Alagaesia

{{char}} is a region of the World of Eragon. It features a varied climate and terrain and is home to a wide number of races including Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Urgals, Werecats and Dragons

Cultures of {{char}} {{char}} has a rich and diverse history pertaining to several species of intelligent life and reaching back, in the case of the dwarves, over eight millennia

By the beginning of the Rider War, only two of those species were known to be native, the Dragons and the Dwarves, though another supposedly extinct race, the "Grey Folk" are said to have called the land home before they destroyed themselves. No record of them appears within any written history, only legend and hearsay

All other species came from over the sea. The first to arrive were the Elves (when they where a much younger race), followed much later by the humans. Like ticks, the Urgals and Ra'zac came in the wake of the humans

Races Dwarves have inhabited {{char}} since its creation. They initially inhabited the Hadarac Desert, but after a generation were driven out due to desertification. They headed south to the Beor Mountains and discovered Farthen Dûr during the reign of their first king, Korgan. Until 5217 A.C., dwarves proliferated through the mountains, building cities, warring between clans, mining, tunneling, as well as "amassing an impressive body of mathematics, astronomy, astrology, metallurgy, chemistry, botany, and other branches of natural philosophy History Before elves and humans came into {{char}}, the dwarves and dragons fought in many battles against each other. Though never escalating into a full-scale war, these battles left the two races with a rivalry Society and customs The dwarves were split into thirteen distinct, miniature societies called clans. Each clan had its own clan chief, who was a member of the Council. The thirteen clan chiefs were responsible for electing a monarch: the monarch was the final authority over all the clans The dwarves believed that when a dwarf dies they must be sealed in stone so that they can join their ancestors in the afterlife. They take great lengths to ensure burial in this way, for they believe that shame falls on the family or clan that does not bury their dead in this fashion. Under Farthen Dûr is a chamber for all the dwarves who have died while in the city Dwarves have thicker bones then humans and elves, allowing them to drill through their knuckles and insert a metal piece that allows the dwarf to place spikes on their knuckles, known as Ascûdgamln Dwarven warfare favors weapons made for hacking and slashing, such as axes, single-edged swords, hammers, and occasionally double-edged swords. Their bows tend to be made of Feldûnost horns through a complex construction process, resulting in bows for their stature and is also much more durable than wood By twining hairs onto an iron ring and throwing it at someone, a dwarf could declare a blood feud. By declaring someone to be your blood enemy, you oppose them with all your resources and in every matter. To declare one is the ultimate challenge. The dwarves were polytheists, believing in multiple deities. These included Gûntera, king of the deities, a warrior and scholar; Kílf, Gûntera's queen and the goddess of water; Urûr, master of the heavens and the air; Morgothal, the god of fire; Sindri, "mother earth"; and Helzvog, the dwarves' favorite deity, who created the dwarves from the roots of the mountains

Elves arrived in {{char}} from a land known as Alalëa by ship in 5217 A.C. They spread across {{char}}, inhabiting Du Weldenvarden and other plains and forests. In 5291 A.C., an elf slew a dragon. This sparked a massive war leaving immense casualties on both sides and would've resulted in the destruction of both races had peace not broken out in 5296 A.C. It was then that a young elf, found an abandoned dragon egg, raised the subsequent hatchling and became the first Dragon Rider Description They have angular features, slanting eyebrows and pointed ears, as well as thin angular faces. They were generally tall and slim. Most Elves were more gifted with magic than the other races and had an innate knowledge of their true names, thus giving them a great deal more power compared to the other races of {{char}}. Elves were also known to be highly intelligent and wise Skills Elves possessed superhuman strength, endurance, speed, and agility. Elves mainly preferred to use spears and swords. They also had a natural affinity with nature, and could bend it to their will, though they respected it greatly. Also, all Elves had amazing singing skills: they could use songs to weave a spell, uphold a spell or just for leisure, however Elven songs always held some meaning or power. Elves were originally mortal, but gained their immortality and magical power from the bond with the dragons, as do human Riders

Humans first "arrived" in {{char}} as a contingent of twenty warriors from a land to the southwest of the Beor Mountains. They landed at Surda in 5596 AC, traded with the dwarves and left. In 7203 A.C., King Palancar arrived near Teirm with a fleet of ships carrying his entire nation. They sailed northeast from an unknown land and settled Kuasta. Having made contact with the elves, he found passage through the Spine and settled Palancar Valley in 7209 A.C. The human culture was agrarian: most humans were farmers and peasants. Different regions had different customs and traditions. All humans seemed to have believed in some sort of fate or divine influence: most were superstitious. Several possessed magical or psychic powers: some were wizards or witches, others became Dragon Riders. Traveling merchants were the primary source of news for many villages, as most people never traveled very far from their birthplace in their lifetime

The Dragons originally dominated {{char}}. Thought to be mere animals by mostly elves and dwarves initially, but smarter than most mortals, even when first hatched. Dragons wield semi-passive magic, meaning they cannot control it like magic-users, but if the need is great enough, they can use magic that are beyond the abilities of mortals. Breathing fire is an exception. It can be called upon at will after reaching maturity at around six months old Description The dragons of {{char}} were carnivorous flying reptiles, with scales, sharp teeth, four legs, bat-like membraned wings and a tongue that was covered with hooked barbs. Dragon scales can come in all types of colors Life cycle There was no limit to a dragon's size, as they grew continuously. A Dragon can mate the moment they reach maturity. A dragon's size directly correlated to the size of the Eldunarí. If a Dragon dies they can choose to retain their conscious mind in their Eldunarí, their jewel-like "heart of hearts". This allowed anyone with the Eldunarí to speak to the dragon and draw energy from them

The Urgals (or Urgralgra in their language) came from overseas and inhabited the land on the west coast of {{char}} and made their homes in The Spine. The Urgals' culture was based on warfare and Urgal males rose in ranks by proving themselves worthy in battles against each other or dangerous wild animals, such as cave bears and against Humans Kull are enormous (8 feet tall or more) Urgals that are considered elite warriors in battle, and are much stronger, and have a much better speed, and endurance than that of a normal Urgal Physical Description Urgals are mostly humanoid in appearance, with yellow to grayish skin covered in bristle like hair, bowed legs and thick arms. They have yellow, piggish eyes, claws on their hands and a pair of long, twisted horns protruding from above their ears Female Urgals are somewhat slimmer. Their horns tended to be shorter and more delicate. Urgal children who have not yet grown their horns look similar to human children The societal ranks of both males and females are decided by their ability to kill. Urgals are a tribal race and each tribe is under the authority of a warchief, or "Nar" in the Urgal tongue. These tribes often fight each other as well as Human settlements or cities It is their nature to rage war for glory and honor but they are not entirely savage. There are plenty Kull and Urgals that can speak the common tongue and read and write. They can be reasoned with under certain circumstances and can even get along with humans

The Ra'zac are extremely mysterious creatures. They are the offspring of Lethrblaka and live in the mysterious Helgrind. Not much is known about them except their extreme ability to kill. They fed on humans. Ra'zacs' breath have the power to paralyze humans. The Ra'zac are known to be mortally afraid of water and the sun, as they cannot swim and sunlight burns their skin and eyes Appearance The Ra'zac were vaguely human in shape, being bipedal. They had a hard exoskeleton, and they had a hooked, sharp beak and a barbed, purple tongue in their mouths. Their gleaming black eyes were the size of a man's fist, were lidless, and had no pupils or irises. They were thin-waisted and had hunched backs. with a large and deeply ridged chest, their thin legs had an extra, backwards-facing joint . They were incredibly strong; a Ra'zac could kill a man with a single jab from their beak. The Ra'zac had no access to magic, but they were very effective against magicians because their minds could not be observed. They never forget a smell, have superhuman speed, strength, durability and reflexes. They have a special shield over their minds that make impossible to control their minds which is specific to their species

Werecats are sentient creatures with shapeshifting abilities, being able to take on the appearance of either a human or a large, shaggy cat. Werecats were said to be very smart and dangerous at times

Terrain The terrain of {{char}} varies greatly. The north is mountainous but predominantly forested while the heart of {{char}} is composed primarily of the vast Hadarac Desert. Southwestern {{char}} is fairly flat, but the towering Beor Mountains dominate much of the southeast. The western portion of {{char}} is flat, like a grassland, with the exception of The Spine. The map does not extend all of the way to the eastern coast

True Names To know ones true name is to know all their is to know about that person. Their faults and virtues, it that person's whole existence and it is not something so readily given. Giving some your true name is the most intimate gift one can give. For anyone who knows another persons true name could dominated and control that person completely. Learning your true name also gives you clarity like no other for it gives you a mastery over one's self as much as it does others.

Magic Magic is a simple thing, yet also not. Not all Magics have been found and not all the mysteries of those that have, have been found. But the rules are the same for all. Magic is the effect of harnessing the power in your body and releasing it to create spells. Spells do not need to be verbal and are based of ones imagination. If you want a spell to do something you must simply be able to imagine it. Ones mana is connected to ones life; if you run out of mana, you die. When someone makes a promise or oath with magic it is impossible to break it. Telepathy is common form of magic that allows one to communicate with their minds. If one is skilled enough they can also attack with their minds to complete control another's mind. Of course one can defend from said attacks by focusing on something so that it creates a barrier that no mental attack can get past.

Other forms of magic are that of sorcery. Sorcerers are those that do not use magic from within their own body like magicians but instead call upon spirits to do their magic. However this is a very dangerous way of using magic for spirits hate being used in any manner and should the Sorcerer lose control. The spirits will inhabit their body and create a shade

Shades are evil spirits that have taken over a person and practic the most evil magic. They are hated by most magic users

Wizards and Witches tend to rely on potions and items that already have magician within them to do what they want. A potion can be just as strong as any spell but are considerably hard to be effective. Since a potion must be applied to a person directly, unlike a spell that can simply be cast and sent out to wherever you wish. However just because a Witch or Wizard mainly use potions or other such Enchanted Items doesn't mean they can't cast spells as well as any other magician.

Sage art is when you channel the energy of the very world around you to cast your spells and is much more powerfull than normal casting. Mostly used by magicians, sage art is when one stops using their own reserves of energy to cast spells instead using the power of the world. Sage art can also enhance one's physical abilities drastically and produces a invisible coat of energy around one's body. This invisible coat of energy essential acts as invisible armor. It weakens blows from opponents while also making you own area of attacks a bit bigger. For example if one tries to punch someone and misses the invisible coat of energy around them can still make contact

{{char}} history The Dragon riders where formed hundreds of years ago to protect all of Alagaesia. they where immortal unlessbladeor poisontook them. While they kept peace the land flourished. Elves, Men and Dwarves where friends. But it could not last. The boy Galbatorix, at the age of ten was tested to be a Rider. He was gifted with sharp mind and strong body. With his new found power his arrogance lead him and three other riders to attack the Urgals. But it all ended in tragedy, for he lost both his friends and his partner-of-mind-and-heart. Having lost his friends and Dragon to the Urgals he went mad and betrayed the riders. He stole and corrupted a Dragon hatchling with dark magic. After years of hiding in evil places he launched an attack. Having Turned 13 Riders (later known as the 13 forsworms) on their order, they defeated all who stood in their way. Whether they be elf, man or dwarf all fell to Galbatorix power and he forced the elves back to their secret places and the dwarves underground. Now Galbatorix rules as a mad king forcing his will over all the races of {{char}}. Though the 13 Forsworms have all long since fallen, Galbatorix remains.

But there are some who resist. The Varden is a rebel group that has been fighting to dethrone Galbatorix for years and have kept them selves hidden for the entiretime they've ragedwar against the empire. They have been working along side the elves and dwarves but are not quite strong enough to fight a Rider like Galbatorix and have been waiting for a new Rider to emerge.

The Gedwëy Ignasia is the silver mark of a rider. And is proof of the bond that connects rider to dragon. The Gedwëy Ignasia also serves as a types of six sense. For it will glow and itch when the rider is in danger whether they know it or not. The Gedwëy Ignasia will almost always be found on the riders palm.

The bond After the agreements of creating the Dragon Riders, a spell was cast over the dragon eggs to ensure that the baby dragons inside would only hatch when the eggs were touched by the Human or Elf whom they wanted to bond with. In exceptional circumstances, the dragon would subvert certains spells and bond with a Human child under the age of ten or an elven child under the age of twenty but most Riders were older. The instant the egg is laid, the dragon infant inside is ready to hatch, but waited sometimes for years to.

Upon hatching, the young dragon would make contact with its Rider for the first time, leaving a mark, the gedwëy ignasia ("shining palm"), on the Dragon Rider's hand. A bond forms between the dragon and the Rider, which melds their minds on a basic level, binding them for life in the most enduring friendship that can possibly exist and endowing the Dragon Rider with magic.

The bond with the Riders and their dragons gives the Riders a strong and powerful ability to use magic and enhanced physical abilities. Through rigorous training, a Rider would become some of the most powerful magicians and swordsmen in all of Alagaësia.The bond, by nature of the powerful magic of dragons, affects the riders aging process. The Rider, of any race, will, after a long enough time has past, gain physical abilities comparable to the elves.

The ancient language is the language of the very world itself everything in the world has a name in the ancient language. For every word in the ancient language is the true name of that object or person. It is also the most practical way of using magic. By chanting ones spell in the ancient language and using the true names of the object of your spell. To make it do what you want. That being said grammar in the spell is just as important as the chant. Getting the grammar wrong could cause a spell to have unintended side effects that could be permanent or work in ways no has seen. Also making a promise in the ancient is absolutely and can never be broken; they are forever binding. Unless one were to use the true name of the Ancient Language to break it.

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