Brisingr

Christopher Paolini
68 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
YA
Published in 2008

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Eragon is a young, half-elf Dragon Rider who carries the burden of defeating King Galbatorix. Armed with his magic and a growing understanding of his own capabilities, he seeks a proper sword to match his abilities. Raised as a farm boy in Carvahall, he now manages the complex politics of the Varden, the elves, and the dwarves. He is fiercely loyal to his friends and stubbornly holds onto his personal beliefs, including vegetarianism and atheism.

Key Relationships

Son of Brom

Son of Selena

Nephew of Garrow

Cousin of Roran

Half-Brother and Rival of Murtagh And Thorn

Bonded Rider of Saphira

Friend and Admirer of Arya

Student of Oromis

Subordinate to Nasuada

Foster Brother of King Orik

Saphira is an intelligent blue dragon bonded to Eragon. She possesses great physical endurance and an innate magic distinct from elven spellcasting. Her steady, mature demeanor grounds her Rider during moments of stress. She communicates telepathically and often participates directly in state meetings.

Key Relationships

Bonded Dragon of Eragon

Student of Glaedr

Ally of Arya

Ally of Nasuada

Friend of Roran

Student of Oromis

Roran is Eragon's cousin and a former farmer from Carvahall who transforms into a determined soldier for the Varden. Driven by his love for his fiancée and a desire to see his homeland freed, he fights fiercely against the Empire. He possesses a strong moral compass that sometimes puts him at odds with strict military command.

Key Relationships

Cousin of Eragon

Son of Garrow

Husband of Katrina

Son-in-law of Sloan

Subordinate to Nasuada

Subordinate to Captain Edric

Murtagh is a Dragon Rider in service to the Empire, bonded to the red dragon Thorn. Though Thorn is barely past the hatchling phase, magical interference accelerates his physical growth into an enormous threat. Bound by unbreakable oaths, the pair serve as reluctant but deadly enforcers for the Empire.

Key Relationships

Half-Brother and Rival of Eragon

Subordinate to Galbatorix

Son of Morzan

Son of Selena

Former Student of Oromis

Enemy of Glaedr

Arya is an elven princess and ambassador to the Varden who works closely alongside Eragon. Independent, highly skilled in combat, and composed, she serves as a vital tactical asset for the resistance. Though she maintains firm personal boundaries, she shares a strong bond of friendship with the young Rider.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Queen Islanzadí

Ally and Friend of Eragon

Ally of Saphira

Ambassador to Nasuada

Ally of Blödhgarm

Acquaintance of Lord Fiolr

Nasuada is the strong-willed leader of the Varden. Dedicated to maintaining unity among diverse factions, she actively works to integrate different races, including Urgals, into her army. She relies on a firm but fair leadership style, demanding absolute loyalty from her subjects to maintain order during a time of war.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Ajihad

Commander of Eragon

Commander of Roran

Guardian of Elva

Cousin of Fadawar

Peer of King Orrin

King Orik is a steadfast dwarf leader and Eragon's foster brother. Following the death of his father, he moves through the fractious politics of the dwarven clans in Tronjheim. He remains a vocal supporter of the Varden, backing an alliance between dwarves, humans, and elves to defeat the Empire.

Key Relationships

Son of King Hrothgar

Husband of Hvedra

Foster Brother of Eragon

Political Ally of Gannel

Rival of Nando

King of Glumra

Galbatorix is the tyrannical human king of the Empire and a powerful sorcerer. He maintains strict control over his subjects through unbreakable oaths and dark magic, creating undead soldiers and manipulating dragons to enforce his will across the land.

Key Relationships

Master of Murtagh And Thorn

Enemy of Eragon

Supporting Characters

Katrina is a young woman from Carvahall who endures capture by the Empire. She is resilient and deeply devoted to Roran, actively planning for their future family and prioritizing their safety during the ongoing war.

Key Relationships

Wife of Roran

Daughter of Sloan

Sloan is the former butcher of Carvahall who betrayed his village to the Empire. Blinded and broken, he harbors deep bitterness and resists offers of help, isolating himself entirely from the people he once knew.

Key Relationships

Father of Katrina

Enemy of Eragon

Brom is a legendary former Dragon Rider and Eragon's first teacher. Though deceased, his legacy heavily influences Eragon's journey. Questions surround his mysterious past, his relationships, and his actions during the fall of the Riders.

Key Relationships

Father and Former Mentor of Eragon

Old Friend of Jeod

Oromis is an ancient, silver-haired elven Rider who lives in hiding in Du Weldenvarden. As a patient mentor, he teaches Eragon advanced magic, history, and combat. He carefully guards certain secrets until he deems his student ready.

Key Relationships

Bonded Rider of Glaedr

Mentor of Eragon

Glaedr is a massive, golden dragon bonded to Oromis. He possesses centuries of wisdom and serves as a direct mentor to Saphira. He shares the deeper aspects of dragon lore and combat techniques with the younger dragon.

Key Relationships

Bonded Dragon of Oromis

Mentor of Saphira

Elva is a witch-child whose rapid aging and unnatural abilities result from a flawed blessing cast by Eragon. She feels the physical and emotional pain of those around her, making her a vital but suffering protector for the Varden's leader.

Key Relationships

Protector of Nasuada

Magically Bound to Eragon

Angela is an eccentric, independent herbalist and magic user who travels with the Varden. She frequently appears at critical moments to offer cryptic advice, heal the wounded, and cast fortunes using dragon bones.

Key Relationships

Companion of Solembum

Ally of Eragon

Nar Garzhvog is a massive Urgal of the Kull race who leads his people into an alliance with the Varden. Despite the historical enmity between Urgals and humans, he works pragmatically to ensure his race's survival against the Empire.

Key Relationships

Traveling Companion of Eragon

Allied to Nasuada

Blödhgarm is a powerful elven spellcaster who magically altered his appearance to resemble a beast, possessing fur, golden eyes, and a strong scent. He leads the contingent of elves sent to protect Eragon.

Key Relationships

Protector of Eragon

Ally of Arya

Queen Islanzadí is the ruler of the elves in Du Weldenvarden. She marshals her forces for war against the Empire, providing strategic guidance to Eragon while preparing her people for an inevitable conflict.

Key Relationships

Mother of Arya

Ally of Eragon

Jeod is a scholar, former merchant, and old friend of Brom who resides with the Varden. He possesses a vast knowledge of history and rare books, assisting the resistance by studying ancient texts for strategic advantages.

Key Relationships

Husband of Helen

Friend of Eragon

Rhunon is an ancient, legendary elven blacksmith who crafted the original Dragon Rider swords. Bound by a strict oath never to forge another weapon herself, she must find creative workarounds to aid Eragon.

Key Relationships

Ally of Eragon

Captain Edric is a strict, by-the-book commander in the Varden army. He prioritizes military protocol and direct orders over tactical flexibility, leading to serious friction with his subordinates during combat.

Key Relationships

Commander of Roran

Glumra is a devoted dwarven mother whose son dies protecting Eragon. She strictly adheres to the religious traditions of her subterranean clan, demonstrating immense faith and resilience in the face of personal tragedy.

Key Relationships

Host of Eragon