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DRAGON RIDERS
Dragon Riders play a vital role in the Inheritance series. The main protagonist, Eragon, becomes a Rider early on in the cycle, and this changes his fate, along with the fate of all those around him, and on a larger scale, the fate of all the inhabitants of the Empire.
History
The history of the Riders is long and bloody. Brom explains their beginning in full to Eragon on page 49 in Eragon. In brief: A young elf kills a wild dragon mistaking it for a simple-minded predator. When he realizes his mistake, it is too late. A war wages between the dragons and the Elven race, with both suffering great losses. After some time both races begin to regret their actions. One day, an elf called Eragon finds a dragon egg and rears it in secret. Eventually, he reveals Bid'Daum to both races to show they can live in peace together. As a result, an agreement is formed between the two races to form the Riders, so the races would never wage war against each other again. Hence, the dragon riders were formed.
However, the history of the Riders does not end its bloodshed here. For thousands of years they did their job of protecting, guarding, and ruling successfully. That was until Galbatorix, after losing his dragon, brings about the downfall of the Riders.
Galbatorix loses his dragon when, out of arrogance, he goes on a reckless journey seeking glory and fame. His dragon gets killed, and when he eventually makes it back, the Riders refuse his demand for another dragon. When they refuse his request, he resorts to desperate measures to get himself another dragon; resulting in the death of two Riders. The Riders are torn in two; those under Galbatorix’s command, the Forsworn, who “joined Galbatorix out of desire for power and revenge against perceived wrongs” (pg. 34 Eragon) and the rest of the Riders, sticking to their beliefs and oaths as Riders. Unfortunately, these moralistic Riders cannot hold out against the manipulative and deceitful Forsworn. Eventually, the Forsworn believe they have killed all the remaining Riders.
However, even the Foresworn suffered a similar fate over time - a downfall resulting from arrogance. Now, Galbatorix is the only remaining Rider from their ranks.
The Connection
A dragon rider can either be an elf or a human. At first, only the elves were included in the agreement with the dragons, but over time, humans entered into the agreement as well. Both humans and elves undergo changes in physical appearance once they become a rider. They become stronger, fairer, and acquire a gedwëy ignasia (a small mark on their hand where the rider first touched its dragon, which channels magic). Humans even acquire pointed ears and the ability to use magic, which makes them look and have intelligence very similar to elves. Although less obvious, the connection also changes aspects on the dragon like having a more civilized outlook.
When a dragon is in its egg, it is ready to hatch at any time. A wild dragon will choose the right conditions in its environment to hatch. Similarly, a dragon egg for a rider will wait until it finds its perfect rider. This could take hundreds of years because the dragon egg will never hatch unless it is ready.
The connection between a dragon and its rider is very strong. The link can be controlled by both the dragon and the rider. At times they can be almost one; from sharing memories to the rider being able to see through the dragon’s eyes. Equally, they can distance themselves from each other with some effort and have less of a tangible connection. This connection is like a mental state of mind. They can feel each other's presence as if they are almost two of the same person.
This connection that they share can also be effected by physical factors. If the dragon and rider are far away from each other, the connection is weaker, while a closer proximity makes their mental connection stronger.
They communicate telepathically. Although this is useful between the dragon and rider, it means the rider must dictate anything the dragon wants to say out loud. A dragon can communicate to other beings telepathically as well as its Rider, but it is considered rude, among many, to do so.
Role in the Novels
At the start of the series, Eragon finds a dragon egg while hunting in the Spine. We later find out this was sent by Arya, in desperation, to Carvahall. It was meant to be found by the old dragon rider, Brom, as he knew of the dragon egg and would have tried his best to keep the egg safe from Galbatorix and the Empire, who the egg was stolen from. However, as fate dictates, Eragon found the egg and it hatched for him. This was the beginning of a new legacy of dragon riders.
Together at the end of Eragon, Eragon and Saphira fight in a big battle against Urgals, sent by Galbatorix, at Farthen Dûr. Eragon kills Durza, the Shade, and earns the name Eragon Shadeslayer. Already, the pair has proven to be valuable members in the war against Galbatorix and his Empire. The influence of the appearance of a new dragon rider spurs the Varden on, and gives them more confidence to fight for what they believe in.
In Eldest, the reader is introduced to two more dragon riders. Near the beginning, Oromis and Glaedr are introduced; a Rider out of the past who managed to escape Galbatorix’s wrath. They tutor Eragon and Saphira in the ways of the Dragon Riders, similar to the way they would have been tutored when the Dragon Riders were still at large. Also, near the end of the book, the reader is reunited with Murtagh. However, this time he is also a Dragon Rider. Thorn and Murtagh fight against the Varden. Galbatorix has them under his command because he knows their true names. The power of the Dragon Riders is shown here, as at Murtagh and Thorn’s arrival the battle begins to go badly for the Varden. The two young Dragon Riders come face-to-face, and confront each other. Using mysterious powers which give Murtagh and Thorn seemingly endless energy they come out on top. Luckily, Murtagh has mercy for Eragon and Saphira and spares their lives, but promises that he won’t be able to do it again.
Role in the Future
The war for the Empire is being fought around the Dragon Riders because they are so powerful and have so much influence. However, most ordinary people do not have much knowledge of the Dragon Riders. The stories of the Dragon Riders of the past are being lost through the generations. Now, more sightings have been made of Eragon and Saphira. The old stories, which some were too scared to tell, are beginning to resurface again. Will the old, peaceful rule of the Dragon Riders reign over Alagaësia again?
There are many mysteries and loose ends still surrounding the Dragon Riders. The last known dragon egg is still to hatch, and the winner of the power struggle between the Varden and the Empire will inevitably revolve around the old and the new Dragon Riders. Their power and prestige make them the biggest and most important pieces on the playing field. We can expect amazing and terrible things from the remaining Dragon Riders in Brisingr and the fourth book in the cycle.
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