50 Fun Facts About Eragon
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Take the 50-question quizHow old was Christopher Paolini when he began writing Eragon after finishing home school?
He spent a year on the first draft and a second year rewriting before his parents saw it.
Who first published Eragon, in 2001?
Paolini International was a small home-based publisher; he drew the cover art of Saphira's eye himself.
Which novelist discovered Eragon on holiday and brought it to Knopf's attention?
His stepson bought a copy at one of Paolini's talks and immediately loved it.
In which year did Knopf release its edition of Eragon?
It came out on August 26 with a new cover by John Jude Palencar.
Roughly how many talks did Paolini give while touring to promote the self-published book?
He often appeared in medieval costume and might sell forty books in a good eight-hour day.
Which US state's wild landscape inspired the setting of Eragon?
Paolini grew up in Paradise Valley and still lives there.
What is the name of the fictional continent where the series takes place?
Paolini roughed out its history before writing but only drew a map once Eragon's travels required it.
The elves' ancient language draws on Old Norse, German, Anglo-Saxon and what else?
Paolini said using words that had been around for centuries gave the world an older feel.
Paolini said he was lucky with the hero's name because it is one letter away from what?
Eragon is just "dragon" with one letter changed; he also liked that "era" and "gone" suggested a character who changes his era.
Saphira's blue-tinted vision was inspired by what about Paolini?
He imagined her as the perfect friend: loyal, funny, brave, intelligent and noble.
Which epic poem does Paolini name among his biggest influences?
He also cites Tolkien and E. R. Eddison, plus Eddings, McCaffrey, Le Guin and Herbert.
Which Shade ambushes three elves at the start of the novel, trying to steal a dragon egg?
The surviving elf teleports the egg away, and he imprisons her at Gil'ead.
How old is Eragon at the start of the book?
His mother left him with his uncle fifteen years earlier, on a farm near Carvahall.
What is the name of Eragon's uncle, who raises him?
The Ra'zac fatally wound him and burn the farm, which sets Eragon on his quest for revenge.
In which village does Eragon grow up?
In Eldest his cousin Roran leads the whole village to Surda to join the Varden.
What does Saphira's hatching leave on Eragon's palm?
The bond makes him the only known Rider besides King Galbatorix.
Which of Galbatorix's monstrous servants come hunting the egg in Eragon's village?
Their mounts, and parents, are the Lethrblaka, introduced in Eldest.
Which sword does the old storyteller give Eragon when they set out?
It once belonged to Morzan, leader of the Forsworn.
Where do Eragon and Saphira hide from the Ra'zac after fleeing the farm?
Eragon had found the blue stone in the Spine while hunting.
Who were the Forsworn?
With their help the king killed every other Rider a century before the story.
In which city do Eragon and Brom meet Brom's friend Jeod?
Jeod helps them track the Ra'zac to Dras-Leona.
Which witch tells Eragon's fortune in Teirm?
Her companion is the werecat Solembum, who gives Eragon cryptic advice.
What kind of creature is Solembum?
His advice about the Rock of Kuthian eventually leads Eragon to the Vault of Souls.
How does Saphira entomb Brom after he dies?
Before dying he reveals he was once a Dragon Rider himself.
What are the Varden?
Their hideout is Farthen Dûr, a hollow mountain.
Which elf does Eragon free from the prison at Gil'ead?
She had accidentally sent the dragon egg to him, and she tells him where to find the Varden.
Murtagh reveals he is the son of which former leader of the Forsworn?
Brisingr later reveals that Eragon and Murtagh share a mother but not a father.
What are the Kull?
An army of them chases Eragon to the Varden's headquarters.
Who leads the Varden when Eragon first arrives?
His daughter Nasuada takes over after he is ambushed and killed at the start of Eldest.
Which dwarf, nephew of King Hrothgar, becomes Eragon and Saphira's guide?
In Brisingr he is elected the new dwarf king.
According to the Varden's leader, what is the only way to kill a Shade?
That is why Murtagh's arrow through the head only appears to kill Durza.
What is Isidar Mithrim, shattered during the battle at Farthen Dûr?
Saphira repairs the star rose in Brisingr at Orik's coronation.
What lasting injury does Eragon carry out of his duel with the Shade?
In Eldest the wound causes seizures until an elven ceremony heals it.
Where is Eragon told to go at the end of the book, to be trained?
A stranger contacts him telepathically while he lies in a coma.
How many weeks did Eragon spend on the New York Times Children's Books bestseller list?
It was the third best-selling children's hardback of 2003.
Who are the crippled Rider and dragon who secretly train Eragon in Eldest?
Both die in Brisingr when Galbatorix, controlling Murtagh, attacks them over Gil'ead.
What is the name of the red dragon that hatches for Murtagh?
Galbatorix binds both of them with oaths in the ancient language.
What weapon becomes Roran's signature in Eldest?
He uses it defending Carvahall, and later wrestles an Urgal into submission for command of his unit.
What does Eragon's botched blessing do to the child Elva?
She uses the ability to foil an assassination attempt on Nasuada.
In Brisingr, who is revealed to be Eragon's real father?
Murtagh had assumed they shared Morzan as a father; they share only a mother.
What is an Eldunarí, the source of Galbatorix's power?
Glaedr gives his to Eragon so the king cannot claim it if he falls.
What happens whenever Eragon says the name of his new sword, Brisingr?
Rhunön forges it by controlling Eragon's body, having sworn never to make a weapon again.
Where is the metal for Eragon's new sword found?
Eragon finds it by deciphering the werecat Solembum's earlier instructions.
On which island does Eragon find the Rock of Kuthian and the Vault of Souls?
A spell makes everyone but Eragon and Saphira forget the place once they hear of it.
What must Eragon and Saphira speak to enter the Vault of Souls?
Inside they find a hoard of Eldunarí and dragon eggs hidden before the Riders fell.
How does Galbatorix die in Inheritance?
Eragon's spell forces him to feel all the suffering he has caused.
Who becomes High Queen of Alagaësia at the end of the series?
King Orrin of Surda grudgingly pledges allegiance to her.
What does the new elf queen name the dragon that hatches for her?
Eragon then sails east with the eggs and Eldunarí to raise the next generation of Riders.
Who played Eragon in the 2006 film?
It was his film debut, as it was for singer Joss Stone; Rachel Weisz voiced Saphira.
Roughly how much did the Eragon film gross worldwide?
Despite a 16% Rotten Tomatoes score, it was the number one film worldwide on its opening weekend.
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