From The Inheritance Encyclopedia

The only image of the Spine currently available is featured on the map on the inside cover of Eragon and Eldest.
About The Spine
Name:	The Spine
Location	West
Major Race Population:	Humans
Ruler	Galbatorix, though no specific part of the Spine

The Spine is a coastal mountain range in the West of Alagaesia.

Contents 1 Description 2 Information 3 Significance in the Books 3.1 Eragon 3.2 Eldest 4 Theories

Description

"...A range of untamed mountains that extended up and down the land of Alagaesia. Strange tales and men often came from those mountains, usually boding ill." (Eragon, pg. 6)

"The Spine was one of the only places that King Galbatorix could not call his own. Stories were told about how half his army disappeared after marching into its ancient forest. A cloud of misfortune and bad luck seemed to hang over it. Though the trees grew tall and the sky shone brightly, few people could stay in the Spine for long without suffering an accident. Eragon was one of those few - not through any particular gift, it seemed to him, but because of persistent vigilance and sharp reflexes. He had hiked in the mountains for years, yet he was still wary of them. Every time he thought they had surrendered their secrets, something happened to upset his understanding of them - like the stone's appearance." (Eragon, pg. 9)

Information

Warning: This page or section is a spoiler. Information following this warning has been revealed about upcoming Inheritance information.

The Spine is located along the coast of Alagaesia, cutting off much of the coast from the mainland. Its crags reach high into the sky and it holds many unseen horrors in its mist. The only towns located near the Spine are Therinsford and Carvahall (located at the north side of the Spine in Palancar Valley), Teirm (a port city located on the coast), Narda (another port city located on the coast), and Kuasta (an isolated city where people have learned strange customs; Brom came from this city). Many people consider the Spine to be a cursed place and will not enter it without a good reason, one of these people being Sloan, the butcher of Carvahall. His wife died near the Spine at the Igualda Falls, and now he considers the Spine evil. He will not let his daughter Katrina enter them.

Significance in the Books

Eragon

Eragon discovers Saphira's egg in the Spine while hunting for food. He hides her there as she grows so she that doesn't attract attention. Saphira also flies back into the Spine when Eragon alerts her of the Ra'zac's appearance in Carvahall. She flies to the place where Eragon first found her egg, and stays there overnight until Eragon convinces her to go back to Carvahall so that he can save Garrow.

Eldest

In Eldest, Roran and the other citizens of Carvahall travel through parts of the Spine as they leave their only home behind to escape the Empire soldiers and the Ra'zac. It is not an easy journey however, and many livestock and some people die due to the freezing temperatures. Despite this though, Roran and the villagers manage to get safetly to Narda, where they get barges to go to their next location: Teirm.

Theories

Warning: This page or section is a theory. Information following this warning has not been confirmed, or stated directly in any book. Theories are user created and modified.

There is one major theory about the remaining dragons living in the Spine. The reason and evidence for this theory is the fact that Galbatorix's armies have disappeared there. It has been assumed that the dragons would destroy them, since they lived in the Spine. Also, it has been said that Eragon is not harmed when he goes to the Spine because the dragons could sense that he was destined to be a Dragon Rider, so they did not harm him, but when people who the dragons sensed were dangerous entered the Spine, they got eliminated.

The spine is a place that Galbatorix fears, but Eragon does not so it would be the perfect place for the last battle. The Spine may have been enchanted by the elves or the riders and that could explain it. Maybe their is another race in the spine that does not fear Galbatorix, but knowing the strenghth of Eragon fears him. These are all possible scenarios i am just warning you to look for the last battle to take place here or were Vrael lost 24.5.246.135Patrick