A Varden man.

A master of telepathy and "mindbreaking," Hargrove instructed the young Nasuada on telepathic protection and defense. He had only one leg.

SEE MINDBREAKERS.

A sentinel who shot at Eragon and Saphira on the Burning Plains.

Dwarf chief of Durgrimst Fanghur.

SEE DWARF CLANS IN THE APPENDIX.

SEE URGALS.

SEE ELDUNARi.

SEE KNURLNIEN.

A dwarven outpost at the mouth of the Edda River and Az Ragni. A favored supply stop for travelers, this easternmost Alagaesian town is the only dwarf settlement outside of the Beor Mountains and the closest to the elf nation.

One of the guards of the dwarf clan chief Undin.

A Varden spy stationed in Furnost, the small town at the northern end of Lake Tudosten. Hefring was selected by the Varden leadership to infiltrate Galbatorix's castle and steal the three dragon eggs in his possession. Hefring stole one egg but, for unknown reasons, did not deliver it to the Varden. Both the Empire and the Varden searched for Hefring. Brom spent seven months pursuing him. However, it was Morzan who found Hefring and took the egg from him; Brom then caught up with Morzan, slew him and his dragon, and took the egg from his corpse. Hefring disappeared; his current whereabouts are unknown.

SEE MAGHARA.

SEE JEOD.

Also known as Dark Gates, this bare mountain with three soaring peaks and one small peak lies just east of Dras-Leona. An evil energy emanates from Helgrind, which is the site of a dark religion that involves self-mutilation and flesh offerings. On a full moon, gifts are brought as offerings to the G.o.ds believed to dwell there. Eragon, Saphira, and Roran discovered the secret lair of the Ra'zac that lay within the mountain's interior.

SEE RA'ZAC AND SLOAN.

HELGRIND WAS INSPIRED BY SHIPROCK PEAK IN NEW MEXICO.

IT MEANS "THE GATES OF DEATH" IN OLD NORSE.

The dwarven G.o.d of stone. Although Guntera is considered king of all dwarven G.o.ds, Helzvog is the most beloved of the dwarven deities. In ancient days, when the giants who walked the earth were vanquished by the G.o.ds, Helzvog was the only G.o.d who believed the land should be peopled by a new race of beings. He therefore created the first dwarves. A volcano is known as "Helzvog's Womb"; lava is called "Helzvog's Blood."

SEE DWARVEN CREATION MYTH.

In dwarf history, monarchs who did not secure the G.o.d Guntera's blessing but still insisted on a.s.suming the throne. As King Orik has observed, "Without exception, their reigns were short and unhappy ones."

The Urgal dams who rule their tribes.

The dwarf after whom is named an entire period of dwarven history, notably the time in which Durok Ornthrond carved Isidar Mithrim.

SEE ARCAENA.

The dwarf Vardrun's daughter, Thorgerd One-eye's wife, Hvedra's mother, and Orik's cousin by law.

In dwarven myth, the first woman created by Helzvog, the G.o.d of stone.

The father of Brom and husband of Nelda.

The blacksmith of Carvahall, husband of Elain, and father to Albriech and Baldor. The Horst family took in Eragon after the death of Garrow and worked closely with Roran, who led the villagers to the refuge of the Varden. Horst, a father figure to both Eragon and Roran, was the first to know about the blue "stone," in reality the egg bearing the dragon Saphira. His skills as a smith have since been put to good service with the Varden. In the formal setting of Roran and Katrina's wedding, Horst stood for the fatherless Roran.

Dwarf chief of Durgrimst Urzhadn.

SEE DWARF CLANS IN THE APPENDIX.

King of the Durgrimst Ingeitum, the forty-second leader of the dwarf race who guided the fortunes of his people through the bitter conflict with Galbatorix and the Empire, including the Battle of Farthen Dur. Considered a wise and n.o.ble ruler, Hrothgar worked to mediate tensions between the clans and advance the standing of dwarves in Alagaesia. One of the king's last acts before his untimely death was beginning the restoration of the great symbol of the nation, the gigantic sculpted jewel known as Isidar Mithrim.

During the Battle of the Burning Plains, the aged ruler was killed by the dark Dragon Rider Murtagh, struck down with a magic spell that even the king's spell-casters could not deflect. The death sent shock waves throughout Alagaesia. Hrothgar's body was brought back to Farthen Dur for a state funeral and the beloved king was laid to rest, entombed in stone alongside the forty-one kings who had gone before.

SEE BATTLE OF THE BURNING PLAINS AND ISIDAR MITHRIM.

The dwarf to whom the G.o.ddess Sindri imparted the knowledge of writing. The oldest form of Dwarvish writing is based on a rune alphabet named after Hruthmund-Hruthmundvik.

SEE RUNE.

The third race to have arrived in Alagaesia.

SEE BRODDRING KINGDOM.

A dwarf of the Ingeitum clan and a servant of King Orik. Fluent in the human and dwarven languages, Hundfast has served as translator for many important guests, including Eragon.

Ancient dwarf chief of Durgrimst Ingeitum who, over a thousand years ago, oversaw the initial excavation of Az Knurldrathn in the Beor Mountains.

SEE DWARF CLANS IN THE APPENDIX.

A dwarf of the Ingeitum clan and wife of Orik, forty-third king of the nation. She is also the grimstcarvlorss of her clan.

SEE CARETAKERS.

A waterfall in the northern end of Palancar Valley. At a half-mile high, it is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Spine.

SEE ISMIRA, SLOAN, AND SPINE, THE.

Elf and mother of Blodhgarm; aunt of Liotha.

An elven city in Du Weldenvarden. The name means "Place of Flowers."

The city where the wisest of the Dragon Riders taught the next generation and the location of Castle Ilirea. When the Dragon Rider Galbatorix went mad and began his war on the Riders, he induced other Riders to follow him. One of them, Morzan, left the gate to Castle Ilirea unbolted, and Galbatorix entered and stole a dragon hatchling.

After Galbatorix killed the Dragon Rider leader Vrael, Galbatorix and his Forsworn came to Ilirea and deposed King Angrenost, monarch of the Broddring Kingdom. When he took Angrenost's t.i.tle and his throne-and renamed the city Uru'baen-Galbatorix truly began the Empire.

SEE FORSWORN, GALBATORIX, AND SIEGE OF ILIREA.

SEE SOUTHERN ISLES.

One of many wandering tribes under the leadership of Fadawar.

The elven term for a Rider and dragon pair in which the dragon has suffered physical death but continues to live on in their Eldunari.

One of the original order of Dragon Riders. The Chronicles of Ingothold remains a key resource for students of Alagaesian history and the golden age of the Riders.

The father of the hermit Tenga.

The province infamous as the home of Galbatorix; it no longer exists.

The dragon who was Saphira's sire and Vervada's mate. Both Iormungr and Vervada perished in the Fall of the Dragon Riders.

Dwarf chief of Durgrimst Vrenshrrgn. This female leader has a sultry side and has flirted with Eragon, to his great embarra.s.sment. Although she coveted the dwarf throne for herself, she cast the decisive clanmeet vote that elected Orik ruler.

SEE DWARF CLANS IN THE APPENDIX.

A powerful Dragon Rider and one of only four warriors honored as a Shade-slayer. The others are Laetri, Eragon, and Arya.

Surda's current prime minister. His subjects consider him a fair and honorable man who has dedicated his life to the betterment of the nation.

This circular star sapphire, carved with the design of a rose, is sixty feet across and adorns the heights of Tronjheim. In ancient days, the dwarves discovered the original sapphire buried in stone, deep within the Beor Mountains. Durok Ornthrond ("Eagle-eye") was given the daunting task of sculpting the magnificent jewel, to which he devoted the next fifty-seven years. Such was his dedication that upon completion of what had become his life's work, Durok died. For a race that loves gemstones, Isidar Mithrim was the paragon of beauty-Nasuada of the Varden would observe it was nothing less than "the pride of their race."

During the Battle of Farthen Dur, Isidar Mithrim was shattered by Arya and Saphira to distract Durza, who was locked in mortal combat with Eragon. The jewel's destruction caused great unhappiness among the dwarven people. Saphira offered to help repair it if the dwarves could rea.s.semble the thousands of fragmerits. The restoration effort was begun by King Hrothgar, who appointed the dwarf Skeg to oversee the collection of the pieces. Thousands of hours of labor later, the final fragment was put into place and magically repaired by Saphira in time for the coronation of the new dwarf king, Orik. Originally a dusky rose color, the repaired gem was transformed by Saphira into a richer red color with streaks of gold at the center.

SEE DUROK ORNTHROND AND SKEG.

AN EXAMPLE OF A STAR SAPPHIRE, WHICH HAS A STAR-SHAPED REFLECTION ON ITS SURFACE.

Currently queen of the elves, Islanzadi ascended to the throne after the Fall of the Riders and the death of her husband, King Evandar. The queen, famed and feared for her own strength and cunning on the battlefield, has thus far safely led her people through the war against the Empire.

The queen has not always enjoyed the best relationship with her daughter, Arya. Their major dispute began when Arya chose to leave the elves' forest and fight alongside the Varden in their struggle against Galbatorix and the Empire. When Arya disappeared while protecting Saphira's egg, the mercurial Islanzadi became depressed and reclusive, severing all contact with the elves' allied nations. When Arya was rescued from her imprisonment in Gil'ead and finally returned to Ellesmera, her mother resumed diplomatic relations with the outside world and also reconciled with her daughter. "O my daughter, I have wronged you!" the queen proclaimed.

The queen made history by formally declaring war against Galbatorix. Her wartime engagements include leading a successful a.s.sault on the Empire city of Ceunon.

SEE ARYA.

The wife of Sloan (owner of the butcher shop of Carvahall) and mother of Katrina. A friend to all and a caring wife and mother, Ismira died after an accidental fall while picking wildflowers atop the Igualda Falls. The tragedy hardened Sloan's heart and led to dire consequences during the Empire's siege of Carvahall.

SEE SLOAN.

SEE FISK.

SEE ORTHiAD.

Galbatorix's first dragon. The death of Jarnunvosk from an Urgal arrow began Galbatorix's descent into madness and awakened the power l.u.s.t that forged the Empire.

SEE DU NAMAR AURBODA, GALBATORIX, AND SPINE, THE.

Although too young to officially serve in the Varden government, the boy Jarsha makes himself useful as a messenger for various Varden officials.

A wealthy merchant of Teirm, Jeod led a secret life as a Varden agent who ran a smuggling operation that supplied the Varden resistance. Sometimes called Jeod Longshanks (though not to his face), he was a friend of Brom's for more than twenty years. The two shared many adventures, including escaping from Gil'ead and surviving an attack by Morzan and his dragon. Much later, it was Jeod who informed Roran that a new Dragon Rider had appeared in Alagaesia and that it was his cousin, Eragon. Jeod explained that it was because a dragon had hatched for Eragon that the Ra'zac first came to Palancar Valley. For a time, that grim news would harden Roran's heart against his cousin.

After Galbatorix's spies within the Varden exposed him, Jeod abandoned his mansion and business to flee with his wife to sanctuary in Surda. Helen, Jeod's wife, was born of a wealthy family and accustomed to a lavish and privileged life-style. She had been ignorant of her husband's secret work with the Varden; although she followed him to Surda, a spartan life with the Varden has put a strain on their marriage.

Jeod is also a renowned collector of books and scrolls. Indeed, his library in Teirm included such rare items as Domia abr Wyrda, the forbidden work of Heslant the Monk. "There is much you can learn from books and scrolls," Jeod told Eragon when he first traveled to Teirm with Brom, who wanted to visit his old friend. "These books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life."

Although now far removed from the comforts of his library in Teirm, Jeod has put his love of books to use on behalf of the Varden. Jeod's scholarship led to his discovery of a hidden pa.s.sageway into Galbatorix's castle in Uru'baen, and Nasuada has a.s.signed him the task of poring over rare books and scrolls, searching for any other points of weakness in the ancient cities the Empire now controls.

SEE TEIRM.

The most senior commander of the Varden and once a trusted advisor to Ajihad, Jormundur remains a trusted warrior and is a member of the Council of Elders and a counselor to Nasuada.

The great dwarf king who tripped on a rock and was killed by an inexperienced swordsman.

The copper-haired daughter of Ismira and Carvahall's butcher, Sloan. After the tragic death of her mother, Katrina was raised by her father. A childhood friendship with Roran blossomed into a love affair. The two hoped to marry, but Roran's poverty prevented him from securing Sloan's consent.

When the Empire invaded Carvahall and while the villagers were frantically working to dig a defensive trench, Roran-shaken by the turn of events-threw aside caution and proposed; Katrina accepted. As the villagers prepared to head to the Igualda Falls for safety, Katrina announced their engagement to her father, who disinherited her and then betrayed Roran to the Ra'zac. Katrina was then kidnapped and held captive within Helgrind by the Ra'zac, who had double-crossed Sloan and abducted him as well. She was rescued by Eragon, Saphira, and Roran. Eragon found Sloan alive in a cell in Helgrind but lied to Roran, telling him Sloan was dead. Roran conveyed this news to Katrina; her sadness at hearing of her father's death was tempered by her joy at seeing Roran. Shortly after they reached the Varden camp in Surda, Katrina realized she was carrying Roran's child, and with Eragon's blessing, the couple decided to hold a hurried wedding.

SEE RORAN.

The father of Dahwar.

A blacksmith in Ceunon who trained Horst. Kelton is respected for his talent at the forge but despised for his bawdy manner.

A leader of the Bolvek tribe and a member of the Nighthawks, the elite troops formed to protect Nasuada.

SEE ARVA AND FORSWORN.

A renowned dwarf blacksmith and member of Durgrimst Ingeitum. Kiefna unwittingly fashioned the dagger used in the attempted a.s.sa.s.sination of Eragon. Upset that his handiwork was used for such a dastardly purpose, Kiefna aided the investigation.

Dwarf G.o.ddess of water. According to dwarven myth, in the primordial time after the giants were vanquished, Kilf was the only G.o.d not to create a new race of beings.

SEE DWARVEN CREATION MYTH.

SEE DRAGON WING.

An elf city at the southern border of Du Weldenvarden, southeast of the capital of Ellesmera.

The dried bones, inscribed with runes, from the knuckles of a dragon. Angela the herbalist cast some knucklebones, like dice, to divine Eragon's fortune during his visit to Teirm. She also makes a pa.s.sing reference, in a conversation with Nasuada, to cheating at a game of knucklebones.

Dwarvish for dwarf and translated as "one of stone." The plural is knurlan.

Also known as the Heart of Stone, the Knurlnien is a sacred stone reserved for high dwarven ceremonies and oath-taking. In the oath ritual, partic.i.p.ants make an incision on their body and wet the stone with their blood while reciting an oath in the Dwarvish language. A vow taken in this manner is considered unbreakable.

The dwarf who discovered Farthen Dur and founded Durgrimst Ingeitum. As the first king of the dwarves, Korgan Longbeard is also considered the father of the nation.

SEE DWARF CLANS IN THE APPENDIX.

A city on the western coast of Alagaesia that is isolated from the other towns and cities that dot the Spine and was the first human settlement on the continent. Modern Kuasta is said to be a haven for occult practices and is celebrated as home to the Arcaena monks, who doc.u.ment Alagaesian history. Kuasta was also home to Holcomb and Nelda, parents of the great Dragon Rider Brom.