The Inheritance Almanac Page 4

  It is a matter of speculation why Brom did not become the Varden’s leader, other than he was too independent and involved in his own endeavors. It was Brom who brought to the Varden the dragon egg that would hatch into Saphira. He negotiated the agreement with the elf queen Islanzadí as to how the dragon egg would be shared between elves and humans as well as training for the next Dragon Rider. Brom chose to live in Carvahall to be near his son, biding his time until the boy reached maturity and hiding his true identity under the guise of a village storyteller.

  It would only be after Brom’s death that Eragon would learn the Dragon Rider was his father, but the old Rider did fulfill his dream of initiating Eragon’s training. Brom shared the history of the Riders and introduced him to the subtle magic of the ancient language and the clashing steel of combat swordsmanship. It was while trying to protect Eragon from the Ra’zac that Brom met his death.

  Before the Siege of Feinster, Eragon finally learned the secrets of his parentage from the Rider Oromis and the dragon Glaedr. Saphira, who also knew the secret, gave Eragon the gift of a memory vision Brom left with her, which spoke of many things and left his son with the advice that Eragon protect his loved ones and that, if Galbatorix still lived, there would be no peace for Eragon and Saphira until the tyrant’s death.

  SEE BROM’S TOMB.

  BROM IS NAMED AFTER AN AMERICAN FANTASY ARTIST.

  Upon Brom’s death at the hands of the Ra’zac—during the fight in which Brom saved Eragon’s life—Eragon used magic to erect a sandstone tomb not far from the Empire city of Dras-Leona. What Eragon built from stone, Saphira then transformed into diamond, forever keeping Brom’s mortal remains in a pristine state untouched by decay. Brom’s old friend Jeod Longshanks complimented Eragon and Saphira, saying they had made a tomb even a dwarf king would envy, but he cautioned that vandals might try to extract the diamond. Eragon decided he would one day return and place magic spells around Brom’s resting place to protect it from grave robbers.

  One of the horses belonging to Garrow of Carvahall.

  This small town on the western side of the Ramr River is the closest settlement to the Hadarac Desert.

  This large dwarf city is near the northern edge of the Beor Mountains, in proximity to the Hadarac Desert.

  Situated where the border of Surda meets the eastern stretch of the Jiet River, this large area of peat deposits was once accidentally set aflame by dragons during a battle between the Riders and the Forsworn. Ever since, the plain has been burning and blackening the skies with smoke and toxic fumes, rendering the land uninhabitable. The ancient language name for the Burning Plains is Du Völlar Eldrvarya.

  SEE BATTLE OF THE BURNING PLAINS.

  THE BURNING PLAINS ARE BASED ON THE REAL PHENOMENON OF SUBTERRANEAN DEPOSITS OF COAL OR PEAT THAT CAN SMOLDER FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

  The husband of Felda, father of several children, and a popular citizen of Carvahall. During the Empire’s siege, Byrd stood watch for soldiers attempting to sneak into Carvahall during nightfall. While on watch, he was ambushed and killed by the traitorous Sloan. Byrd’s widow eventually accompanied Carvahall refugees on the journey to safe haven in Surda.

  Mandel, Byrd and Felda’s eldest son, also made the journey to Surda but fell in with a bad crowd. After Mandel gambled away the few remaining family valuables, Felda sought Roran’s help. Roran, the leader of the refugees, wisely engaged Mandel in constructive tasks, making him his personal messenger and a watch-man for the villagers, which helped the restless youth become a responsible member of the community.

  The horse that Brom bought for Eragon from the dealer Haberth in Therins-ford as they fled from Carvahall. Eragon named the horse Cadoc after his grandfather, Garrow and Selena’s father.

  THE NAME CADOC IS KODAK SPELLED BACKWARD BUT WITH C’S.

  A small village within the Empire’s territory that Galbatorix ordered destroyed for allegedly harboring traitors. Galbatorix directed Murtagh, son of Morzan, to oversee the village’s destruction. When Murtagh heard that the villagers would not be offered amnesty, he tried to escape the Empire. The village was nonetheless razed, with no survivors left behind.

  The favored plant for pipe smoking among the races of Alagaësia. Smoking cardus weed was a pastime popularized by the dwarves.

  Maintaining the sacred bond between dragons and their Riders are the Caretakers, Iduna and Nëya, two beautiful and nearly identical female elves who embody the exalted values of the Riders. The pair look so much alike that they can only be distinguished by their hair—one has black hair, the other silver. Their bodies are covered with rainbow-colored tattoos that, when they stand together, form a dragon. Once a century, the Caretakers perform the ritual of the Agaetí Blödhren to honor and renew the ancient pact. During the most recent celebration, the Caretakers sanctified Eragon, granting him the grace and physical skills of an adult elf and hastening the transformation that would normally take years for a human Rider. This gift from the dragons was deemed vital in helping Eragon bring freedom and justice to Alagaësia.

  A thin, nervous Varden magician who became both a trusted friend and spell-caster for Roran when Roran came under the command of the Varden’s Martland Redbeard. Although Carn struggles to cast his spells, his greatest strength is his ability to worm his way into opponents’ minds.

  SEE DURZA.

  A village, nestled in Palancar Valley amid the Spine, whose economy included surrounding farms. The village’s natural isolation forced the townspeople to be self-sufficient. Residents of historic interest include Brom and Eragon, and it was here that the dragon egg bearing Saphira hatched under Eragon’s protection.

  Carvahall finally came under attack from the Ra’zac and Galbatorix’s soldiers. The townspeople bravely resisted, forming a militia and constructing defenses along its borders. Although the villagers repelled a number of attacks, it became clear they couldn’t withstand the siege forever. Many villagers banded together and escaped to the safety of Surda. Carvahall was finally destroyed by the Empire soldiers, and anyone who remained is believed to have been executed.

  The elven castle within the ancient city of Ilirea, now known as Urû’baen, capital of Galbatorix’s Empire.

  SEE GALBATORIX, ILIREA, AND URÛ’BAEN.

  A farmer on Nost Creek in the valley outside Carvahall. Cawley’s farm was intended as a refuge for Carvahall children during the Empire’s attack, but a blockade of soldiers and the arrival of Ra’zac shattered that plan. Farmer Cawley’s fate is unknown.

  One of the most stunning architectural structures of the dwarf nation and its greatest temple. Celbedeil is situated atop the terraced surface city of Tarnag. Its walls are speckled with gems of every color and covered by ivy vines, and it’s replete with statuary depicting dwarven gods and mythic battles between monsters and deities. An ethereal aroma of flowers and incense pervades the temple. Also noteworthy is a famed temple mural—made of carved plates of marble that were fired and fitted into a seamless whole—that depicts key historic events, including the race’s exodus out of the Hadarac Desert to the Beor Mountains, the carving of Isidar Mithrim, the first meeting with the elves, the war between dragons and elves that shook the land, and the coronation of dwarf kings.

  SEE TARNAG.

  An elf from Ceris.

  An elf king, the subject of a poem included in the Domia abr Wyrda.

  A small elven outpost for sentinels. Ceris is stationed along the eastern edge of Du Weldenvarden, near the Edda River.

  A human city, formerly under control of the Empire, at the western border of Du Weldenvarden. When the elves officially joined the war against Galbatorix, Ceunon was the first city they aimed to conquer. The people of Ceunon had earned the elves’ wrath for sneaking into Du Weldenvarden to cut down the sacred trees, using the timber to construct weapons of war for Galbatorix’s army. Lord Tarrant, ruler of Ceunon, barricaded himself in a fortified tower when the city was attacked and taken by the elven army. At present, Ceunon remains under e
lven control.

  SEE INGOTHOLD.

  Situated along the northern border of Surda and one of that kingdom’s five major cities.

  SEE TRONJHEIM.

  The name for the gathering of dwarf clans, during which the new ruler of the nation is chosen. The selection of a new ruler is announced with the drumbeat of the Drums of Derva.

  A stout, bearded fisherman from Narda and owner of the barges Merrybell, Edeline, and Red Boar. Clovis was deceived by Roran into sailing Carvahall villagers from Narda to Teirm. Despite realizing he had been tricked, Clovis kept his bargain and helped the villagers make it to Teirm.

  SEE NUALA.

  An advisory group to the elected Varden leader, which also contributes to the running of the government. After Ajihad’s death, the Council of Elders hoped to install his daughter, Nasuada, as a puppet leader whom they could control. Eragon, however, undermined the council when he publicly swore his fealty to Nasuada herself, not to the Varden (and thus not to the council). Jörmundur, Ajihad’s second in command, is on the Council of Elders. Other members include Elessari, one of the oldest members of the original Varden movement, who has grown corrupt during her long tenure; Falberd, renowned for both his arrogance and devious ways; Umérth, who uses his power solely to advance his personal agenda; and Sabrae, a cunning political strategist who is often clumsy, though, in her attempted manipulations of others.

  This majestic mass of rocks near Ellesméra was once the refuge of the Rider Oromis and his dragon, Glaedr. During his training, Eragon and Saphira spent much time here under the tutelage of Oromis and Glaedr.

  SEE OROMIS AND GLAEDR.

  SEE OROMIS AND GLAEDR.

  The myth that warriors will be cursed if they win renown in battle with any weapon other than their own named weapons. The Varden weapon master, Fredric, mentioned this curse to Eragon when the Rider came to him for a sword after the loss of Zar’roc to Murtagh.

  An elven rite of spring designed to ensure the health and fertility of the forest. All across Du Weldenvarden, elves sing to the trees, other plants, and the forest creatures. The rite’s alluring spells can be dangerous for mortals. “Without us, Du Weldenvarden would be half its size,” Arya has noted of the magical union elves have with their forest realm.

  SEE Du WELDENVARDEN.

  A Surdan, son of Kedar and seneschal to King Orrin. Dahwar’s duties include serving in King Orrin’s stead when the king is away on official business.

  A large dwarf city within the heart of the Beor Mountains. On an infamous note, Dalgon was where much of the planning was conducted for the ambush of Eragon and his guard at Farthen Dûr.

  An old friend of Arya, this beautiful female elf is captain of the guard in Sílthrim.

  SEE RIMGAR.

  A small, ominous-looking village in the Empire situated by the Ninor River. Daret is under constant siege by various raiders, including packs of Urgals. The resistance in the besieged riverfront town is led by Trevor, a veteran warrior and strategist and a former soldier in Galbatorix’s army. Brom and Eragon won over the suspicious Trevor and purchased supplies in Daret during their journey in search of the Ra’zac.

  SEE HELGRIND.

  A tall, lithe, silver-haired elf lord and advisor to Queen Islanzadí and friend to the queen’s daughter, Arya. A respected member of the elven government and a formidable warrior, Däthedr is usually at the queen’s side during official functions, government meetings, and war councils.

  A Surdan port along the southwestern coast of Alagaësia and home to a number of famed artisans of the Wandering Tribes. When the villagers from Carvahall fled the Empire because of the attacks on their homes, they found safe haven in Dauth, where Lady Alarice offered them aid and refuge.

  A powerful Urgal shaman and member of the Bolvek tribe. Dazhgra’s powers include control over elemental forces, and his skills are considered superior to those of most Varden magicians.

  An epic of the elves. It was among the numerous materials Oromis gave to Eragon in Ellesméra.

  Dwarves who cannot abide the surface world and choose to live deep underground. Most deep dwellers prefer to live below Farthen Dûr and Tronjheim, as they can come out and still feel underground, surrounded as they are by the volcanic hollow where the capital city stands.

  The elf queen who preceded Evandar. It was Queen Dellanir who had the wisdom to ensure that Dragon Riders were autonomous from any monarch or kingdom and that they have access to the wonders of Du Weldenvarden.

  SEE DRAGON RIDERS.

  A form of gold nodule found in the Beor Mountains. Delva is so prized by the dwarves that the word itself is used as a term of endearment.

  A farmer in Carvahall and the husband of Lenna. During the Empire’s invasion, Delwin proved himself a capable watchman and fighter, contributing to the planning of the village defenses and personally killing several Empire soldiers. Lenna was an early supporter of evacuating Carvahall in order to spare as many lives as possible. Elmund, the couple’s ten-year-old son and the youngest of their six children, was slain during the siege.

  A friendly miller in Therinsford who apprenticed Roran.

  The father of the dwarf clan chief Ûndin.

  A soldier in the Empire’s army who was quick to gossip about Galbatorix’s troop placements and other sensitive matters.

  Ajihad’s predecessor as Varden leader. The Dragon Rider Brom, while in hiding from Galbatorix, made a secret trip to the Varden refuge in Farthen Dûr to reveal to Deynor that he was still alive. It was also Deynor who allowed the spellcasters the Twins to join the Varden—a decision that proved disastrous when the pair ultimately revealed themselves to be traitors and agents of the Empire.

  A book by Heslant the Monk; the title translates as Dominance of Fate. Considered the most complete history of Alagaësia, the work was banned by Galbatorix, who declared it blasphemy and ordered the author’s execution. Gal-batorix’s destruction of copies of the book, and the obvious risk it holds for any-one owning it, makes this among the rarest books in Alagaësia. Eragon received a copy as a gift from Jeod, which he cherished.

  SEE ARCAENA AND JEOD.

  The tenth dwarf king.

  A Varden spy stationed within the key Empire city of Gil’ead. Dormnad’s ability to blend in with the local populace made him privy to gossip about the movement of Galbatorix’s troops. At one point, Eragon was referred to Dormnad to learn the location of the Varden’s sanctuary.

  The capital city of the Dragon Riders shortly after their secession from elven influence.

  SEE VRAEL AND VROENGARD.

  Millennia before the arrival of humans and Urgals, the conflicts of Alagaësia centered on the newly arrived elf race and the dragons, the continent’s most ancient race. The turning point in the war between dragons and elves came when a young elf named Eragon discovered an abandoned dragon egg. Eragon bonded with the hatchling, Bid’Daum, and they became ambassadors between their races. Not only was peace ultimately achieved, but Eragon and Bid’Daum became the first Dragon Riders, the knightly lineage that would commemorate the peace pact as guardians of peace and security. Once the exclusive province of dragons and elves, this pact would later include humans. Dwarves, because of their natural suspicion of others, did not even request to be part of the brotherhood of Dragon Riders.

  It is believed by some that the Riders’ autonomy, assured by Queen Dellanir, bore the seeds of their eventual fall (which, however, came thousands of years later). Certainly the fall finally came from one of their own. The Dragon Rider Galbatorix, distraught at the death of his dragon, felt betrayed when he was denied a new dragon. The grieving Rider plotted vengeance and corrupted other Riders, the so-called Thirteen Forsworn, who joined his cause and began the war that led to the Fall of the Dragon Riders.

  Mentored by the Dragon Rider Brom, Eragon represents a new generation of Riders, the first in over a hundred years. As with all Riders, Eragon and his dragon communicate telepathically.

  SEE FORSWORN, GALBATORIX, INDLV
ARN, AND TUATHA DU OROTHRIM.