Eragon

Saphira is Eragon’s dragon. Covered in sapphire scales, she is both physically intimidating and beautiful. Although Saphira is chronologically younger than Eragon, she possesses the elemental wisdom of her species and advises her Rider when he isn’t sure what action to take. In many ways, Saphira is far more pragmatic than Eragon and more suspicious of the motives of others.

She is also far more willing to engage in battle, trusting her lethal physical abilities to get out of trouble. Like Eragon, Saphira can communicate telepathically with other species. She is far more psychologically complex than the humans around her and possesses magical abilities of her own. Saphira recognizes the value of the Rider-dragon connection and points out that she and Eragon together are more formidable than either would be apart. She tells Eragon that they have a noble purpose to fulfill: “It is our destiny to attempt the impossible, to accomplish great deeds regardless of fear. It is our responsibility to the future” (92).

At the beginning of the novel, Brom is an old man who is the village storyteller. It isn’t until Eragon becomes Saphira’s Rider that the layers of Brom’s identity begin to reveal themselves. As the old man undertakes the boy’s training, Brom reveals his knowledge of magic and his connection to the elves. At many points, Eragon presses Brom for more information, but the old man only reveals what he feels the boy needs to know at the time.

In addition to teaching Eragon the fundamentals of magic, he also tutors him in combat skills. Brom’s past failures seem to haunt him because he never fully reveals his own experience as a Dragon Rider until his final moments. We can assume that much of his back story won’t be revealed until subsequent books in the series. However, Angela offers a few tantalizing bits of information late in the novel:

He was chosen as a Rider, but his dragon was killed. He loved a woman, but it was his affection that was her undoing. And he was chosen, I assume, to guard and train you, but in the end he failed at that as well. The only thing he succeeded at was killing Morzan, and a better deed he couldn’t have done (435).

Murtagh is an 18-year-old warrior who befriends Eragon and Saphira when the Ra’zac pursue them. Like many of the other characters in the novel, he has a tragic past and secrets he wishes to conceal. Initially, we only learn that he hasn’t sided with any of the political factions grappling for power in the kingdom. Murtagh eventually forms a brotherly relationship with Eragon. The reason for this fraternal link will be explored further in future novels.

Because of his bond with Eragon, Murtagh frequently finds himself on the horns of a dilemma. He doesn’t want to go near the Varden stronghold, yet finds himself trapped there while trying to help Eragon save Arya. Late in the novel, the reader learns that Murtagh is the despised son of the traitor Morzan. He was abused by his father and abandoned by his mother. Later, his allegiance was also courted by Galbatorix. For the most part, Murtagh sees himself as an outcast and only feels safe once he is in Varden custody. Despite his unwillingness to get embroiled in politics, Murtagh helps defend Tronjheim from invaders at the end of the novel.

Arya is an elf who possesses magical abilities. She is frequently described from Eragon’s point of view as being beautiful. While she appears briefly in the book’s prologue, for much of the novel, she is held captive and tortured by the Shade. Arya is proud and resolute and won’t reveal any of the information that Durza wants, even if it costs her life.

She appears in Eragon’s dreams, and he feels an irresistible urge to find and free her. Even after this point, she remains largely absent from the story until the final chapters, when she recovers from the poison given to her by Durza. After regaining control of her senses, Arya proves both her proficiency in magic and her skills on the battlefield. In later books, she will assume the role of Eragon’s love interest since Angela foretold a great love for Eragon with a highborn lady. As the first novel in the series concludes, Arya is positioned to lead Eragon to the elvish realm to complete his training.

Garrow is Eragon’s elderly uncle. Though he seems gruff and morose through much of the story, this is because he still mourns the death of his wife. He tries to provide for his son and Eragon by running a modest farm but can barely scrape together enough food for the family to survive. Garrow is killed by the Ra’zac, who are pursuing Eragon and Saphira. He represents the only home that Eragon has ever known. The destruction of his farm breaks the Rider’s final ties with the small village where he grew up. Eragon’s’ desire to avenge Garrow’s death gives him the impetus to fulfill his destiny.

Roran is Eragon’s cousin, though the two grew up as close-knit as brothers. He is two years older and on the point of marrying and starting a family of his own. Eragon is crushed when Roran takes a job in a nearby town so he can earn enough money to marry the girl he loves. He is absent through much of the novel, but Eragon frequently expresses concern about his cousin’s safety leading to the conclusion that Roran will reappear in future volumes of the saga.

Angela is an eccentric and amusing witch who owns an herb shop. She is closely connected to Brom, but her links to the dragons and Riders aren’t revealed in the first book in the series. She appears only briefly in the story but gives Eragon some insight into his future by foretelling his destiny.

Like Eragon, she is adept at telepathic communication with other species. Her magical proficiency is strong enough to frighten the Twins of Tronjheim, but the specifics of her knowledge aren’t revealed in this book. We can assume she will reappear to offer more guidance to Eragon in the future.

Solembum is Angela’s pet cat, who proudly announces that he is a werecat, which means he is a shapeshifter. At various points in the story, he appears in other forms to guide Eragon, even though he rarely communicates with humans. Angela says that this has only happened three times, so Solembum’s willingness to help Eragon is unusual. He can communicate telepathically with Eragon, Saphira, and Angela, though he could do the same with other magical humans if he chose. He gives Eragon two pieces of cryptic advice that don’t factor into the first novel in the series. It is assumed that the meaning of his words will be revealed in future books. 

At the beginning of the novel, Durza is a Shade, who appears in the guise of a human male with red hair and maroon eyes, but he can take many forms. According to the book’s lore, a Shade is created accidentally by a practitioner of dark magic when a wizard seeks to control evil spirits but ends up being possessed by them instead. Although Murtagh shoots Durza with arrows that ought to kill him, he reappears at a later point in the story. When Eragon learns that a Shade can only be destroyed by piercing the heart, he dispatches the Shade. Durza’s death effectively ends the Urgal attack on Tronjheim.

Ajihad is the wise leader of the Varden faction. He is human but leads his army from within the dwarf city of Tronjheim because it offers better protection. Ajihad is an astute politician and wants to remain on good terms with his dwarf hosts as well as with the elves who live to the north. He is particularly concerned about Eragon’s political sympathies but doesn’t force an alliance from his guest. It is assumed that he will play a more significant role in future books in the series.