Brisingr characters

Appears from the start

The young Dragon Rider bonded to the dragon Saphira, now trained by the elves and hardened by war. Committed to the Varden's fight against the Empire, he is also bound by a personal vow to rescue his cousin Roran's captured betrothed and to reckon with painful claims about his own family, all while carrying the hopes of the rebellion.

Appears from the start

Eragon's blue dragon and lifelong partner, powerful, proud, and sharp of mind. She flies and fights beside him, shares every thought and feeling, and holds firm views of her own, one of the last free dragons and central to any hope of breaking the king's grip on the land.

Appears from the start

Eragon's cousin, who led his whole village to safety and joined the Varden. Tough, clever, and driven, he has become a respected fighter among the rebels, but his overriding purpose is to free Katrina, the woman he loves, from the Empire's servants.

Appears from the start

Roran's betrothed, taken captive by the king's servants and held in a dark stronghold. Her rescue is the urgent errand that opens the book and the anchor of Roran's every choice.

Appears from the start

The young, iron-willed leader of the Varden, holding together a coalition of humans, dwarves, and elves through politics, courage, and force of character. She commands Eragon's loyalty and must make hard, sometimes ruthless decisions to keep the rebellion alive and its allies united.

Appears from the start

The elf envoy and warrior who works closely with the Varden. Reserved and highly capable in magic and combat, she accompanies Eragon on dangerous errands and remains a steady, guarded presence at the heart of the elves' involvement in the war.

Appears from the start

Eragon's estranged counterpart, a Rider forced into the king's service and bound by oaths in the ancient language, riding the red dragon Thorn. Bitter and dangerous, he claims a shared parentage with Eragon and serves the Empire against his will, a captive weapon Eragon dreads meeting again in battle.

Appears from the start

Eragon's dwarf friend of the ruling clan, loyal and forthright. With the dwarves' throne empty, he is drawn into the dangerous politics of his people, whose choices will matter greatly to the Varden's cause.

Appears from the start

The elder elf Rider living in seclusion who trained Eragon, a survivor of the destroyed order. Learned and grave, he continues to guide Eragon in the disciplines of a Rider while carrying his own long burdens from the fall of the Riders.

Appears from the start

The great gold dragon bonded to Eragon's elven teacher, ancient and mighty, who helps school Saphira in the deep ways of dragons. Like his Rider, he is one of the last of the old order to survive the king's purge.

Appears from the start

The tyrant king of the Empire, a renegade Rider of vast and growing power who rules through fear and controls his enslaved servants with unbreakable oaths. Unseen but ever-present, his strength and cruelty define the danger the Varden face.