Brom

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Brom was once a Dragon Rider, bonded to a dragon named Saphira. After the fall of the Riders—when King Galbatorix and the Forsworn killed every other Rider a century ago—Brom survived and went into hiding. He lived as a storyteller in the village of Carvahall, where he was known to the local farm boy Eragon. When the Ra'zac, servants of Galbatorix, came to Carvahall seeking Eragon's dragon egg, Brom insisted on accompanying Eragon and Saphira on their quest for vengeance. Over the course of their journey, Brom taught Eragon sword fighting, magic, the ancient elvish language, and the ways of the Dragon Riders. He gave Eragon the sword Zar'roc. Brom was mortally wounded during an ambush by the Ra'zac. As he lay dying, he revealed that he had been a Dragon Rider and that his dragon had also been named Saphira. He gave Eragon his blessing and died. Saphira used magic to encase Brom in a diamond tomb.

In Their Own Story

The Ra'zac ambushed Eragon, Saphira, and Brom outside Dras-Leona. A stranger named Murtagh rescued them, but Brom was mortally wounded. As he lay dying, Brom gave Eragon his blessing and revealed that he was once a Dragon Rider, with a dragon named Saphira. He then died. Saphira used magic to encase Brom in a diamond tomb.

Reader's Guide

Brom's role in the story is that of a mentor and protector. He teaches Eragon the skills needed to survive as a Dragon Rider: sword fighting, magic, the ancient elvish language, and the history of the order. He gives Eragon the sword Zar'roc. Brom is killed by the Ra'zac, but not before revealing his own past as a Dragon Rider. His death spurs Eragon to continue the fight against Galbatorix.

Did You Know?

• Brom reveals on his deathbed that he was once a Dragon Rider and that his dragon was also named Saphira.
• Saphira uses magic to encase Brom in a diamond tomb after his death.
• Brom gives Eragon the sword Zar'roc.
• Brom is mortally wounded by the Ra'zac, servants of King Galbatorix.
• Brom taught Eragon sword fighting, magic, the ancient elvish language, and the ways of the Dragon Riders.

Origins and Publication

Christopher Paolini began writing Eragon after graduating from home school at age fifteen. He spent a year writing the first draft and a second year rewriting and fleshing out the story and characters. His parents decided to self-publish the novel in 2001. Paolini spent a year traveling around the United States promoting the book. The book was discovered by novelist Carl Hiaasen, who brought it to the attention of Alfred A. Knopf. The re-published version was released on August 26, 2003.

Narrative Premise and Brom's Role

The book tells the story of a farm boy named Eragon, who finds a mysterious stone in the mountains. The stone is revealed to be an egg, and a dragon named Saphira hatches from it. When the evil King Galbatorix finds out about the egg, he sends monstrous servants to acquire it, forcing Eragon and Saphira to flee with a storyteller named Brom, who teaches them the ways of the Dragon Riders.

Creative Influences and World-Building

Paolini cites old myths, folk tales, medieval stories, the epic poem Beowulf, and authors J. R. R. Tolkien and E. R. Eddison as his biggest influences. The ancient language used by the elves is based on Old Norse, German, Anglo Saxon, and Russian myth. The landscape in Eragon is based on the wild territory of Montana, particularly Paradise Valley.

Commercial Success and Legacy

Eragon was the third-best-selling children's hardback book of 2003, and the second-best-selling paperback of 2005. It placed on the New York Times Children's Books Best Seller list for 121 weeks and was adapted as a feature film released on December 15, 2006.