Edge of Oblivion
Prologue - Alagaësia
DISCLAIMER: The Inheritance Cycle is not owned by me. Christopher Paolini owns that universe which he created. That said, I have made this AU (Alternate Universe) and so it does not completely follow canon/the books at all.
Alagaësia.
That was the name of the land. Mountain ranges to the west, along the coast, stood and kept the stormy weather from the sea from sweeping too far inland. The other major mountain formations were in the southeast, the tall Beor Mountains that scraped the very sky with their peaks. Clouds draped over them like proud coats. These mountains dwarfed those of the Spine, which were barely a quarter of the size of the Beor mountains. What lay beyond the Beor mountains farther south was a mystery to the peoples of Alagaësia.
To the north sprawled in all its splendor was the forest of Du Weldenvarden, which translated into the common tongue is "The Guarding Forest." All along the northern edge of the explored continent the forest grew and thrived.
In the middle of the explored regions of the land was the Hadarac Desert, a vast expanse of sand plagued by constant heat and bitter winds that sucked the moisture and strength from those who traveled across it.
Between the Hadarac and the Spine lay, for the most part, flatlands that were mostly inhabitable in that the soil was fertile enough for crops, and thus life to be sustained.
Finally, to the east beyond the Hadarac Desert were the plains that led into the unknown. The unexplored regions ofAlagaësia where few dare go, and those that do never return. Some say it is because they have found great opportunity and wealth in the east while others say it is because evil has befallen them. There are those that even say it is because they walked off the face off the earth, having gone past where the map ends. Seeing as how nobody returned on any of those eastbound expeditions, everything was mere speculation.
Off the northwest coast, jutting out from the sea in defiance of the water that surrounded it, lay the island of Vroengard. The southwest coast had islands, though smaller ones, and were of little import.
The humans settled much of the western part of Alagaësia. The elves ruled over Du Weldenvarden, and the Dwarves over - or rather under - the Beor mountains. Both elder races were there before the arrival of the humans. The Dwarves, however, were the original inhabitants of the land and were there well before the elves arrived. The elves had sailed across the ocean from wherever they originated from and landed upon the shores of Alagaësia, and after them coming from the same land were the Urgals.
The Empire encompassed all of western Alagaësia, from the city of Reavstone on the southernmost tip of the western edge, along the coast, all the way to the northern city of Ceunon. It's capital city, Ileria, used to be an elven city until it was captured during the First Human-Elven War. As part of the peace accord later signed, the humans were able to keep Ileria and the elves retreated into Du Weldenvarden for good.
Dragon Riders made up the remaining powerful faction of Alagaësia. They were keepers of the peace and upholders of justice. Many were scholars, and gifted with extremely long age and magical powers, and of course a companion dragon, they were extremely powerful. All in all, there were thirty-six Dragon Riders currently in existence, of which three were new riders.
There has been a long peace as it has been nearly two centuries since the last major conflict tore Alagaësia apart. It was a golden age of prosperity and tranquility. But a great evil had arisen. Rumors of a Shade, a twisted being of immense power who was created from the summoning and binding of spirits, were circulating. The Riders were on alert, though they had yet to confirm the appearance of a Shade.
It is in this time that our story begins...
A/N: I am the WeaverOfFate. Wyrda! If you would please review, I would greatly appreciate it.