The Inheritance Almanac

By Michael Macauley Edited by Mark Vaz

Christopher Paolini's world of Alagaësia is a magical land, full of mysterious people, objects, and places-one that has captivated millions of fans across the globe. Now, with the Inheritance Fan Book, those fans have a resource in the form of an A-to-Z almanac, where they can find everything they ever wanted to know about this fascinating world. From Arya to Zar'roc, this is an exhaustive encyclopedia about the land of the Inheritance cycle that also offers little-known facts gleaned from dozens of interviews with Christopher Paolini.

Did you know . . .

-that Helgrind, the den of the Raz'ac, is based on a real rock formation?

-that Saphira's blue-tinted vision was inspired by Paolini's own color blindness?

-that the Broddrings are the original humans who traveled to Alagaësia with King Palancar?

A must-have book for every Inheritance fan!

A
ABERON
In southern Alagaesia, 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.
ACALLAMH
The name of one of two lovers from the song "Du Silbena Datia." The other is Nuada.
AETHRID
The woman celebrated in the song "Sweet Aethrid o' Dauth." SEE Edel.
AFTER CREATION (AC)
According to the dwarvish 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 Alagaesia 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 disappeared back whence they came. Human beings returned in 7203 AC and established 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 Alagaesia.
7896-7900 AC: The period known as the Fall of the Dragon Riders, which culminated in the death of Rider leader Vrael and victory over the Broddring nation, whereupon Galbatorix declared 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 hatched into Saphira, the dragon raised by Eragon, a fifteen-year-old human dwelling in the village of Carvahall in Palancar Valley.
AGAETI BLODHREN
This elvish festivity, whose name means "Bloodoath 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 performed by the Caretakers, two ancient elves who wield the combined power of every dragon in Alagaesia and can bestow this energy upon a chosen one--most recently, Eragon.
The elvish Dragon Rider Oromis warned Eragon to be on his guard during the Agaeti Blodhren, 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 Agaeti Blodhren. On the third day, Eragon and Saphira each did so. Eragon had prepared verse that Queen Islanzadi proclaimed helped them all understand his difficult journey as a Dragon Rider, and a work of such distinction she would add it to her great library in Tialdari 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 Neya, both clad only in their iridescent dragon tattoos, magically conjuring a dragon that touched Eragon's gedwey ignasia (a distinctive mark on a Dragon Rider's palm). Overnight, Eragon experienced the physical transformation a human Rider experiences over time. Eragon not only came to physically resemble an elf but later realized the supernatural dragon had also imparted to him elvish strength and speed. SEE Caretakers AND Gedwey Ignasia.
AGE OF HERRAN
In the history of the dwarf nation, the period during which the great dwarf sculptor Durok Ornthrond carved the gigantic gem known as Isidar Mithrim.
AJIHAD
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 cause and swiftly rose in influence and power. When the Varden leader Deynor died, Ajihad became 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 Dur, telling the young Dragon Rider the Varden were hoping for the best from him, but also giving a warning: "Everyone 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 Dur. 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 Dur and throughout the Beor Mountains. Ajihad was among ten men who were returning to the dwarvish capital of Tronjheim when a pack of Urgals attacked. Ajihad fought fiercely, killing five Urgals, but fell, mortally wounded. Eragon and the elvish 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 Jormundur recalled that Ajihad had done more than anyone ever had to oppose the Empire, that he had led and won "countless battles against superior forces," that he 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," Jormundur declared. The slain leader's own daughter, Nasuada, was ultimately entrusted with that solemn duty. SEE Ajihad's tomb.
AJIHAD'S TOMB
In honor of all he had done for the free races of Alagaesia, Ajihad was buried within the great chamber under Farthen Dur where dwarves are entombed. During the funeral procession, Ajihad's body was lain on a white marble bier and carried by six men dressed in armor the color of mourning black. A helm of precious stones was upon Ajihad's head, and he was laid to rest with his mighty sword and shield.
Although Ajihad, being human, could not be buried with dwarves, a special alcove was prepared where the Varden and others could come to pay their respects without disturbing the sacred spaces dedicated to the dwarves. His burial place was past a graveyard of glistening crystal, down into a catacomb of alcoves lit by red lanterns. Above his crypt, this tribute was carved in dwarvish runes:
May all, Knurlan, Humans, and Elves, Remember This Man. For he was Noble, Strong, and Wise. Guntera Aruna
SEE dwarvish burial rites.
ALAGAESIA
The continent of Alagaesia is home to dragons, dwarves, elves, humans, Urgals, and the nomadic tribes and artisans descended from the wandering tribes. Some races have migrated from the legendary land of Alalea, as the elves call this mysterious place of their origins. In addition to the Empire of Galbatorix, which is basically the former cities and territory of the Broddring nation, there is the independent human state of Surda in the southwest.
Geographic features include the western coastal mountain range of the Spine, which includes numerous human settlements; the forest of Du Weldenvarden to the north, the largest forest on the continent and home to the elvish people; the Hadarac Desert, which spreads across much of the land and has traditionally been home to wild dragons; and the Beor Mountains to the south, where the dwarves make their home.
Magic is woven into the land and has even been used to transform the natural world, as the elves have done in the cities they have formed out of the trees and other plant life of Du Weldenvarden. SEE ancient language.
ALALEA
This legendary second continent of the world is shrouded in mystery--even the elves who migrated from this place have not revealed anything about the land of their origins. Much of this mystery is due to the great unknown of what lies across the seas and beyond the horizon. The ancient language word for Alalea is reserved for only the rarest and most important occasions and roughly translates as "a melancholy dream of great beauty."
ALANNA
SEE elf children.

ALARICE, LADY
SEE Dauth.
ALBATROSS
A Nardon ship.
ALBRIECH
One of Horst and Elain's two sons. Albriech and his brother, Baldor, gave valuable help to Roran when the Empire invaded Carvahall and during the villagers' flight to join the Varden. The burly sons also help their father in blacksmithing for the Varden.
ALDEN
SEE Sloan.
ALDHRIM
Dwarf chief of Durgrimst Ingeitum prior to the leadership of Hrothgar, the future dwarf king. SEE Dwarf Clans IN THE APPENDIX.
AMA
One of the guards for the dwarf clan chief Undin.
ANALISIA
The great elf bard. One of Analisia's epics was read by Eragon during his stay in Ellesmera, capital city of the elves.
ANCIENT LANGUAGE
An enduring remnant of Alagaesia's ancient history is the original language of truth and magic created by the indigenous race known as the Grey Folk. Although lost for a time, the ancient language was reintroduced by the elves, a people of innate magical qualities. Because the ancient language is bound to the energy of the world, to speak it is to harness great power. Elvish celebrations where songs are sung in the ancient language create bewitching spells that can be intoxicating to elves but dangerous to humans and other outsiders.
Among its attributes, the ancient language describes the true nature of things, and one cannot directly lie while speaking it. Masters of the ancient language can cast spells and make others do what they want. Although Dragon Riders were traditionally trained in the magical language, even they had to use it correctly, for a mistake could result in unintended consequences, including death. The script itself is composed of forty-two different glyphs, representing different sounds that can be combined in limitless ways to form words and phrases. SEE Liduen Kvaedhi AND magic.
ANGELA THE HERBALIST
In a time when even the most trusted are subjected to intense scrutiny, it is considered a great accomplishment to keep one's past a secret--such an inscrutable figure is Angela the herbalist, a human witch and warrior with a penchant for speaking in riddles and answering questions with questions. In a rare personal revelation, Angela once acknowledged an apprenticeship with the hermit-wizard Tenga, a time she recalled as "unfortunate." It is said she is one of the rare outsiders to have traveled among the elves of Du Weldenvarden before the Fall of the Riders.
What is known about Angela for certain is that she owned the herb and potion shop in the wealthy residential section of the city of Teirm and is often accompanied by Solembum, a shape-shifting werecat. Despite the pair's close companionship, the witch is loathed by the remainder of the werecat race. Angela has curly brown hair and youthful features but is much older than she looks, her youthful appearance and radiant health the result of her herbs and potions. She can read one's future, but usually only those Solembum deems worthy--only five are known to have been so favored, including Eragon and his mother, Selena.
Angela became a freedom fighter when she took up residence among the Varden in their sanctuary of Farthen Dur, and she proved her valor during the Battle of Farthen Dur. During the Battle of the Burning Plains, she snuck behind enemy lines to poison the Empire's soldiers. In addition to her fighting ability, her talent as a healer has aided many wounded Varden. Angela is currently an advisor to Nasuada, the Varden leader and caretaker of Elva.
ANGELA'S HERBAL SHOP
In Teirm, next to the mansion of Jeod Longshanks, is the shop where Angela and her werecat companion, Solembum, once lived and worked, a rustic structure overrun with tangled vines and leaves where a green-tinted light was usually visible from the obscured windows. Angela closed the shop when she made the decision to follow Eragon to the Varden.
ANGRENOST, KING
SEE Broddring Kingdom AND Ilirea.
ANGVARD
The dwarves' personification of Death, also known as the Gray Man.
ANHUIN
The Grimstcarvlorss of a dwarvish clan that was once among the oldest and richest in the dwarf nation, Anhuin volunteered to help Vrael, the leader of the Dragon Riders, fight Galbatorix and his Thirteen Forsworn. It was a disaster--all the clan was slaughtered, except for Anhuin and her guards. The grief-stricken keeper of the clan house died soon after, and the survivors adopted a new clan name--Az Sweldn rak Anhuin, meaning the Tears of Anhuin. The clan bitterly blamed all Dragon Riders and recently declared themselves sworn blood enemies of Eragon and his dragon. It was while Eragon was visiting the dwarvish surface city of Tarnag that a strange dwarf made the clan intentions clear by plucking three hairs from his beard, wrapping them around an iron ring, and disdainfully tossing it in the street and spitting. The bitterness was so extreme that the clan actually violated the Law of Hospitality in an attempt to kill the young Dragon Rider. SEE Tarnag AND Vermund.