The Inheritance Almanac
THIS IS A BORZOI BOOK PUBLISHED BY ALFRED A. KNOPF
Text copyright © 2010 by Michael Macauley Jacket/cover art by Ian Miller, copyright © 2009 by Alfred A. Knopf Jacket dragon graphics copyright © 2010 by Shutterstock
Interior art credits:
© Brom: 2.6; Fred Gambino, © Random House: 2.4, 4.3, 25.1; Mitchell Gore: 9.1, 19.6 (t); © Jupiterimages/Siede Preis: parchment main text; Michael Macauley: 1.4; Larry MacDougal, © Random House: 5.1, 5.2; Ian Miller, © Random House: 4.4, 6.4, 6.5, 7.5, 19.2, 19.4, 20.3, 21.2; © John Jude Palencar: 16.1; © Christopher Paolini: 1.2, 1.5, 7.2, 12.1, 20.2; © Kenneth Paolini: 2.1, 2.2, 4.5 (r), 15.1, 19.1 (l); © Random House: vii, 1.1, 1.6, 2.5, 5.3, 7.1, 12.5, 15.2, 18.3, 20.1, 22.1; © Shutterstock/Bitanga87: 6.1; © Shutterstock/Sascha Burkard: 1.7; © Shutterstock/Chapelle: 12.3 (l); © Shutterstock/Paula Cobleigh: 6.2 (r); © Shutterstock/Shchipkova Elena: 23.1; © Shutterstock/David Gn: 19.7 (b); © Shutterstock/Matt Hart: 7.3; © Shutterstock/Nataliya Hora: 1.3; © Shutterstock/Eric Isselée: 2.3; © Shutterstock/Jklingebiel: 19.3, 21.3; © Shutterstock/Jeffrey T. Kreulen: 21.1; © Shutterstock/Jaan-Martin Kuusmann: 4.6 (l); © Shutterstock/loriklaszlo: parchment introduction; © Shutterstock/S.R. Maglione: 4.2; © Shutterstock/Mike Norton: 8.1; © Shutterstock/Randy Miamontez: 18.1; © Shutterstock/Nebojsa I: 18.2; © Shutterstock/Mark William Penny: 8.2; © Shutterstock/pirita: 19.5; © Shutterstock/PZDesigns: 19.1 (r); © Shutterstock/Pushkin: dragon chapter headers; © Shutterstock/Alexander Ryabintsev: 4.1; © Shutterstock/Lori N Skeen: 7.4; © Shutterstock/Sergio Snitzler: 3.1; © Shutterstock/Christophe Testi: 12.3 (c); © Shutterstock/thoron: 12.4 (r); © Shutterstock/ultimathule: 12.2; © Shutterstock/vblinov: 6.3 (l)
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eISBN: 978-0-375-89684-2
October 2010
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v3.1
Contents
A Word from Michael
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z
Appendix
Kvetha Fricaya!
In 1998, a young Christopher Paolini sat down in his home in Montana, pen and paper in hand, to embark upon what would become a great and unique adventure: the creation of Eragon. A worldwide fantasy phenomenon, the Inheritance cycle has sparked millions of copies in dozens of languages across the globe, a movie adaptation, video games, merchandise, and more. However, the young author’s success was far from instant. For the better part of a year, at the age of fifteen, Christopher pored over outlines, notes, and pages of his story, weaving characters and conflict into the tales that we have come to appreciate and enjoy. Shortly after the completion of the first draft of Eragon, he chose to show the story to his family. They were immediately captivated by the magic and creativity of the tale and began discussing ways to share his adventure with the world. Confident that Christopher’s story would find an audience in Montana and beyond, the family planned to self-publish the book through their small company. Together, the Paolinis spent months editing the manuscript and preparing the book for print before finally launching a promotional tour that would put Christopher in front of crowds of readers looking to get their hands on a new, enthralling tale of action and adventure.
After months of hard work and travel spreading word of the book that they so fervently believed in, a self-published copy of Eragon made its way into the hands of editors at Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers. Renowned author Carl Hiaasen recommended the book to his editors at Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers after his stepson purchased and gobbled up a copy during a trip to Montana. Acquisition of publication rights for the entire series—then a proposed trilogy—quickly followed Knopf’s initial interest, and the journey of Christopher Paolini, international bestselling fantasy author, had begun. Over a decade later, the first three books in the Inheritance cycle have permeated cultures and spanned continents.
Christopher Paolini’s achievements as a young author in the often-challenging world of publishing have been a continuing source of inspiration to his readers and have shown aspiring young authors that creating works of their own is an entirely accomplishable goal with the right amount of creativity and effort. Inspired by the Paolini family’s hands-on approach to self-publishing and marketing, fans and their families began publishing their own books, harnessing the Internet to spread the word. Other fans have chosen alternate routes online, using fan-fiction and story-sharing websites to tell their own tales, whether they take place in the Inheritance universe or in an entirely new world.
“It’s overwhelming. I feel as if I am living in an illusion, a dream where all things are possible. Amazing things do happen, I know, but always to someone else, always in some far-off place and time.”
—Eragon
Like Christopher, I began my journey through the Inheritance world as a fifteen-year-old seeking a creative project to occupy my time over an uneventful winter break. I had recently read Eragon, then still a new book on the shelves of our local bookstore, and was fascinated with both the tale he wrote and the story behind it. My interest in websites and fan communities led to my decision to create the first website for Inheritance fans—Shurtugal.com. I worked for weeks to build a centralized storehouse of information on the series, establishing a community for those who wished to join in discussing the books and creating a portal for news on the series’ latest developments. Over the next six years, I matured alongside the Inheritance cycle: I traveled around the world to report on the cycle and represent its fans; spent long days and even longer nights scouring the Internet for news; dissected the books for theories; led discussions into Inheritance’s past, present, and future; and most importantly, had the opportunity to work closely with the people who made the entire series possible. My work at the heart of the Inheritance community over the past decade has given me a perspective that few fans have had the chance to experience. Recognizing this as an adventure that all readers would want to share in, I set out to use my knowledge and resources to create an almanac that would entertain, inform, and excite fans. The result of my experiences, efforts, and love for the world of Alagaësia is The Inheritance Almanac, a comprehensive look at both the important and overlooked characters, landmarks, events, and conflicts of the Inheritance cycle.
“Oaths betrayed, souls killed, eggs shattered! Blood everywhere. Murderers!”
—Saphira
The Inheritance cycle is a fusion of action and adventure, love and loathing, victory and defeat; it is a journey through the trials and triumphs of Eragon Shadeslayer and his companion, Saphira Brightscales, who together comprise the last free dragon and Rider of Alagaësia. The pair set out to rid their beloved continent of the evil unleashed upon the world after Galbatorix claimed the throne. During their journey, they experience wonders that baffle the mind: mountains greater than our world’s
tallest skyscrapers; monsters thought to dwell only in the dark chasms of nightmares; majestic races of mystery and legend; and conflicts that threaten to rip apart the very fabric of the world. Their discoveries and experiences, allies and enemies, are chronicled in thousands of exquisitely detailed pages. It was clear that collecting and organizing this information to prevent losing it to the dustbins of history would be a task that at one time would have been undertaken by no one but the most devoted monks of Arcaena.
“What wisdom can I give people that they haven’t already learned? What feats can I achieve that an army couldn’t do better? It’s insanity!”
—Eragon
The Inheritance Almanac is a compendium of knowledge and information, from the known to the unknown, the serious to the absurd, detailing the expansive history of Alagaësia. This tome enables Inheritance adventurers to refresh their memories while exploring such topics as Murtagh and the battalions of soldiers who cannot feel pain. Readers will uncover the mysteries of the Eldunarí, the heavily guarded secret of the dragon race; journey through the ruins of Edur Ithindra, one of Alagaësia’s most ancient elf outposts; conquer the treacherous Spine mountain range; and roam the harsh and unforgiving Hadarac Desert. The Almanac will answer many readers’ questions, rekindle distant memories, and inspire new ways of interpreting the cycle’s contents.
Fantasy sleuths and Inheritance fanatics will immediately recognize Christopher’s homages to fantasy and science-fiction works that have inspired and entertained him scattered throughout the Almanac. These hidden gems have provided dedicated fans with a “mini-game” of hunting down Christopher’s latest references, from the obvious, such as the dwarf king Hrothgar, a direct allusion to Hrothgar, ruler of Denmark in the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowolf, to trickier references, including the “lonely god,” a modern-day reference to the British science-fiction television show Doctor Who. And there are real-world character and location inspirations, such as Christopher’s sister, Angela, whose personality provided the basis for Angela the herbalist, and his home amid the picturesque Montana landscape, which inspired much of Palancar Valley’s beauty.
Whether you are a fan of many years or a new reader just beginning your journey through the Inheritance cycle, the Almanac will serve as a trusty companion while you experience Alagaësia in its full measure of glory. So brace yourself, for turning the page will begin an epic adventure through a collection of knowledge and information on par with the renowned historical volumes of the Arcaena monks. You are about to delve into Alagaësia’s most elusive depths.
Atra esterní ono thelduin,
Mor’ranr lífa unin hjarta onr,
Un du evarínya ono varda.
“And now for the greatest adventure of all.”
— Brom
Michael Macauley
October 2010
CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI (LEFT) AND MICHAEL MACAULEY
In southern Alagaësia, in the pastoral countryside, stands Aberon, the walled capital city of Surda, the free nation of human beings. The heart of Aberon is Borromeo Castle, where King Orrin and the royal family live and rule in defiance of King Galbatorix and the Empire. Orrin’s government has played a key role in the uprising, forging a working alliance with the Varden (the major resistance group to the Empire) and providing sanctuary for refugees and opposition leaders.
Borromeo Castle is an austere edifice reflecting the spartan reality of wartime and has heartened Orrin’s countrymen, as it embodies the government’s serious focus in this time of crisis. The exigency of wartime can be seen in Borromeo’s fortifications: three rings of stone walls, with numerous lookout towers atop each, and hundreds of ballistae ready to unleash offensive firepower. Orrin’s one indulgence is the laboratory he maintains within the castle walls, where he pursues his scientific interests.
The name of one of two lovers from the song “Du Silbena Datia.” The other is Nuada.
The woman celebrated in the song “Sweet Aethrid o’ Dauth.”
SEE EDEL.
According to the dwarven calendar, “After Creation” (AC) marks recorded history from when the god Helzvog formed the first dwarves. Major historic events based on this calendar include
5217 AC: The date elves are believed to have landed in Alagaësia near the site of present-day Teirm.
5291–5296 AC: The seminal struggle between dragons and elves. This conflict is referred to as Du Fyrn Skulblaka in the ancient language (the Dragon War).
5296 AC: The Dragon Riders are born of the peace pact between dragons and elves.
5596 AC: The first humans, known as the Broddrings, appear on the Surdan coast. After trading with dwarves, they disappear back whence they came. Human beings return in 7203 AC and establish permanent settlements.
7206 AC: Dragon Riders widen the pact between dragons and elves to include human Riders.
7886 AC: The Dragon Rider Galbatorix begins his bloody rise to power in Alagaësia.
7896–7900 AC: The period known as the Fall of the Dragon Riders, which culminates in the death of Rider leader Vrael and victory over the Broddring nation, whereupon Galbatorix declares himself king.
7900–7903 AC: The Varden, a rebel alliance, is founded by humans to fight Galbatorix’s Empire while other humans form the independent state of Surda.
7903 AC: The year in which Jeod Longshanks and Brom, last of the Dragon Riders, rescue a dragon egg from Galbatorix. The egg subsequently hatches into Saphira, the dragon raised by Eragon, a fifteen-year-old human dwelling in the village of Carvahall in Palancar Valley.
This elven festivity, whose name means “Blood-oath Celebration,” is held once every century to honor the sacred pact that ended the war between dragons and elves and formed the Dragon Riders. Held around the Menoa tree in the heart of the Du Weldenvarden forest, this joyous three-day festival is marked by music, dancing, and feasting. A highlight of the celebration is a renewal of the bond between dragons and Riders. It is performed by the Caretakers, two ancient elves who wield the combined power of every dragon in Alagaësia and can bestow this energy upon a chosen one—most recently, Eragon.
The elven Dragon Rider Oromis warned Eragon to be on his guard during the Agaetí Blödhren, explaining that even elves can go mad—“wonderfully, gloriously mad, but mad all the same.” Eragon and Saphira indeed found themselves drawn into what Oromis called “the web of our magic.” The celebration passed like a dream, with Eragon lulled by songs and dancing, strange sights of animals drawn out of the woods, and elves perched on the Menoa tree, which seemed to sway to the energy pulsating around it.
It is a tradition that everyone share a poem, song, or piece of art at the Agaetí Blödhren. On the third day, Eragon and Saphira each did so. Eragon had prepared verse that Queen Islanzadí proclaimed helped them all understand his difficult journey as a Dragon Rider, a work of such distinction she would add it to her great library in Tialdarí Hall. Saphira offered artwork to the elves, a large black stone sculpture bathed in fire that made the rock appear alive.
The ceremony concluded with the Caretakers, Iduna and Nëya, both clad only in their iridescent dragon tattoos, magically conjuring a dragon that touched Eragon’s gedwëy ignasia (a distinctive mark on a Dragon Rider’s palm). Overnight, Eragon experienced the physical transformation a human Rider undergoes over time. Eragon not only came to physically resemble an elf, but he later realized the supernatural dragon had also imparted to him elvish strength and speed.
SEE CARETAKERS AND GEDWËY IGNASIA.
In the history of the dwarf nation, the period during which the great dwarf sculptor Dûrok Ornthrond carved the gigantic gem known as Isidar Mithrim.
A leader of the Varden, the rebel alliance fighting Galbatorix’s Empire. Ajihad and his daughter, Nasuada, joined the Varden shortly after the rebellion was founded. Little is known of their past, although it is believed that father and daughter lived among the nomads of the Hadarac Desert before joining the Varden. From the beginning, Ajihad worked tirelessly for the caus
e and swiftly rose in influence and power. When the Varden leader Deynor died, Ajihad be-came the new leader.
The Urgals, then the enemies of the Varden, honored him with the name Nightstalker, a term of respect, “because of how he hunted [them] in the dark tunnels under the dwarf mountain and because of the color of his hide.” Ajihad fought in many battles against the Empire. Ajihad also welcomed Eragon and Saphira to the Varden sanctuary in Farthen Dûr, telling the young Dragon Rider the Varden were hoping for the best from him, but also giving a warning: “Every-one knows what the Varden want—or the Urgals, or even Galbatorix—but no one knows what you want. And that makes you dangerous, especially to Galbatorix. He fears you because he doesn’t know what you will do next.”
Ajihad showed his mettle as he led his forces against an Urgal army fighting for Galbatorix that had invaded the Varden sanctuary, the great struggle known as the Battle of Farthen Dûr. The Varden won, but even when that fight was over, Ajihad spent three days hunting the remnants of the Urgal army through the ancient tunnels the dwarves had built under Farthen Dûr and throughout the Beor Mountains. Ajihad was among ten men who were returning to the dwarven capital of Tronjheim when a pack of Urgals attacked. Ajihad fought fiercely, killing five Urgals, but fell, mortally wounded. Eragon and the elven princess Arya witnessed this. As Eragon approached and knelt by his commander, he saw the Varden leader’s breastplate hacked open, heard his labored breathing. Ajihad, with his dying breath, asked Eragon to promise not to let the Varden fall into chaos. They were the only hope for resisting Galbatorix, Ajihad said, and had to be kept strong.
Ajihad had ruled for fifteen years. At a meeting to decide the transfer of power, Varden commander Jörmundur recalled that Ajihad had done more than anyone to oppose the Empire, that he had led and won “countless battles against superior forces,” that he had nearly killed Durza, a Shade, and had welcomed the Dragon Rider Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, into the Varden sanctuary. But “a new leader must be chosen, one who will win us even more glory,” Jörmundur declared. The slain leader’s own daughter, Nasuada, was ultimately entrusted with that solemn duty.