|
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 touches 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.
Saphira and Thorn as painted
by John Jude PalencarWhen 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.
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.
After The Fall, Galbatorix took
over Vroengard and the Island of the Riders became a part of his Empire.
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.
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 passed from Morzan
to Brom, then to Eragon and finally to Murtagh), and two other Riders' swords that have been hidden by two elf families that
saved them from Galbatorix.
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. 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.
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. Killed by Galbatorix.
|
 |
|
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, killed Shruikan's true Dragon Rider, and forced the young Dragon to obey him though powerful dark magic. Galbatorix
used his power to become the King of Alagaësia.
The Forsworn were the group
of corrupted Riders used by Galbatorix in his rebellion. The Forsworn 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.
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 sight, 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.
The Dragon Riders also have
the ability to telepathically communicate with their Dragons, as well as beings with a brain, which is especially useful in
battle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
