Council of Elders

From The Inheritance Encyclopedia

The Council of Elders is a group of people who the Varden choose to speak on their behalf to the leader of the Varden. They are the trusted advisors of Ajihad, and it is considered a great honour to be allowed before them. According to Jormundur, the Council only has power because they "support each other,“ and that it would be ‘foolish and dangerous' for one member to raise himself above the others. In Eldest, Eragon thinks that the real reason for them nominating Nasuada to inherit the leadership of the Varden, after Ajihad's death, is so that they can easily control the Varden themselves. Nasuada would be a mere puppet. These plans run amok when Eragon swears fealty to Nasuada herself, and not the Council. The council help to elect new leaders of the Varden and are always present and the appointment ceremony. Currently, there are five people on the council. They are Umerth, Falberd, Jormundur, Sabrae, and Elessari