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Dragons are an intelligent race that inhabit Alagaësia, a fictional fantasy world created by Christopher Paolini. They are a key part of the Inheritance Trilogy, in which dragons are a nearly extinct and magical race.
Overview
Dragons have lived in Alagaësia since ancient times with the Dwarves. The skin of a Dragon is nearly impenetrable, though the thin membrane of the wings can be easily pierced. Their scales glitter like gems, although each Dragon only has one scale color. They also have the same eye color as their scales, and their teeth and neck spikes are bone white. The Dragons breath flame the color of their scales, and some can impressively hold the flame for over an hour. The older the dragon grows, the longer they can hold the flame. They never stop growing until their death.
Since the Dragons are bound to Alagaësia, they possess magical properties. Strange things seem to happen around Dragons - people live longer, the earth changes, and things of that nature, yet no one knows how it happens. It is possible these things happen because the Dragon's magic, which permeates every inch of their body. They cannot willingly use their magic, except for their fire. However, when using magic, their strength is unparalleled.
History
Before the formation of the Dragon Riders, a young elf hunted and killed a dragon like it was a common animal. The Dragons banded together and furiously attacked the Elves, leading into war.
Five years into the war, an Elf called Eragon found a white Dragon egg and raised the hatchling within, naming him Bid'Daum ; it was they who stopped the war, allowing peace to follow. In order to prevent another war, the Dragons connected their souls with the Elves, changing both races. Dragons gained the use of language and other trappings of civilization, as well as becoming less fierce. Since Humans came afterwards, the Human Riders were never affected by the Dragons as greatly as the Elves were.
As mounts for Dragon Riders
The few Humans and Elves who ride Dragons like the Elf Eragon I are aptly called Dragon Riders. Dragons give their Riders "shining palms," a silver mark, or the "gedwey ignasia" as a result of the first physical contact between rider and dragon. Dragons communicate telepathically with their Riders, and house incredible magic that can combine with that of the Rider. Dragons are immortal and can also allow their Riders to be nearly immortal; old age will seldom kill them, although wounds or poison can. Over time the link between the dragon and rider will change the rider's appearance.
Role in the Inheritance Trilogy
In the events of the Inheritance Trilogy, there are Dragons on each side of the war - Galbatorix houses one green unhatched Dragon egg and his own Dragon, Shruikan; under Galbatorix's control is Murtagh and his dragon Thorn. Fighting against Galbatorix for the Varden is Eragon and his dragon Saphira, the last female dragon. Another Dragon is Glaedr, who is the Dragon of Oromis, the oldest remaining Rider, who is an Elf.
So far, the only dragon colors known are green (new dragon-unknown rider), blue (Saphira - Eragon, Brom), red (Thorn - Murtagh) and, we can assume Morzan since riders swords are the same color as their dragon), gold (Glaedr - Oromis), black (Shruikan - Galbatorix), white (Bid'Daum - Eragon the elf), brown (Mentioned by the elf Rhunon andBrom tells Eragon that Miremel was brown), and purple (Mentioned by CP in an interview).
Here is a chart of the known dragons and their riders. Dragons Rider Color
- Unknown / Unknown / Green
- Thorn /Murtagh /Red
- Saphira (2) / Eragon (2) / Blue
- Saphira (1) / Brom / Blue
- Shrukian / Galbatorix /Black
- Glaedr / Oromis /Gold
- Bid'daum /Eragon (1) / White
- Unknown but probaly also named Thorn / Morzan / Red
- lormungr / Unknown / Unknown
- vervada / none / Unknown
The (1) indicates the First Eragon or Saphira- the original rider and Brom's dragon and the (2) indicates the main character Eragon in the first and second book.
Here is a list of all the other known dragons mentioned by Brom in book 1 (Eragon):
- Jura
- Fundor (Who fought the giant sea snake)
- Galzra
- Briam
- Ohen the Strong
- Gretiem
- Beroan
- Roslarb
- Vanilor (male)
- Eridor (male)
- Ingothold (male)
- Miremel (female, brown dragon)
- Opheila (female)
- Lenora (female)
Saphira's parents were Iormunger and Vervada. Iormunger was a rider's dragon but Vervada was a wild female dragon who only gave 1 egg to the riders.