The first annual Alagaësia Hunger Games have begun! Teams enter the arena!

By Mike Macauley November 20, 2015 Alagaësia Hunger Games 165 Comments

Let the first annual Alagaësia Hunger Games begin, and may the odds be ever in our favorite characters’ favor!

One of our favorite book series, The Hunger Games, saw its final film adaptation (Mockingjay, Part 2) hit screens today. To celebrate the occasion, we’re bringing the Hunger Games to Alagaësia – with our own spin on things!

Here’s the “official” lore:

A magical arena has been erected in the ruins of Vroengard Isle. This celebration will bring together some of Alagaësia’s mightiest heroes to compete in an arena-style battle. The celebration is meant to build morale in the post-Empire landscape, as families across the continent rebuild their lives after Galbatorix’s downfall.

Wards have been erected protecting participants from serious injury and death, and certain limitations have been placed on their magical powers. The Caretakers, Iduna and Nëya, have emerged from the confines of Du Weldenvarden to temporarily prevent participating dragons’ from flying and using any magic. Saphira, Thorn, and Firnen will have to rely on their size, cunning, and fire to survive the arena!

Alagaësia’s Hunger Games will have the potential to have two victors. If both members from the same team remain standing at the end of the Games, both are victorious!

To kick things off, we’re announcing our twelve participants and providing a briefing on each team’s strengths and weaknesses.

We want to hear from you! How do you envision the battles playing out? What tricks, traps, and obstacles do you think would challenge the arena participants? Let us know in the comments for a chance to win some goodies autographed by Christopher!

TEAMS

ERAGON AND SAPHIRA
Known as the saviors of Alagaësia, the pair must rely on their special bond and extensive knowledge from the challenges they faced together during their war with the Empire to emerge victorious!

Strengths: The pair have been through a lot worse than the arena. Months of travel, dozens of skirmishes and battles, and the knowledge and training of the Eldunarí make the pair formidable foes.

Weaknesses: Saphira has been temporarily barred from flying and using dragon magic. While she still has size and wisdom on her side, removing a dragon’s core abilities changes the playing field. Without the Eldunarí, Eragon’s magical powers are limited.

ANGELA AND SOLEMBUM
This mysterious pair have been traveling Alagaësia together for years. Their mutual respect for one another has created a bond matched by few. Angela and Solembum are not to be underestimated.

Strengths: Angela is powerful… too powerful, perhaps. No one knows the extent of her abilities, and that mystery leaves a lot up in the air. Though she’s agreed to not go over-the-top with her powers, and has left Tinkledeath behind, the herbalist remains a dangerous foe. Solembum’s ability to transform into a cat at will offers a number of opportunities for stealth and spying in the arena. Plus, the werecat can hold his own in physical combat.

Weaknesses: Angela reluctantly – and temporarily – parted with Tinkledeath and agreed to withhold use of some of her more… interesting and strangely powerful… abilities! Her cunning and wit remain intact. Don’t be quick to declare Angela and Solembum victors – these limitations and encounters with Alagaësia’s most powerful heroes will put their skills to the test.

MURTAGH AND THORN
Murtagh and Thorn remain largely a mystery to the inhabitants of Alagaësia. The once-friend of Eragon was whisked away to Urû’baen, where he bonded with Thorn and forcibly trained under Galbatorix. Since the tyrant’s death, the pair have traveled unknown lands north of Alagaësia hoping to come to terms with their drastically changed lives.

Strengths: Little is known of Murtagh and Thorn’s abilities to fight as a pair. While Eragon and Saphira encountered them several times, their largely unknown powers, cunning, and strength are not to be underestimated.

Weaknesses: While we don’t know the extent of their training under Galbatorix, we do know that it wasn’t the authentic experience Eragon received from Brom, Oromis, Glaedr, and the Eldunarí. As Rider and dragon, the pair remain immature, and that may work against them. Their emotional issues resulting from their torment and imprisonment by Galbatorix continue to plague them.

RORAN AND JEOD
One part scholar, one part hammer-wielding machine. Roran Stronghammer and Jeod Longshakes are an unlikely pairing, but one we shouldn’t underestimate. Roran’s time leading Carvahall and serving in the Varden’s army has provided him with invaluable experience in battle.

Strengths: This is an unusual pairing, but one we believe will be highly effective. Jeod, with his extensive knowledge of history, battles, and his experience behind-the-scenes in the two wars against the Empire, will be able to provide invaluable information, insights, and planning for Roran. As a proven leader and a proficient wielder of a hammer-of-death, Roran’s battle prowess paired with Jeod’s smarts make them a force to be reckoned with.

Weaknesses: Jeod’s lack of skill as a traditional warrior may leave the duo weak when it comes to one-on-one combat. Together, their inability to use magic may become problematic as they pair off against elven spellcasters and experienced Riders.

ARYA AND FÍRNEN
This powerful pair remain in training as dragon and Rider. Although Arya is a skilled magician in her own right, her powers have been drastically enhanced since bonding with Fírnen. The young dragon has much to learn, but the Eldunarí he and Arya have been studying under have prepared the dragon for what lies ahead.

Strengths: On her own, Arya isn’t someone you’d want to make an enemy of. Add a dragon into the mix and anyone opposing them ought to be running in the opposite direction. Arya has extensive experience in physical and magical combat, and her age and wisdom offer her an advantage.

Weaknesses: Fírnen’s young age, lack of experience in actual combat, and size difference compared to Saphira and Thorn puts the pair at a disadvantage.

NASUADA AND JÖRMUNDUR
As leader of the Varden and the Empire, Nasuada has vast experience as a commander. Her strategizing and cunning aided her in the many battles leading to Galbatorix’s downfall. After coming to respect Nasuada, Jörmundur, formerly Ajihad’s right-hand man, became a trusted confidant and leader in the rebel group’s Council of Elders.

Strengths: Their skill as strategic commanders will aid them as they compete against some of Alagaësia’s fiercest warriors. We can count on them to have detailed plans before attempting to get the jump on other participants!

Weaknesses: Neither participant are magic users, leaving them at a disadvantage against the arena’s Rider and elven participants. Additionally, as humans, their physical abilities do not match those of the other participants, perhaps with the exception of Angela, Solembum, and Jeod.

Plus, for the first time ever, you can get your hands on an epic new Hunger Games/Inheritance Cycle crossover t-shirt! The odds were never in Eragon and Saphira’s favor…

Now’s a great time to pick up a piece of Inheritance Cycle merchandise! We’re offering $10 off orders of $50 or more now through November 22nd! Shipping is cheap and there are a ton of designs you’ll wear in pride, including our Jurassic Park shirts with a dragon spin, Vroengard tourism shirts, dragon team shirts, and much more! Visit our store to see what you may be interested in!

Remember: We want to hear from you! How do you envision the battles playing out? What tricks, traps, and obstacles do you think would challenge the arena participants? Let us know in the comments for a chance to win some goodies autographed by Christopher!

Du Vrangr Deloi

I think that an obstacle to overcome would be “visions” like the ones that Galbatorix plagued Nasuada with in Urû’baen. But less brutal… Maybe.
DreadWolf

Where are Blodgharm and Garzvog, or even Orik? They would have been some fun participants.
Shrrg

like to play to their weaknesses or something
Something specific for each player
Shrrg

there should be obstacles catered to each player
kai etringer

if your, or anyone who reads knows you reads this christopher polini, pleas write a mini book on this, it would be awesome. how did eragon get there if it’s in alagaisia
kai etringer

pleas say more about the arena, it would effect the battle.
maybe roran could win with nar garsh vag
- Shrrg
  
  YES YES YES!!!
- Avatar Mufasa
  
  Do you mean Garzvog? If so, then both will get annihilated, Roran has no way of breaking through wards, making the odds of Roran or Garzvog defeating a magic user practically 0. and thats not taking into account that dragons are around
  - kai
    
    yes, but he can match him phisicaly, and eragon wouldn’t and isn’t aloud to break bones w/ magic or kill, otherwise, I would agree with you. But I said maybe, meanig its his best chance
    - Avatar Mufasa
      
      Eragon can do whatever he wants with magic except kill, so yes that includes breaking bones. But Garzvog can punch Eragon all he wants, its not getting past Eragons wards. All eragon has to do is say sleep, or snap foot, and Garzvog is basically out of the game
      
      It should also be noted that Eragon, Murtagh and Arya are the 3 best warriors in this fight so Garzavog wouldnt be able to take them on, even if they didnt have wards, or use magic, his best bet then would be by ambush.
      
      His best chance is some sort of booby trap, and just hoping that his enemies stumble into it, that or He manages to finish one of them off when they are exhausted and tired from another fight.
      
      Also, Elves generally speaking outmatch Urgals, or even Kull, Garzvog couldnt keep pace with Eragon for the first 5 minutes of their endurance run, but ill admit, after then he can, but usually fights are over in less than a minute (and this will be over in 10 seconds, and thats being generous).
      
      Admittedly, this is just my opinion, but I dont see how Garzvog can win outside of raw luck, and his opponents taking eachover out by a lucky set of circumstances. The same goes for Roran, Naduada
kai etringer

joed and roran and naswada and her team, i forget who, wil be crushed like an egg under the mega dragon, not shruken but the one on vroengard. they just don’t have the phisical or magical abilitys
JOJO

Lets be honest Jeod would find a map that was stolen by angelina were there was Eldunari and eragon would steal them because saphira would sense them because they’re her parents. Personally I would like to think that Jeod would turn out to be an awesome archer that damages a lot of dragons wings while Roran tries to take Thorn out and succeeds but Murtagh takes him out. then Arya and Eragon team up against Angela and succeed but arya takess Eragon out during the victory. Nasuada Gets her scars From the Trail of long Knives Re-opened and they get out then Arya takes out Joed but Firen gets Taken out
Xavier Dietrich

How very, very differently this could go if the magic users couldn’t have had wards.
- Avatar Mufasa
  
  The matchup would be even more extreme, The first thing being done is that death words (or i guess go to sleep in this context) are stated, whoever miraculously survives this 5 second blitz then hunts every non magician in the area and kills them, in short the games would probably last about a minute.
  That being said, thankfully we have wards, this slows everything down, and allows everyone (including non magicians to escape). as everyone either engages in battle to powerful threats in the center, or runs for their lives, so non-magicians aren’t exactly priority at this point
  - Xavier Dietrich
    
    Hadn’t thought of the consequences like that. It would still be very different though.
    - Avatar Mufasa
      
      My guess is that you interpreted it such that non-magicians would have a greater chance. Which is certainly a fine idea. Pehaps Roran could set a trap or something, itd a fine idea, but even under you conclusion (which im purely guessing), magicians still have the absolute edge. As they have superior Speed/Strength, and even more educated (elves are just that knowledgeable)
Ryan Chaplin

I really think Angela and Solembum would take this. For one thing, they are simply more experienced than any of the other teams. Outside of Angela’s team, Arya is the oldest and most experienced fighter there. But even her age and knowledge seems to pale in comparison with Angela. Whilst we don’t know how old Angela is, there are clues. Firstly, the level of respect that she commands from the elves should be a clue to her power. That she remembers the sound of a “thunder of dragons” gives us a clue to her age and lets not forget how extensively she has travelled. And the whole time Solembum was with her. This is without taking into account her training under Tenga who taught her many strange things including magic that mystified Arya and Eragon.

Add to that her supreme control of her mind and you have an awesomely powerful witch. Bare in mind that even Gladaer could not break into Arya’s mind in training and we know how strong her control is. Yet the High Priest of Helgrind caused her pause whilst also stopping Eragon and Solembum. In comparison, Angela paused for a second and then carried on. She then goes on to whisper her name to the priest who, despite welcoming death as the ultimate sacrifice to his Gods, is then petrified.

Not to go on too much about Angela but its also worth noting that she is extremely competent when it comes to magic, even if she chooses not to use it. She is the only person to have come up with a way to stop Elva’s power and this takes ingenuity and imagination, vital skills in magic.

I feel that many people have discounted Solembum’s potency in the games. Yes, he would be a useful spy, although the others all know that so his use there is, to an extent, limited. Where he would really excel would be catching food. He is probably the most natural hunter in any of the teams (outside of the dragons, however their inability to fly will seriously hamper them here). It is true that any of the magicians could easily find and kill their prey using their minds, however to do so opens up their mind to potential invasion so I think they would choose not to.

As for the other teams, Clearly the dragon rider teams are strong. even without their magic a dragon’s mind power is exceedingly strong. In terms of mind power, out of the three dragon rider teams I feel that Arya’s team is probably the strongest based purely on her iron will. Arya is also the most gifted of the three riders when it comes to using magic although she is outclassed by (probably) both Eragon and Murtagh in swordplay. We aren’t told what weapons they are given but I think Arya could easily sing bows and arrows out of the trees around Vroengard, giving her a potential advantage here.

Despite his battle prowess, Roran and Jeod, for me, would seriously struggle here, they are not as fast or strong as any of the others and they would lose relatively quickly.

The relationship between the competitors is something that I think would play a huge part in this hunger games (as it did in the real thing). Firstly, the relationships hugely strengthen Nassuda’s position, beyond that which many people have been giving her. She is for example, Eragon’s liege lord and so I question whether he would be able to attack her. Add to that the fact that Murtagh is in love with her and I don’t feel that he would be able to confront her either.

Roran’s position is also strengthened slightly as there is no way that Eragon could confront his adopted brother however this also works in reverse.

However, once we come to the relationships between the more powerful characters things become more interesting. In the same way that Murtagh couldn’t bring himself to attack Nassuda, so I believe Eragon would struggle to attack Arya, and Saphira to attack Firnen and vice versa.
Given this, of the three riders, I think that Murtagh’s lack of serious relationship with any of the other riders, combined with his superior swordplay and Thorn’s overwhelming advantage in size, would contribute to his being the last of the rider teams to exist.
This it would seem, would leave Murtagh and Thorn to take on Angela and Solembum. However, it also leaves Nassuda and Jormundur. Now, by themselves they stand very little chance of winning at all. But, Nassuda would know this, and so I think she would attempt to form an alliance with another team. Given her choices, I think she would choose Angela and Solembum. At first this seems strange, but I don’t think she would be willing to put herself in a position where only she and Murtagh are left and I feel that all of the other riders would not believe they needed her help.
What we in fact end up with then, is a standoff in which Murtagh cannot defeat Angela because she is protected by Nassuda whom he will not harm. This leads Angela to defeat thorn and Murtagh.
Ultimately then you end up with a face off between Angela and Solembum and Nassuda and Jormundur in which the inevitable outcome is Angela and Solembum as the winners.
Of course, I also firmly believe that Angela and Solembum have the power to just avoid detection until all of the others starve to death. Even if Angela, succumbed in some way, Solembum would, I think, be very difficult to find if he did not want to be found.
- Xavier Dietrich
  
  I believe this is my favorite one I’ve read (including my own). But you did not touch on what kind of terrain. If (for example) it was some kind of open terrain, Angela and Solembum couldn’t hide like they normally would. Also, other factors could come into play, such as “sponsors” sending help to the “tributes”. But, other than those 2 things, excellent analysis. I also like how you didn’t discard Murtagh out of hand like so many others have.
  - Ryan Chaplin
    
    I am glad you enjoyed it 🙂 I did my best to play it out as fairly as I could and maintain some semblance of rationality.
    If I may attempt to expand upon my thinking around the problems you mentioned;
    In terms of terrain, I was basing it on what little we know about Vroengard from the short time that Eragon and Saphira spend there in Inheritance. From this we know that there is at least some forest. Apart from the forest we can ascertain that the island is probably mountainous as it seems to be a volcano of some sort, be it active or dormant. I hope that answers the part about terrain?
    As for sponsors, I must admit it is something that I never really considered. However, just briefly, I don’t think Murtagh would have many sponsors, he is too hostile to attract many. Nasuda is an extremely popular leader and so it is likely that she would receive at least some. How helpful these would be im not sure, as they still wouldn’t allow her to use magic, however a necklace like Eragon’s that stopped her being scryed has the potential to be very useful. Arya I don’t think would have much use for sponsors as she is capable of most things, (including getting weapons) through magic. Eragon is, I think a likely candidate for sponsors but again, how much use would he have for them? Similarly with Angela, although gifts of specific herbs could make her even more deadly. Roran is an interesting question. If he was provided with a hammer and/or items enchanted with healing properties it could seriously increase his chances. Overall though, I feel like because of the element of magic sponsors would have less of an impact.
    - Xavier Dietrich
      
      I failed to touch upon sponsors at all in mine. I feel that sponsors could help Nasuada a lot though, because out of the 6 teams, her and Jormunder seem to have the most difficulty with acquiring food. Your theory on how long Nasuada lasts can be increased substantially by sponsors.
      - Ryan Chaplin
        
        True but like I say, I think Nassuda and Jormunder would team up very quickly with Angela and Solembum. However you have a good point. Food would greatly increase their chances, if only because it means less time hunting which means more time not getting caught! 😛
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        I disagree of the teams strength for the riders. Arya whilst
        she is certainly the strongest of the riders, Murtagh has an iron wall defence,
        and Eragon isn’t exactly a slouch either. However on the dragons end it’s the opposite
        story, Firnen would have the least experience, so actually makes Arya’s team
        the weakest, and Saphira would have the strongest mind.
        
        As for weapons, Eragon and Arya have the option to sue their
        sponsers, Arya would probably be able to make her own, Eragon could make a bow,
        but it would be to human standard. Murtagh could do the same most likely, but
        he doesn’t have the sponsors option
        
        As for the relationships, I actually have avoided this thus
        far due to complications, however as you’ve brought it up, ill only state
        anything to your post I wanna add
        
        Nasuada is no longer Eragons liegelord, they separated at
        the end of Inheritance, besides Saphira is under no such obligation, and would
        put Eragons safety over some standard human rule.
        
        Murtaghs lack of relationship actually increases his chances
        of being attacked, seeing as how theyd wanna avoid friends, Eragon, Though I think
        your 2nd point increases his chances of survival, that being said
        his magic isn’t on par to Eragon or Arya.
        
        As for Eragon and Arya, they’ve sparred in the past, so
        whislt they wouldn’t choose to fight each over straight off, theyd have no
        qualms actually doing it when the time comes. As for Dragons, you underestimate
        Saphira’s aggression, she isn’t letting Firnen off the hook so Eragon can get
        beaten.
        
        If solembum is on his own, he outright loses to a magic user/dragon,
        he has no way to bypass wards, and loses in outright combat, the games would
        just last a while, though if he fights a dragon, he’s basically dead.
      - Xavier Dietrich
        
        I think, like in the actual hunger games, only minor things could be sent by sponsors. In those it was food medicine etc. However, since we are talking about magic users here, it might be something a little larger, like a stone containing energy, but most certainly not weapons or an Eldunari. I too would like to hear how angela beats Eragon and Saphira or Arya and Firnen.
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        Actually, there are examples of weapons being sent in the hunger games, an excellent example being a trident
      - Xavier Dietrich
        
        I know that Eragon or Arya would beat Angela in a physical fight. What i meant was that i agreed that I wanted to hear his idea of how the fight went
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        dw, i knew what you meant. The 2nd paragraph wasnt directed at you, I just wanted to know very specifically what he feels about the topic. (sorry for not making that more clear). I’ve already established that i think Eragon is most likely to win this, and he’s only established what happens in Murtaghs case, though i still dont think that rules out Murtagh from winning, he could send Nasuada to sleep or something, but it would give Angela leverage to potentially win, this wont work for Eragon/Arya at all though
- InheritanceFTW
  
  While it is never directly said in any of the four books and was never confirmed by CP, it is speculated belief that Angela was the Soothsayer that Galbatorix spoke of when torturing Nasuada.
  Also, she was notably able to remain unaffected while Arya, Saphira and Eragon were held in place at the same time. In addition, while infiltrating the tunnels beneath Dras-Leona with Eragon, Arya and Solembum, she expended energy through magic to move extraordinarily fast and to stop time momentarily, killing a large group of Helgrind worshippers with her poinard within the span of a second. Galbatorix explained she was neither human, dwarf, nor elf. In book three she is referred to as “seer.” Angela has been shown to have lived a very, very long time, although it is unknown how long. While confronting the High Priest in Dras-Leona, she was much more powerful than it and said that they would not have dared confront her if they knew who she really was. She then proceeded to whisper her true identity to the disfigured priest. The High Priest was utterly terrified when she did so. This theory is also supported by the fact that she has predicted the fortunes of others and has predicted Eragon’s fate, albeit somewhat vague. She also commands great respect from the elves. They bowed down to her and greeted her first, showing their respect for her. The key piece of evidence is the fact that she has a limited knowledge of future events. The Soothsayer, after all, was an oracle aided by vapors released from crags within the Ilirea escarpment, and after spending hundreds of years with the gift of prophecy, it’s very possible the Soothsayer would retain a limited ability to see or tell the future ( The Riders were immortal because the power of the dragons “rubbed off” on them from being in such close proximity for so long) with a similar “aid” which would be Angela’s knucklebones from a dragon.
  - Avatar Mufasa
    
    As lovely as this piece of conjecture is (as there is no direct proof of some of this in the book) how does it relate to who wins?
    
    Also, her dragon bones would almost certainly have no effect on her. The reason Elves (and later down the track other species) were affected by dragons was due to the magic binding the species together, not physical proximity, Angela is most likely not a part of this (she is not elf or human (i cant remember the quote myself so im trusting you on this one, and as she isnt a dwarf or urgal), so she gains no benefit from this perspective.
    - Du Vrangr Deloi
      
      It is implied once by Angela herself in Brisingr. Arya said “If we judged by years and not wisdom, no human would be considered an adult among my kind. Except Galbatorix.” Angela then implies she’s human by responding “And me.”
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        Perhaps that itself is valid, but my first point still stands, even if Angela could tell the future, it could also just tell her that she loses, it seems imprecise anyway, and again I reckon she has better things to spend her time doing
      - Du Vrangr Deloi
        
        I have no choice but to agree with you since the only reason I responded to your earlier comment was because I was oddly compelled to tell you that Angela is a human.
- Shrrg
  
  No, ur wrong. They all know that they cant kill because of the wards, so I dont think Eragon will hesitate to attack Nasuada or Arya.
  - Shrrg
    
    But I agree with u on the Angela part
ethan

I do think that Angela would win though with her superior mental control compared to everyone else
- Avatar Mufasa
  
  Care to back that up. If youre reffering to the mental battle with the priest, that doesnt help us very much. We dont know how strong that priest was, we only know hes weaker than Galbortorix, and the only known person to break Murtaghs guard is Galbortorix. We also know Angela is weaker than Galbortorix in this matter. Thus there isnt enough infomation here to proclaim Angela victor, Eragon and Arya will have also mentally grown since the end of the series. so again, we cant pin her victory on having strong mental power
  - Ryan Chaplin
    
    We know that the priest was strong enough to hold in place a Dragon rider, an Elf and a Werecat at the same time… That is no easy feat. To defend yourself from all three is one thing, but to pose a credible threat to all three makes you highly skilled.
    - Avatar Mufasa
      
      I’m not questioning that the priest wasnt skilled and by extension Angela, the fact is though is that i dont think Angela is solely gonna win with mental power. We also have to bare in mind how much stronger Eragons mental powers will be come these games.
      - Ryan Chaplin
        
        True, but given Angela’s other abilities, its not that much of a stretch to say that its virtually impossible to hold her. Remember that nobody that we know of has ever invaded her mind and survived to tell the tale…
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        Invading her mind isnt the goal, they only need to not get invaded themselves, their plan is to overwhlem her physically
ethan

Dietrich u over estimate Murtagh and Thorns power the only reason why they were ever strong is because of the dragons with him
- Avatar Mufasa
  
  How does this hold? Murtagh is a master swordsman, and even though he had less education than Eragon or Arya, he’d still have been capable with magic. You also have to bare in mind, Thorn is the biggest dragon, the fight is gonna be tough on Saphira seeing as how she cant fly.
  I prefer Eragon/Saphira to the other 2, but you’re giving Murtagh/Thorn too little credit in my view. They certainly weren’t weak
Xavier Dietrich

In my opinion, Angela and Solembum would win through wit and cunning. Angela has (presumably) have had many, many years to acquire wards. Obviously, the duos who can’t use magic will lose very, very quickly. I think the dragons won’t be able to hide for long, and Murtagh or Eragon would underestimate/be unable to find Angela and Soelmbum, and would be out to find the bigger threats i.e. Each other and Arya. One of them would kill each other quickly. Eragon and Saphira have had longer with each other and more time to study the ancient language, although, if they’re caught in a sword fight, Murtagh could win. Between Thorn and Saphira, Thorn is at an advantage with size but Saphira is the superior flyer. Whoever wins, they could probably find Arya before Angela, so, although Arya has had lots of time to perfect her magic, Firnen’s size disadvantage is just way to large of a problem, so he would die quickly. Hopefully for Arya, he buys enough time to best her foe (be it murtagh or eragon) and take them out. If so, Thorn or Saphira would take out Arya in their rage. That leaves Angela and Solembum to defeat the remaining dragon. Due to the Dragon’s general inability to use magic, they would eventually die to poison or depression.
- Avatar Mufasa
  
  Firstly, I have problems with Eragon underestimating Angela. There is no way he’s gonna do that after witnessing her actions on the head priest. It should also be noted that the head priest was still attacking the others with his minds, and therefore not having his full attention on Angela. That’s not to say she isn’t the most capable in this area, but I don’t think she can just mind blast them.
  Also, 2nd note, you’re assuming the dragons are gonna just kill each over, this doesn’t take into account their extreme intelligence, Saphira is gonna try and tempt Thorn onto her own territory, so as to have an advantage in a physical confrontation. Murtagh obviously isn’t just gonna fall for that, but it changes the circumstances of the fight none the less. Also, Eragon is prob the superior fighter to Murtagh in most ways, except conventional swordsmanship, simply because Eragon as you say has learned more, but he is also getting a massive increase due to the nature of the eldunari that he obtained. he of course wont have them in the fight, but theyll change the way he thinks none the less. Murtagh doesnt get the same boost here, because all his eldunari are basically infants. Also take into account that if Eragon takes out Murtagh, then there is no way Thorn can take down both Saphira and Eragon. In your analysis, you seemed to have it that the dragons fight would end first, this isnt guaranteed.
  Id say the Eragon/Saphira pair has more chance than the other. though im glad that you unlike so many others havent just dismissed murtaghs team.
  As for the rage, do recall that Murtagh isn’t dying in this scenario, this is key, none of the riders or dragons will go insane once their partner loses .
  In a head to head of Eragon and Saphira vs Thorn and Murtagh, Id say the Eragon/Saphira duo win
  As for how your analysis of Murtagh vs Arya goes down, Murtagh id say is the superior swordsman, Arya and Eragon couldnt gain an edge over one another, yet it is stated than Murtagh is better than Eragon in this area. However, she has a much greater proficiency with magic, so id still give her the advantage.
  The problem with this is that Thorn is gonna steamroll Firnen in a physical contest, being much bigger than him, short of a surprise attack, Thorn is just gonna win based on battle experience (against Saphira) and owing to the Arya/Murtagh engagement being so close, that particular matchup is gonna take longer than the dragons fight so id say no deaths with victory going to Murtagh.
  
  Unfortunately everything both of us assumes the rider doesn’t leave the dragon (knowing theyll live) and go for the long game.
  
  I have no qualms with all non-magic characters, as soon as i say the word ‘ward’ its game over.
  
  Sorry for the long reply, but proper analysis is complicated
  - Xavier Dietrich
    
    I agree with most of your points. However, I’d like to point out that Angela probably could mind blast her opponents if she chose to do so. Remember that the head priest was able to incapacitate Eragon, Solembum and most importantly Arya all at the same time. That means his attack on all of them had to be substantial enough to incapacitate even someone with the power of mind of an elf, yet Angela was unfazed. Regardless of if Saphira and Eragon had defeated Murtagh and Thorn, it would’ve played out the same with Arya and Angela in my opinion. I also think the Dragons are a little to proud to accept help. As for the rage taking out whomever took out their rider, I’m sure that, even though their rider isn’t dead, they would still be angry enough to win the battle. Eragon or Murtagh might not underestimate Angela, but she would be more difficult to find than the dragons and their partners. As for the Riders leaving their dragons, well, a dragon without a rider and a rider without a dragon would probably get taken out by a rider and dragon together (unless maybe Firnen and Arya)
    Also, if the environment was some sort of island and water area (which i doubt because of it being incredibly unfair to most of the humans) it would’ve played out much differently. Thank you for your thoughts.
    - Avatar Mufasa
      
      The rage factor really doesnt apply here, also in trained fighter scenarios rage is a liablility not a benefit as it clouds your judgement. The reason that the rage occurs is that when the partner dies, a part of your mind is literally ripped from you. This doesnt apply if they are merely unconscious or just unable to fight.
      
      Also, with the head priest, there are some circumstances to take note here, 1, If Angela had taken on the head priest by herself, then she wouldnt have had backup, thus the priest wouldnt have needed to split his attention and could focus merely on her. I do still feel Angela is strongest here though.
      
      If they came to a confrontation though, Angela is still at a 2 on one scenario, i dont feel Solembum brings any physical power to the table here. In this case Angela cant mind blast a rider (who has basically just spent a good chunk of time mentally conversing with dozens of dragons, and who briefly held off Galbortorix in their mental engagement), and a dragon. Angela isnt mentally powerful to solo this one. she also has to overwhelm them to such a degree where saphira cant use fire, and Eragon cant punch her into a pulp. If solembum added his mental power, I still don’t think it is quite enough, defending yourself from an assault is much easier than taking someone down.
      As for Murtagh, it is unlikely that anyone barring Galbortorix could break his defences. Do bare in mind that, however powerful Angela is, she isnt on his level in this area.
      
      With a dragon seperated from it rider, do recall that dragons are the most intelligent creatures in this scenario, and the riders gain stealth. depending on the environment, the biggest problem the dragons have however is food, and whether its available, humanoids can all live on small amounts, and arya/angela/eragon have enough experience eating as herbivores to survive in a plant-like area. Something to consider but couldnt really say unless given the environment.
      
      The last thing we’d have to consider, which very few people have discussed (all of us included). Is the support form outside the arena. as people can be given help in this scenario. by popularity, Eragon and Saphira are savours of the Varden, so they will be given lots of help, Arya is a queen so the elves may support her. Roran and Nasuada will also gain support, but their chances of victory is still too small to consider. I dont think Murtagh will be popular here, seeing as how he used to serve under Galbortorix, and also Angela, whilst not hated, is more, not gonna gain any attention. at least Murtagh would have some out there who support him.
      
      As for deserts or sea areas being unfair, in all scenarios, there gonna be sometihng, in a plain arena, Angela cant utlise any of her magic (which comes mostly from plants), but in a forest she has everything, also Arya is the most natural in a forest as thats where she grew up. The enivroment could be a massive city area, thats completely deserted, a bit like in Vroengard so that dragons arent excluded (the arena would cost a fortune though)
      
      These were just some thoughts, i prefer paragraph answers to one liners, as those dont provide any infomation, and as its so short, theres nothing to back the sentence up, so its just opinion, or potentially bias
      - Xavier Dietrich
        
        I guess you’re right. My main purpose of writing my analysis was to provide an opportunity for someone other than Eragon to win. I didn’t expect my long analysis to be perfect (far from it, actually) because, as Jeod explained, poems can be perfect, but epics by necessity are flawed. I agree that either a city or some sort of forest is highly likely to be chosen instead of a desert or islands. However, they’re could be some large mass of water in the Arena. As for plains, i think that would make a short, although intense, fighting scenario that would end much too quickly. As for assistance from the outside, well, they’re are just way too many variables.
    - Saphira
      
      who cares about length ? it would be very interesting to read !! (i mean, the books are like 600 pgs a pop)
  - Fiery Dragonling
    
    I just want to say, I checked this a day ago, and some serious discussions happened whilst I was gone. Wow.
- Fiery Dragonling
  
  Fair play, but considering Angela has basically told Eragon’s fate to the best accuracy, I don’t think he would underestimate her powers. Also, Saphira could use water if it was there already, or if Eragon created a river (unlikely but anyhoo). Considering that Thorn is so unused to his size, i think he would experience co-ordination issues and so Saphira would win. Also, don’t forget the fire breathing abilities of the dragons. Saphira, having had more time to practice, can sustain a longer flame, and so would have an advantage.
  
  Also, assuming the environment is pretty dangerous, as it is unlikely that, in the vast array of possible situations, a desert would be picked. I seem to remember that in the Hunger Games series, they discounted both deserts and ice plains because the players died (I know the characters here wouldn’t) in a boring way. To make the contest the best it could be, some cover would have to be provided, along with food and water sources etc.
  
  It’s still a great answer though 🙂
  - Avatar Mufasa
    
    Eragon make a river 😛
    
    Also, i think you have a valid point, Saphira can blast fire for longer periods, even though Thorn does it at a much younger age than he should, he simply hasnt had that training for long enough. I do feel though that by the time this event takes place, Thorn will have stopped growing at a tremendous rate and start focusing on quality rather than quantity a bit more than before. Though i still feel Saphira is better.
    - Fiery Dragonling
      
      Yeah, I can imagine that making a river would be a teensy bit difficult 😀
    - Shrrg
      
      Thorn is definitely at a disadvantage, bec as Arya said in Brisingr when she was with Eragon traveling back from helgrind, its better to earnur strength bec then u know how to use it much better
      So thorn, even though hes physically bigger, he is mentally (probably) weaker than Saphira so she definitely has the advantage
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        Thorn is usually at a disadvantage because hes a less skilled flyer, however dragons in this contest are on the ground, so Saphira can not use this extra experience as much to her advantage, and areas such as strength and size are much stronger factors. Im not worried about Thorn being mentally broken, nor Murtagh, both sides have relatively strong defences, and it wasnt a problem in their previous contests
      - Shrrg
        
        yeah but saphira is good at the half flying hopping thing
  - Xavier Dietrich
    
    Like i said before, Eragon might not underestimate Angela, but in the scenario i envisioned, she would be difficult to find.
Book five of inheritance cycl

arya, not srya
Book five of inheritance cycl

Its either going to be srya and firnen or eragon and saphira, ar angela and solembum
- Avatar Mufasa
  
  Not sure if you’re giving Murtagh enough credit, he has defeated Eragon and Saphira in the past (i do know eldunari are involved), and Eragon himself has commented that Murtagh is the superior swordsmen. Eragon won through an almost suicidal move, where he took damage but murtagh then took more, clever on Eragons part, but on average Murtagh would win on more bouts. now i still think Eragon is most likely to win, but Murtagh isnt out of this just yet
  - Saphira
    
    yeah but there murtagh had galbatorix’s help
    they both have grown since then, but eragon ha a huge advantage, bec like arya said in brisingr, if u earn a strength its much better than obtaining it thru magic
    so in that sense, eragon has a clear advantage
    also, in the first book when they were sparring, they were perfect equals so i would think eragon definitely has the edge over murtagh in that sense
    - Avatar Mufasa
      
      Galbatorix merely made is so that Eragon and Murtagh couldnt use magic, so that it was just a pure sword fight. Otherwise he left them well alone, so we know that Murtagh is the more skilled swordsmen.
      My assessment here comes from book 4, so it is the most current piece of information that we have, however its only by a hairsbreadth and Eragon did manage to outdo Murtagh on this occasion.
      
      As for Aryas comment, I vaguely recall that happening, however both Eragon and Murtagh had magic performed on them, in Eragons case it was the celebration at Ellesmera, in Murtaghs case he is likely enhanced by some continuous spell, though this Im only guessing, its not like its spelled out in the books, and Id need to read the exact wording to get a better idea at what Paolini is hinting (i havent actually read the book since I bought it back when it was released)
      
      Eragons main advantage is his magical experience, he has a much more extensive and thorough knowledge on magic than Murtagh does, and is less dependent on previously made artifacts to fight with (ie heal items for Thorn).
      - Shrrg
        
        Yes and now the fact that they can use magic is an advantage for eragon! also, eragon was clearly better by the fight in galb.’s castle, after Glaedr gave him tips (beginning of 4th book)
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        The comment where Eragon states Murtagh is the superior swordsmen comes from when he engages Murtagh is Galbys castle.
        
        Eragon def has an advantage in magic, but its not a huge advantage, Murtagh and Eragon still both have their wards and for the most part, both their knowledge on the deadlier types of spells would be relatively equal, but eragon has more extensive knowledge overall.
Brady

This did take some thought. I do think that only the magic user/dragon pair has a good chance. Angela has good odds if the game goes for a while, as she uses potions, but this puts her at a disadvantage at the beginning, even with Solembum. Sorry, but I think that Roran, Jeod, Nasuada, and Jormundr are at a great disadvantage. No magic. They could survive for a while, but unless one or two (from the same team) survived and had to face an exhausted, possibly asleep magic user, they have almost no chance as victor, although Roran could survive for a while because he grew up in the Spine.
So, now it is all magic users. In my opinion, barring stupidity and unfortunate traps or random, surprise events, Eragon and Saphira will win. Don’t judge me. Let me explain. Murtagh and Thorn are at an extreme disadvantage, because they are young, immature, and hopelessly underpowered. They have not grown at a normal rate. Saphira could take Thorn, because she is more powerful naturally and is used to her body size. Once Thorn is dispatched, Murtagh is done for. Eragon would realize that Angela is a threat later in the game, so he takes her out quickly. If Solembum survives, there is little he can do about it. Now it is just two dragons and their riders left. There are limits on magic use, putting Arya at a disadvantage. She is also used to traveling alone, putting Firnen at a disadvantage. Saphira takes Firnen quickly, than they overpower Arya together, thus winning. If they cannot over power her, they just physically attack, again losing.
- Avatar Mufasa
  
  I dont recall Roran growing up in the spine. Though he did navigate the whole village across it, it was Eragon that did all the hunting there though, Id also say that Thorn is stronger than what you give him credit for, as he is bigger than Saphira, and given the ‘steroid boost’ is more powerful than her, and her biggest strength was flying, where she completely outclasses him, she might just have the edge, due to as you said, she is more used to herself, and of course has more experience
  - Brady
    
    You’re right. I don’t think he (Roran) was dependent on it as Eragon was, but then again he got the village through it. Also, I guess Thorn is more powerful than I said, I just think Saphira is overall more powerful than he is.
    - Avatar Mufasa
      
      You stated that there were limits on magic, and Arya is used to working alone. however, in both these cases, all magicians are weakened by the same degree, and Arya is prob the most skilled magician out of the lot, pehaps maybe Eragon could match her if his mental growth continues to rocket. As for her working with people, she has been shown to work well with Eragon in the past, and would also share a similar connection to Firnen as Eragon does Saphira, this would be consistent with most riders
      - Saphira
        
        no but saphira can prob lend alot more power/strength to eragon bec their bond is so advanced
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        Eragon, Arya and Murtagh all have the ability to call on the strength of their dragons. Murtagh has even been using the strength of Eldunari for a while, and Arya is a highly experienced magic user
      - Shrrg
        
        yeah but Eragon s bond is the most powerful, as he has the most experience
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        All 3 of them will develop incredibly strong bonds with their dragon, we just happen to know more about Eragons relationship because we’ve spent more time with him, I guarantee you Murtagh cares as much for Thorn as Eragon does for Saphira, and vice versa.
        
        Also, calling on ones strength doesnt really change, In this area Murtagh has the advantage simply because Thorn is the biggest, and thus has the most energy at his disposal.
      - Shrrg
        
        Now Eragon is FORSURE stronger because he is faster and stronger and murtagh doesnt have the eldunari now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Millie Green
  
  This is really well thought out, I think you are right!
- Shrrg
  
  you do realize that we have no idea of angelas full powers
Avatar Mufasa

If this were to the death, the only potential winners would be either Eragon, Murtagh or Arya. As the former 2 know the name to the ancient language, and Arya and Eragon know the others true names, thus could potentially get Eragon to shout out the name of the ancient language and take Solembum/Angela out of the game. All other contestants would fall due to an inability to avoid being tracked with their minds and burned to a crisp by the dragons

If on the other hand this is more friendly, in which case: no true names of one another or the language itself. Points probably go to Angela, as whilst we dont know her abilities, this is not a reason to declare her a winner, this statement only makes our conclusion less certain, to outright untrue. However I will consider either Angela and Solembum( Angela could win on her own though, Solembum can really only support her as a spy, but like Roran and Jormundr’s groups, ahs no way to inflict real damage onto the powerful groups) ( could win seperetly or together) or (Eragon or Saphira). In terms of matchups. Roran is incapable of defending against beings several times faster or stronger than him, to the point he can possibly see a blur, Jormundr suffers from the same problem, and neither Nasuada and Jeod have any notable feats in combat. Also, all 4 of these can be tracked by their minds and Roran has had his mind known to be broken by Eragon, so he has next to no chance against Arya, Murtagh, Angela or the Dragons. On the other 3, it is debatable as to whether they could have their minds broken, but the fact is, they can still be tracked. This line of thinking doesn’t even take into account magic, so basically, their chance is a lotteries chance. As for theharder matchups, Angela and Solembum will want to avoid a physical fight, Angela has stated that her magic comes from her herbs, potions etc, and thus prob isnt as useful in a direct sence, but is great for long stall games, and wearing people down in the long haul (a great tactic for the hunger games). But who will she face? Owing to the bond between Dragon and Rider it makes sense for them to start together, and as I have assumed no deaths in this context, we can assume the other wont go insane from the other falling. As shown in Inheritance, Eragon stands toe to toe with Arya with a blade, but this prob doesnt translate well into other areas of combat, where simply Arya has the greater experience. What drives it in Eragons favour is that he used to hunt in the Spine, and thus would have the surprise adv in this context. Firnen loses to Sahpira in all contests, barring potential surprise (highly unlikely for the surprise), Thorn and Murtagh on the other hand, Murtagh was the greater swordsman, but Eragon used a suicide tactic when they last dueled, this wont be as heated a battle as that scenario, what drives it in eragons favour here, is that he had several months more experience learning the ancient language than Murtagh, who in previous engagments, mostly relied on imbuing items with properties to heal thorn of any issues. and a vast quantity of Eldunari to overwhelm Eragon, when he didn’t have the vocabulary to outwit him (he will have neither when it comes to these games). So Eragon wins in the magic department. As for Saphira and Thorn, neither is used to fighting another draogn just on the ground, Thorn is bigger, and Saphira is robbed of her flight advantage, but still is more experienced to Thorn is ground engagements, and thus knowing when to strike brings it into her favour. This leaves (most likely) Eragon vs Angela (Solembum really cant take them out on his own, he lacks the power, especially as he has no way to break their wards). In this case, Eragons hunting skills will allow him to track her down, he would be cautious, and with Saphira, hed be hard pressed to fall into a trap (given how logical Saphira is). Thus id say Eragon and Saphira are the most likely to win. Angela (with potentially Solembum most likely 2nd), Arya can prob stay hidden longer than Murtagh so she will be taken out by Eragon 2nd, or If Eragon does in fact lose (along with Saphira) Arya beats Murtagh in magic, but has the weaker dragon, So Murtagh is most likely here. and in last place, most likely Nasuada and Jormundr, because they lose to Roran and Jeod in tactics, and Roran outclasses both as fighters.
- Millie Green
  
  I feel my essay just got out – essayed 😀
  - Avatar Mufasa
    
    In yours, there is next to no chance Saphira will have mud on her shiny sparkly blue scales, this was even commented on at one point (though exactly where escapes me). Also had to really cut down on the ins and outs of everyone, as there’s so many other factors to be brought into play. probably the biggest being wards, and once again the non magicians have none…
    - Millie Green
      
      Ah well, I reckon you have probably read them more than I have, but I am sure that Eragon and Saphira would have a chance! Maybe Eragon knows an enchantment to make the mud stick. That would be cool!
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        Its not so much that mud couldnt be put on her scales, its more the fact that she’s too vain to allow it
      - Millie Green
        
        I hadn’t thought of that! That is hilarious! I can imagine her looking at Eragon, and saying to him something along the lines of “I will make you into a kebab if you put one speck of that on me!”
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        Thats more or less what would happen, if she wanted to camouflage herself, the best bet would be in water, this way she might even be able to use the rules of flying and outmaneuver her opponents, whilst also gaining a slight camouflage adv, due to the colour blue
      - Millie Green
        
        Nicely thought out 🙂 How many times have you read the books?
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        erm, not as much surprisingly, Eragon and Eldest maybe 5-6 times, Brisingr maybe 3. but ive only read Inheritance once back in 2011, finished November 15 as it took me 4 days. I just happen to have been such a big fan of the series, combined with a long memory, and checking this site on an almost daily basis for 2 years, then it finally got to weekly. That i remembered most the details from the books. Ill reread everything once book 5 comes out. If you want my favourite bits, they would be Eragon vs Arya, Eragon vs Murtagh, and seeing Eragon learn under Oromis and Brom, i’m such a lore nut, that these were naturally areas i was invested in
      - Millie Green
        
        WOW! I have read them through twice, I get the feeling you are a bit more committed than I am! I have read them through twice. Good luck with the competition! 🙂
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        Not sure, if there is gonna be a winner per se, more of they will be looking at everyones answers, and way them up, finally picking a story. problem is, everyone is assuming its gonna be like the 2 movies, ie a forest area with some water. it could be desert (hot or cold) mountainous, full on tropical, could be a water arena with islands. This makes a huge difference on who wins, Angela is hardly going to favour a desert arena, or a mass water one, there are simply not that many places to hide, by contrast Eragon and Saphira dont really have any disadvanages (unless theres not much space) but excel in large desert arenas or water (dragons, or at least Saphira, are good swimmers). Angela will also lack the recources in a desert environment to spring a trap.
        
        Well, you’ve read Inheritance more than me. But i dont have too much difficulty remembering it
      - Millie Green
        
        Well, that said, good luck, let’s see what happens!
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        Not sure if people want to read mine, I tend to write too much
      - Fiery Dragonling
        
        It doesn’t matter, it shows you are truly committed. Mine is a bit too lengthy as well.
      - Saphira
        
        no its great
        it just goes to show how much u know
        and i enjoy reading it
      - Millie Green
        
        Do you know when / if the winners will be notified?
      - Saphira
        
        well, eragon could use the invisibility spell that he used when he left the varden to join the dwarves to help pick a new king (in brisingr)
        that would work pretty well,no?
        or he could do what galbatorix did tho the ra’azac- make it so that u cant detect his presence
      - Avatar Mufasa
        
        The problem is, each of the magic users have this ability, however leaving an invisibility spell on for hours on end would possibly consume lots of energy, or at least take a toll after a while
      - Shrrg
        
        Good point, I overlooked the energy factor
Millie Green

I believe that, despite Angela’s wit and cunning, and Arya’s raw power, the dream team will triumph once again. Could anyone possibly mimic the bond that Eragon and Saphira have gained? They have been through so much together, and down to the last scale on Saphira’s tail, and the last hair on Eragon’s head, they know each other inside out.

I expect that Roran will be able to use the bold but effective techniques that he used when battled Galbatorix, but will lack the stealthiness needed to make this duo the winners. Nasuada and Jormundur both have excellent skills and stamina – Nasuada managed to be victorious in the trial of the long knives, showing extreme resolve and will power – and will therefore also be contenders in the Alagaesia Hunger Games.

Murtagh and Thorn both triumphed against dragon in both hand to hand combat and on dragon back, but without the humungous amount of power and strength given to them by Galbotorix, who knows how well they will fare? I expect that they will have increased in their bond, but will not have the natural attraction that Eragon and Saphira have. Thorn did not hatch for Murtagh, it was forced, and so they will not necessarily have the best knowledge of each other. They also may have become reliant on their magical powers, while Eragon and Saphira survived for quite a while with Eragon as an incompetent novice.

Eragon and Saphira have got the expertise of being together for the longest, and have some skills when relying on hardcore flint and steel on their own. They also have the advantage of knowing each other extremely well, and Saphira will be able to sustain her fire for the longest. There may be some camouflage issues, owing to Saphira’s bright scales (get it? 😉 ), but I expect Eragon, having grown up on a farm, would know plenty about mud, and what sticks the most. He would also have his previous experience of hunting in the Spine, which could allow him to be the most stealthy of the teams. Aria will also have some of these skills, so I expect a close competition.

In conclusion, I expect a tight and exciting match, with lots of close battles. I expect Murtagh, Arya and Eragon to be good contenders, but Angela is still in the mix. I expect a final battle between Angela and Eragon, which will be gripping, exciting, and most probably sarcastic!
- Saphira
  
  well said dragonling!
  i think that the final will be eragon vs murtagh bec although thorn was forced to hatch, he still is a dragon and thus a formidable opponent
  i highly dout that even angela can triumph over any dragon, forced or not
  - Avatar Mufasa
    
    The only problem with this theory, is that whilst together, both groups are the most powerful duo, they are also the most likely to clash, seeing as the other is such a significant threat (theyre also the biggest, so easier to find). so whilst characters like Roran and Nasuada prob wont win, theyre more likely to survive till near the end game because their plan is to stay hidden. Though as soon as anyone starts paying them any attention theyll probably lose
elias montano

personally I feel it would be Angela and Solembum or Roran who would win.(not Jeod due to his lack of ability in combat he would probably die) Angela and Solembum’s powers were never fully described in the cycle so nobody except for themselves (and possibly Tenga) know what they are capable of and thanks to their combat expertise would be able to match or even overcome elves and dragons (though they would most likely take serious injuries) mean while Eragon could never win because he would not bring himself ever to kill Roran and literally cant kill Nasuada because she is his liege lord. mean while Angela and Solembum are doing their thing Roran and Jeod would form an alliance with Eragon and Saphira and with their smarts most likely will assassinate them in their sleep after the other two dragon riders were dead.
- Alagaesia_81
  
  I don’t mean to be a put down, but in the description of the games, it said that all competitors had wards that shielded them from death and serious injury.
  - elias montano
    
    I forgot abt that
- Ryan Chaplin
  
  Also, do you really think Roran could bring himself to attack Eragon? As for the sleeping part, Eragon doesn’t sleep remember?
John Rhodes

Roran and Jeod. Of course to start of Murtagh and Thorn would most likely go immediately for the bigger threat Saphira and Eragon since Saphira cant use her dragon magic stuff he could quickly take her out leaving Eragon by himself. Of course Eragon would have an alliance with Roran and Jeod. So it would be of the three of them. Nasuada and Jormundur would be eliminated quickly due to their lack of magic. Then Arya and Firnen would most likely fly off into the woods and use gorilla warfare due to Firnen’s lack of size, strength, and experience. Then Angela and Solembum will use traps and gorilla warfare to take down Murtagh and Thorn. Where then Roran, Jeod, and Eragon would then take to getting the high ground. Then Eragon would then search out with his mind where he would find Arya and Firnen. The trio would then go and fight Arya and Firnen where there will be a fight Arya is then eliminated and Eragon wounded who then takes out Firnen with ease (Please don’t hurt me Arya) due to the fact that Firnen doesn’t have the experience that Eragon does. Then Angela and Solembum Eragon would wound her since she doesn’t have Twinkle Death but Eragon would then be eliminated. While Eragon and Angela were fighting Jeod and Roran took out Solembum (Not escaping injury) Angela is then eliminated due to her injurys being pretty bad due to fighting Eragon and is eliminated.
A tiny meme

Since the extend of Angela’s powers is never fully described in the books I’d go with her, interpreting her as some sort of ancient goddess who plays with mortals (and riders) for a while.
But I don’t think she would kill them, just place them somewhere outside the arena and call it a day.
She would win this easy. Riders or no. 🙂
- Avatar Mufasa
  
  I myself am reluctant to believe this analysis, not knowing someone just means you cant say anything for sure what they can do. There is no basis to suggest she is any type of goddess in any of the novels, she also cant kill them, as that is part of the assumptions in the hunger games scenario we are playing. The most prominent display of her power we have scene is when she overwhelmed the mage mentally, after breaking Eragon and Arya from prison
Taylor Gilbert

Roran would win. “He wouldn’t let a thing like death stand between him and Katrina.”-Eragon’s quote to Nasuada.
Roran and Jeod would begin well enough, as Jeod had experience fighting the Forsworn with Brom, and Roran with his imagination and daring ideas for victory. Thus, when they come into contact with Nasuada and Jörmundur first, Roran will charge Jörmundur. The brawl will be brief, for Stronghammer will look to end the fight soon. Stepping past the warrior’s guard, Roran will bring the handle of his hammer to the back of Jörmundur’s head, knocking the man unconscious. Jeod and Nasuada will scuffle for a brief interval, where Jeod’s experience will be Nasuada’s undoing. He will slip past her guard and dispatch her in a similar manner as Jörmundur.
The next pair they will encounter will be Arya and Fìrnen. As the two men discuss how best to proceed, Thorn and Murtagh suddenly appear from the ring of trees surrounding them. During the battle that ensues, Thorn trumps Fìrnen and pins him to the ground. Murtagh and Arya continue to battle, neither able to slip past each other. At that moment, Roran burst forth from his cover, silent as he approaches the combatants. Taking them by surprise, he bowls them over, stunning them. In their confusion, he takes his hammer and raps them upon their helms, knocking them unconscious. Thorn and Fìrnen let loose roars of rage, then they both, by unspoken agreement, turn on Roran. Before they can attack, however, Eragon and Saphira drop between them, guarding Roran from the dragons. Fìrnen, having conflicting emotions concerning Arya and Saphira, flees into the night, leaving only Thorn. Saphira collides with the red dragon, and the two battle, the likes of which has never been seen since Dras-Leona. In the end, Saphira’s experience grants her victory over Thorn when she grasps him behind the head, immobilizing him. With a spell, Eragon puts the red dragon to sleep.
“I figured you could use a hand,” Eragon says with a grin.
“They were already about to run away until you came barging in,” retorts Roran, his eyes full of mirth. At that moment, Jeod, who had been watching the skirmish from behind the cover of the trees, comes up around Roran to greet the two newcomers. By agreement, the four decide to take shelter in the nesting house Eragon and Saphira had stayed in upon their visits. And that is the end of The Hunger Games: Dragonfire Part One
Jack

Yeah. Angela would probably just turn invisible using magic and wait for everyone else to kill eachother.
Svell-Brisingr (Ice-Fire)

I honestly think Angela and Solembum would win.

Here’s how I think it would play out:

Ergon and Saphira are attacked by Murtagh and Thorn. Murtagh kills Ergon, meanwhile the two dragons fight and wind up killing each other. Roran and Jeod attack Nasuada and Jormundr. Roran is the only survivor, but he accidentally stumbles over a dead log full of burrow grubs. Needless to say, he dies a horrible death. Angela is ambushed by Ayra and Firnin, but she foresaw that. Solembum, hiding in the trees, attacks Ayra and kills her. Angela throws a strange potion she made down Firnin’s throat, and it kills him instantly. Later on, Solembum ambushes and kills Murtagh. Ta-da! Angela and Somembum win!
- Saphira
  
  theres no killing
Virginia Brocki

Too funny-binged on the entire series at 56. I am crying because I have finished the last sentence….
Conner Hull

I think that Eragon and Saphira have the best chance of winning. They’ve been through the most together. While the other teams have met and may have gone through stuff, nothing can match what Eragon and Saphira have to show.
- Ryan Chaplin
  
  I don’t mean to contradict you, but Eragon and Saphira haven’t been through the most together, Angela and Solembum have. They have been traveling together since before Eragon even knew dragons were real.
- Saphira
  
  exactly
  itll be yet another eragonsaphira vs murtaghthorn showdown, and eragon would triumph thru his superior knowledge and bond with saphira
Rasha_the_amazing

i meant eragon and not dragon. they keep changing it on this site.
Rasha_the_amazing

i believe that the dragon and sapphire pairing can win because they have experience as well as a great understanding of each other. they can only be opposed by angela and solembum but then sapphire’s dragon strength, flying and wisdom will prove their winning factor.
- Xavier Dietrich
  
  She can’t fly. Its forbidden by Iduna and Neya
Crowell

While the magicians are probably going to win, with their amazing skill, I think Roran and Jeod have more of a chance than people are giving them credit for. I mean, Roran is the king of the underdogs- look what he did with Lord Barst! Give him a stick, a rock, and a place to defend/strategically attack, and Jeod will make a plan and Roran can execute it perfectly unless the need arises for otherwise. But, don’t get me wrong, they are probably gonna lose. Because, again, magic.
- elias montano
  
  that poor fool who runs into a burrow grub
aryagirl27

Whose ever idea this was is a genius 🙂
aryagirl27

Although I wouldn’t put a hinges past Roran and Jeod
aryagirl27

In order my Opinion of whose going to win and why
1- Angela and Solomon ( she can make potions out of just about anything, they are both great at sneaking, he can shapeshift, and who knows what they can do together especially when Angela’s around)
2- Arya and Firn’n ( she is one of the best spell caters we know of, he is still pretty small so better for sneak attacks, he also has better scale camouflage, she is an incredibly good warrior and planner)
3- Eragon and Saphira( with the exception of Angela and Solembum probably have the best understanding of eachother, both are great warriors, saphira’s size would help in an open battle, he has really good tracking and woods skills)
POKEPAW

This is a though decision for me, since I’d love to have Arya and Firnen, Eragon and Saphira or Angela and Solembum win. Even though Angela does not have a dragon companion, we cannot underestime her. Even with the power restrictions, she is capable of using her knowledge to win. After all, we do not know how old is she, or what happened to her in the past. And Solembum is a werecat. much smaller and agile than a dragon. I think Angela and Solembum are the ones that will win the hunger games
Silver1989

Arya, Eragon/Saphira, Solembum, or Roran would win if you ask me.
Eragon and/or Saphira have the most collective experience, and they really only get countered by the Arya/Firnen pairing, the Murtagh/Thorn pairing, or the Angels/Solembum pairing. the rest they could beat.
Arya might win, but i don’t think she’ll do it carrying Firnen’s weight, which she’ll probably have to to some extent because he’s so young. She has the ability to win, but the other riders cause a problem because Firnen hasn’t done any extensive fighting.
Solembum could win because he’s a werecat. I don’t think Angela would go all the way with him, because they might have a tough fight and it Angela goes down, he can still escape. Solembum can basically let the others wear each other out because he’s easily the stealthiest one in the arena.
I think Roran could win simply because he’s just been that good at surviving. He can’t quite take on a dragon or rider, at least not without a lot of difficulty, but if he can manage to avoid those conflicts, he can probably outmatch the others in the arena well enough to win.
This is, of course, assuming nobody teams up, which could turn the tables entirely should anyone do so.
EragonLogan

Roran for sure ,Eragon could win only if he has Brisinger
- Sceptical of Ideas
  
  I doubt it. Eragon has access to magic, has super-natural strength and speed, and a dragon.
  
  Roran is just an ordinary human.
  - elias montano
    
    also not everything is known about the mysterious character of Angela
Brooklyn Morgans

We must consider that foremost it may not be a team of 2 that wins. In addition, those with magical abilities such as Angela, are severely stripped of their advantages. In searching for a victor I ask myself; who, but eragon would have the experience to overcome the most dire of circumstances? That being said, the tragedy of death or dismemberment has been averted, making the situation less dire, taking with it the instinctual desperation to fight to the death. My official vote, though not without doubt, is with Murtagh, he has the most to prove by winning and is almost at par with the prowess of Eragon, whose thoughts may be elsewhere. His dragon Thorn, may survive to the final round, and is surely a match for the smaller dragon of Arya’s and any hand to hand combat that the others might attempt.
Brooklyn Morgans

We must consider that foremost it may not be a team of 2 that wins. That being said, those with magical abilities such as Angela, are severely stripped of their advantages. Who, but eragon would have the experience to overcome the most dire of circumstances. That being said, the tragedy of death or dismemberment has been averted, taking with it the instinctual desperation to fight to the death. My vote is with Murtagh, he has the most to prove by winning and is almost at par with the prowess of eragon. His dragon Thorn, may survive to the final round, and is surely a match for the smaller dragon of Aryas and any hand to hand combat that the others might attempt.
Hilblock_the_gamer

I guess Team Roran or Arya or Angela will win… Arya and Firnen are powerful but tricking Roran is hard. However Angela and Solembum are quite unpredictable so I’m pretty sure they’ll win… I mean seriously how could anyone defeat Angela and a Werecat!!!
FolkyHobbit

Roran would probably find a way to blow up the arena to get back to his child and wife.
Rubén Amador Salas

Make it in Minecraft
- Millie Green
  
  YES!
Harvey Fox

I think that, assuming the gamemakers would be as cunning as those in the actual novels, that the Ra’zac will turn up at some point, as an illusion of some form. Or, perhaps, in some areas, it would be laid out with temptations of some description. Perhaps for Angela, it would be magical herbs and plants, Eragon a conversation with someone he cares for. At first, there wouldn’t seem to be anything wrong with it, but, upon approaching, there would be some kind of consequence, be it actual harm or some drug induced haze.
I think that the winners would be either Arya and Firnen, as Arya would be able to put logic and experience to any decision that Firnen would think of, and, despite his small size, Firnen would still provide some muscle to any fight. Or, alternatively, the winner would be Angela and Solembum. Solembum is wise, obviously, and I doubt that he would be lacking in assessing a battle. Angela is wise, also, and has many wards in her favour. Even without tinkledeath, I feel that others would underestimate her and solembum, bringing their downfall.
Pedro Nunes

I think that in the end there will be 3 teams on a final stand off.
it will be Agela’s team since she is one of the most powerfull and inteligent of the players, Eragon and safira due to the expirince and the fact that Safira is big and really strong, Arya’s team since Fírnen they have been reciving training and Arya as alot of experience.
Baycohn

I believe the Gamemakers should be the Eldunarí, both the sane and insane (with careful monitoring), without the ability to pick favorites. For this reason, Glaedr shouldn’t be allowed to participate in the making of the game. They should all have access to one jewel of energy to use in the entire games, in case of near-death experiences (but, once they use it, he/she is disqualified.)
matt

i assume that angela and solembum are going to probably win because we do not the extent of angela’s abilities and in the fourth book i remember (spoiler) that solembum he kicked the ra zac and broke its neck. so he could most likely do it humans he would fight.
- Shrrg
  
  solembum had nothin gto do with the death of the ra’azac!!???
anmol13111993

Roran’s team is not right, he should have been paired with Orik (as they both use hammers)
- Hilblock_the_gamer
  
  Roran and Orik would definitley be an amazing and brilliant team!!!
anmol13111993

Saphira is clearly the biggest threat in the game as she can easily take out the likes of Firnen and Thorn and a Rider with a Dragon backing him up is pretty much unbeatable in terms of magical power. So I’d expect Arya’s team and Murtagh’s team to come together and take on Eragon and Saphira. The two dragons and Arya taking on Saphira while Murtagh gets his swordfighting rematch against Eragon. Eventually, Eragon and Saphira get taken out but Murtagh and the two dragons pretty much run out of strength so only Arya survives the round.
In another part of the woods, Roran and Jeod ambush Nasuada and Jormundur and beat them both. Angela, who had been observing the three way battle between the dragon riders challenges Arya to a wizard’s duel and wins comfortably.
This leaves us with only Roran’s team and Angela’s team. They eventually cross paths and Roran (knowing that he can’t beat the witch) taunts Angela and challenges her to a physical fight. Angela agrees and proceeds to beat Roran with her glaive (the huthvir) eventually winning the first hunger games
Cole P.

For the arena traps I see poisonous plants possibly the shadow birds, perhaps a psychological trap that gives you visions of your deepest fears. There could be an enchantment over part of (or all of) the arena that gives you more and more misfortune the longer you stay in one area, forcing you to meet on the move. Maybe even areas where no magic whatsoever can be used. As for obstaces, there could be a Labrinth, like the catacombs under dras-luna, an area like the spine (with snow-storms that would force you to make a fire thus making you more viable), etc.
Trevor Morrissey

What? No dwarf or Uruks? We should be getting a little bit of all races in on this action… could be wild.
- Shrrg
  
  whats an uruk? Do u mean urgals?
Aayush Sureka

There should be something for Non-Magic users to make it fair for all. Like give them some special weapons or part of the arena should be magic resistant or something.
fr

arya
Arielle Boyer

I mean the giant snails have to have some kind of role in this. As a challenge by the game makers as well as a food source for the competitors
Zachery anderson

I got to put my money on Arya, having been steeped in magic since childhood gives her a magical advantage, and she was better than Eragon at swordplay even after he transformed, her enhanced abilities as an elf dragonrider gives a physical advantage
MACH Tink

Angela is hiding who she really is and the power she she has. I would put my money on her and Solembum!
william

I recon that ANGELA AND SOLEMBUM will win. who knows the full extent of their powers
Christopher McFalls

I believe nasuada and jormunder will be taken out by Angela rather quickly, and solembum will take jeod out almost as quickly. While eragon and sapphire face off against Murtagh and thorn, they eventually win, but by exhausting themselves to a large extent. Then Angela will come upon Arya and firnen and she will fight them singlehandedly and the match will go in favor of arya, as roran manages to overpower solembum. So arya, finrir, eragon, and saphira will be the last standing. Then eragon and arya will come in contact, but before they fight, roran enters the scene and hesitates on a sneak attack against eragon, and so saphira defeats him with a swipe of her tail. Already exhausted by their fight with thorn and murtagh, eragon and saphira set off against firnen and arya. Arya’s vast knowledge and energy start overpowering eragon, and the mental link dragon and rider share allow firnen to gain extra experience through the mind of arya. Saphira still quickly overpowers firnen, but hesitates to deal her mate the finishing blow, while eragon and arya fight more and arya overpowers an already weakened eragon. Then at the end of the battle, saphira holds firnen, while arya has eragon in a similar position, but saphira’s protectiveness of eragon, is her undoing as she will look back and lower her guard as she strikes at Arya, allowing firnen to attack and subdue her, and through the mental link Eragon shares her pain and accepts defeat to arya, allowing the first annual games to be won by the elven queen and Rider, Arya, and her partner Firnen.

That’s my predictions on the game at least haha
- Hilblock_the_gamer
  
  Roran defeated by a swipe of Saphira’s tail… you’ve got to be kidding me!!! 😀
Teemo11

Also two times a day there will be a 1 hour period where no one is able to use magic, thus giving two small windows of opportunity a day for non-magic users to fight or strategize against magic users fairly.
Teemo11

I think that there should be other creatures for the teams to watch out for such as some Urgals, Kull, Ra’zac , burrow grubs, etc. This could very well kill anyone, including the riders with their dragons.
- Shrrg
  
  There are no more Ra’azac- the one that Eragon killed told him its the last of its race
firnina

It would be interesting if there was a limited amount of food, as that could try the dragons if the Games lasted long enough. Or, if there was only meat, Arya and Eragon might be a bit put off, Eragon more so than Arya. I also suggest that wards be disallowed, as that would give the Riders an enormous advantage over the others.

Another consideration is how far the “no flying” rule extends. If there was sturdy terrain, like the ruins of Vroengard, would hopping and gliding around rooftops be permitted, such as Saphira and Thorn’s battle in Dras-Leona? Saphira has already shown herself to be an exceptionally cunning fighter in that type of situation.

The biggest problem the non-Riders are going to have is taking down the dragons. Not only are they dragons, but if they or their Riders are injured, the other could fly into an unnatural rage and probably take out whoever caused it. One thing that could help balance this is an extensive cave system, or something similar: a structure that the dragons cannot enter, or easily destroy. That would stop Saphira and the others from simply grabbing the puny two-legs and shaking them like rats. It also offers better protection against fire than forests or buildings.

I doubt that the battles between dragons will be any less ferocious than you would expect, although the victor would come down to whether the fight took place in the air or on the ground, “air” meaning the kind of hopping and gliding I discussed earlier. Either way, Saphira has a good chance at winning, as she has more experience and (it seems) native skill. However, if Thorn’s growth rate is still accelerated, he has a better chance if he can close with Saphira on the ground and overpower her. Firnen, I’m afraid, lacks both the size and the experience to win in a fair fight, at least directly. If he was able, for example, to crash into Thorn and Saphira when they were grappling each other, he could cause them to hit the ground and severely injure themselves. One very important factor in this is the size of the arena. How can you make an arena large enough for three dragons but small enough so that the two-legs can find each other instead of wandering about in the woods? It will most likely be closer to the smaller limit, so there is little choice for the dragons but straight conflict. Firnen might be able to hide himself better than the other two, because of his coloration and small size, but this depends on the terrain. It would be very interesting for there to be a large area of water in the arena. Saphira is the only dragon we know to have gone swimming, although Firnen experienced it through her memories. I have no idea what aquatic combat would look like, but underwater battles could be very similar to aerial ones; slower, and without as much danger of hitting the ground, but without fire and with the added complication of having to hold your breath. In that, Thorn might have the advantage, if the Eldunari can help the dragons in the same way the Eldunari-like structure helps the Nidwahl, as his Eldunari is the largest.

The only chance the human pairs would have is to team up to dispatch the dragons, ideally after one of them has bested the others and is recovering. Otherwise, the sheer strength of the dragon and their Rider would likely be too much, at least for everyone except Angela. Whether Nasuada or Roran would come out on top depends solely on what the stakes are. Whoever it means more to would find a way to win. If the stakes are even, I would say Roran would win a fair fight. Jeod is not much of a fighter, but Jormundur is beginning to age, and Nasuada’s combat skills seem limited to daggers and bows. However, Nasuada and Jormundur will likely avoid a straight fight, and instead aim to get rid of Roran with a different tactic, such as a knife in the back. One thing that might tip the scales is if Jeod has any knowledge about the arena, such as secret passageways. Roran would certainly put any knowledge to good use. His team is most likely to win if they catch the other teams by surprise, which his plans often do. Nasuada’s plans tend to be more conventional, although her own combat style, as noted, is less straightforward than Roran’s. Her team is more likely to win by conventional tactics, which to my mind, means her victory is less likely than Roran’s, as there are not many conventional tactics for two humans taking on a dragon and a Rider, let alone multiple pairs.

Eragon has a good chance of beating the others in swordplay, although with Arya and Murtagh it is not at all certain. (And of course, little is certain with Angela.) This depends on how well he understands Arya and Murtagh at the time of the games. His sense of morality might be a hindrance in this case, depending on the stakes involved. Saphira is probably the bigger threat, as she is not only the most experienced dragon, but has shown herself to be a more cunning fighter than Thorn, able to manipulate him in combat, as she did during the battle of Dras-Leona. Her bloodlust wouldn’t hurt either. However, Eragon is at a slight disadvantage magically. Although he likely absorbed a lot from the Eldunari, he has had the least training of the three Riders. How much this affects him depends on what the magical restrictions are. He has shown himself to be rather proficient in wordless magic, for example, but he simply cannot have the same number of spells and counterspells that Arya probably has in reserve, nor could he defeat her or Murtagh in a mental battle; they both have far more control over their mind than he does. He might also underestimate Roran, which could easily be his last mistake.

Murtagh is certainly a competent magician, and an excellent swordfighter. However, neither of these can guarantee him victory over Arya or Eragon. The thing that might do that is Galbatorix’s training. Galbatorix studied magic for nearly a hundred years, and evidently found some very old sources to help with that, such as the tablet with the Name. If he taught some of what he discovered to Murtagh, Murtagh could have spells that even Arya has never seen or heard of, which could give him enough of an edge to win, particularly as Thorn’s much larger size would enable him to distract Firnen, and by extension Arya. This actually might not be as helpful against Eragon, as he isn’t familiar with as many spells to begin with. Eragon would simply have to rely on the same quick thinking he always does – which has had varying success. Murtagh’s real weakness may be Nasuada. Depending on how their relationship stands, he might be more hesitant to attack her. Nasuada, as the better strategist, would have less trouble, potentially putting Murtagh at a disadvantage. (Arya and Eragon have always sparred as part of their relationship, so this would not be any more of a factor for them in the arena than it was in their swordplay.) We haven’t seen as much of Murtagh and Thorn’s fighting style as we have Eragon and Saphira’s. We know that Saphira is generally more cunning than Thorn, but Murtagh is more ruthless, and sometimes more agressive, than Eragon. It will be interesting to see what they have learned, if anything, from their time in the north, and how they fight now that they are free of Galbatorix’s control.

Arya’s weakness, if any, is likely to be her overconfidence, and Firnen’s small size and inexperience. However, she is the most conventionally skilled with magic, and has had the most practice with swords, bows, and other weaponry as well as woodcraft. She can be merciless when she needs to be, and if you let your guard down within 100 meters of her, you could be making a dreadful mistake. There is no easy way to defeat her. Nasuada’s only chance, for example, would be to hope that Murtagh or Eragon defeats her first, as either one of them would be easier to manipulate into a trap. Of course, Arya might well realize this, and make a point of hunting down them humans while Firnen hides and Saphira and Thorn battle. The only one Arya might be truly afraid of is Angela.

Of course, I’ve saved Angela for last. It’s easy to say she’ll win it all, but in actuality, it would be a very hard-fought victory. Assuming her time-and-entropy-reversing powers are off-limits, along with any particularly special magic items, such as the sunset-colored dagger, we haven’t technically seen Angela do any powerful magic. We also know that some of her magic is an entirely different brand from the kind we are used to seeing: at the end of “Eragon,” that’s her excuse as to why she can’t remove Eragon’s scar – her powers come from poultices and plants. This knowledge, combined with several of her other tricks – particularly the ones that let her sneak around anywhere she wants and find out anything she wants – could let her take down all of her opponents one by one – assuming she doesn’t get caught. I don’t believe she ever attacked anyone directly using magic in the books, and there were several occasions when it would have been a very good idea. She also says that she is not powerful enough to face Galbatorix, all of which leads me to believe that her abilities are more suited to sabotage – and especially poison – more than open combat. Angela knows this, and would play to her strengths. And we haven’t even discussed Solembum. The other competitors would likely be wary of this pair, which would also work in their favor. I envision Angela and Solembum sneaking around, poisoning food and water, and perhaps slipping in some assassinations – but only if the time was right. I doubt they could stand up to a dragon, so they would be smart to let the Riders thin their ranks a little before making their move.

An additional note: a single victor is possible, but it is very unlikely that victor will be a dragon. If someone strikes down a Rider, they won’t live very long, but the rampaging dragon doesn’t, either: they don’t reason; they just run to destroy anything nearby, and this makes them vulnerable. That’s why Glaedr was so easily defeated after Oromis’ death, among other factors. Unless one of the teams is planning on the dragon’s rampage – and any one of the non-Rider teams might – it might be safer to take out the dragon first. Rampaging Riders are still terrifying, but are slightly easier to deal with.

I believe the most important factor is the stakes. Until we know what each pair is playing for, there is no way of telling how far they will be willing to go to win. I would like to see each pair or person playing for a different goal: perhaps a win for Roran means a boon for Carvahall, or his family. Perhaps Eragon and Arya made a bet: if he is victor, she abdicates her throne and comes to join him. Perhaps Murtagh wishes to gain the respect or trust of the others. Maybe Angela needs a new skein of yarn. However, if the stakes were closer to the spirit of the original Hunger Games, every contestant would fight far more fiercely, making for more dramatic conflict. Either way, I’m eager to see what happens next!
- Jack
  
  Loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
- Shrrg
  
  theres no killing
Travis Tennant

It would come down to the dragons and Angela mainly cause I can’t imagine many of the other being a match for Dragons between the flight and fore breath and claws and teeth they have a good shot though Angela is another contender just cause so little is known of her even the elves seem to respect her to some degree and there is clearly more to her than meets the eye
Christy Rootman

I think they would try to eliminate the dragons first, because obviously they’re a huge threat. But it won’t be so easy to acomplish though.
Angela will probably use some kind of trick to hide herself, and attack others when they least expect an attack.
Of the dragons, I think they’ll target Thorn first. The reason for that is because he is a mystery to them, and no one likes to fight someone they don’t know anything of, so it’s best to finish him off in the beginning of the game.
The humans will either be the first to drop out, or the last. They aren’t as strong or fast as the elves/dragons, so they’ll get worn out easily. But their size counts in their favour, because they’ll be able to quickly manouver between tight spaces, and won’t be as noticable as the dragons.
In the end I think either Eragon and Saphira, or Angela and Solembum will win. Eragon and Saphira have been through much worse together, and they work really well as a team. But the same goes for Angela and Solembum. Plus Angela may have a few tricks up her sleeve.
Amaris

Ideas: the dragons fly around at Beor mountains it’s very dangerous and there might be some traps and that can limit them out.
The humans should face off together then the Riders in a harsh environment.
Clayton Mastorovich

i think that Angela and solembum will win because she always has a dirty way to fight
Madison Farmer

I feel the fighting would be, at first, the riders against each other then the non-riders. I think the Angela and Solembaum would be more behind the scenes, waiting for the others to tire each other out.

As far as obstacles, I feel there should be a maze through the ruins-possibly with a scavenger hunt. That way all the teams would be pretty equal. Another would be hearding the Snagli into certain areas, or otherwise have to find the Snagli which has your teams’ color/ensignia to know what the next task is.

In the end, I feel it would depend what the challenges are on who the victorious team is. But definitely Eragon/Saphira, Arya/Firnen and Angela/Solembaum as the top three.
Gabriel Sousa

i think eragon and saphira will be victorious cause they know each other pretty well
Gabriel Sousa

i think eragon and saphira will be victorious. they are the team that works better together
Srikanth Kalluri

I think that Eragon would be one of the first people to get out, not because of his lack of skill, but his personality. Saphira might not give up so easily, but I feel that Fírnen and Thorn would take her out realizing that she is a big threat. I think that Arya would then beat Murtagh, but Thorn would be able to take out Firnen because of his lack of experience, and significant lack of size. Because of this, Arya would be distracted because of her sincere affection for her dragon, and soon both of them would lose. Murtagh and Thorn would be able to leave the battle, but Angela, always knowing where to be, would appear with Solembum and take them both out.

Meanwhile, Nasuada’s team would run into Roran’s, and they would team up, realizing that it would be foolish to try and win the battle between the magician’s on their own. They would sleep for the night, since they could not find Angela or Solembum, and would continue their pursuit in the morning.

Angela would of course be brewing odd potions and enchanting the grass around their camp to do odd things, and would attack during the night. The grass would keep them stuck to the ground while the potion, kind of like a sleeping bomb would make them sleep. They would struggle all the while, but soon would go unconscious because of it. While Angela and Solembum were coming down, Roran would have an intense dream about his daughter crying when watching the games, and he would suddenly have the power to overcome both the potion and the grass, his actions would be so sudden that he would be able to take out the herbalist in one blow, while Solembum would jump on him and attack him in a fit of anger. Meanwhile, the other three would get out, and Jeod would run to help him. Jörmundur, trying to hit Roran, would accidentally hit Solembum, and then Roran would have everything he needs to win from there. He would go into a crazy battle thinking of his daughter and wife all along and take out Nasuada’s whole team. However, in the process, Roran would take some serious injuries and go unconcious. Thus, Jeod and Roran(if being unconscious counts) would be the victors.
- anmol13111993
  
  Roran getting sudden inspiration was the best part
- Shrrg
  
  What do u mean, bec of his personality?
Mike Macauley

We’re specifically looking for suggestions on traps and obstacles in the arena, as well as how you see battles between pairs going down! If your ideas are used, we’ll credit you in the post.

Plus, anyone who comments is entered to win some Inheritance Cycle swag autographed by Christopher!

P.S. Not only are the new shirts cool, but the proceeds from our merchandise sales go to supporting Shur’tugal. It takes a lot to keep the site running and we appreciate all the support we get!

Shur'tugal Newsletter

Shur'tugal Newsletter