Known facts
Although very little has been released, a few things have been confirmed by the author.
Title: Although at this point it is currently unknown what the official title is, Christopher Paolini has confirmed that it will follow the same style as its predecessors (beginning with an e and having six letters in total): thus it will be something similar to E-----. Cover: This is one of the few things confirmed by Paolini. Apparently the cover will feature a green dragon looking to the right. Interview with Paolini: In March of 2006, Christopher Paolini was interviewed[1] by the fan site www.shurtugal.com where he revealed the following information:
When a dragon and Rider become linked, the Rider's magic immediately takes on the color of the dragon's scales. However, this does not mean that if you are a magic user born with green energy, you cannot be paired with an amethyst-colored dragon, for example. On being linked, your magic will automatically change from green to purple - although you can change colors at your will. Paolini states that although Eragon's magic is blue, he could produce red fire if he wanted to.
At the end of Eldest, the Varden favor Nasuada still in terms of leadership, although Paolini has hinted that in book 3 this might change.
Although never mentioned in the series, Paolini has confirmed that Brom's dragon Saphira (not Eragon's Saphira) was blue.
Elva's caretaker in Eldest was the same elderly woman who asked Eragon to bless her (Elva) in the first book.
Paolini has said that it is possible that Eragon may have unknown family members that have not been introduced so far in the series, though he did not confirm this.
Paolini also mentioned that in book 3 it will be revealed if Saphira ever finds a mate.
He also said that more information about Tornac (the man) will be revealed.
In the March 2006 Interview with Shur'tugal.com he revealed that Elva, along with every other character, will have an important role to play.
Concerning How a Person Is Chosen To Be a Rider It is commonly thought that a person's parentage affects their chances of becoming a Rider. However, many, or even most, of the Riders had might not have Riders for parents. Probably the best reason is that it still depends upon a dragon in its egg to choose any given person as its Rider. Hence there exists no absolute chance of the above being true. This idea may have taken root from the fact that both Morzan's known sons became Riders. Paolini confirmed in a March 2006 interview that when a dragon and Rider become linked, the Rider's magic immediately takes on the color of the dragon's scales. However, this does not mean that if you are a magic user born with green energy, you eat cannot be paired with an amethyst-colored dragon, for example. On being linked, your magic will automatically change from green to purple - although you can change colors at your will. Paolini states that although Eragon's magic is blue, he could produce red fire if he wanted to. So far, however, Riders have chosen to use the automatic color - their dragon's color. Oromis uses gold magic, Murtagh's energy is ruby-red, and Eragon's is bright blue. Shruikan is black, although the dragon that actually chose Galbatorix might have been another color; the union between Galbatorix and Shruikan isn't a true dragon-Rider union, so Galbatorix's automatic color may still be that of his original dragon, though he may have chosen to change it after so many decades.
Concerning Isidar Mithrim, the Star Sapphire It has been suggested by unconfirmed sources allegedly "close to Paolini" that Eragon and Saphira will mend the star sapphire, but in the process turning it blue. This will give it the ability to hold massive amounts of magical energy, giving Eragon the strength to kill Galbatorix. not going to happen (me)
Eragon may recite the words which Brom told him before he died. The words may be the name of the Ancient Language (more likely) The words may be Eragon's true name (likely) The words may be Galbatorix's true name (no)
Regarding the next Rider Both Eragon and Murtagh are the sons of Morzan, who was a powerful, albeit evil, Dragon Rider. Dragons chose to hatch for both the sons, and now they have both become Riders. It therefore makes sense if the third Rider for whom the last dragon will hatch will be the descendant of a Rider. The only old Dragon Riders we know are Galbatorix, Morzan, Vrael, Brom and Oromis, and apart from Morzan it is not known if any of the others had children. The last Rider may be an entirely new character, or a character that has already appeared in the first two books. The next Rider may be Arya Dröttningu, and her dragon may become Saphira's mate. This may create the additional impetus necessary for Eragon and Arya to become romantically involved as well. Arya is also of royal blood and Angela predicted that Eragon would love someone of noble birth. However, this is thought unlikely because Arya has three times rejected Eragon's attempts to court her, and is for several different reasons unpopular among critics. Some argue that she will be chosen because her magic is green. However, the revelation made by Paolini in the March 2006 interview (over live chat) means that Arya may not necessarily become the next Rider just because her magic is green - another may be chosen, and their energy would then automatically give green magic. Proponents of the Arya theory also argue that she has green eyes, although the significance of this is debatable. Roran is a likely candidate, as he shows leadership abilities and is the cousin of a Rider - this would make a family of Riders: Morzan, his sons Eragon and Murtagh, and their cousin Roran. It is likely that Nasuada, Murtagh, Eragon, Arya and Roran will be the main leaders in the war (apart from the reigning royals Islanzadi, Galbatorix, Orrin and Hrothgar's likely successor Orik), and it is therefore suitable that Roran's power is enhanced by a link to a dragon. The next Rider could be Nasuada, as of the fact that she is leader of the Varden and a formidable force in her own right, and her dragon and Saphira may mate. This would also give her long life, which would make a relationship with Murtagh possible. Elva may become the next Rider, as she will obviously play a major role in "Empire" and we have yet to see what that role may be. She also has the mark of the dragons on her forehead. The next Rider may be a female elf to keep the balance, as both Eragon and Murtagh are male humans.
Regarding the third dragon The green dragon egg contains a male. The third dragon may mate with Saphira and produce another offspring. Murtagh might try to protect the Varden by giving them the third egg, thereby allowing the next Rider to be chosen from within the Varden's ranks. Christopher Paolini has confirmed that the third dragon will be green and will be featured on the cover on his next book (Jan. 2006).
Regarding Eragon's new weapon Eragon's lost sword may be replaced by the weapon under the roots of the Menoa tree. The weapon under the Menoa Tree might be the original Eragon's sword. This sword may be set with sapphires; following Rider tradition (Saphira's scales are brilliant blue). It may once have been Brom's sword before his Saphira's death (Brom's dragon was blue - confirmed by Paolini - and according to Rider custom Brom would have had a blue sword.) Brom obviously lost the sword at some point, because in Carvahall the only Rider sword he had belonged to Morzan. The Dwarfs and Elves may work together to make Eragon a new sword matching Saphira's scales. Eragon may learn the forbidden secrets of how Galbatorix grows stronger; it is possible that Galbatorix knows the name of the ancient language (although if he did he would control every single magic user including Eragon, which he obviously hasn't done)
The Quote of the Raven, Bladgen Interpreted to mean Eragon and Murtagh are indeed half-brothers
While two <Children> may share two <Parents> And one <Child> of two <Parents> is certainly one One <Mother> might be <Mother to> two <Children of different Fathers>.
Regarding the Vault of Souls The Vault of Souls was, according to Solembum, to be used by Eragon when he was in need of great power. We have yet to see how this is achieved. It could be similar to Aragorn (in The Return of the King), where he enters the "Paths of the Dead" and bind the souls to help him fight the forces of evil. Maybe a group of Dragons will re-emerge in Alagäesia from the Vault of Souls and join forces with the elves, dwarves and humans in battle. We may see Vroengard, which could be the location of the Vault of Souls It is possible that Helgrind is also the Vault of Souls. Utgard Mountain may also be the location of the Vault of Souls. The Vault of Souls may be located at the gates of Doru Araeba The soul of Brom may somehow come and guide Eragon to the Vault of Souls, where he finds the soul of Eragon (the first rider) and therefore gains the power to defeat Galbatorix. Eragon finds the Vaults of Soul and unlocks the power of King Palancar a Dragon Paladin (A dragon that was turned into human form) Regarding Eragon's ability to pull magical energy from living creatures, this could also be a source of great power for defeating Galbatorix.
Regarding the Rock of Kuthian The Rock of Kuthian could have been an old name for Helgrind, before the Ra’zac lived there. The rock of Kuthian may be the rock Eragon used for scrying in
Vision of Perfection
Regarding Eragon's dream in the chapter "Deathwatch" The two people going back on the ship 'Dragon Wing' towards Vroengard may be Eragon and Arya, and the person watching may be Roran or Murtagh. The two dragons circling in the chapter "Deathwatch" could be Saphira and Murtagh's dragon, Thorn. The third Green dragon could become Arya's. (See
Regarding the next Rider above) The dream Eragon has in "Deathwatch" could be of him and Arya leaving the land Alagäesia forever as prophesized by Angela, with Saphira and the green dragon circling. Someone important could die in "Empire" thus explaining why the man on the beach in the chapter "Deathwatch" let out an 'aching cry'. As Eragon perceives that one of the veiled people in "Deathwatch" is a woman, it seems very likely that the next Rider will be female.
Regarding Eragon and Arya Eragon may marry Arya and become the next leader of the Riders. However, Angela prophesized that he would leave Alagäesia forever. Arya may discover that they are meant to be together, a possible reason being that she has been the egg courier for so long, hence dragon magic being unpredictable as it is, led to the dragon(Saphira) developing a link with her. Hence when Eragon became the dragon's (Saphira's) Rider he came to share in this connection with Arya. It also would explain why he was able to see her very clearly while scrying even though he'd never seen her before, and why Arya knew she was being seen by him when she was imprisoned by Durza.
Regarding Eragon's strengthening Eragon could become as strong as Murtagh or stronger. Eragon might unlock the Vault of Souls and attain Eragon's (the first Rider) soul, therefore giving him the power to kill Galbatorix. Eragon may meet and be taught by a surviving member of the "Grey Folk" race.
Other Eragon may move to Surda or Vroengard, because this are seperate from Alagaesia.
Roran and Eragon will go and slay the Razac to save Katrina and Sloan. Sloan will see Roran in another light and be happy with the marriage. Sloan will give Katrina back her inheritance. Roran may be the logical successor to Galbatorix (The King of Men), as he, Eragon and Murtagh may possess the "royal blood" that still flows in Palancar Valley. It is noted in
Eragon how Eragon and Roran are different from the other people in Carvahall. This might be true, especially if they are descendants of King Palancar. Murtagh is similar to Eragon in many ways, and was brought up in the king's palace. If Murtagh is Eragon's only sibling then the title of book two would be "Elder", not "Eldest", according to the rules of grammar, elder means older of two, while eldest means older of at least three. This may mean that Eragon has another brother or sister, though Eldest may have been referring to the fact that Glaedr is the eldest to Shruikan and Saphira. Eldest may also mean Saphira is the eldest of the last three dragons. Even if the statement applies to the rules of perfect grammar, 'The eldest of the two' is sometimes used as a figure of speech. Galbatorix might capture Eragon and have him drugged. Galbatorix then might have force Eragon to join him the way he did with Murtagh - in the Ancient Language. Eragon may force Galbatorix to free Murtagh and Thorn from his oaths. The name of the dragon who presided over the treaty with the Elves may be discovered. A wizards' duel may occur (perhaps between Eragon and Murtagh or Galbatorix). Eragon and Az Sweldn Rak Anhuin will come to an agreement, which may involve either the clan or Eragon being banished from the Dwarf world. If He Made Many more books then he would be able to capture a more descriptive fight with each of the enemies, such as the following: Murtagh, an unknown enemy that is much stronger than Murtagh, and the final book Eragon Fighting Galbatorix.(Submited by CommandSystemFreeze§) Murtagh may die for breaking an oath made to Galbatorix in the Ancient Language. Eragon and Roran may kill the Ra'zac, possibly assisted by Arya Dröttningu. Orik may succeed Hrothgar. Eragon repairs the curse he mistakenly placed on Elva, and Saphira repairs the Star Rose of Tronjheim which was destroyed in the battle. King Orrin of Surda might be slain, as so far the leaders of two of the factions have died from one cause or another, and he might follow the pattern. Queen Islanzadi might be exempt from this chain of events however, as Islanzadi is not going into battle herself. Nar Garzhvog may become the King of the Urgals. If Galbatorix is defeated, Murtagh and Thorn may emerge from their forced allegiance to the king and return to the Varden. Murtagh may succeed Galbatorix and become the main enemy after Galbatorix is defeated by Eragon and the Last Rider. We may witness a double dragon duel between Saphira and the third dragon vs. Shruikan and Thorn. We should also see a lot more of Arya's earlier life and learn why she secludes herself and behaves in such a haughty manner. (Perhaps she was romantically involved with Fäolin, one of her escorts, who was killed by the Urgals under Durza's control when Arya was captured.) Eragon could possibly learn a spell that can release Shruikan from Galbatorix's black magic therefore allowing Eragon to overpower him.
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Similarities
The Inheritance trilogy contains many similarities to plot, characters, and themes from the Lord of the Rings and the original Star Wars trilogy. Based on these similarities, a number of possible events in Empire can be inferred.
Eragon will return to Oromis after he releases Elva from his curse. Oromis (and Glaedr?) die. Brom's soul then visits Eragon. Eragon returns to the Varden, finds Roran, and attacks Helgrind. He defeats the Ra'zac and rescues Katrina. At some point, a city will be besieged by Galbatorix, and the elves ride to its aid. A final battle will be staged at Uru'Baen. Murtagh saves Eragon by killing Galbatorix. The Varden try to lure out the imperial army to help Eragon. Eragon leaves Alagäesia for Alalea. Roran becomes king of Alagäesia. Eragon fights Galbatorix and loses, forcing Murtagh to break his vow and defeat Galbatorix, killing himself in the process. Eragon's true father is not Morzan but Galbatorix himself (who may have raped Selena, Eragon's mother- explaining why she didn't tell Morzan about her pregnancy).
