in aerial maneuvers (especially those used in battle), building stamina for long distance flights, how to build their speed and increase their acceleration, and they were also taught extensively in dragonlore and the ancient language. It was mandatory for Rider and dragon to share their lessons - by keeping their minds connected they could listen in on each others lessons and learn. For example, if a young dragon was being taught how to spot updrafts, and his Rider was being taught art, the two were required to maintain their mental connection so that the Rider would learn about updrafts and the dragon would learn about art. After class, the senior Rider would test the young dragon on art and the senior dragon would test the young Rider on updrafts to make sure each had been following the other's lesson. Both the senior dragon and the senior Rider were addressed by their students as 'Master' or "Ebrithil'.
Young Riders and dragons were put through strict regimens of physical and mental exercises until their masters thought them to be responsible enough to handle the magic. No Rider knew about their magic until then. If they did accidentally "find" it, they were whisked away for private tutoring. All riders happened to be able to use magic, though some did not realise their powers for their entire life.
The formal training of a Rider and dragon traditionally took decades, and the Dragon Riders continued to hone their skills throughout their lives.
[edit] Dragon Riders' Swords
The sword of a Dragon Rider is eternally sharp, never dulls, never scratches, and is unbreakable. The sword is extremely heavy to all but the Riders. The jewels served a dual purpose: apart from complementing the dragon, they could serve as reserves of power to be used in time of great need. Only the most perfect jewels were chosen, because they could hold the largest stores of powerful magical energy. The swords would also bear the crest of the Rider who owned it (ex. Zar'roc's "Misery" symbol.)
Rhunon, one of the oldest elves in Ellesmera, is a master blacksmith and for millennia she was known as the undisputed expert in her field. Rhunon forged all of the Riders' swords and was responsible for the jewels and spells as well. After The Fall, Rhunon took an oath never to create such powerful weapons of destruction, and never forged another Dragon Rider sword. She was embittered by the way Galbatorix destroyed her swords as he killed the Riders, swords that she had taken great time, energy and care to create. Of her masterpiece swords, only five are still in existence: Oromis's gold sword Naegling, Galbatorix's sword (presumably the color of Galbatorix's old, dead dragon and not the black Shruikan), Morzan's Zar'roc (a ruby blade that once belonged to Morzan, and is taken by Brom, then given to Eragon, and finally taken by Murtagh),and two other Riders' swords that have been hidden by two elf families that saved them from Galbatorix.
[edit] Notable Dragon Riders
- 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 Elfish 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 sapphire Dragon was the original Saphira after whom Eragon's Saphira is named. Galbatorix had Brom's Dragon murdered before his own eyes, which nearly drove Brom insane. Vowing vengeance, he orchestrated the deaths of many of the Forsworn, personally killing three. He was later killed when trying to protect young Eragon.
- 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 - Named after the first Dragon Rider. He and his Dragon, whose name is Saphira, are the first of the new order of Dragon Riders since Vrael's death over a century ago.He is also known as "shadeslayer". His purpose is to kill Galbatorix.
- Galbatorix - a highly gifted Dragon Rider who was rendered mentally unstable after his Dragon was killed. He stole another Dragon, killed the Riders who refused to serve him, killed the human king Angrenost, and has ruled for centuries ever since. His dragon, Shruikan, was stolen for him by Morzan.
- Irnstad - a Rider of unknown species who is renowned as being one of only three to have survived slaying a Shade, the others being an Elf and Eragon.
- Murtagh - Morzan's eldest son, Eragon's older brother. He was forced into Galbatorix's service against his will, bound by unbreakable magical oaths, before being granted Thorn, a red Dragon.
- Morzan - one of the thirteen Dragon Riders (called the 'Thirteen Forsworn') who allied with Galbatorix and killed the other Dragon Riders. He was Murtagh's father, as well as Eragon's father, and was killed by Brom.
- Oromis - the last of the old order still alive, except for Galbatorix. Oromis and his gold Dragon Glaedr are disabled in different ways, and so cannot fight. Oromis was Morzan's and Brom's tutor, and hid himself during The Fall. Later, he became Eragon and Saphira's tutor, along with Glaedr.
- Vrael - The last leader of the old order of Dragon Riders.He was the only one to have overpowered Galbatorix. He heisitated on the killing blow, taking the chance, Galbatorix killed him.
[edit] External links
- Alagaesia.com Official Inheritance Trilogy website
- Shurtugal.com Inheritance Trilogy fan website
- SaphiraForums.com Inheritance Trilogy fan website
| Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Trilogy | |
|---|---|
| Books | Eragon | Eldest | Book 3 |
| Films | Eragon |
| Games | Eragon |
| Main Characters | Eragon | Brom | Arya | Galbatorix | Murtagh | Roran | Durza | Ajihad | Nasuada | Angela | Saphira | Oromis | more... |
| Places | Alagaësia | Beor Mountains | Ellesméra | Farthen Dûr | Teirm | Inheritance Trilogy locations | more... |
| Events | Blood-Oath Celebration | Battle of the Burning Plains | Battle for Carvahall | Battle under Farthen Dûr | Dagshelgr Invocation | The Fall |
