Alagaësia
From The Inheritance Encyclopedia
 | |
| About Alagaësia | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Alagaësia |
| Capital | |
| Major Race Population: | |
| Ruler | |
Alagaësia is a fictional world where the Inheritance Cycle takes place.
Contents |
History
Alagaësia was once a land of peace, where elves, dwarves, dragons, and humans lived in harmony. The dragons and dwarves were the first occupants of Alagaesia, though it has been said that the dragons appeared first. The elves came next, crossing the sea from their land of Alalea, bringing the Urgals with them. Thus the first races appeared on Alagaësia.
The first great war occured when an elf went hunting and shot a dragon. The dragons, enraged at the elves, started a great feud against the elves. The elves, who thought that the dragons were no more than mere beasts, were horrified at their misunderstanding, but it was too late to change anything. The elves and dragons were engrossed in a great war that seemed to last forever, until an elf named Eragon found an abandoned dragon egg and raised it, naming it Bid'Daum. When Bid'Daum grew large enough, Eragon and his dragon revealed themselves, convincing the elves and dragons to restore peace. To ensure that no more fighting would break out, the Dragon Riders were formed.
The peace lasted for a long time, until one day, a young boy named Galbatorix was tested, and it was found that great power resided in him. He quickly became trained to become a Dragon Rider, and he rose to their ranks. Some people found Galbatorix's quick rise alarming, but the Dragon Riders had become arrogant and ignored people's warnings. One day, Galbatorix and a few friends went out on a reckless trip to the Urgal's territory, and they got ambushed. Only Galbatorix survived, and he killed the Urgals who slaughtered his friends and his dragon. Anguish poured forth at the loss of his dragon, and Galbatorix wandered the land aimlessly in hope that he would die, but death did not find him.
Then came the idea that the Riders might grant him another dragon. With this hope, Galbatorix trekked back to Vroengard. A farmer found him unconcious, and returned him to the Riders. When Galbatorix pleaded for another dragon though, his request was denied. With this, madness was planted in his heart. He and a sympathetic Rider killed an Elder, and then Galbatorix slew the faithful Rider. He then left Vroengard.
He found Morzan somehow, and Morzan began a dark apprenticeship with Galbatorix. Galbatorix taught Morzan many dark arts and convinced the Rider to leave a door unlocked so that he could get another dragon. He succeeded in this task, obtaining a black dragon named Shruikan that he twisted with black magics to serve his will. With a dragon and Morzan, Galbatorix revealed himself.
Twelve Riders joined Galbatorix and became the Thirteen Forsworn along with Morzan. The Riders engaged in a fierce battle with Galbatorix, and in the end, the leader of the Riders, Vrael, triumphed over Galbatorix. However, he hesitated with the final blow, and Galbatorix wounded him gravely. He went to Utgard in hope that he might recover, but Galbatorix found Vrael and killed him. Thus Galbatorix gained dominance over the Riders.
After Galbatorix gained power, he went on to Ilirea, which was the capital of the human country called the Broddring Kingdom. There he slaughtered King Angrenost and took the title of king for himself. Galbatorix went on to conquer Vroengard and other lands to the east and south, except for Surda and Du Weldenvarden. Thus the reign of Galbatorix started.
Cities
Major
Uru'baen
Uru'baen is the capital of Alagaësia and where Galbatorix rules from. During Brom and Eragon's stay at Dras Leona, Brom discovers that Galbatorix has chosen to forsake his throne and come to talk with the ruler of Dras Leona. It is the first time that Galbatorix has left the capital in years.
Narda
Narda is a lonely fishing port. Clovis lives in Narda. It is located on the northern coast.
Teirm
Teirm is a large port on the coast of Alagaësia. When trying to track shipments of Seithr Oil, Eragon and Brom stay with Brom's old friend Jeod who lives and runs a shipping company there. Angela the Herbalist lived in Teirm before hearing of Eragon and Saphira. In Eldest Roran and the other villagers discover Jeod there and steal a ship, the Dragon Wing, from port. They also find out that Eragon is a Dragon rider from Jeod.
Ceunon
Ceunon is an elf city, located in very northern Alagaësia and no other information about it is currently known.
Gil'ead
Eragon is captured by some Urgals working for Durza and is brought and kept at a prison in Gil'ead. There he finds the woman in his dreams, Arya. With Saphira and Murtagh's help, they escape with Arya. Dormnad, who was to tell Eragon the location of the Varden, but could not because they were captured, lives in Gil'ead.
Dras-Leona
Dras-Leona is located just off of Leona Lake and a bit north of Helgrind. It is decribed as a sort of "ramshackle" city that was just thrown together. The people of Dras-Leona worshop at the cathedral for a bloody religion in which the dedicated worshippers cut off body parts and worship the three main points of Helgrind. Eragon and Brom go here in hopes of finding the Ra'zac, who instead find them.
Kuasta
Brom lived in Kuasta before he went to Ellesmera to be trained as a Rider. It is located in a sort of cove in Alagaësia's shore that is created by the Spine. It is around the coast of the bay which has Sharktooth at its entrance.
Belatona
Belatona is located on the other side of Leona Lake from Dras-Leona, right where it becomes the Jiet River. This city is famed for its artisans.
Aroughs
Aroughs is located on the southern most shore of Alagaësia, close to Surda. They are near what is presumed to be marshes by looking at the map. No other information is known.
Feinster
Feinster is located near the southern end of the Spine and is a coast city. No other information is known.
Minor
Carvahall
Carvahall is the home town of Eragon and Roran, and is a major part of Eldest. Garrow lived here before he died. Roran came back here after forsaking his job at Dempton's mill.
Therinsford
In Eragon, Roran goes to work at a mill in Therinsford for Dempton.
Yazuac
A small town destroyed by Urgals. It is located on the Great Plains. As Eragon and Brom make their journey, they come upon the brutally slaughtered town of Yazuac. Some of the killers, Urgals, are still there, and Eragon and Brom fight them. Eragon discovers his magic this way.
Daret
Daret is a very cautious town and rarely lets strangers near there. Eragon and Brom go there to restock their supplies.
Bullridge
Bullridge is located on the Ramr River, not too far away from the Hadarac Desert.
Melian
Melian is located near Surda, and probably close to the Burning Plains.
Furnost
Located at the north end of Tudosten Lake, we know nothing about Furnost.
Eoam
Eoam is located on the back side of Beirland, an island off the coast of southern Alagaësia.
Hedarth
Hedarth is located where the Az Ragni and Edda River, flowing from the Beor Mountains and Du Weldenvarden respectively, join together and flow off of the map. We know nothing about it.
Orthiad
See Orthíad
Differences Between the Movie and the Books
Pronunciation
Correct: Alah-guh-EE-zhee-uh
Incorrect: Al-uh-GAY-zee-uh
After a couple double-checkings, we have in fact found that the pronunciation of Alagaësia listed in the backs of the books is incorrect. If Alagaësia did not have the umlaut (the two dots over the ‘e’), the pronunciations listed would be correct. The umlaut is generally used to prevent a diphthong, or the blending together of vowel sounds. Over the ‘e’, it sets the vowel apart in its own syllable. Example: Kade. By itself, it rhymes with blade. Kadë. With the umlaut, it now is pronounced like KAY-dee. The same applies to other vowels—it makes the vowel sound hard and sets it in another syllable. The above is not actually an example of a diphthong, but that is the general idea of the umlaut.
