Dragon Riders

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Lore & Background

The Dragon Riders were once a powerful order, but a century ago, King Galbatorix, with the help of the now-dead Forsworn—a group of rogue Riders—killed every other Rider. This left Galbatorix as the only known Rider in Alagaësia for a hundred years, until Eragon bonded with Saphira. Brom, the old village storyteller who accompanies Eragon, was once a Dragon Rider himself, with a dragon also named Saphira. He reveals this on his deathbed after being mortally wounded by the Ra'zac. Brom teaches Eragon sword fighting, magic, the ancient elvish language, and the ways of the Dragon Riders. The ancient language used by the elves in Eragon is based "almost entirely" on Old Norse, German, Anglo Saxon, and Russian myth. Paolini commented: "[I] did a god-awful amount of research into the subject when I was composing it. I found that it gave the world a much richer feel, a much older feel, using these words that had been around for centuries and centuries."

In Their Own Story

The wind howled through the jagged peaks of the Spine, carrying the scent of pine and ancient stone. High above the clouds, Saphira banked sharply, her sapphire scales catching the dying light of the sun like shards of polished gemstone. Eragon held tight to her saddle, feeling the hum of their bond vibrate through his very bones—a silent conversation that needed no words. Below them, the world was a patchwork of shadows and fear, but here, in the sky, there was only freedom. He remembered the stories of the old Riders, the ones who had vanished into history books, and felt a heavy weight settle on his shoulders. They were not just flying; they were carrying the last ember of a fire that had once lit up the entire world.

Reader's Guide

The Dragon Riders operate without a formal hierarchy in their modern incarnation, largely due to the isolation forced upon them by Galbatorix's regime. Leadership is fluid and situational, often falling to those with the most experience or wisdom, such as Brom or Oromis before his passing. Their primary goal remains the restoration of peace in Alagaësia and the protection of their dragons from persecution. Internal conflict arises from the differing philosophies on how best to interact with human kingdoms; some Riders prefer isolation to avoid political entanglement, while others believe they must actively intervene to guide humanity. The scarcity of members also creates tension, as each new Rider brings a unique perspective that may clash with established traditions or memories of the past. Key figures include Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira, who represent the hope for renewal; Arya Vollen, the last Elf Rider, who bridges the gap between elves and humans; and Nasuada, though not a Rider herself, acts as a crucial political ally. The Order's strength lies in its adaptability, shifting from a rigid military order to a loose network of guardians dedicated to survival and eventual triumph.

Did You Know?

• The name 'Eragon' is simply 'dragon' with one letter changed.
• Paolini created the cover art for the original self-published edition of Eragon, which featured Saphira's eye on the cover.
• The ancient language used by the elves is based 'almost entirely' on Old Norse, German, Anglo Saxon, and Russian myth.
• Eragon was the third-best-selling children's hardback book of 2003 and the second-best-selling paperback of 2005.
• The book was discovered by novelist Carl Hiaasen after his stepson bought a copy and 'immediately loved' it.

Origins and Self-Publishing Journey

Christopher Paolini's path to becoming a published author began in his mid-teens after graduating from homeschool at fifteen. Inspired by classic fantasy literature, he spent two years meticulously drafting and rewriting the manuscript for Eragon by hand, eventually creating detailed maps and cover art himself featuring Saphira's eye. Recognizing the story's potential, his parents established Paolini International to self-publish the novel in 2001. The family then embarked on a grueling year-long tour across the United States, where Paolini often dressed in medieval costume to promote the book at libraries and schools. Despite giving over one hundred thirty-five talks, sales remained modest, with Paolini sometimes selling only forty copies in an eight-hour shift. This stressful promotional effort nearly ended his career until summer 2002, when novelist Carl Hiaasen encountered a copy purchased by his stepson during a vacation stop. Impressed by the work, Hiaasen introduced it to Alfred A. Knopf, leading to a major publishing deal that transformed the book's trajectory.

Narrative Arc and Core Conflict

The story centers on Eragon, a young farm boy whose life changes irrevocably when he discovers a mysterious blue stone in the mountains, which hatches into a dragon named Saphira. This event thrusts him into a dangerous conflict with King Galbatorix, an evil ruler who dispatches monstrous servants to seize the egg and its rider. Forced to flee their home, Eragon and his new companion are guided by Brom, a wandering storyteller who initiates them into the ancient ways of the Dragon Riders. The narrative explores themes of loyalty and growth as the pair navigate a hostile world while evading capture. Paolini designed Saphira not merely as a beast, but as the perfect friend—loyal, intelligent, and brave—raised in close mental contact with her human partner to bridge the gap between species. This unique bond allows Eragon to mature rapidly, mirroring the author's own development during the writing process.

Literary Influences and World-Building

Paolini constructed the world of Alagaësia by drawing heavily from a diverse array of literary sources, including Beowulf, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Ursula K. Le Guin, alongside various medieval myths and folk tales. To create an authentic atmosphere, he conducted extensive research into Old Norse, German, Anglo-Saxon, and Russian languages to develop the ancient tongue spoken by elves, believing these centuries-old words added depth and age to his setting. Character naming was a painstaking process that could take years; for instance, 'Eragon' was chosen because it is simply 'dragon' with one letter altered, symbolizing how the character changes the era he inhabits. The physical landscape of the fictional continent reflects the wild territories of Paolini's home state, Montana, particularly Paradise Valley. His personal experiences hiking in forests and mountains provided specific details that enriched his descriptions, allowing him to visualize history and plot points through the terrain itself.

Commercial Success and Cultural Impact

Following its acquisition by Alfred A. Knopf and a new cover design by John Jude Palencar, Eragon was re-released on August 26, 2003, achieving immediate commercial success. It quickly climbed the charts to become the third-best-selling children's hardback of that year and later secured the spot as the second-best-selling paperback in 2005. The novel demonstrated remarkable longevity, remaining on the New York Times Children's Books Best Seller list for an impressive one hundred twenty-one weeks. This widespread popularity extended beyond print, leading to a feature film adaptation released on December 15, 2006. The book's journey from a self-published manuscript by a teenager to a global phenomenon highlights its significant resonance with readers and its lasting place in modern fantasy literature.