Dragon Rider (Inheritance Cycle) - Notable Swords

Notable Swords

Upon completion of a Rider's training, he or she is presented with a sword crafted by the elf smith Rhunön. The swords are forged with Brightsteel, an ore taken from meteorites. The swords are usually the same color as the Rider's dragon and have a gemstone of the same color in the pommel, to store energy. The swords are laid with many enchantments during the smithing and can never break, dull, or stain. They are also able to cut through wards. After the death of Galbatorix, Eragon raided many of Galbatorix's personal chambers which stored many of his secret possessions and among them, Eragon found nearly all the Rider swords, more than 230 swords of various shapes and colors. Eragon noted that Rhunön, the elf smith would be delighted if she hear that her crafts managed to survive.

• Zar'roc - the sword of Morzan, and later, Murtagh. Zar'roc consists of a red blade and silver-wrapped handle whose pommel bears a ruby. It is intended to be wielded in one hand, although can be used with two hands if need be. Eragon receives the sword from Brom in Eragon, Brom having taken it from Morzan after he had killed him. During the Battle of the Burning Plains, Murtagh, after defeating Eragon, claims that the sword should have gone to the eldest son, not the youngest, for at the time it is believed that Eragon and Murtaugh are full brothers. Both sons of Selana, Morzan's consort, but this was a lie and in the end of Brisingr they find out Eragon is the son of Brom. The name "Zar'roc" in the ancient language means "Misery".
• Brisingr - the sword of Eragon, Brisingr is a blue-bladed hand-and-a-half sword ornamented by a sapphire. Unlike most swords, it bears the additional ability of producing fire each time Eragon speaks its name in its presence. This is because either Eragon accidentally discovers the sword's true name in the ancient language, because he helped make it, or, as is speculated by fans, because part of Eragon's true name in the ancient language is brisingr. The name "Brisingr" in the ancient language means "Fire". This name is much to the disappointment of the herbalist, Angela, who is appalled by Eragon's lack of creativity and wit. Before Eragon got Brisingr he had a falchion (a single-bladed sword created by dwarves).
• Naegling - the sword of Oromis, which consists of a bronze blade and several stones which are used as stores of magical strength. Much of Oromis' power lies in Naegling, with it he "could shift a mountain." The wards placed on the sword prevent Oromis' seizures from incapacitating him in battle. The loss of his sword in his battle with Murtagh is what leads to his death.
• Támerlein - Támerlein is a dark-green sword forged for the Rider Arva who was the sibling of Naudra, the mate of Lord Fiolr. Naudra accepted the sword to defend herself after Kialandi, one of the Forsworn, dealt Arva a mortal blow. Támerlein resides with the elven Lord Fiolr in the House of Valtharos. It was forged for a Rider who's fighting style was based more on "cutting and slashing than the faster, more elegant techniques Brom had taught him (Eragon)." Támerlein in the Ancient Language means, "The bringer of the final sleep." Támerlein was later modified by Rhunön for Arya
• Arvindr - Arvindr is one of the last Rider swords not yet lost or in the hands of Galbatorix. It currently resides in the elven city of Nädindel. It is unclear what color Arvindr is, or what it means in the ancient language.
• Undbitr - Brom's sword, which was lost during the Fall.
• Islingr/Vrangr - The sword of Vrael, and later, Galbatorix. Islingr means "light-bringer" but Galbatorix renamed it "Vrangr" (awry), thinking that it was more appropriate. The blade is described in Inheritance as, "stark white, while the gem within the pommel was as clear as a mountain spring. Altogether, there was something about the weapon that Eragon found unsettling. Its color--or rather its lack of color--reminded him of a sun-bleached bone. It was the color of death, not life, and it seemed far more dangerous than any shade of black, be it ever so dark."