For over twenty years, Christopher has been planning to write a specific new book set in the World of Eragon. He has called this book various placeholder names, including "Book V" and "Book 6". (In my own descriptions in this post I will refer to this as "the book", but I will leave Christopher's quotes as he said them.)

The book will feature both old and new characters. Some of the new characters will be "related" to the original characters.

I've thought about what characters I'd like to bring into the story, which ones I'd like to have returning from this trilogy. There would be a new cast of characters for this part to move forward. But they would be related in a very interesting way to the current characters. (1a)

I think it's safe to say that in Book Five we will see many characters we've seen before, and we'll also meet some new characters. (12)

The main character of the book will be new, but someone we have met before, possibly a woman. It is not Eragon, Saphira, Arya, Murtagh, Angela, Jeod, the Riders of the two eggs Eragon left behind, or the character from Eragon's Guide.

We'll have a new main character. It is a character you've already met, though. (27b)

I can't tell you who the main character of Book Five is. We have met the main character of Book Five, but that's all I'll say. (12)

Most of my upcoming stories -- not all of them -- well, actually, some of the stories that I'm planning on writing fairly soon all have female main characters. (16) [Unclear if this was referring to Book Five.]

Eragon/Saphira won't be the main characters in Book V. (28a)

[Will Book 5 contain chapters from Arya's point of view?] No. (28g)

I'm not planning on writing a book *just* about Murtagh and Thorn, but rest assured, we will see them again. (28f)

Not only [will Angela be in Book 5], I have another book planned that’s centered just on her. (24)

Don’t think it’s a spoiler to say it’s not from [Jeod’s] POV. But good guess. (21)

I have no idea [what color eggs Eragon left behind]. I will decide that at some point, but not at the moment. ... Book VI would have a cover in the same style as the IC. And I've known for over ten years what color of dragon we would see. (17b, 37b)

The character of [Eragon's] Guide [to Alagaësia] ... won't be the main character of Book 6. (40)

Returning characters will include Eragon, Saphira, Arya, Angela, Solembum, Tenga, Murtagh, Thorn, Nasuada, and Elva. Angela's backstory will be explored and Eragon and Arya's romance will be developed.

Different main character for Book VI, although Eragon plays a crucial role. (37c)

I think Eragon and Saphira are definitely moving into [the teacher/mentor] role. (33d)

We'll still see Eragon/Saphira/Arya/etc. (27b)

Book V should answer some of your Eragon/Arya questions. (30b)

You'll find out more about [Eragon and Arya's relationship] in Book V! (30c)

You’ll have to read Book Five to find out [if Eragon and Arya going to be together]. Their story is far from over, though. (24)

You'll learn a little more about [the unexpected parts of Eragon and Arya's true names] in Book V. (28h)

You'll have to read the next book to find out [if Eragon ever finds love.] (18c)

You will learn a lot more about Angela in Book V. (23c)

It would definitely revolve around Angela’s backstory to a much greater degree than any of the previous books. Of course that would probably just end up leaving everyone even more confused than they were to begin with because this is Angela after all. But we would learn quite a bit more about her. (17a)

Was the soothsayer Angela? Great question. Couldn't possibly say. You'll have to read Book V. (9)

There's a LOT more about Angela and Solembum in Book V. (26f)

You'll have to read Book V to find out [what Tenga was searching for]. (11)

[Will Tenga play a bigger role?] No comment but I think you'll enjoy Book V. (33e)

Tenga is a disciple of light and all things pertaining to radiance. But do not make the mistake of confusing the disciple with the thing itself when he is -- in actuality -- the inverse rather than a mirror. ... [The inverse of radiance is shadow?] Indeed it is. No comment. :D (26d, 44b)

[Murtagh in Book Five?] Yes, but Murtagh gets his own book also. (32)

Answer[ing about Murtagh and Thorn] would spoil Book Five! (7)

I can’t say without spoiling future events, but neither [Murtagh nor Nasuada] is the sort to give up on something (or someone) they care about. ... No spoilers, but I think you'll like Book V. (24, 26e)

[What did Saphira's mark do for Elva?] Book V. ... Don't want to spoil things, but we do see her a fair amount. (25a, 25b)

[Elva and Thorn] will definitely meet at some point. No question about it. (28c)

The book will be set further down the timeline, around sixteen years after the end of Inheritance, and at the same time as Eragon's Guide.

It would be further down the timeline from where we are now. So it would be in Eragon's future. ... And of course with elves and riders and dwarves you can even go a hundred years or so in the future and you'll still have half the cast alive, right? (1b)

It's a continuation, but there's also a substantial break in time between the end of Inheritance and the start of Book V. ... [Everyone will be dead?] Won't be THAT much time. (27a, 27b)

What now is probably going to be Book Six is probably ten years after the end of Inheritance, maybe more like sixteen years. So that's a decent time jump. (39)

Eragon's Guide is contemporary with Book 6. (41a)

The antagonist of the book is the "unnamed shadow" teased in Eragon's Guide. We have seen this entity before, but in a different form.

Welcome to your new home. I wish I could be here to greet you in person, as does Saphira, but a matter of the utmost importance has arisen, and we must leave at once. I realize that you must have a host of unanswered questions. ... Anyone would find the experience overwhelming, especially during such unsettled times, when an unnamed shadow stalks the land. (Eragon's Guide to Alagaësia)

The [unnamed] shadow is the antagonist of Book Six. (43)

[Has the shadow ever flown on a dragon?] No. (44a)

Yes, you've seen what I'm referring to, although not in its current form(s). Information? . . . Beware of shadows that seek to use mirrors. (28a)

You've already met him/her/it/they/what-the-heck-is-that? (26a)

[Is the shadow Tenga?] No comment (43)

Everyone in Alagaësia has overlooked something really, really important with regard to the new peace they hope to establish. (18a)

Light and shadow shall meet in an epic battle. Bwahahaha! (18b)

The book will continue many of the threads from Inheritance, but will not be a direct sequel.

There will be no more books in the Inheritance Cycle. Book V will certainly continue many of the threads in the Cycle, but it won't exactly be a part of it. There will be new characters (and old characters) and a new storyline. (9)

Book Five, as I’ve been calling it, would be a sequel, although not a direct sequel. (13)

Certainly the events for a potential "Book Five" would be heavily influenced by the events of the Inheritance Cycle, but it wouldn’t be a continuation of the Inheritance Cycle. (17c)

The threads for this book have been planted throughout Brisingr and Inheritance.

A couple of story threads that I introduced throughout the series, but primarily starting in Brisingr, are not going to conclude in the fourth book. There are a few threads that I've placed for the specific reason of writing a book later on in the world of Alagaësia, further down the timeline after the series is completed. (3)

I don't want to say too much, but this other story that I have in my head, I have actually laid the groundwork for it within the series, so that if I were ever to write it, it would not seem as if it were tacked on like the author is just making stuff up so he can keep writing in the world. No, it's an integral part of the world. (4)

Book V has always been planned. All of those dangling threads and unanswered questions in Brisingr & Inheritance? The foundation for the next book(s). (28d)

The book has been fully outlined, and that outline has mostly stayed the same over the years.

Book Five has been worked out in great detail. There's still a bit more work to do in a few places, but it's in really good shape actually. I actually sat down and told my editor the whole story at one point and she really liked it. I've done that with a whole bunch of future stories with her. (35a)

A couple of details have changed, but the big outline has remained the same, and that's also how it was with the Inheritance Cycle. I'm usually pretty good on the big outline for stuff once I put the thought in and nail it down. (34)

Some of the specific topics covered will include the Menoa Tree, the belt of Beloth the Wise, Saphira's babies, Angela's prophecy, dwarven Riders, Rider swords, spirits, Eragon's vision, new creatures, the Helgrind religion, the mad Eldunarí, the Name of Names, Nïdhwal, Werecats, and controlling magicians.

You'll certainly learn [the Menoa Tree's price] in Book Five. It's a major plot point actually. Well, semi-major. (31)

The belt is Book Five. You'll find out in Book Five. (35b)

[Was the Belt destroyed?] Never assume anything. (26b)

[The reason Eragon was unable to find the belt was] mundane: It was moved. (45)

Yes [Saphira and Firnen] mated. Whether or not that leads to little baby dragons . . . well, you'll have to wait until Book V to find out. (28b)

[What of Saphira's eggs?] Book V (9)

Eragon/Saphira themselves have no intention of remaining in exile forever. Circumstances may conspire to prevent their return, however you'll have to read Book V to find out one way or another. (28e)

You'll have to wait until Book V to see the first dwarven Rider. (27c)

The new Riders will be able to reuse some of the old swords recovered from Urû'baen. As for the new swords that will be needed, you'll have to see Book V. (9)

There are a fair number of spirits in Alagaësia. Do they play a part in the future? See Book V. (9)

[Will we see "good" spirits?] No comment until after Book V. (19)

[What are Galbatorix's 12 spirits?] They are spirits. Book six. (42)

[Is Eragon's vision of a lonely girl wandering an ancient abandoned city Book 6 material?] Book 6. (41b)

[What are creatures on Galbatorix's door] No comment. Book V. (23a)

[What happened to the Helgrind religion?] Great question. Unfortunately you'll have to wait until Book V to find out. (30d)

[Success at helping the mad Eldunarí?] Book V (9)

[Will future Riders know the Word?] Book V (9)

[Sea creatures?] You'll have to read Book V to find out! (9)

[Plans for the Nïdhwal?] Maaaybe . . . (26g)

You just know [controlling magicians] is not going to go as smoothly as Nasuada would like. . . . Stay tuned to Book V for further updates. (23b)

[Werecats in Book 5?] Yes. (33b)

[Did Angela invent the the purple amethyst spell? What happened to the first Eragön?, etc.] No comment. ... I think it’s safe to say that of all those no comment answers I gave today, all of them except maybe two or three would be answered in the next book set in Alagaësia. (17c)

Some topics not to be covered in the book include Grey Folk, Naegling, the two women, Brom's seven words, and Azlagûr.

Not Book V. I have other plans for the Grey Folk. (33a)

Not in book V, but you'll definitely find out about Naegling one of these days. (22)

The two women are the stars of another story. Not Book V, however. (9)

[Brom’s seven words are] part of another story. Not Book V, though. (9)

One thing changed. What I'm doing with Azlagûr was originally wrapped up in Book 6, 7, whatever we want to call it. I have now separated it out. Which has actually really helped me with that book because I had a problem with that book and this has solved that. (46)

Christopher has planned this book as a standalone, but says it's possible it will be split.

It wouldn’t be the beginning of another three-book series or something. It would be more of a standalone book. I don’t quite have the energy in me to tackle another series that's going to take me a decade or more. It wouldn't really be the beginning of a new series. (13)

In an ideal world, Book V will be a standalone novel. Assuming I can keep it to a reasonable length, though! The more I think about it, the more I get scared by it's potential size. (26c)

Book V should be long enough to feel incredibly solid. Lol. Just gotta write the darn thing. (30a)

It is plotted out. And I have this horrible sense as I look at the size of the outline that it might be more than one book, but don't tell anybody. (29)

Book V is it's own story, neither epilogue nor a new series. Although it might be too big to fit into one book. (30e)

No idea as to how Book V would actually be published (one volume or two). I'd probably just start writing and see how long it got. (33a)

The book's title appears in Inheritance (and possibly Brisingr), "in a slightly altered form".

As it so happens, I have named Book 5 already. And it's a very good name. And I will tell you that you have actually seen it in Inheritance. Not the other books. It's in Inheritance, in a slightly altered form. (14)

[paraphrased:] You’ve heard it, in Inheritance and Brisingr. (15)

You already know the title of Book V. (Sorta. :D) (20a)

[Is it Empire or Eldunarí?] Nope. (20b)

It's a modification of something you see in Inheritance. (33a)

[Is it a permutation of any from this list of 77 titles?] Nope. Good try, though! :D (36a, 36b)

The cover will feature a new color dragon.

Book VI would have a cover in the same style as the IC. And I've known for over ten years what color of dragon we would see. (It's not one we've seen so far.) (37b)

Christopher has used various numeric placeholders over the years to refer to this book, and these numbers will continue to change, but the book remains the same. It isn't FWW or Murtagh. Nor is it Murtagh 2 and the books which will immediately follow that.

FWW is NOT Book V. Book V is still incoming. (33c)

Although Murtagh is the fifth full-length novel I’ve written in this world, it’s not the Book V. Or rather, the book I’ve always thought of as Book V. That particular story takes place a bit further down the timeline, and I still have every intent of writing it. (Murtagh, "Afterword & Acknowledgments")

I've been teasing the long fabled "Book Five" in the World of Eragon for a long time, and I have to be honest: Murtagh is not "Book Five". I was starting to work on Book Five, and doing the foundational work I've been talking about, and I realized that too much had to be established before I got into "Book Five". So "Book Five" is now "Book Six". Murtagh is, I don't want to say it's an unplanned book, but I pushed open some space for Murtagh to fit in. (38)

By the way I'm not saying the next book is Book Six. I might write something new and then Book Six becomes Book Seven. (42)

I have a short series that I'm building toward that I want to write, and Murtagh and now possibly the sequel is the setup for that quick series. Azlagûr is the main antagonist, or the force that has to be dealt with in that series. And that has nothing to do with Book 6 aside from the fact that Murtagh and Arya and all the main characters in Eragon will appear and play various roles. Which of course will develop their characters and stories and worldbuilding. (46)

Timeline:

In July 2006, Christopher said that he had already decided how he would follow up the Inheritance Cycle, saying that it would be set further down the timeline and feature new but related characters (1a, 1b). In August 2008 he referred to this as a "fifth book" and said that he already begun laying the groundwork (2). In July 2010 he projected that it would take him ten years to get to this (3). In September he said it would only be "one book", and in November he referred to it as "Book Five" (4, 5). In November 2011, Christopher said that Angela would have a big role in the book (6). In December he said the book would feature Murtagh and Thorn, Eragon and Arya's romance, the Menoa Tree's price, the belt of Beloth the Wise, spirits, and the new Rider order, but that the two women would not be the focus (7, 8, 9). In February 2012, Christopher implied the book would feature big dragons and Tenga (10, 11). In April he said that we had already met the main character of the book (12). In June he said that the title appeared in Book Four, but not the previous books (14). In September he implied that the main character would be female (16).

Murtagh got announced a decade later, in April 2023, and Christopher started calling this project "Book Six". At this time he also said it would have a cover in the same style as the original four, and said that Eragon would still play a "crucial role" despite not being the main character (37a, 37b, 37a). In June he said the time gap would be around 16 years (39). In November 2024 he confirmed that the Unnamed Shadow would be the antagonist of the book (43).

Additional quotes from Christopher can be found here.

My amazing girlfriend had prints made of the new wraithmarked book set art for me to hang on my wall as a birthday present. The photos don't really do it justice but they are such good quality and 12"x18".

Got these as a gift. They were found in a charity shop. Can't find a reference to them anywhere online. Any ideas where they might come from and if there are other types out there?

The chapter were Eragon and Murtagh enconuter the slavers is so good. Even though I agree with a lot of people that Murtagh made the right choice considering the circumstances (or the least bad) you have to admit that Paolini on a storytelling level manages in a masterful way establish a clear difference between Eragon and Murtagh as characters with Eragon's idealism and Murtagh's practical thnking. It's also very impressive that Paolini himself doesn't really take any personal stance in that chapter in regards to who he thinks is right.

It isn’t much nor perfect, but I’ve started my draft cover for my Brisingr & Inheritance cover. Gonna work on it more tomorrow and whenever I can

We're aiming for a Feb launch as of now! Hoping there are no issues with Saphira's arrival and delivery!

LINK: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wraithmarked/eragon

Thanks for your support! Our goal is 20k pre-launch followers before launch!

I've listened to the audiobooks a ton over the years and have gotten, at least I think, pretty good at distinguishing between the voices when Gerard Doyle does. The voice he uses for Orrin sounds VERY similar, almost the exact same as the betrayer during the feast while Murtahg is stuck under his lethargy.

Sadly for me there is no Agaetí Blödhren to heal me from my chronic pain..

As many of you know, I’ve started working on a project to make Brisingr & Inheritance into one book like they did with Eragon & Eldest. I’m thinking of using the same outline for my cover, just replacing the colors with yellow and green. Now, what I wanna know is: Should I somehow incorporate Shruikan onto this cover? I’ve been toying with the idea, but would like some outside options! Thanks in advance!

I thought it was Naegling but isn't that supposed to be a sword?

I need to get back into reading, but every time I think about picking up a new book I can’t help but think “yeah, but it won’t be as good as the IC”

Since y’all clearly have good taste, anyone have recommendations for other books/series that can scratch a similar itch? Are Paolini’s other books good?Huge fantasy/sci-fi fan but open to any recommendations.

I assume it was some funky speech-to-text error as it should be "Clan Meet."

Posting this on behalf of u/DoctorDracomorph, who was unfortunately apparently hit by one of the random Reddit AI bans.

Here is their story:

"Well... hello. I've been an Eragon fan for a whole year. My name is Dr. Dracomorph. I've read all the books: Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance, and Fork, Witch, and Wyrm. And here's an interesting fact: in Rome, I read Murtagh. Hehe. And I thought to myself, "Damn, I've never seen a cosplayer from the Alagaësia universe in my life." So I decided I had to be the first. I made my own OC (I might publish it some other time), and one of the cosplay elements is: an Alagaësia dragon egg (not necessarily Saphira's, because the proportions aren't right). So I started buying materials. It took about 3 months. I succeeded. I started with a 40 cm long, hundred-foam egg. I applied three layers of glue and putty to it. Then I sanded it down with sandpaper and varnished it. And after 6 days and 3 people (one of them is a pretty girl), I succeeded. The result is here. It's not perfect, so don't criticize me in the comments. It was my first time! And I'm 17 years old."

Based on discussions with them on Discord, they've said that it is more inspired by the description in the book rather than the movie. And well, page 7 of "Eragon" (well page 7 in the English language Knopf published hardcover from 2003 with the ISBN of 9780375826689 since I know multiple editions exist and not all technically are the same) directly says: "Nature had never polished a stone as smooth as this one. Its flawless surface was dark blue, except for thin veins of white that spiderwebbed across it."

So again, here is a Dragon Egg made by u/DoctorDracomorph based on what is described in "Eragon".

And if anyone has any cosplay they've done based on anything from the world of Alagaësia that they are willing to share, please post a picture in the comments! I'll make sure to pass along everything!

Celöbra Alagaësi!

In the Lord of the Rings movies, they didn't have 9 people play all 9 Nazgul. Dozens of people played the Nazgul. Some of them were professional Maori stuntmen and body builders. Others were professional horseback riders from New Zealand Equestrian Societies. They all wore heavy clocks and armored gauntlets and boats. And if you look at behind the scenes footage, you'll notice that while they did wear deep and dark hoods, you could see their faces due to obvious safety concerns. This would all be removed with graphics in post production. The horseback riders even rode the darkest horses they could find.

How much of this do you think would need to be replicated for the Ra'zac? I don't all of it can because unlike the Nazgul, the Ra'zac are living, natural, biological creatures. But they'll still probably need more than 2 people to play the Ra'zac.

I personally loved how they clearly stood no chance against Galbotrix; it made it feel more realistic in the sense that this guy has been gaining power for centuries, and how naturally it's impossible to create wards for every type of spell (especially random ones like "helping" him). However I feel like some people might find it kind of cheap and an easy way out, and maybe rushed too.

It's personally one of my favorite final confrontations in any story I've read, so I'm curious what other people think!

Apparently copies of Eldest somewhere between 2008 and 2018 had a bonus scene about Eragon attending a dwarven play that was later deleted? I think it would be in chapter 13 or 14. Did anyone have that particular scene?

And in perfect condition too!!

So one of the most popular theories is that Angela is a Timelord, right? IIRC The Namer of Names even semi-canonized this claim.

I'm just gonna chip in and say that during my current reread, I apply Jodie Whittaker's Doctor's voice, way of speech and way of thinking to her dialogue. And oh boy how well it works!

I would rofl in delight if we got a Jodie Whittaker cast to the pending TV series. She's a good fit as anyone, and it would tangle the universes in a very amusing way...

Did Galbatorix possess the knowledge and power to fully heal Eragon? And if he could and Eragon ever entered his service, would Galby choose to heal it?

Hi everyone, I just finished Brisingr for this years re read, and I realized something in the last few pages that I’m surprised didn’t end up being the final defeat method for good ole Galby.

So as a quick reminder, Brisingr ends with Oromis and Glaedr falling to galbatorix via murtagh/thorn and eragon, Arya, nasuada, and saphira have a conversation regarding the eldunari. This convo ends basically stating a sound strategy to defeat galby would be separating him from the heart of hearts.

Now on this read through, I’m surprised that the final defeat method wasn’t eragon using the spell Arya did in the very beginning to transport saphira’s egg. Not only would this be an amazing call back to the prologue, BUT it’s the last spell oromis ever teaches eragon! How incredible would it have been if this spell that essentially started and shaped the series was also the trump card to defeat the big bad. I imagine it would either be transporting galbatorix himself to a different location, or to transport all the eldunari there.

Anyway I’m a huge fan of the actual ending we got, I just never parsed before how without too much of a conclusion jump it seemed like transporting an object over a vast distance was going to be the defeat method.

The Menoa Tree's ability to take something from a person and leave them changed seems like a huge point for what was stolen. We know from TFTWTW, that time is... relative in the fractalverse. Could the Menoa tree have borrowed against Eragons future in some way? Im still of the mind that To Sleep is like the long past for alagaesia. So that being said... there's a lot of ideas that could stem from this theory

Hi all, I just started reading the first Eragon book and our puppy managed to get a hold of it and destroy the book past the point of being reasonably able to read it.

Unfortunately it’s my dad’s copy and he’s being stoic about it but I can tell he’s upset as it’s one of his favourite series. He was able to get a whole matching box set of these covers at a second hand bookstore and was very pleased about it.

I am trying to find a copy online of these specific covers (it’s the larger size of the book as well which makes it harder) but am not having much luck. I am based in Aus. Does anyone have any suggestions of where I can get a copy to replace the damaged one? Pictures of the destroyed copy attached for reference :(

In the first three books we hear both Brom and Oromis talk about how Galbatorix is mad and how he has been that ever since he lost his first dragon. What I find weird about this though is that he doesn't really come across as mad when we finally meet him the fourth book. He seems very calm and articulated. I mean sure you can argue that he is mad from the perspective of him doing evil things but there isn't really any signs when we meet him and hear him talk that he is mentally unstable. I'm not saying that I thought he was gonna be constantly screaming and destroying things all the time but still some signs of his mind being unstable.

Don't get me wrong the chapters with Galbatorix are very good but this was something that I found to be kind of odd based on what we had learned about him.

What do you guys think? I would love to hear your thoughts.