Dwarves

Not a whole lot was learned about the dwarves in the book Eragon but from what we know so far they seem like a very interesting race. They are all currently under the rule of 2 people, Ajihad (leader of the Varden) and Hrothgar (The dwarves king). The Dwarves were the first race in Alagaësia. They have burrowed tunnels all through the Beor Mountain range (Mountains as high as 10 miles!) under which they live. Inside the Mountain of Farthen Dûr (means our father in the dwarves language and is also completely hollow but is as tall and as wide as any of the mountains in the Beor mountain range) their capital city Tronjheim (the most magnificent city built by dwarves) lies. Made of the purest white marble the entire city glows from a distance when light hits it and is also big enough to fit the entire dwarf population in times of crisis (which has happened 3 times in the long dwarf history). It is over a mile high and shaped like a cone, some parts of it unused for centuries. Tronjheim means Helm of Giants in the dwarfs’ language.

When it comes to the Varden the Dwarves usually stay away not making unnecessary communication. The dwarves are not too happy with the riders or their dragons either, because for one the Dragons hunted them back way before the time of the riders and secondly a Dwarf rider has never existed, so they kind of hold a grudge. The first riders where elves followed by humans, also no female riders have ever existed. When Saphira’s egg had not hatched yet the dwarves hoped it would pick one of their people to start the new generation of riders, but after Eragon got the egg to hatch for him that hope was lost. And although they were mad about that and never really liked the dragons anyway, they still wished the well being of Eragon and Saphira knowing that it may be their only chance.

So far there have been 42 dwarf kings (including Hrothgar) in the many millennia the dwarves have existed, and the dwarves are also divided into 13 clans (each taking orders from the clan chief). A new king is chosen from one of these clan chief’s when the old king dies. Dwarves are very skilled at weapon building and are also very good at wielding those forged weapons. The clan Orik (Eragon’s guide) is from is called the Ingietum, which stands for smiths in the dwarfs’ language. Their life span is much longer than humans but they pass on with time only outlived by Riders, Dragons, and some elves. The dwarves believe that their god Helzvog created them out of living granite.

The dwarves are very wise people and skilled warriors as well. Unlike the Humans the dwarf women fight in battles as well when the need arises. Though few can use magic they are very quick for their body build and extremely strong. A regular Dwarf is usually no taller than 4 feet, has a big burly beard and usually has a constant facial expression of some one either sad and/or mad. They are the true blood of the land and have enormous pride in their accomplishments. The dwarves are definitely a force to be reckoned with.