#vrael

Vrael does not have a Ryu Number/has a Ryu Number of 2.

(clarification below)

Morzan: okay but how did you do it!

Galbatorix: I hit him in his innermost weakness.

Morzan: you broke his mind?

Galbatorix: well, no.

Morzan: you hit him in the nuts didn't you.

My delusional ass had so many thoughts while reading this because it makes perfect sense, because now I have a buttload of theories about each detail.

The Rose. This could be a reference to Jeod and the Arcaena, such as the possible code meaning of “the rosebushes” in the letter we read on the special edition, or it could also be Brom getting sneaky and hiding a reference to Selena in the sigil, depending on what time they actually created the sigil. I mean, the Nighthawks didn’t get proper mottos and stuff for quite a while. The Varden might have taken a lot more time to establish and worry about emblems than we know. It could also be a reference to Isidar Mithrim and the dwarves if they were a part of the Varden at that time—which I presume they were, considering the length of Hrothgar’s reign and his alliance with the Varden.

The Dragon. The white dragon could be either a reference to the original Eragon—as Bid’daum was white—or even to Vrael’s dragon, Umaroth, who we know was white just through the fact that Islingr, Vrael’s sword, was white. If it’s a reference to Vrael, it could be a reference to the entire Old Order. My wishful brain wants it to be a reference to Bid’daum and to Riders as a whole or even that Brom was thinking of his son in some way too, but considering how long ago this was, I assume it may have been soon enough that Brom knew Selena, but not late enough that Eragon was born. We have no idea when it was created.

The Sword. Paolini said it is probably Islingr, which means, in my book, that either Brom was trying to include references to Vrael and Umaroth individually in the sigil, or the dragon represents Bid’daum and Eragon I and the sword represents Vrael and Umaroth.

The Battlefield. Okay, I admit this might be far-fetched, but in medieval time periods, purple dye was extremely difficult to get and immensely expensive, reserved exclusively for royalty. And, considering that the dragon is holding a sword over it, I take it to symbolize the Rider’s rebellion against royalty—Galbatorix.

Decided to recycle an old species of mine; Vraelith.

AU NOTE: Yeah, I forgot this existed. It goes with my previous post about the First Human Riders. It is not edited.

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           The day Vrael became the head Rider “officially”, Skabne and Sherree were called back to Vroenguard.

           They were two humans amongst about fifty or so elves, which was always a pleasant experience, but not one that was uncommon.

           “It has come to my attention.” Vrael said, pointedly not making eye contact with either of them, “the humans are still dying at an unprecedented rate.”

           Skabne didn’t laugh, but there was an edge of an ugly smile on his face.  His large brown dragon, Miremel, was also showing her large teeth.

           Sherree didn’t say anything, but her back was tense- and her knuckles were white where they gripped her dragon, Hirador’s, green tail.

           Hirador was especially tired of being around elves. He wasn’t particularly fond of humans in general, dwarves even less, but he would like to lick some elves until their skin was as tender as his rider’s temper.

           A little bit, a little late. Better than nothing. Miremel spoke to him, noticing his tension. Hirador didn’t hiss at Miremel, but it was a near thing. Miremel was very talkative, very easy going- it came down to a very quiet rider, Hirador was sure.

           “Several generations of humans have passed-”

           Four or five. Sherree’s thoughts were like angry wasps, flying all over Hirador’s head.

           “We need to train several new riders, human and elven- three human, five elven.”

           Huh?

           What?

           Hmm. Skabne’s thoughts turned into a variety of images- an eagle flying down to catch a rat, a crocodile waiting in the deep- it all flashed so quickly Hirador could not keep up. Skabne did place a hand on Sherree’s shoulder- as if to keep her still.

           “Skabne and Sherree will be put on the council-”

           Suddenly there was a cacophony of noise. The elven representatives, several older riders, several younger riders. The only one quiet was Oromis. He had already been on the council for a decade, and when he was recommended there was cheering.

           Glaedr roared over the noise. The entire area went silent.

           Which is why Glaedr was one of Hirador’s favorite dragons.

           “The council has already voted.” Vrael’s voice was calm.

           Hirador felt Glaedr touch his mind.

           The outcome was close. Oromis was the deciding vote.

           Hirador let loose a cloud of smoke from his nostrils, covering the gathering. He watched many of the dragons slide around their riders, as if bracing for an attack.

           Hirador was tempted.

           And in this you have shown why Skabne and Sherree are valuable. Umaroth projected at the riders. Both control their tempers and thoughts, while none of you think before you speak. Many of you have spent your time with the elves or in personal meditation, some have gone with our wild kin. Yet when Sherree went to the dwarves, no one else accompanied her. When Skabne was planting crops and negotiating treaties, none but Sharree stood beside him.

           We have come close to breaking our oaths and treaties with the humans. We have neglected our duty. If any of you had shown the initiative Sharree and Skabne had, you would also have a place on the council.

           “Umaroth, it is well known that Sharree can not control her temper.” It was one of Sharree’s former teachers who spoke. The rest of Sharree’s teachers joined in, nodding.

           “And yet,”  Vrael said dryly, “She has been able to keep her temper as her character is insulted by an elf who could not help but insult her family for many years.”

           “I did no such thing.”

           “You did. You do.” Vrael said. “We are meant to keep the peace between the races, yet none of my riders can interact humbly with humans. This isolation must end.” Vrael moved on to the multiple other aspects of integrating humans into the ranks- and the crowd grew more and more discontent.

           How do you think this will go? Hirador’s rider asked Skabne.

I don’t recall writing about this before, but in book 4 (Inheritance) CP introduces new aspects of human/elf relations where humans fear and mistrust elves and think they replace or alter human children for whatever reason.

It’s easy to write this off or ignore it, but it’s literally rooted in objective facts and CP-confirmed canon.

Human Riders were selected when around 10 years old, and CP has said that people who dragons hatched for but didn’t want to be Riders were literally taken away until they changed their minds. And then the human parents, who with the exception of more history and culture appear to have had similar standards of living before and after the Fall, meet their graduated Rider child, who by then has been educated by an elven Order for years...