Inheritance

Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle takes place in Alagaësia, a fictional realm inhabited by humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, and Urgals (a race similar to Tolkien’s orcs). The rules of the author’s fantasy universe dictate that some people can be magically bonded with Dragons, who communicate telepathically with other species. In this way, those who have bonded with Dragons gain additional magical powers and enhanced skills. Long before the story begins, the renowned order of Riders—warriors and scholars working with their Dragons—undertook the onerous task of maintaining order and peace throughout the kingdom. However, one of the Riders, Galbatorix, betrayed the order and seized the throne of Alagaësia. In the ensuing war, most of the Riders and their Dragons were killed, and Galbatorix amassed their magical power and hoarded the remaining Dragon eggs.

Paolini’s series begins 100 years after this war and focuses on a young farm boy named Eragon, who grows up in the town of Carvahall and accidentally finds a Dragon egg. The Dragon, Saphira, soon hatches for him, and Eragon becomes a Rider. His first mentor is Brom, the village storyteller, who is later revealed to have been a Rider himself; he is also Eragon’s father. Due to his bond with Saphira, Eragon himself comes to embody a new hope in the fight against Galbatorix’s tyranny, serving as an inspiring figure for the rebels collectively called the Varden, who spearhead the resistance forces.

Over the course of the first three novels—Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr—Eragon joins the Varden, makes crucial alliances, and faces key challenges that help him and Saphira to grow in both wisdom and magical power. He becomes particularly close to Arya, an Elf ambassador and princess, and he also develops strong working relationships with Orik, his Dwarf foster brother, and Nasuada, the human leader of the Varden. Meanwhile, Eragon’s cousin Roran is forced to leave Carvahall after Galbatorix attacks the village. Roran, his wife Katrina, and the Carvahall villagers join the rebellion and reunite with Eragon.

Now embroiled in a conflict much larger than himself, Eragon struggles to live up to the expectations of the human, Elven, and Dwarven peoples of Alagaësia. However, he gradually learns the skills he needs to defeat Galbatorix, who is a much older and more accomplished Rider. As the last installment of Paolini’s tetralogy, Inheritance slowly builds up to the Varden’s final battle and concludes Eragon’s narrative arc in a climactic confrontation with Galbatorix.