The Fall (Inheritance)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fall, or "The Downfall," is the name used for the overthrowing of the old order of Dragon Riders and the creation of Galbatorix's Empire in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Background
During the prosperous time of the Dragon Riders, a student named Galbatorix proved himself to be exceptionally talented, but Galbatorix was also vain. He camped in The Spine, a mysterious mountain range in Alagaesia, with two other young Riders and their dragons. They were ambushed in their sleep by Urgals. Galbatorix was the only survivor. Driven mad by the loss of his partner Dragon, Galbatorix came close to death, but eventually found his way back to Vroengard. He demanded that the ruling council of the Dragon Riders grant him a new Dragon. His pleas fell on deaf ears, as the council saw that his mind had been affected by his Dragon's death. Granting him a new dragon would also break tradition by violating the magical bond between riders and their dragons. Angered at being denied another egg, Galbatorix sought to take his revenge on the Dragon Riders and thus get his wish. Using magic he learned from a Shade, he convinced a sympathetic Dragon Rider to kill an Elder of the Dragon Riders. Galbatorix then turned on his ally and killed him. After this, Galbatorix convinced Morzan, an immoral and weak-minded Rider to aid him in his quest to destroy the Dragon Riders. Most Dragon Riders were killed, but hope remained.
[edit] Shruikan
Together, Galbatorix and Morzan slew the rightful Rider of a black dragon, Shruikan, and twisted Shruikan's mind by powerful magic, forcing him to serve Galbatorix. It was a perverted and weak version of the bond between a normal Rider and his dragon; consequently, there was no real love or loyalty between the black dragon and his new Rider. At any rate, the bond sufficed to Galbatorix's purposes.
[edit] The Forsworn
Galbatorix then enlisted the help of twelve more Riders, each lured by the promise of power, their minds already corrupt and their dragons cruel and power-hungry. These minions became known as the Forsworn. Together, this twisted band fought the true Riders. Galbatorix won the duels against the riders because he was excellent at breaking other people's minds. Only Vrael, last leader of the Riders, had the power to resist Galbatorix and the Forsworn, although he was wounded in their first encounter. He fled to Utgard Mountain to recover. The elves took a last stand against Galbatorix on the plains of Ilirea (soon to be called Urû'baen) but they fell and their king, Evandar, was slain. Galbatorix then found Vrael and beheaded him. Then Galbatorix became emperor of Alagaësia.
[edit] Creation of the Empire
Galbatorix slew the king of the Broddring Kingdom, the second human kingdom set up after the exile of Alagaësia's first human king, King Palancar. Seizing all power for himself, he established a new order, known as the Empire. The Empire became the dominant power in Alagaesia, stretching from the west coast eastward to the Hadarac Desert, south to Surda and north as far as the known world went.
Technically the Broddring Kingdom still exists, but it is "little more than a name on royal decrees". In fact, many humans are unaware that it ever existed.
From Galbatorix's enlistement of Morzan to the creation of the Empire the conflict lasted 80 years
[edit] Name
The name of The Fall is probably the event of the same name in the Bible in which certain Angels joined the Devil out of pride and greed (the same way certain Dragon Riders joined Galbatorix for the same reasons) and fell from grace becoming Demons.
[edit] Rebellion
[edit] The Varden
While many supported the new Empire, many more opposed it, though few were willing to do so openly. In the south, a band of humans fought to create the independent province known as Surda. Brom, one of the last Riders, devastated by Morzan's betrayal of the Riders and the death of his own dragon Saphira, formed a group of rebels called the Varden to oppose Galbatorix and achieve vengeance on Morzan, whom Brom now held personally responsible for the death of Vrael. In the confusion following Galbatorix's campaign, the Varden managed to do a good deal of damage.
[edit] Recovery of the Egg
Brom's fervor led him to a scholar named Jeod Longshanks, who claimed to have discovered a passage into Urû'baen, where the last three dragon eggs were kept. The Varden sent their best man to retrieve the eggs, but the mission went awry and the thief managed to retrieve only one egg. With it, he traveled to Gil'ead.
Brom and Jeod raced against the Forsworn and the Ra'zac for the egg. Brom personally killed Morzan and three other Forsworn, as well as causing the deaths of five others. In the confusion, Jeod and Brom were separated. Brom stumbled into a room full of crates and boxes started searching and found the egg. With no time to search for Jeod, he disguised himself and left.
[edit] Afterward
After this venture, the elves withdrew to Du Weldenvarden, a forest in the north of Alagaesia. The Varden took shelter in Farthen Dûr, a hollow mountain in the Beor Mountain Range. Within Farthen Dûr lay Tronjheim, capital city of the Dwarves. The Dwarves, too, had been forced into hiding; they abandoned their surface cities to avoid the Forsworn's devastating attacks.
| 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 |
