Information AboutGalbatorix |
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HISTORY When nomadic traders come to the village of Carvahall - Eragon's hometown - Brom , (a former Rider in the guise of a village storyteller), tells the village the story of Galbatorix's rise to power. Eragon also learns something of Galbatorix's past from Oromis , the oldest living Dragon Rider, and from others he meets on his travels. Galbatorix was born many centuries ago in Inzilbêth. He was tested at the age of ten (it is uncertain, but this must have been the time a dragon egg hatched for him) and was found to have great strength and power within him. With training, Galbatorix rapidly grew more powerful, and soon surpassed all other Dragon Riders in skill. Because of his gifts, the Riders soon allowed Galbatorix into their ranks. The foolhardy young Rider journeyed into the lands of Urgal s with two friends, falsely believing that he would be able to protect himself. The group was ambushed in their sleep, and the three dragons and the other two young Riders were slain - only Galbatorix survived, killing his attackers and escaping. He had, however, lost his dragon. ''"Then were the seeds of madness planted,"'' explains Brom Alone and driven to madness by his grief, Galbatorix traveled by foot through the desolate land, praying that he would die and join his partner. He became so ghastly that even the Urgals and other monsters fled from him. He traveled back through The Spine , a deadly mountain range. A farmer found him collapsed on the edge of the range and summoned the Riders, who took him back to their island to heal him. Once healed, Galbatorix demanded another dragon from the council at Vroengard, the Riders' capital. The council, however, saw the madness in the desperation of his plea. Galbatorix was firmly denied another dragon egg and, consequently, in his vulnerable and twisted state, began to think it was the Riders' fault his dragon died. He convinced another Rider to support his cause, and, using persuasion and dark secrets he had learned from a Shade , he and his partner slew the Elder. Galbatorix then turned on his ally and killed him. After this, Galbatorix fled into the wastelands. Many years passed and the searches for Galbatorix dwindled, but Morzan , a Rider highly accomplished in magic and combat yet morally weak, came across Galbatorix by accident. Galbatorix convinced Morzan to unlock a gate in Ileria (now Urû'baen ); he did so, and Galbatorix was able to kidnap a young dragon hatchling named Shruikan . With Morzan's aid, he killed Shruikan's Rider, and twisted the dragon's mind through dark magic so that it would obey him. Galbatorix and Morzan then waited until their powers were strong enough and Shruikan was fully grown before they began their all-out attack on the Riders. The Riders, overwhelmed by the onslaught, were slowly beaten down. During the war, twelve corrupt Riders joined Galbatorix. These twelve riders and Morzan became the Thirteen Forsworn . The Dwarves and Elves fought bitterly, but were also defeated. The Dwarves knew Galbatorix's victory was imminent, and retreated to their caves, sealing themselves away from the rest of the world. The Elves fought longer, but they eventually went into hiding as well. Vrael , leader of the Riders, had the strength to resist Galbatorix, and saved what dragons he could. In the final battle before the gates of Doru Araeba , Vrael defeated Galbatorix, but hesitated to kill him. Galbatorix took advantage of this and wounded Vrael. Vrael fled to Utgard mountain to regain his strength, but Galbatorix found him and beheaded him. Following this, Galbatorix and the Forsworn infiltrated into Urû'baen and deposed the rightful king. Galbatorix then appointed himself King of Alagaësia . It must be noted that, on legal documents of the Empire, Galbatorix is only the ruler of the Broddring Kingdom, the realm he took from the deposed king, Angrenost. Many other lands, however, have since fallen under his sway, including Vroengard. SUMMARY During the story of ''Eragon'', centuries later, Galbatorix's rule encompasses most of the western portion of Alagaësia . He rules this vast territory from Urû'baen, his capital, and his reign is marked by injustice, slavery, poverty and corruption. In ''Eldest'', Galbatorix sends his army out to destroy and rule for centuries more. CRITICISMS Some criticize the author for the similarity between Galbatorix and Sauron of The Lord Of The Rings , Anakin Skywalker of the Star Wars series, and to the Dragonriders of Pern . Like Sauron, Galbatorix is an evil and powerful figure who desires more power at the expense of others. Like Anakin Skywalker, Galbatorix starts as a powerful cadet who is aligned with the forces of good, but eventually turns to the 'dark side'. Finally, like the Dragonriders of Pern, Galbatorix forged a powerful link with his dragon (as does all Dragon Riders); subsequently becoming mad upon the death of the dragon. SEE ALSO |
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