%%Cut. The natter. Out. If you've opened this up to add a snarky comment, or any comment that uses four bullet points, don't - the page is a mess as it is.%%
The ''Inheritance Cycle'', [[TrilogyCreep formerly known as]] the ''Inheritance Trilogy'' is a series of HighFantasy novels written by {{Christopher Paolini}}. The first book was originally self-published by Paolini and his parents, but has since migrated to Alfred A Knopf on the recommendation of Carl Hiaasen. It so far features the following books:

* ''Eragon'' (2003)
* ''Eldest'' (2005)
* ''Brisingr'' (2008)
* [[TrilogyCreep an as-yet-untitled fourth book]]
* ''Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia'' (2009) (not part of the main series)

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Eragon_.jpg

Since publication, the Inheritance Cycle has become one of the most controversial series of books in recent years, along with Stephenie Meyer's {{Twilight}}. It has garnered many [[FanDumb crazy]] [[{{Fanboy}} fans]], and has had several websites founded in its honor. On the flipside, it has also attracted a multitude of [[FanHater haters]], often called Anti-Riders or Anti-Eragonites, who [[AccentuateTheNegative ceaselessly mock and criticize]] [[AcceptableTargets the books]] [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking for everything under the sun]].

The most common criticisms levelled at the series are that it is unoriginal, that the author is arrogant and egomaniacal, that the characters are unsympathetic, [[MoralDissonance moral dissonant]] [[HeroicSociopath Heroic Sociopaths]], and that the series uses [[PurpleProse controversial styles of writing]]. The books are known for being SnarkBait, and arguments for and against can get [[SeriousBusiness pretty heated]].

The novels feature the tale of a {{farmboy}} who discovers a PlotCoupon sent to a [[TheObiWan wise old mentor]] by a captured princess, and has his uncle who raised him killed by the [[BlackCloak impenetrably cowled servants]] of the [[TheEmpire Evil Empire]]. The two set off for revenge. The mentor is a former knight, who teaches the farmboy how to use his mystical powers in about [[InstantExpert five days]] (not that his magic is much use until he becomes stronger) and gives him a magical sword that belonged to his father before buying the farm. Luckily, the farmboy meets up with a {{Badass}} AntiHero, rescues the princess, who is also a major player in [[LaResistance the Rebel army]], and joins the rebellion, becoming a key member before going to train with a [[OldMaster half-mad old hermit]] in the forest. After this, he discovers that [[LukeIAmYourFather his father]] was the Empire's [[TheDragon right-hand man]] and he's been betrayed by his own family...

Somehow, people think [[StarWars this sounds familiar]]... Except for the dragons. [[DragonridersOfPern Oh, wait.]] And the elves/dwarves. [[LordoftheRings Oh, wait.]] And the magic system. [[EarthseaTrilogy Oh, wait]].

The first book was adapted into a film in 2006, but [[FranchiseKiller there are currently no plans for any movie sequels]], possibly due to the [[AdaptationDecay plot of the book being barely considered in the movie to the point of several main characters not appearing, several more only having one or two lines, and the movie having a completely different ending...]]

'''''Please Note: When adding examples, keep the {{Take That}}s and rebuttals to a minimum. They're just not entertaining without moderation and lead to some of the heaviest WikiSchizophrenia here.'''''
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!!This series of books provides examples of:

* [[ABoyAndHisX A Boy and his Dragon]]: Eragon and Saphira, and also [[spoiler:Murtagh and Thorn]].
* AcheyScars: The gigantic scar that Eragon got [[spoiler: during his battle with Durza]] causes him immense pain until [[spoiler: it is healed in the second book.]]
* AdaptationDecay
* AdaptationDyeJob: In the film, none of the characters have the same hair colors as they do in the books.
* AloofBigBrother: [[spoiler: Murtagh]] is the older, [[StrongerSibling stronger]], [[GoodIsDumb smarter]], [[EnsembleDarkhorse more popular]] [[OrSoIHeard (among fangirls)]], [[AntiHero more realistic]], [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism more cynical]], more experienced brother of [[spoiler: Eragon.]]
* AltarTheSpeed: [[spoiler: Roran and Katrina]] in Brisingr.
* AlwaysChaoticEvil: The Ra'zac. [[spoiler: The trope is subverted in the second book with the urgals.]]
* AmplifierArtifact: By storing energy in gems, they can be turned into power-sources that will up the magical abilities of anyone using them.
* AntiHero: Murtagh all the way. Elva also seems to be leaning in this direction after [[spoiler: her curse was broken and she was able to use her empathetic powers without dire cost to herself.]]
* AttackAttackAttack: Battle strategy of the urgals.
* AWizardDidIt: The [[spoiler:ancient language]].
* AcceptableTargets: Paolini and his books have become this to a large portion of the Internet. Within the book, [[{{Muggles}} humans]] are this for [[OurElvesAreBetter elves]].
* AccidentalInnuendo: Happens quite a lot, and often with Eragon's interactions [[HoYay with other men]].
** FreudWasRight, [[http://eragon-sporkings.wikispaces.com/Brisingr_Four oh so very right]].
* AdaptationDecay: TheFilmOfTheBook, which makes so many mistakes in regards to the books that it winds up SoBadItsHorrible, but still made a truckload of money, and enough to inspire a {{Rifftrax}}.
* [[AlasPoorVillain Alas, Poor Villain]]: [[spoiler: Durza]] memory dumps onto Eragon in his dying moments and reveals his tragic past that led him to become a Shade in the first place.
* AlienBlood: Bluish-green on the Lethrblaka, [[BlackBlood black]] on the urgals.
* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: There's the books that very clearly designates [[DesignatedHero the good guys]] from [[OffstageVillainy the bad guys]], then there's the sites and the people that conclude, among other things, that Eragon is a sociopath, and so are RootingForTheEmpire.
* AlternateDVDCommentary: The [[{{Understatement}} questionable]] quality of the film version of ''Eragon'' was enough to inspire a {{Rifftrax}} [[http://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax/eragon]]
* AndThisIsFor: Roran does this in ''Brisingr''.
* AngstWhatAngst %%See the trope page, don't describe it here.%%
* AppliedPhlebotinum, in the form of FunctionalMagic.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: The urgals' entire society is based on this trope.
* AuthorAppeal: Arguably the elves, particularly Arya (whose beauty is oft-mentioned in the narration, and leaves Eragon in awe). However, [[WordOfGod Paolini says]] his favourite race is the dwarves (he often speaks a bit in Dwarvish when he goes to IRL events).
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Galbatorix, [[spoiler: Murtagh]].
* AutomatonHorses: Lampshaded with the elves' horses. Both played straight and lampshaded elsewhere, such as in the first book where they ride through a desert for almost a week, although Eragon does use magic to raise water from the ground.
* AuthorAvatar: According to some, Eragon is ChristopherPaolini and Angela is, well, his sister Angela. Paolini himself admits that Angela is based on his sister, and that Eragon "started out" as an autobiographical character but eventually developed into his own character. YourMileageMayVary as to how true this is.
* {{Badass}}: Murtagh.
* BadassNormal: Roran.
* BaldBlackLeaderGuy: Ajihad, who has a beard but [[BaldOfAwesome no hair]].
* BaldOfEvil: The Twins, and Galbatorix in the film adaptation.
* {{BFS}}: The teenaged protagonist hilariously wields a five-foot blade in earlier publications of the book. This was later {{retcon}}ned to three and a half feet.
* BeardOfEvil: Galbatorix
* BeardOfSorrow: Roran grows one after [[spoiler: Katrina is kidnapped by the Ra'zac.]]
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Save for one (minor) character all of the "good guys" can easily nab a career as a model.
* BeautyIsNeverTarnished: Courtesy of [[HealingHands magical healing powers]].
* TheBigGuy: Nar Garzhvog.
* BlackBlood: Applied rather literally to the [[OurOrcsAreDifferent urgals]].
* BlessedWithSuck: Elva. She is cursed to feel the pain and uncertainties of everyone around her, forcing her to endure constant torment. On the flipside, [[CursedWithAwesome it does have its benefits]].
* TheBerserker: In ''Brisingr'', Imperial berserkers who have had their ability to feel pain magically removed are introduced.
* BoatLights: Morzan, described in ''Brisingr'': one of his eyes is blue, the other is black.
* BondCreatures: Dragons.
* BoringInvincibleVillain: Galbatorix
* CainAndAbel: [[spoiler:Eragon and Murtagh]]. Who is who depends on your [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation personal interpretation]].
* CantArgueWithElves: Since Paolini's Elves are pretty and magical, they know everything and are very happy to tell you that.
* CastFromHitPoints: Ordinarily, magic works like this. Except for dragon riders, who can borrow their dragon's hit points (and dragons have plenty to spare). Skilled magic users can borrow hit points from the local wildlife (killing it in the process if they aren't careful). [[spoiler:Except for people who get hold of an Eldunari, who can borrow a ''dead'' dragon's hit points.]]
* ChekhovsGun: [[spoiler: When Glaedr tells Saphira to "keep her heart safe" before she and Eragon leave to go help the Varden fight the Empire's army in Eldest. Later revealed that he was referring to a special magic stone every dragon has called an Eldunari which is basically their source of magical power and where their souls go if the Eldunari is removed from their bodies, they're also the source of Galbatorix's power, so quite a big gun if this tropper has anything to say about it.]]
* TheChosenOne: Eragon, naturally.
* ClicheStorm: Where to start: elves, dwarves, dragons, evil empire, evil family members, evil warrior race, "the chosen one is the only one who can do this arbitrary epic deed", orphan/teen hero, the list goes on.
* CloudCuckooLander: Angela, who comes out with random nonsequiturs frequently. In her spare time, she tries to [[FrogsAndToads prove that toads don't exist]].
* CoolBoat: The Dragon Wing.
* CompleteMonster: Galbatorix if you like the books, and Eragon if you don't.
* CreationMyth: According to the dwarven calender in the deluxe edition of ''Eldest'', [[ConstructedWorld the world]] was created 8000 years ago by several [[PhysicalGod gods]], after they vanquished the [[OurGiantsAreBigger giants]].
* CreepyChild: Elva.
* CrowningMomentOfAwesome:
** Sloan calling Eragon out in a magnificent WhatTheHellHero moment...notable because he's the first character in the series to do so.
** [[spoiler:Murtagh]] kicking Eragon's ass all over the place at the climax of ''Eldest''.
** Oromis's CMOA is when Eragon [[spoiler:kills Durza, almost dying in the process, and is saved by Oromis]].
** Elva. If she isn't already absurdly awesome, she is one of the few characters with the spine to actually put Eragon down for his KnightTemplar tendencies, and her AntiHero complex is a breath of fresh air among the traditional "heroes" of the Cycle.
** Roran has loads of these. He has taken out massive armies despite being outnumbered, got an entire town across Alagaesia, helped navigate through a massive whirlpool, killed the Twins by CRUSHING THEIR SKULLS WITH A HAMMER, and made an Urgal TAP OUT. Lest we forget, unlike Eragon, Roran does not have a dragon, a flaming sword, a powerful mentor, an energy ring, and the entire Varden at his disposal.
** And of course, the climax of the battle of Farthen Dur, with [[spoiler: Saphira crashing through the Star Sapphire, Arya using her magic to suspend the shards in the air without killing Eragon, Saphira breathing fire for the first time ever, and Eragon piercing Durza's heart with his sword, which he instinctively magics to be ''[[IncendiaryExponent on fire]].'']]
** Arya got her's at the end of Brisingr when she [[spoiler:killed a recently created Shade]].
* CursedWithAwesome: Elva, though in constant pain, figures out very quickly how to use her empathetic abilities to her advantage, eventually becoming a ManipulativeBastard [[AntiHero antiheroine]].
* DancingBear: The first book was sold on the basis of having been written by a 15-year-old.
* DarkMagicalGirl: Elva.
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: ''"Sorry." apologised Brom.''
* DesignatedVillain: According to several {{Alternate Character Interpretation}}s, Galbatorix. For a clearer example, [[spoiler:Murtagh]].
* DesignatedHero: Eragon.
* TheDeterminator: Roran. He'll do absolutely anything to accomplish his goals, and woe onto anyone who gets in his way.
* DetractorNickname: ''Eragon'' is "the blue brick," ''Eldest'' "the red brick," and ''Brisingr'' "the black brick."
* DeusExMachina: Frequently, especially the Blood Oath Ceremony, which magically [[spoiler: transforms Eragon in a super-attractive half-elf and heals his crippling back scar]].
** Eragon himself half the time. Also Saphira who says she can [[spoiler:change reality in some unspecified way. Although this is not unique to her, all the dragons can.]]
* {{Doorstopper}}: Each successive book is about 150-200 pages longer than the previous instalment, with ''Brisingr'' topping out (thus far) at 748 pages. This is the reason for [[TrilogyCreep Book Four]]; "Book Three" was pushing 900 pages and not even halfway finished.
** A reprinting of ''Eragon'' and ''Eldest'' in a single volume dubbed the "Inheritance Omnibus" is 1216 pages long and large enough to crush a small dog if dropped from sufficient height.
** The Japanese translation of ''Eldest'' is so large that it is split into two books.
* DistressedDamsel: Arya, and later [[spoiler:Katrina]].
* DracoInLeatherPants: [[spoiler:Murtagh (spoiler due to FaceHeelTurn)]].
* DragonRider: Eragon, naturally. Also, [[spoiler: Oromis, Murtagh]] and Galbatorix count. Brom, Orik, and Arya have also ridden Saphira at various points, [[spoiler:Brom was also a Rider before his dragon was killed]].
* TheDragon: [[spoiler:Murtagh]] and his [[OurDragonsAreDifferent literal dragon]], who are the dragons for his evil ''King'', and ''his'' dragon. Prior to him joining up with Galbatorix, the role of the Dragon was Durza the Shade, and in the backstory before Durza, Morzan the DragonRider.
* DroppedABridgeOnHim: [[spoiler:Glaedr.]]
* [=~Dude, She's Like, In A Coma!~=]: Done in the first first book as Eragon observes Arya's overall hotness...after she'd been tortured...and poisoned...and is still very much in danger.
** Eragon, meet [[NeonGenesisEvangelion Shinji]]!
*** Overlaps nicely with BeautyIsNeverTarnished. A month in torture, poisoning and living in a dank cell in the basement, without a wash...
* EditWar: Debates between [[FanDumb hardcore fans]], [[ComplainingAboutShowsYouDontLike hardcore haters]] and people who like the books and accept their flaws [[{{Understatement}} can get heated at times]].
* EggMcGuffin: The one from which Saphira eventually hatches in the first book.
* ElaborateUndergroundBase: The dwarven capital, Tronjheim, is a city built like a small mountain inside the crater of a much larger extinct volcano so tall the top is inaccessible, even to dragons, making it only accessible by underground tunnels.
* TheEmpath: Elva.
* EnemyToAllLivingThings: Eragon learns how to draw power from all life around him to boost his own magic, draining nearby things of their LifeEnergy. The result is plants and small animals dying around him when he needs extra power, if he isn't careful.
* EvilTowerOfOminousness: Helgrind. Also, from the little description given, Uru'baen sounds like one, or at least Galbatorix's stronghold there.
* ElvesVsDwarves: Although they aren't exactly best friends, they do get on better than most ElvesVsDwarves do, although arguably only due to a common enemy. Also, a huge desert in between them probably helps.
* TheEmpire
* EnsembleDarkhorse: Murtagh: even some of the ''anti''-Eragon fans like him.
* EvilRedhead: Shades. In fact, being transformed into a Shade gives the victim red hair. (Note that that is "red" as in "bright/blood red," not natural red hair.)
**Actually, their hair is maroon.
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:Murtagh, the Twins, and Sloan]].
* FanNickname: "Galby" for King Galbatorix, and "CP" for [[ChristopherPaolini the author]].
* FanWank: Everyone and their dog has tried to plug the numerous [[PlotHole plot holes]] in this series, and most of the questions asked of Paolini in various Q & A's have been directed at [[WordOfGod trying to get him to do the same]]. [[ShrugOfGod Sometimes it doesn't work out]].
* {{Farmboy}}: Eragon.
* FemaleGaze: Males get as much attention from Eragon as Arya does; there's a fair amount of description devoted to several male characters' muscles, and then there's Oromis' infamous "hairless groin."
* FiveRaces: Averted. Humans, elves, dwarves, dragons, urgals, shades and the Ra'zac are the most important ones, with various others. There has been some discussion about whether human Riders are fully human (immortality, gaining the use of magic if they didn't already have the ability, gaining some elf-like features).
* FlatEarthAtheist: Oromis says the elves don't believe in any gods because they have never seen any evidence of their existence, but if they did, they would reconsider their view. There are an odd amount of supernatural elements staring them in the face, though.
** The elves don't disbelieve in the supernatural, they just disbelieve in gods. [[IfJesusThenAliens The supernatural and the divine are not the same thing.]]
* FoeYay: Quite a few slashy moments between Eragon and his [[spoiler:brother]]/nemesis Murtagh, to the point where Eragon acts like a whiny little jilted girl when Murtagh tells him off. Also, Eragon takes the chance to ogle Sloan's "hard and lean muscles" when given the chance.
* FootFocus: About halfway through ''Eldest'', Eragon notes that Arya's feet are bare. In the same book, he concentrates on an image of his big toe to [[PsychicStatic deter psychics]], and showed his feet to a dwarf who wondered how many toes humans had.
* ForgottenPhlebotinum: Remember that incredibly powerful ring with tons of stored-up energy you've got, Eragon? No, you don't.
* FranchiseKiller: The film adaptation of ''Eragon'' was a critical failure and a financial disappointment. It also made it '''impossible''' to create a film of the second book due to discontinuity created by the first film, not to mention the number of ignored characters that would need to be introduced.
* FridgeLogic
* FunctionalMagic: Sort of. Basically follows an Inherent Gift structure (though Dragon Riders get a Gift for free), and instead of memorizing specific spells, mages memorize various [[LanguageOfMagic magic words]] for things and then combine them to create spells.
* GeneralRipper: Nasuada. If you are on the side of the Empire, she'll do everything she can do kill you, and celebrate when you're dead. Disobey her orders, and the best you'll get is [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill 50 lashes]] to the back, even if you [[WallBanger saved the Varden a costly defeat by doing so]]. Eragon might also qualify. Averted by Jormundur and Murtagh.
* GenerationXerox: Murtagh is doomed to follow in the footsteps of Morzan, his father.
* GiantFlyer: Besides the dragons (obviously), there are the Fanghur from the Beor Mountains and the Ra'zac's adult form, the Lethrblaka.
* GoddamnOrks: Urgals, Kull, Ra'zac, Lethrblaka, Shades, Fanghur, imperial troops, etc.
* GodModeSue: Eragon, who can magically do anything because he's a Rider, except when plot demands he play TheLoad.
* GoodAllAlong: [[spoiler:The urgals. Or at least most of them.]]
* TheGovernment: Portayed as the source of all evil.
* GrandTheftMe: Spirits like to do this to unsuspecting spellcasters. If they succeed, a Shade is created.
* GroinAttack: One of the things [[OffstageVillainy Galbatorix]] is actually definitely guilty of. This troper is constantly amused by the fact that the evil dictator had resorted to a tactic mostly used by angry teenage girls.
**When you're in a fight to the death, a [[CombatPragmatist smart individual would use any tactic to win]].
** Roran too. Or maybe not: according to Brisingr, [[SoBadItsGood he kicked his foe BETWEEN the fork of the legs]], a move only seen in [[EyeofArgon one other piece]] (which, as it happens, is also filled with PurpleProse--hmm...). This troper is still snickering.
* [[GrowingTheBeard Growing the Mustache]]: Brisingr consisted mostly of [[AuthorsSavingThrow Author's Saving Throws]], steering the series away from StarWars and answering some plot points that looked like [[PlotHole plot holes]]. Unfortunately, it also provides the greatest examples of MoralDissonance in the series.
* GuiltyPleasures: For certain FanHaters, who think the series is SoBadItsGood.
* {{Hatedom}}: Pretty much inevitable.
* HealingHands
* HereThereWereDragons: 100 years ago, EvilOverlord Galbatorix threw down the Dragon Riders and forced every magic user to swear loyalty to himself and swear the Empire, resulting in magic becoming much rarer, dragons nearly going extinct, and the power of the elves to begin to fade away. However, [[spoiler: Galbatorix regrets his past actions and is now actively working to resurrect the dragons under his command.]]
* HeroicResolve: Roran uses a lot of this to survive [[spoiler: being given 50 freaking lashes!]]
* HeroicSociopath: an AlternateCharacterInterpretation for Eragon, as well as Roran. [[http://www.oak-tree.us/blog/index.php/2009/01/21/brisingr-sociopath Someone even wrote an essay on it]]. Though Canon seems to insist that Eragon is not sociopathic at all, he is [[LampshadeHanging repeatedly called out on his actions by others]].
* HeroInsurance: Eragon, being the poster boy for the Varden, has a license to kill, maim, and destroy as much as he pleases. Possible {{Subversion}} in ''Brisingr'' when Eragon finds a man that he had previously stolen from and pays him far over the original price with gold, while he says he really didn't mind, considering how Eragon used them and that [[spoiler:he destroyed the rest before leaving Carvahall anyway]].
* HoYay: A lot of subtext [[KissingCousins between Eragon and Roran]]. [[http://eragon-sporkings.wikispaces.com/Brisingr_Four Seriously.]]
** [[http://www.shurtugal.com/?id=series/brisingr/excerpt Read the first few paragraphs of this]]. SoYeah. Actually, the entire thing can be an innuendo.
** Eragon ogles his ex-nemesis' "lean and hard muscles," and gets slashy with his half-brother. Oromis in turn gets ogled because he has pretty red lips, flowy hair, hard muscles, and a hairless groin. Probably because someone would say it was sexist for a male character to admire a hot girl.
* IAmWho: Eragon's identity is a closely kept secret until ''Brisingr'' wherein it's revealed that he is [[spoiler: the son of Brom.]]
* IdiosyncraticCoverArt: Each novel in the series introduces a new, differently-colored dragon as a character. This dragon gets his/her picture on the cover of the book, and the book is the same color as his/her hide.
* IdiotBall: Neither the heroes nor villains are safe from this.
* IdiotHero: Extra stress on the "idiot", a bit less on the [[DesignatedHero "hero"]].
* IKnowYourTrueName: Used in conjunction with WordsCanBreakMyBones.
* [=~I'm Having Soul Pains~=]: Eragon thoughout most of ''Eldest''.
* {{Immortality}}: Dragon Riders, elves, dragons, and possibly Shades are all immortal unless killed violently.
* ImmortalProcreationClause: Dwarves, who live much longer than humans, are repeatedly stated to reproduce at a slower rate. This is even more extreme with the immortal-unless-killed [[OurElvesAreBetter elves]], who are even less prolific than the dwarves. At the beginning of the cycle, it's been over a decade since the last elf children(twins) were born.
* InstantExpert: Eragon learns magic faster than any of the other characters, despite him being JustAKid.
** He also becomes the greatest swordsman who ever lived with both his right and left hands, just from practising with Brom. Or him instantly mastering horse riding through his mind tapping powers (the mind tapping powers themselves having developed unusually early). You present him with a skill, he'll have picked it up ''and'' mastered it without even a TrainingMontage.
** It seems the only thing he can't instantly master is common sense. Case in point: He attempts to levitate and throw a group of urgals rather than killing them with a simple spell. The effort instantly knocks him unconscious for three days.
** He also manages to have complete conversations in the Ancient Language after one [[InformedAbility onscreen]] grammar lesson, despite previously having learned only single words and some sayings (although it is implied that that was not the only one Brom ever told him).
* InternetBackdraft: Fans of the Inheritance trilogy have their hands full defending the object of their fandom from a gigantic number of anti-fans.
** The reverse came first: the unified hatedom exists in large part because hardcore [[FanDumb true-fans]] met any criticism of the series whatsoever [[ComplainingAboutPeopleNotLikingTheShow with everything from derision and name-calling]] to poorly veiled threats, resulting in critics of the series forming their own [[{{Anti-Shurtugal}} counter site]] just so they could express their opinions without having them deleted or mocked. You could say that Inheritance's supporters [[IncrediblyLamePun "fanned" the fire]].
* {{Jossed}}: ChristopherPaolini officially stomped on the theory that [[spoiler: the sapphire in Aren is the [[SoulJar Eldunari]] of [[TheObiWan Brom's]] dragon.]]
* KickTheDog: Setting aside the [[MoralDissonance morally dissonant atrocities]] [[DesignatedHero our heroes]] are mentioned to have done, we have the elves attacking an allied village without warning or mercy. To ensure that Galbatorix is a true villain, he also has his henchmen destroy several villages on their own.
* KickThemWhileTheyAreDown: Murtagh does this to a slaver named Torkenbrand, killing him. Eragon, despite criticizing Murtagh for this, later does a similar thing to Sloan, purposefully tormenting the already broken man until he is reduced to sobbing, gibbering, and begging for death.
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:Brom, Ajihad, Hrothgar, and Oromis. Glaedr just happens to have survived by giving away his 'heart of hearts']].
* KingIncognito: [[spoiler: Murtagh]] appears to be just an ordinary rogue, albeit one with a lot of expensive stuff, until it is revealed that he is [[spoiler: the son of Morzan, Galbatorix's most powerful general, and soon after takes his father's place as the Empire's champion.]]
* KnightTemplar: Eragon, arguably, and the Varden in general. In fact, all the factions (both good and bad) have traits of this, except the dwarves.
* LadyOfWar: Nasuada, Arya.
* LanguageOfMagic: The Ancient Language
* LanguageOfTruth: The same as the language of magic. Doesn't apply when written though, only spoken or when in someone's mind. Any oath sworn in the Ancient Language is also binding, making it impossible to break unless you are released from it.
** Although it is impossible to lie directly, lies can be told by thinking to yourself that you mean something else to what you are saying.
**[[spoiler: A lie can also be told if the speaker ''thinks'' it is true]].
* TheLancer: Roran.
* LaResistance: The Varden.
* LeftFieldDescription: All the time.
* LeftJustifiedFantasyMap: The variant with sea to the south as well.
* LettingHerHairDown: After she arrives in Ellesmera, Arya stops wearing a leather band in her hair to show how relaxed she is.
* LifeEnergy: Used to fuel magic.
* LightningBruiser: [[OurElvesAreBetter Elves]], [[DragonRider Dragon Riders]], Ra'zac, and Shades. [[ProudWarriorRace Kull]] might also count; they can run as fast as horses and are tough enough to fight five men at once.
* LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition: Each book has received a "Deluxe Edition" reprinting which usually includes some goodies like drawings from cover artist John Jude Palancar and/or ChristopherPaolini himself. Deluxe Editions are usually released a year after the original publication and can be distinguished by a ring of gold around the cover.
** ''Eragon'' and ''Eldest'' were reprinted together in an Omnibus edition which was so big it could be used as a bludgeon.
* LittleMissSnarker: Elva.
* TheLoad: Eragon himself in the first two books, as he always has to either become unconscious or be saved by someone in order to get anything done.
* LoveItOrHateIt: These are very, ''very'' polarizing books.
* LukeIAmYourFather: Used ''twice''.
* {{Magibabble}}: Oromis gets quite in depth about the rules of magic.
* MagicAIsMagicA: Actually quite consistent and elaborate rules of magic govern the use of the Ancient Language.
* MagicKnight: Shades, Elves, and Dragonriders tend to train in both combat and magic.
* ManipulativeBastard: Elva, being an [[TheEmpath empathic]] [[AntiHero antiheroine]], uses her power to discern a person's weaknesses and vulnerabilities, then say exactly the thing that she knows will give them the most comfort or the most pain. At one point, [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome she does this to Eragon, and is able to bring him to his knees just with some well-chosen words]].
* MayflyDecemberRomance: Eragon and Arya. (Interestingly, Arya once indirectly described such a relationship to be viewed by the elves as similar to paedophilia on the elves' part. And it's implied that the perfect elves may not be right about ''everything'' after all.)
* MeaningfulName: "Eragon" is "dragon" with one letter changed, but then Paolini retconned this into "era gone by".
* MightyGlacier: Dwarves. Dragons lean towards this as they get older, growing gradually bigger but losing mobility.
* MillionMookMarch: Galbatorix's army, fully marshalled at the end of ''Eldest'' numbers [[spoiler: over 100,000.]] To put that into perspective, the Varden's forces number about 4,000 at the start of the books.
* MindProbe: The main psychic power. Unfortunately, this particularly ability can be used for . . .
* MindRape: Done by Eragon to Sloan when Sloan didn't believe it was Eragon who rescued him.
* MonsterFunFacts: The Urgals.
* MoralDissonance %%Don't start listing it, it devolves into endless nattering!%%
* MySensorsIndicateYouWantToTapThat: Saphira knows what Eragon is thinking when he looks at Arya . . .
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: You only name your child Galbatorix if you ''want'' him to grow up to be evil.
** [[OrSoIHeard Some theorize, however,]] that this is not his birth name; if so, though, this just means that he [[InvokedTrope invoked]] this trope deliberately.
* {{Narm}}
* {{Nephewism}}: Eragon is raised by his aunt and uncle, without ever knowing his parents.
* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: This ties in with InstantExpert. It becomes way more obvious with the [[CompressedAdaptation compressed movie adaptation]] ("[[http://www.agonybooth.com/recaps/Eragon.aspx?Page=8 OMG I GOTZ MAGICK?!]]").
* NotSoDifferent: The heroes commit atrocities every bit as bad as the supposed villains. Lampshaded by Elva, who points out to Eragon, "[[spoiler:Galbatorix would approve.]]" when he tries to [[spoiler: forcibly remove her powers.]]
* NotQuiteDead: [[spoiler:Murtagh and the Twins]].
* TheObiWan: Brom.
* OffstageVillainy: Anything King Galbatorix does...when he's not [[OrcusOnHisThrone sitting on his throne]] and ordering his subordinates to do things. [[GroinAttack Or kicking people in the balls]].
* OldMaster: Oromis.
* OrcusOnHisThrone: Galbatorix, while strong enough to wipe out the Varden by himself, decides to spend his time in the capital city, Uru'baen. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] when Nasuada thinks about how Galbatorix's pride is the only thing keeping the Varden from being destroyed.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent
* OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame
* OurElvesAreBetter: [[AuthorAppeal And]] ''[[WriterOnBoard how!]]''.
** It's probably illustrated no better than in ''Eldest'', where Eragon [[spoiler:can't defeat Vanir no matter what...until he is [[WallBanger magically transformed into an elf]]. Kind of. He has mostly human characteristics apart from physical ability and some appearance changes (Shades get a similar deal).]] The trope still stands, though; [[spoiler:his previous mere human limits prevent him from having a chance until he is graced with the same level of ability as the elves.]]
* OurOrcsAreDifferent: They're called urgals.
** [[spoiler:A large number later [[HeelFaceTurn ally themselves with the Varden]].]] Urgals are generally portrayed as more intelligent and civilised than many orcs in other fiction. [[TropesAreNotBad Hence why they're different.]]
* PatchworkMap
* PayEvilUntoEvil: Eragon's philosophy is this, which is [[HeroicSociopath the reason why he isn't very well liked among savvy readers]]. Possibly {{Lampshaded}} when four different characters, [[spoiler: Murtagh, Sloan, Elva, and a soldier in Feinster]], [[WhatTheHellHero call him out on this]].
* PlotLeveling: In Brisingr, Eragon suddenly starts encountering enemies immune to his new story-breaking powers. However, most of them have been encountered by Roran and the [[RedShirtArmy Varden]].
* PlotRelevantAgeUp: [[spoiler:Elva]] in ''Eldest'' (AWizardDidIt), and, inexplicably, [[spoiler:Saphira]] in the ''Eragon'' [[FilmOfTheBook movie]].
**However, it must be considered that [[spoiler:Elva]] supposedly [[spoiler:grew at like, 12 times the normal rate for a while because Eragon accidentally cursed her, although this seems to have stopped.]]
**[[spoiler:Also there's Thorn, born close to a year after Saphira yet is nearly as large as she is when he's first confronted at the end of ''Eldest'', although this is only because Galbatorix did it, Thorn is still mentally only a few months old despite having the body of a grown dragon.]].
* PosthumousCharacter: Morzan, Eragon the first Rider, and [[spoiler:Brom]] in a way.
* PowerPerversionPotential: True names. Just think about it...
** Also, the ability of skilled magic users to modify their own body's appearance. WordOfGod says those changes can be relatively extensive...
** Not to mention everything that could be done with the almost endless possibilities of the magic system. Telekinesis, telepathy, moving heat around, etc. Touching minds is of particular note. Eragon describes touching a person's mind as feeling "as if a facet of his bare soul brushed against theirs."
* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: And how!
* ProudWarriorRace: The urgals might qualify after ''Eldest''. Elves and Dragons have traits of this, too.
* PsychicPowers: Anyone who can use magic also gains the ability to touch other minds via a MindProbe. It is also mentioned that non magic users can have this ability too(then called "Mindbreakers"), although so far the only case of this is with dragons (who technically are magic users, but not at will).
* PsychicStatic: This technique can be learned by just about anyone with the right willpower to block psychics. It seems to be widely used in governments, to prevent any rogue Mindbreakers from stealing important information.
* PunctuationShaker: Ra'zac and Zar'roc, amongst others.
* PurpleProse: Surroundings and settings tend to be somewhat excessively described. YourMileageMayVary on how much of it is good or bad. Noticeably less in Brisingr, and to a lesser degree, in Eldest.
* PursuedProtagonist: How Eragon gets the egg in the movie.
* [=~Recycled IN SPACE!~=]: Up until ''Brisingr'', the series could have been best described as ''StarWars'' [[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: in a Standard Fantasy Setting! ]]
In fact, moving the plot away from this was pretty much the entire point of Brisingr.
** With that and the amount of storyline left at the end of Eldest, book 3 would have been a real TreeKiller if it was the last book in the series.
* RageAgainstTheMentor: [[{{Farmboy}} Eragon]] constantly complains about [[TheObiWan Brom]] keeping secrets from him.
* RebelliousPrincess: Arya, sort of.
* TheRevolutionWillNotBeVilified: The Varden (rebellion) is good, while TheEmpire is evil. Of course, some readers [[AlternateCharacterInterpretation interpret]] [[TheRemnant the Varden]] [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized differently]]
* {{Retcon}}: A couple of details (see {{BFS}} on this page for an example) were changed. Mostly averted with regard to the actual storyline.
* RivalTurnedEvil: [[spoiler:Murtagh]].
* RootingForTheEmpire: Among those who don't accept the canon delineation of who's good and who's evil, some have concluded: Eragon is a sociopath, the Varden are [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeVilified terrorists]], Surda is their hostage, the original Dragonriders were a racist military junta and Galbatorix is, at worst, [[NotSoDifferent equally as evil as the heroes]].
* RoyallyScrewedUp: The people of Palancar Valley descend from King Palancar, who was RoyallyScrewedUp, including Eragon and Roran. [[InTheBlood This might explain a thing or two...]]
* RuleOfCool: Possible LampshadeHanging when the elven blacksmith chastises Eragon for specifying a design for purely aesthetic reasons, as well as by Angela in the battle at Feinster.
* SandInMyEyes: Every emotional scene is punctuated with "a single shining tear". This leads to the unfortunate implication that many of the characters never cared much for their loved ones, as more tears have been shed for other, lesser things.
* ScreeningTheCall: Eragon's uncle Garrow tries to sell Saphira's egg before it can hatch and make Eragon a Rider.[[spoiler: He doesn't find a buyer in time, obviously.]]
* ScrewYouElves: [[spoiler:Murtagh]] makes a speech about this at the end of ''Eldest'', basically saying that they're a bunch of cowards who oppress humans.
* ShoutOut: Inexplicable reference to ''DoctorWho'' in Brisingr. Arya doodles something about a lonely god in the sand.
--> '''Eragon:''' "What does it mean?"
--> '''Arya:''' "I don't know."
::Comedy gold.
**He actually mentions this in the afterword. He says he did it because he's "A fan of the doctor."
** Maybe it didn't happen, maybe I'm just being picky, but similarities between Blazing Saddles tribute to The Treasure of Sierra Madre "Badges, we do't need no stinking badges" and the villagers in Eldest's "Barges, we don't need no stinkin' Barges!" seems too similar for words. Also, it's completely at odds with the rest of the prose.
** Morn (who is himself a ShoutOut/parody).
** Some people and places are named after people he knows, for example, Angela (his sister), and Palancar Valley (named after the artist who does the cover art)
* ShrugOfGod: If anything even remotely related to a theory for an upcoming book is mentioned to Paolini's face or asked in an interview, he always responds with, "no comment."
* SmallNameBigEgo: [[ChristopherPaolini Paolini]], who strives "for a lyrical beauty somewhere between Tolkien at his best and Seamus Heaney's translation of Beowulf". At least he used the word "strive."
* SsssnakeTalk: The Ra'zac have a hissing accent.
* SoBadItsGood: Some people consider the series to be this way, except for TheFilmOfTheBook, which is pure old-fashioned SnarkBait.
* SoulJar: The Eldunari.
* SuperSpeed
* SuperStrength: Possessed naturally by elves, Shades, Ra'zac, and Kull. Dragon Riders seem to gain this over time.
* StandardFantasySetting: One of the things FanHaters use to accuse Paolini of being unoriginal.
* StrawmanPolitical: Only two fleshed-out religions are seen in the Cycle, the first of which is almost stupidly evil and vile for no logical reason, and the other of which involves an argument between representatives of the religious Dwarves and atheist Elves, which presents the Dwarf as wasteful and ranting and the Elf as calm and wise.
** The dwarf religion is actually portrayed rather positively in the third book, especially considering that the main character [[spoiler: converts to dwarfism and even prays to the dwarf god Guntera at one point]]. The "argument" between the dwarves and elves actually had fairly little to do with religion; the elf in question (Arya) just thought that the dwarves put too much money into decorating their temples.
* StrongerSibling: [[spoiler:Murtagh]] is more than capable of kicking [[spoiler:Eragon]]'s scrawny behind.
** The loser had just fought in a battle while the other hadn't. Otherwise they were evenly matched before [[spoiler:Eragon's magical transformation and Murtagh's joining Galbatorix]].
*** Then of course, [[spoiler: there's round two early in Brisingr and Eragon doesn't fare a whole lot better... despite having ''twelve'' Elven spellcasters and Arya aiding him... Murtagh may be advantaged because of the [[GreenRocks Eldunari]] he has, but he needs ''something'' to even up the greater amounts of time Eragon had to learn his skills and Saphira had to grow, and the AssPull ceremony that increased Eragon's strength]].
**** AWizardDidIt. [[GoodIsDumb An evil wizard]]. An evil wizard ''king''.
**** Eragon may have had twelve elves and Arya, but Murtagh had "hearts".
***** [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway Heart!]]
* TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive
* ThirdPersonPerson: Angela in the film adaptation.
* TonightSomeoneDies: Prior to the release of ''Brisingr'', ChristopherPaolini announced that a major character would die at the end of the book. That character was [[spoiler: Oromis, the OldMaster. Glaedr survives in his Eldunari but is physically dead.]]
* ToThePain: Eragon's [[MoralDissonance threat]] to a soldier early in the first book.
* TrilogyCreep: What was once a "Trilogy" is now a "Cycle."
* TurnedAgainstTheirMasters: Spirits, which can be summoned by sorcerers to accomplish magical feats, will do this at the first opportunity if the sorcerer isn't capable.
* TwistEnding
* UnfortunateImplications %%Same as the above examples, do NOT start listing them here, just go to the trope page!%%
* UnusualEuphemism: Sloan uses a lot when he's [[WhatTheHellHero insulting Eragon]].
* {{Veganopia}}: Elven society
* VanityPublishing
* WeAreAsMayflies: The Elves.
* WeHaveReserves: Galbatorix uses the urgals mainly as arrow-fodder.
* WhoWantsToLiveForever: A source of {{Wangst}} for Eragon.
* WhatMeasureIsAMook: The [[DesignatedHero heroes]] can be very hypocritical about this, which also often leads to MoralDissonance.
* WhatTheHellHero?: Four examples: Firstly, [[spoiler: Murtagh heavily criticizes Eragon's (and the Varden's) moral stance and allegiance at the end of ''Eldest'', going so far as to say that Galbatorix isn't bad enough to earn what Eragon's doing to the Empire]]. Secondly, Sloan gives Eragon a massive tongue lashing in ''Brisingr'' when he encounters him, complete with lots of [[UnusualEuphemism fantasy swear words]]. Thirdly, after Eragon [[spoiler: attempts to heal Elva of her [[BlessedWithSuck curse]], he only succeeds in making it painless, leaving Elva still empowered but no longer shackled down with a desire to help others, turning her into an AntiHero. Shortly after, he decides that she isn't mature enough to handle such power and tries to take it from her, whereupon she puts him down about his KnightTemplar tendencies and points out that he is behaving little better than Galbatorix would.]] And fourthly, a [[spoiler: soldier in Feinster]] complains about Eragon "taking glory for himself" by disrupting the peace and slaughtering even those who have been forced to serve the Empire. Each one is a CrowningMomentOfAwesome.
* TheWoobie: Murtagh - face it, his life is just one long series of people [[GroinAttack kicking him in the balls]]. Also Sloan, who, although admittedly killing someone, goes through hell to protect his daughter, and is punished even by the hero for it.
** Perhaps more so than either of those two is Thorn, who is forcefully made into an adult, although his mind remains that of an infant's, and is brainwashed to fight and is treated as a villain.
** And then there's [[BlessedWithSuck Elva]].
* WordOfGod: Christopher Paolini answers a lot of questions about the Cycle, mostly in interviews. Just look at all the examples on this page alone!
* WordsCanBreakMyBones: The Ancient Language, being the language used for magic, is perfectly capable of killing you. If mishandled, it can also kill its unwary user.
* XanatosGambit: Galbatorix's magnificent plan at the end of ''Eragon.'' He recruits his longtime enemies, the urgals, and offers them free land if they attack the Beor Mountains and stamp out the dwarves and the Varden. This was a particularly ingenious move, because if the urgals are victorious, that means that ''two'' of Galbatorix's principal enemies have been taken off the map, and the urgals will be too weakened to challenge Galbatorix or fight back if he wants to get rid of them later, all without a single imperial warrior having to die. If the urgals lose, then Galbatorix has effectively gotten rid of a race he hated anyway ([[spoiler:They killed his original dragon after he overestimated his ability]]) before they have a chance to cause trouble for him. [[spoiler: The Varden and dwarves manage to stave off the urgals, leaving both sides significantly weakened but alive, and the much smaller forces of urgals still alive turn against Galbatorix shortly afterwards.]]
* YeGoodeOldeDays: Everybody is always rambling about how awesome the days before Galbatorix were . . . even though those days took place over a century ago. (By the way, remember the 70s?) Kinda justified with Brom (who [[{{Understatement}} really]], ''really'' doesn't like Galbatorix) spreading tales around the town, and many of the people of Palancar Valley being descended from a royal court which existed before [[FanNickname ol' Galby]].
** People can have long memories. The elite of the Roman Republic was obsessed with how great things were during its early days, and the republic was around for hundreds of years.
* YoungestChildWins: Eragon [[spoiler: is the younger of two siblings, and he ends up raised by his uncle in relative safety, gets to become a Dragon Rider, raises to the highest ranks in the Varden, is respected and praised to the heights of heaven by kings and queens and dragons alike.]] Meanwhile, [[spoiler: his elder brother Murtagh is raised in Uru'baen, is horribly abused by his father, receives a gigantic scar that goes ''all the way from his shoulder down his back to his hip'' at the age of ''three'', loses his mother(and his abusive father) shortly after and grows up an orphan, loses his mentor and friend at age 18, and is shortly thereafter condemned to wonder the Empire as an outlaw, hated and hunted by both the Empire and the Varden.]] However, [[spoiler: the trope is subverted when Murtagh is forced to join the Empire. One of Galbatorix's dragon eggs hatches for him, and he takes his father's place as the Empire's champion. After gaining new powers from his master, he resolves to use his position to "strike back at the world that had shown him little kindness" and his first act with his new abilites is to wipe the floor with Eragon and his dragon at the climax of ''Eldest.'' ]]
* YouFailGeographyForever: A common complaint levelled against the map of Alagaësia and its unusual geographic features such as rivers that double back on themselves, and a desert that sits in the middle of a map of an otherwise temperate European style environmental zone.
* YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: Elva, being the emotional manipulator that she is, ''purposefully uses this tactic against Eragon'', telling him that Galbatorix would approve of his actions. This leaves him badly shaken and questioning his morals.
** Why he didn't come to this revelation right after what he did to Sloan is anyone's guess...
* YourMileageMayVary
* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Galbatorix again.
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<<|{{Literature}}|>>

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[[supersecretspoiler:Now that I think about it, how about I kick Murtagh in the groin again?]]