58 pages 1-hour read

Christopher Paolini

Eldest

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2005

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Character List

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

Major Characters

A young dragon Rider originally from the village of Carvahall. Bound telepathically and magically to his dragon, Saphira, Eragon struggles with the physical and emotional toll of a severe back injury sustained in recent combat. He is highly empathetic and thrust into an overwhelming position of political responsibility as he prepares to travel to Ellesméra for further training.

Key Relationships

Bonded Rider of Saphira

Cousin of Roran Garrowson

Nephew of Garrow

Romantic Interest of Arya

Subordinate to Nasuada

Friend of Orik

Former Student of Brom

Friend of Murtagh

Student of Oromis

A blue dragon magically and telepathically bound to Eragon. Saphira is fiercely protective and highly intelligent. She possesses a strong personality and provides crucial wisdom to her Rider as they manage the complex politics of Alagaësia.

Key Relationships

Bonded Dragon of Eragon

Student of Glaedr

Ally of Arya

Ally of Orik

Ally of Nasuada

Ally of Hrothgar

Eragon's cousin who remains behind in the village of Carvahall. He is a practical and determined man who fiercely protects his community. Driven by a strong moral compass and a profound love for his fiancé, Roran finds himself forced into a leadership position when his village faces escalating threats from the Empire's forces.

Key Relationships

Cousin of Eragon

Son of Garrow

Romantic Interest of Katrina

Friend of Baldor

Friend of Albriech

Antagonist of Sloan

Employer of Clovis

An Elf who has spent decades working with the Varden as an ambassador and warrior. She is exceptionally strong and highly skilled in magic. Arya maintains a practical and disciplined demeanor to guide Eragon through the complexities of Elven customs.

Key Relationships

Traveling Companion of Eragon

Ally of Saphira

Subordinate to Islanzadí

Ally of Nasuada

Traveling Companion of Orik

Connected to Evandar

A young, intelligent, and highly strategic woman who steps into a crucial leadership role for the Varden rebellion. Despite lacking magical abilities, Nasuada relies on her sharp political instincts and empathetic nature to guide her people. She handles both internal politics and external threats with remarkable grace.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Ajihad

Leader of Eragon

Ally of Orrin

Leader of Trianna

Guardian of Elva

Ally of Arya

The despotic King of Alagaësia who seized power by betraying his fellow Riders centuries ago. He is a looming, oppressive force whose massive armies and dark servants continuously hunt Eragon and threaten the survival of the free peoples.

Key Relationships

Enemy of Eragon

Enemy of Nasuada

Former Leader of Morzan

Supporting Characters

A Dwarf and member of King Hrothgar’s clan who serves as a steadfast guide and companion to Eragon. He helps the young Rider understand Dwarven politics, religious customs, and regional geography.

Key Relationships

Friend of Eragon

Subordinate to Hrothgar

Traveling Companion of Arya

The widely respected and formidable leader of the Varden rebellion. He is a commanding presence whose strategic mind and unifying influence have been vital in keeping the disparate factions of the rebellion together against the Empire.

Key Relationships

Father of Nasuada

Ally of Eragon

Leader of Murtagh

Leader of The Twins

A skilled human warrior and former traveling companion to Eragon. Suspicion frequently surrounds him due to his parentage, but he fights alongside the Varden to prove his worth against Galbatorix's forces.

Key Relationships

Friend of Eragon

Subordinate to Ajihad

An elderly Elf and former Rider who possesses a deep, scholarly knowledge of magic, history, and morality. He takes on the crucial responsibility of teaching the next generation of Riders while quietly managing his own physical limitations.

Key Relationships

Bonded Rider of Glaedr

Mentor of Eragon

A massive, golden dragon who resides in Ellesméra. He carries heavy physical scars from past conflicts and serves as an imposing, wise instructor regarding the ancient bonds between dragons and Riders.

Key Relationships

Bonded Dragon of Oromis

Mentor of Saphira

The regal and authoritative Queen of the Elves. She commands immense respect and wields significant political power, carefully weighing her people's involvement in the brewing war while enforcing the strict customs of her court.

Key Relationships

Leader of Arya

Host of Eragon

Widow of Evandar

The eccentric, scientifically-minded King of Surda who secretly supports the Varden rebellion. He balances his royal duties with his personal hobbies, providing vital resources and a safe haven for the rebels.

Key Relationships

Ally of Nasuada

A young woman from Carvahall who shares a deep mutual affection with Roran. She is a pragmatic young woman who manages the difficult dynamic between her disapproving father and her profound commitment to Roran.

Key Relationships

Romantic Interest of Roran Garrowson

Daughter of Sloan

The pragmatic and seasoned King of the Dwarves. He carefully balances the competing interests of the various Dwarven clans while managing his crucial alliance with the Varden and the new Dragon Rider.

Key Relationships

Leader of Orik

Ally of Eragon

A young witch and representative of the Du Vrangr Gata, a group of magic wielders supporting the Varden. She is ambitious and eager to secure influence for her peers.

Key Relationships

Colleague of Eragon

Subordinate to Nasuada

An eccentric, independent witch with vast, unpredictable knowledge. She travels freely and offers cryptic but highly valuable assistance to the Varden's cause.

Key Relationships

Companion of Solenbaum

Ally of Eragon

A wise and mysterious werecat who acts as Angela's familiar and traveling companion across Alagaësia.

Key Relationships

Companion of Angela

Katrina's father and a villager in Carvahall. He is a bitter, protective man who obstinately opposes the village's efforts to rebel against the encroaching soldiers.

Key Relationships

Father of Katrina

Antagonist of Roran Garrowson

Roran's friend and a reliable young man from Carvahall who assists in scouting the encroaching soldiers and defending the village.

Key Relationships

Brother of Albriech

Friend of Roran Garrowson

Baldor's brother and a dependable villager in Carvahall who supports Roran during the escalating conflicts with the Empire's forces.

Key Relationships

Brother of Baldor

Friend of Roran Garrowson

A young girl whose physical and mental growth have been unnaturally accelerated by a magical error. She possesses the burdensome ability to sense the pain of those around her.

Key Relationships

Magically Connected to Eragon

Ward of Nasuada

A merchant in the city of Teirm whose shipping business has recently suffered severe losses. He possesses deep connections to the rebellion and historical ties to the previous generation of Riders.

Key Relationships

Former Friend of Brom

Eragon's uncle and Roran's father. He was a hardworking farmer whose tragic death at the hands of the Empire's servants serves as a driving motivation for both young men.

Key Relationships

Father of Roran Garrowson

Uncle of Eragon

A former Rider and village storyteller who trained Eragon in the basics of magic and survival before losing his life.

Key Relationships

Former Mentor of Eragon

Former Friend of Jeod Longshanks

A commanding Urgal warrior who approaches the Varden with an offer of alliance, challenging the deeply ingrained prejudices held by humans against his people.

Key Relationships

Ally of Nasuada

Ally of Eragon

An Elven sword master who displays initial contempt for Eragon's abilities, pushing the young Rider to his physical and emotional limits during their rigorous training sessions.

Key Relationships

Opponent of Eragon

A watchful werecat present at the Elven court, observing the arrival of the new Dragon Rider and his companions.

Key Relationships

Guest of Islanzadí

A legendary Elven blacksmith who forged the swords of the original Dragon Riders but has since sworn an oath never to craft another weapon.

Key Relationships

Acquaintance of Arya

A Dwarven clan chief and religious leader who educates Eragon on Dwarven faith, mythology, and customs during his stay in Celbedeil.

Key Relationships

Instructor of Eragon

Colleague of Ûndin

A friendly Dwarven clan chief who hosts Eragon's group and provides them with rafts and guards for their onward journey.

Key Relationships

Host of Eragon

Colleague of Gannel

A barge operator hired by Roran to secretly transport the villagers of Carvahall. He is reluctantly swept up in their desperate escape from the Empire.

Key Relationships

Employee of Roran Garrowson

A pragmatic villager from Carvahall who offers Roran grounded advice about his responsibilities to Katrina following her father's disownment.

Key Relationships

Friend of Roran Garrowson

The fallen King of the Elves who died in the initial wars against Galbatorix. His legacy continues to shape the politics of the Elven court.

Key Relationships

Deceased Husband of Islanzadí

Former Leader of Arya

An Elven escort who helps guide Eragon and his companions through the forest of Du Weldenvarden while sharing historical lore.

Key Relationships

Guide of Eragon

Colleague of Narí

An Elven escort tasked with safely leading the new Dragon Rider and his friends through the enchanted forests toward Ellesméra.

Key Relationships

Guide of Eragon

Colleague of Lifaen

A former Dragon Rider whose infamous betrayal of his comrades centuries ago allowed Galbatorix to seize control of Alagaësia.

Key Relationships

Former Subordinate of Galbatorix

Connected to Selena

A woman from Alagaësia's past whose history is deeply intertwined with the legacy of the fallen Dragon Riders.

Key Relationships

Connected to Morzan

A red dragon magically bound to Galbatorix's service, thrust into the brutal conflict between the Empire and the Varden.

Key Relationships

Bound to Galbatorix

Two enigmatic magic-wielders affiliated with the Varden who participate in dangerous subterranean missions.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Ajihad