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WERECATS
Characteristics, Lifestyle and History
Werecats are mysterious creatures with the ability to shape shift. Little is known about them but it seems that they can shift into either a cat or human form at will. However, it may be possible for them to adopt other shapes. One werecat has been described as having "a lean body with powerful shoulders and oversized paws. A shaggy main surrounded its angular face; its ears were tipped with black tufts. White fangs curved down over its jaw." (Eragon pg.199) All in all, werecats don’t share the appearance of regular, friendly and harmless house cats.
They often live around people of high status or particular interest. "During the Riders' years of glory, they were as renowned as the dragons. Kings and elves kept them as companions – yet the werecats were free to do what they chose. Very little has ever been known about them." (Eragon pg.222) They seem to want to be seen in good company whilst having an interesting and varied lifestyle. However, werecats, even in their cat form, can communicate telepathically. It is unknown how much of other races thoughts werecats can hear. However, it would not be unwise to assume that werecats understand more of people's motives and thoughts than they reveal.
They are independent creatures that rarely communicate clearly or coherently to other races. "They always seemed to know what was going on and somehow or another managed to get themselves involved." (Eragon pg.222) Even so, werecats mostly seem to keep themselves to themselves and they certainly don’t share their secrets surrounding their existence with other races. For example, it is not known whether or not they have magical powers but it is widely assumed that they at least have some kind of supernatural ability.
Role in the Novels
The reader first experiences the world of werecats when Eragon meets Solembum in Eragon at the witch, Angela's, shop in Teirm. Solembum says that he goes by many names but states that Eragon may call him by the aforementioned name. (From the two werecats that we know about this applies to both so it can be assumed that werecats go by many names but keep there real name a secret; much like how other races such as Elves and Humans keep their names secret because it is possible to abuse this knowledge and control the person you know the true name of.) Solembum reveals to Angela that Eragon shows "some promise, given a few years work." (Eragon pg. 201) This prediction has already begun to come true as Eragon already has the prestige of being a Shadeslayer.
Later that same day, Solembum gives Eragon some advice. The use of this advice has not yet come to light but it hints at the supernatural power of werecats to know things that others couldn’t know. His advice also shows that there is a chance that werecats can see, at least partially, into the future.
When Eragon goes to find information about the Ra'zac with Brom and Jeod in Teirm's castle, Solembum helps them out by warning Eragon that soldiers are about to catch them looking through the shipment scrolls illegally. At this point, Solembum can be considered an ally of Eragon and a character that can be trusted, even if we don’t know the werecat's motives.
Eragon next meets Solembum in Tronjheim shortly before the battle at Farthen Dûr and then later during the battle itself. Solembum is fighting alongside the rest "in the form of a young shaggy-haired boy. He held a small black dagger, sharp teeth bared in a feral snarl." (Eragon pg.484) This goes to show that not only are werecats intelligent and potentially magical but handy in a battle too.
The next time the reader encounters a werecat is in Eldest when Eragon meets a werecat who requests to be called Maud but also goes by the names The Watcher, Quickpaw and The Dream Dancer. Eragon meets Maud in the form of a young girl with shaggy, silver hair and white fangs. Maud prefers the company of elves over humans and spends much of her time with Queen Islanzadí (following the idea that werecats seem to like the company of people with prestige and interest).
The last time a werecat has been seen the series so far is Solembum at the Battle of the Burning Plains.
Role in the Future
On the day of Angela's prophecy Solembum gives Eragon two pieces of advice: "When the time comes and you need a weapon, look under the roots of the Menoa tree. Then, when all seems lost and your power seems insufficient, go to the rock of Kuthian and speak your name to open the Vault of Souls." (Eragon pg.206) Eragon has not yet taken action upon these words but it is likely that Eragon will remember them when the need comes and be thankful for them. These seemingly random pieces of advice might help Eragon in his task of bringing down the ruthless dictator Galbatorix.
It is possible that these odd, secretive creatures will have a substantial role in Brisingr and the last book of the cycle. Whether indirectly or directly it is extremely likely they will have some part to play in the fate of the Empire. Apparently their race is dying out but it is highly doubted that we have seen the end of the werecats or the full extent of their abilities.
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