Inheritance

Inheritance is the final book in American author Christopher Paolini’s tetralogy, The Inheritance Cycle, which was published between 2002 and 2011. Inheritance is set in the fictional realm of Alagaësia, a typical epic fantasy setting populated with humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Dragons. The young protagonist, Eragon, finally reaches the climactic conclusion of his journey as a Dragon Rider. After traveling across the land, gathering allies, and learning how to wield magic with his Dragon, Saphira, Eragon now embraces his role as a hero for the rebellion against the tyrannical king of Alagaësia, Galbatorix. The story explores themes of The Importance of Balancing Power with Service, Empathy as a Moral Compass, and The Ruinous Effects of Tyranny. 

Paolini holds the Guinness World Record as the youngest author of a best-selling book series. In addition to writing The Inheritance Cycle and its accompanying spin-offs, he has also dabbled in science fiction with the novel To Sleep in a Sea of Stars (2020) and its prequel, Fractal Noise (2023).

This guide refers to the 2011 Kindle edition.

Content Warning: Both the source text and this guide contain descriptions of enslavement, emotional abuse, graphic violence, torture, mutilation, and bodily injury.

Plot Summary

Eragon and his Dragon Saphira are fighting alongside the Varden, the rebel army opposing King Galbatorix’s rule. At the beginning of the story, the Varden are advancing toward Urû’baen, the capital city of Alagaësia, where they hope to confront their enemy. The Varden are led by Nasuada and supported by several forces, including King Orrin’s men, Arya and the Elves, and King Orik and the Dwarves. They are later joined by Grimrr Halfpaw, the King of the Werecats, and his people. Eragon’s cousin Roran and the villagers of their hometown of Carvahall are also taking part in the battle. Finally, despite her people’s reluctance, Nasuada makes the unusual move of allying with the creatures known as Urgals, who are led by their chief, Nar Garzhvog.

As the Varden advance across the realm, Nasuada sends Roran to deal with the siege of Aroughs, whose lord refuses to surrender. Roran, a strategic and creative leader, successfully takes the city by ramming barges into the city’s canal gates. He then returns to the Varden, who have reached the city of Dras-Leona. There, the Varden are at an impasse because Galbatorix’s servant, Murtagh, and Murtagh’s Dragon (Thorn) are defending the city. (Murtagh is Eragon’s half-brother; a magical oath has forced him to serve Galbatorix against his will.)

After the Varden discover secret tunnels under Dras-Leona, Eragon, Arya, and a small group of companions enter the city at night. However, they are ambushed by spellcasters who use the tunnels as a hidden lair to worship an evil god. Eragon and his friends eventually defeat them and open the city’s gates from the inside in order to aid the Varden’s attack.

Despite the Varden’s victory, Murtagh and Thorn attack their camp at night and abduct Nasuada, leaving the Varden without a commander. Eragon is named leader of the Varden in Nasuada’s place. Overwhelmed by this responsibility and doubting his own skills, Eragon remembers a prophecy from Werecat Solembum (an event described in Eragon). In accordance with the prophecy’s instructions, Eragon and Saphira fly to Vroengard, the island that once served as the site of the first battle between the Dragon Riders and Galbatorix. There, they learn their true names—magical names that symbolize their entire being and imbue them with self-knowledge. They are then able to enter the Rock of Kuthian, where they find many Eldunarí (the consciousnesses of dead Dragons contained in enchanted gems), as well as Dragon eggs that survived the war. Years ago, the Eggs and Eldunarí were hidden with magic when the Riders fell, and they now represent a new hope for the Dragon race, as Saphira previously believed herself to be the last female of her kind.

Meanwhile, Nasuada is tortured by Galbatorix, who wants her to join his cause. He uses many tricks and illusions to break her will, but Nasuada resists. She also allies with Murtagh, who helps her to resist the pain and promises to help free her.

When Eragon and Saphira return from Vroengard, they meet with the Varden, who have finally reached Urû’baen. Eragon also meets with Roran, Arya and the Elf Queen Islanzadí, the Dwarf King Orik, the Surdan King Orrin, and the Werecat King Grimrr to explain their plan of attack. When the final battle begins, the Elves create an illusion of Eragon and Saphira to draw out Murtagh and Thorn while the Varden attack the city. Eragon, Saphira, Arya, and a few Elf spellcasters use the diversion to sneak into the citadel, where they face many traps and illusions on their way to Galbatorix. Meanwhile, Roran heroically leads the soldiers in battle and single-handedly defeats Lord Barst, the enemy commander.

When Eragon and his companions finally reach the throne room, they are immediately overpowered by Galbatorix and his Dragon, Shruikan. Desperate, Eragon asks for a duel and faces Murtagh. Eragon defeats his half-brother, and Murtagh suddenly attacks Galbatorix. The King subdues Eragon and his friends, but Eragon casts a spell to make Galbatorix feel remorse for all the harm that his tyranny has caused. Overwhelmed by guilt, Galbatorix is then killed in a magical explosion, and the citadel comes crumbling down. Eragon and his friends escape just in time, and the Varden are victorious.

Nasuada is crowned High Queen of Alagaësia, and Arya is chosen to rule the Elves after Queen Islandzadí’s death in battle. Eragon and Saphira help Nasuada to restore peace across the realm, then decide to leave Alagaësia, reasoning that they have become too powerful and must therefore retire from leadership roles altogether. They also feel a responsibility toward the unhatched Dragon eggs and the Eldunarí. One of the eggs hatches for Arya, who becomes a Rider and names her Dragon Fírnen. Eragon and Saphira set out together to find a safe place to raise the Dragons and the future generation of Riders.