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 Alagaesia. Smoking cardus weed was a pastime popularized by the dwarves.

Maintaining the sacred bond between dragons and their Riders are the Caretakers, Iduna and Neya, 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 Agaeti Blodhren 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 Alagaesia.

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 Uru'baen, capital of Galbatorix's Empire.

SEE GALBATORIX, ILIREA, AND URU'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 G.o.ds 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 elven 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). Jormundur, 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; Umerth, 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 ma.s.s of rocks near Ellesmera 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 Dur.

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

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 Islanzadi and friend to the queen's daughter, Arya. A respected member of the elven government and a formidable warrior, Dathedr is usually at the queen's side during official functions, government meetings, and war councils.

A Surdan port along the southwestern coast of Alagaesia 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 Ellesmera.

Dwarves who cannot abide the surface world and choose to live deep underground. Most deep dwellers prefer to live below Farthen Dur 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 Undin.

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 Dur 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 t.i.tle translates as Dominance of Fate. Considered the most complete history of Alagaesia, 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 Alagaesia. 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 Alagaesia 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 amba.s.sadors 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, a.s.sured 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, INDLVARN, AND TUATHA DU OROTHRIM.

According to the Varden weapon master, Fredric, every great warrior must wield a sword that has a name, whether given by the warrior or by the bards who sing of the swordsman's exploits. More than a mere weapon, a named sword is the essence of a warrior, making it unthinkable to go into combat with any other weapon. For a Dragon Rider, a named sword has even greater meaning, symbolizing both the individual and the proud lineage of the order. Also, according to the Rider Oromis, all Riders' swords have a jewel in the pommel in which the Rider stores energy. The female elf Rhunon fashioned all the Dragon Rider swords from brightsteel. Her famous swords include the following: Arvindr: One of the few remaining Rider swords within the elves' possession. It is located in the elven city of Nadindel.

Tamerlein: Another of the remaining Riders' swords in the possession of the elves. Imbued with a rich green hue and topped by a large emerald, this sword was made larger than normal and designed to be wielded with two hands. The powerful sword was originally crafted for Arva, the elven Dragon Rider who, when mortally wounded in battle, gave the sword to his sister, Naudra. When Naudra also fell from her own battle wounds, the sword came under the protection of Lord Fiolr of the House Valtharos, who offered the sword to Eragon for use in battle. Eragon, realizing the Tamerlein was a poor fit for him, declined.

Undbitr: The original blue sword of Brom, which was lost in the course of the many battles that marked the downfall of the Riders.

Naegling: The golden and bronze sword of Oromis, Rider of Glaedr, marked at the hilt by a giant golden jewel that stores vast magical energy. The sword, which saw the Rider through many successful battles, was lost after Oromis's death.

Zar'roc: The most infamous Dragon Rider sword. The name means "Misery," and the sword was created for the Dragon Rider Morzan before he became the dark disciple of Galbatorix. The sword is blood-red; the pommel is set with a ruby for storing energy. With Morzan's death, the sword was taken by Brom, who pa.s.sed it on to Eragon. Zar'roc was later taken from Eragon by Murtagh (who had been forced to declare his allegiance to Galbatorix) during the Battle of the Burning Plains.

Brisingr: After the Fall of the Riders, the elf smith Rhunon swore never to forge another Rider sword. Presented with Eragon's plight, however, she circ.u.mvented her oath by guiding Eragon, who fashioned the sword himself. One of its unique (and unintended) magical properties is the ability to burst into a blue flame when Eragon utters the word Brisingr while holding it. This color matches the scales of Eragon's dragon, Saphira. Eragon used it for the first time in the Battle of Feinster.

RIDER SWORDS ARE MADE OF METALLIC GLa.s.s, WHICH IS A REAL SUBSTANCE THAT IS MUCH STRONGER THAN REGULAR STEEL.

The oldest and wisest race to inhabit Alagaesia, dragons are believed to be as old as the continent. In dwarven myth, the brother G.o.ds Urur, G.o.d of the air and heavens, and Morgothal, G.o.d of fire, combined their talents to create the dragon race. Dragons are highly intelligent, fire-breathing creatures (gaining the latter ability at five to six months old), capable of flying great distances. Dragons' scales are shiny as polished gems, and they come in every color of the rainbow. A dragon never stops growing, and a mature dragon's wingspan can easily measure a hundred feet across. Dragons use a powerful, instinctual magic that even they cannot fully predict or control.

The seminal event of dragon history was the Dragon War against the elves. The five-year struggle ended with a peace pact and ushered in the lineage of Dragon Riders who kept the peace for the next 2,600 years.

The bond between a dragon and his or her Rider is immutable; their closeness is typified by their telepathic communication. Although virtually wiped out during Galbatorix's rise to power, dragons live on in their Eldunari, a secret revealed after the Siege of Feinster.

SEE DRAGONS AND RIDERS IN THE APPENDIX. SEE ALSO ELDUNARi.

THE GEMLIKE SCALES OF CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI'S DRAGONS WERE INSPIRED IN PART BY THE IRIDESCENT FEATHERS OF THE HUMMINGBIRD. HUMMINGBIRDS ARE ALSO ONE OF THE FEW CREATURES THAT HAVE COLORS AS PURE AND BRIGHT AS A DRAGON'S.

SEE DU FYRN SKULBLAKA.

Kinnell, a master shipwright, was responsible for the Dragon Wing, one of the finest sailing ships ever built. It was owned by the Blackmoor Shipping Company, a front for the Empire. Bonden, a sailor who a.s.sisted in the theft of this prized sailing ship, joined Jeod Longshanks and other escapees on the journey to Surda.

An a.s.sa.s.sin trained "in the dark uses of magic" whose attempt to kill Nasuada with a metal dart was thwarted by Elva. The short, bearded, plain-looking Drail committed suicide by magic upon his capture by Nasuada's warriors.

SEE BLACK HAND.

A sprawling Empire city on the eastern edge of Leona Lake, infamous for its poverty, flourishing slave trade, and dark religion. Dras-Leona is one of the most poorly planned cities in Alagaesia; the roads leading in are often crowded with farmers bringing their goods to the city market.

An atmosphere of evil pervades Dras-Leona. In fact, the city was built because of its proximity to the rock spires of Helgrind, a few miles to the east. Despite poor city planning and ramshackle neighborhoods, the city defenses are well engineered and include a large wall patrolled by sentries and archers. Dras-Leona's ruler, Lord Marcus Tabor, is a loyal servant of the Empire but has incurred the wrath of Galbatorix.

The most significant structure in Dras-Leona, which can be seen as one approaches the city gates, is a cathedral whose design emulates the vertical spires of Helgrind. Situated in the physical center of the rambling city, the cathedral is the heart of a religion whose pract.i.tioners drink human blood and make flesh offerings. Many of the priests are missing body parts due to their belief that offering up their own flesh makes them less attached to the physical world.

SEE HELGRIND.

A magical phenomenon found in Mani's Caves.

SEE BEOR MOUNTAINS.

SEE CLANMEET.

The mountain range in the Hadarac Desert where wild dragons traditionally mated, raised their young, and pa.s.sed into the void. The name means "The Blasted Mountains."

The first war in Alagaesia's history marked a turning point for all life on the continent. Du Fyrn Skulblaka pitted native dragons against the elves who had migrated to Alagaesia. The war's cause was a tragic misunderstanding-the elves, who are superior hunters, a.s.sumed dragons were wild beasts, not the highly evolved sentient beings they are. When some elves tracked and killed them for sport, the dragons declared war. Both races were equal in cunning and ferocity. Casualties mounted on both sides. Locked in combat, the opponents raced toward mutual extinction, neither gaining an advantage.

The turning point came when a young elf named Eragon discovered a dragon egg and protected it. Eragon and Bid'Daum, the hatchling dragon, became inseparable, and theirs was the first bond between dragons and elves. With the end of the war, the Dragon Riders were formed and charged with maintaining peace and security for all.

King Galbatorix rose to power with the destruction of the Dragon Riders. For dragons, the bitterest betrayal of the great lineage was the thirteen dragons who joined Galbatorix and the Thirteen Forsworn. In retaliation, dragons opposing Galbatorix stripped those renegade dragons of their spoken and true names. This powerful act of magic became known as Du Namar Aurboda, or The Banishing of the Names. The spell was unforgiving-without names, the dragons were without purpose and many were reduced to madness and the brute level of animals.

SEE FORSWORN.

Referring to the dwarf clan, durgrimst literally means "our hall" or "our home."

A powerful dwarf clan known for its skilled smith work. Many kings have come from its ranks, including Hrothgar and Orik. Eragon himself was made an honorary member by Hrothgar, a gesture that bound Eragon to the clan and allows him to attend dwarven councils.

SEE DWARF CLANS IN THE APPENDIX.

In the Dwarvish language, "clan war." It has been two centuries since the last durgrimstvren, although tensions between the clans recently came to the boiling point.

SEE CLANMEET.

The craftsman who devoted his life to shaping the great gemstone sculpture of the dwarf nation, Isidar Mithrim. His name means "Eagle-eye."

A sorcerer whose life story is a tragic example not only of evil begetting evil but also of the deadly risks inherent in the use of magic. Durza began life as Carsaib, a young man who lived with his parents in the empty plains after their tribe called his father an oath breaker and abandoned them. After his parents were murdered by strangers, the distraught youth wandered the desert. He was near death when discovered by the hermit wizard Haeg, who nicknamed him "Desert Rat." Haeg nursed him back to health and trained him in sorcery. When a spell backfired and crippled Haeg, it was his apprentice's turn to care for the ailing hermit. However, not long after his recovery, Haeg was murdered by bandits. Carsaib, seeking revenge, summoned spirits to do his will, but they in turn possessed him, transforming him into Durza the Shade. Durza became a powerful figure in the Empire, second only to his master, Galbatorix.

A tall and powerfully built figure with blood-red hair that contrasted with his translucent skin, Durza was not only a great magician but also a skilled warrior and military leader who was a.s.signed the most vital matters of the Empire. In a rare failure, Durza missed by seconds the chance to regain the dragon egg stolen from Galbatorix, which the elf princess Arya magically transported to the Spine. Although Durza captured and tortured Arya, she did not reveal the whereabouts of the egg or any secrets of the Varden.

The Empire went on the offensive after discovering the Varden sanctuary in Farthen Dur, within the Beor Mountains. Durza used magic to gain control of an army of Urgals that led the attack on the Varden. While in fierce combat with Eragon, Durza was destroyed when a thrust of Eragon's sword pierced his heart, releasing the spirits and ending his reign of terror.