The Fall (Inheritance)
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The Fall, or "The Downfall," is the name used for the overthrowing of the old order of Dragon Riders and the creation of Galbatorix's Empire in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy.
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[edit] History
[edit] Background
During the prosperous time of the Dragon Riders, a student name Galbatorix proved himself to be exceptionally talented, but Galbatorix was also vain. He camped in The Spine, a mysterious mountain range in Alagaesia, with two other young Riders and their dragons. They were ambushed in their sleep by Urgals. Galbatorix was the only survivor. Driven mad by the loss of his partner Dragon, Galbatorix came close to death, but eventually found his way back to Vroengard. He demanded that the ruling council of the Dragon Riders grant him a new Dragon. His pleas fell on deaf ears, as the council saw that his mind had been affected by his Dragon's death. Granting him a new dragon would also break tradition by violating the magical bond between riders and their dragons. Angered at being denied another egg, Galbatorix sought to take his revenge on the Dragon Riders and thus get his wish. Using magic he learned from a Shade, he convinced a sympathetic Dragon Rider to kill an Elder of the Dragon Riders. Galbatorix then turned on his ally and killed him. After this, Galbatorix convinced Morzan, an immoral and weak-minded Rider to aid him in his quest to destroy the Dragon Riders.
[edit] Shruikan
Together, Galbatorix and Morzan slew the rightful Rider of a black dragon, Shruikan, and twisted Shruikan's mind by powerful magic, forcing him to serve Galbatorix. It was a perverted and weak version of the bond between a normal Rider and his dragon; consequently, there was no real love or loyalty between the black dragon and his new Rider. At any rate, the bond sufficed to Galbatorix's purposes.
[edit] The Forsworn
Galbatorix then enlisted the help of twelve more Riders, each lured by the promise of power, their minds already corrupt and their dragons cruel and power-hungry. These minions became known as the Forsworn. Together, this twisted band fought the true Riders. Only Vrael, last leader of the Riders, had the power to resist Galbatorix and the Forsworn, although he was wounded in their first encounter. He fled to Utgard Mountain to recover. The elves took a last stand against Galbatorix on the plains of Ilirea (soon to be called Urû'baen) but they fell and their king, Evandar, was slain. Galbatorix then found Vrael and beheaded him. Then Galbatorix became emperor of Alagaësia.
[edit] Creation of the Empire
Galbatorix slew the king of the Broddring Kingdom, the second human kingdom set up after the exile of Alagaësia's first human king, KingPalancar. Seizing all power for himself, he established a new order, known as the Empire. The Empire became the dominant power in Alagaesia, stretching from the west coast eastward to the Hadarac Desert, south to Surda and north as far as the known world went.
Technically the Broddring Kingdom still exists, but it is "little more than a name on royal decrees". In fact, many humans are unaware that it ever existed.
