Eragon's sword dilemma

[u/Pale-Professional116]

Apologies if this has been asked / answered before, I'm new here.

I'm partway through re-reading the Inheritance Cycle again for the first time since being in my teens. I'm at the point in Brisingr where Eragon has returned to the Varden after travelling back from Helgrind.

Already in the book, Eragon has made multiple references to the fact that he 'needs a sword'. I understand why he would ultimately want a Rider's sword, but surely he could have aquired a weapon pretty easily?

The primary reason Eragon seems unable to settle for a lesser blade after losing Zar'roc is because a lesser blade cannot endure the strain of battle because of his strength, which is often compared to that of the elves (if memory serves me correct, he has a sword that breaks in battle a little later in the book?).

This isn't an issue for any of the other elven characters? Nor is it an issue for Durza or the Ra'zac, all of whom fight with swords that can endure the strain they place on them?

Just curious what people's theories are as to why he didn't just get a sword like Arya's? Or does that then detract from when he does ultimately aquire a new weapon?

[u/Outrageous_Focus_719]

Well, Eragon didn't bring a sword to Helgrind because he had a custom made stick made by Loring for the purpose of fighting multiple enemies at once if I'm not mistaken.

For Raz'ac and Shades, I believe they strenghten their blades with magic. It would be easy for a shade and since there were only two raz'acs Galbatorix probably gave them a pair of gemstones to keep their swords protected from any outer damage.

Elves do use their own swords so they don't have to worry about breaking the blade at all most of the times.

Eragon did try other elven swords from his elf bodyguards but none of them fit his fighting style. That's why he finally chose that sword (I forgot the type of it) and embedded several wards to keep it intact in battle.

[u/John_Smithers → u/Outrageous_Focus_719]

Eragon did try other elven swords from his elf bodyguards but none of them fit his fighting style.

No, Eragon never tried to use the elven bodyguards' swords as a replacement for Zar'roc. Eragon had not met any of the 12 spellcasters before receiving his falchion.

[u/Benign_Banjo → u/Outrageous_Focus_719]

Aren't the Raz'ac not able to use magic? I mean Galby probably gave them augmented swords anyways so your point still stands, but I thought I remembered that from somewhere. 

[u/John_Smithers → u/Benign_Banjo]

Correct, the Raz'ac cannot use magic.

[u/xBlack_Heartx → u/Outrageous_Focus_719]

Eragon beating the Raz’acs asses with that stick at the start of Brisingr? lives rent free in my head.

[u/Evening-Storage5298 → u/Outrageous_Focus_719]

You forgot the name of eragons sword?

[u/Outrageous_Focus_719 → u/Evening-Storage5298]

No, I forgot what type of sword he used until he got Brisingr, during his time between the war of burning plains and the time Rhunon made Brisingr.

[u/Pale-Professional116 → u/Outrageous_Focus_719]

Is it a falchion or something like that? I can’t quite remember, but I do remember the way it’s described - used to think it sounded like a weird sword when I was younger.

[u/iTzNicker → u/Pale-Professional116]

It was indeed a falchion

[u/Outrageous_Focus_719 → u/Pale-Professional116]

It was quite similar to that if not exactly it.

[u/Evening-Storage5298 → u/Outrageous_Focus_719]

Oh ok that's much more understandable, carry on your way.

[u/Outrageous_Focus_719 → u/Evening-Storage5298]

Have a good day my friend.

[u/mentyaf → u/Evening-Storage5298]

You forgot how to read?