Inheritance may have ended the series with its released in November 2011, but many fans will be surprised to learn that new adventures in Alagaësia have been revealed since!
The most notable addition to Inheritance Cycle canon came in the Deluxe Edition of Inheritance, which included an epilogue to the series, referred to as “Jeod’s Letter.” The new content offers an update on many of the series’ main characters and the events unfolding around them after the fall of Galbatorix.
We have additional post-Inheritance canon from Eragon’s Guide to Alagaesia, a mostly-visual book by Christopher Paolini. The guide is told in the first person perspective by Eragon, left for new Riders to learn about the land in Eragon and Saphira’s absence (more on that below).
Today we’re taking a look at what Eragon has been up to in the year between Inheritance and the upcoming novel, The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm. The official timeline for the new content is as follows:
Inheritance -> Jeod’s Letter (Cycle epilogue) -> Fork/Witch/Worm -> Eragon’s Guide
Everything we know about Eragon and Saphira’s adventures after they set sail on the Edda River are listed below in chronological order:
End of Inheritance: Eragon and Saphira parted ways with Arya, setting sail eastward on the Edda River in search of a safe and secluded area to raise the new generation of Riders – a “new Vroengard,” of sorts. This place is referred to as the “dragonhold.” Along for the journey with Eragon and Saphira were the elves, Eldunari, and dragon eggs.
Jeod’s letter – Eragon: The missive didn’t reveal much about Eragon, as Jeod and others in Alagaësia had yet to see the Rider since his departure. He had kept in touch with Nasuada via several letters, but those were sparse. His last update stated that the group were making good progress on the dragonhold, but didn’t reveal its location. Jeod stated with certainty that the Riders’ new academy lies “within sight of the Edda River, somewhere far to the east.” This is the first confirmation that Eragon and company remained on the same continent.
Jeod’s letter – Alagaësia: Eragon isn’t the only character included in the upcoming book, so it’s worth highlighting the goings-on of the book’s other characters:
- Murtagh and Thorn, who will be the subject of “The Fork,” have kept to themselves, though rumors of their appearance along the border of Du Weldenvarden north of Ceunon exist.
- Angela (subject of “The Witch”) hasn’t been spotted since the final battle. Jeod’s update about the herbalist revealed the extent of his order’s confusion about the woman’s origins, identity, and capabilities, and showed multiple signs of concern about what she’s capable of.
Fork/Witch/Worm: The book begins one year after Inheritance. Eragon, Saphira, and the others have made progress constructing the dragonhold where Eragon will raise and train the new generation of Riders. We know that the process has been slow-going, with Eragon struggling to deal with all that comes with his new role: planning, building, dealing with traders, welcoming travelers, and guarding dragon eggs. We’ll get a glimpse at Murtagh’s adventures in “The Fork” and learn about Angela’s past in “The Witch.”
Eragon’s Guide to Alagaësia: This companion book to the Inheritance Cycle was released by Christopher Paolini in between Brisingr and Inheritance, though in the official timeline, the book was written by Eragon after Inheritance and FWW. The guide was framed as a collection of notes and illustrations written by Eragon and shared with a new Rider to help them learn about Alagaësia, its inhabitants, and its long history.
Two brief letters hold the key to this part of Eragon’s timeline: Eragon and Saphira had already departed before the Rider reading the book arrived at the dragonhold because of a “matter of utmost importance.” He also mentions that the dragon and Rider must be prepared for the things they’ll encounter, “especially during such unsettled times, when an unnamed shadow stalks the land.” It’s likely that Eragon and Saphira have departed to pursue this “unnamed shadow,” although that is pure speculation.
The above gives us a good sense of what Eragon and company have been up to in the year since the series’ conclusion. It also raises many questions about what we’ll learn in FWW and how that will lead to/connect with what we know the future hold thanks to Eragon’s Guide.
Be sure to check out our “Everything We Know” guide – a comprehensive breakdown of every fact and tidbit of information we know about The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm!
Other articles exploring FWW and its mysteries have been released, including “The Fork,” “The Witch,” and “The Worm” theory editorials, as well as a breakdown of what we know about the black dragon on the book’s cover.
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