Durza

Durza is one of the antagonists of the Inheritance trilogy written by Christopher Paolini and is a Shade throughout the story. He is the chief antagonist in Eragon, the first volume of the Inheritance trilogy .

Durza is a powerful shade who holds control over the Urgals. He is first introduced in the prelude of Eragon when he attacks Arya, guardian elf of the egg, in an attempt to capture the dragon egg she held. He was able to capture the elf, but not before Arya teleported the egg to the Spine where Eragon finds it. Eragon later encounters Durza in Gil'ead. They have a brief physical battle, allowing Eragon to realize that he does not have half as much strength needed to defeat Durza as Durza toys with him. Fortunately, Durza is dissipated when Murtagh shoots him in the head, but does not die. Later in the Farthen Dûr, Eragon is forced to battle with Durza once again, but this time the two of them are much more serious and use magic. During this battle, Eragon breaks into Durza's mind and unwilling sees visions of Durza's life. As he watches these images, Durza charges and wounds Eragon heavily before Arya is able to come to the rescue with a large distraction. Eragon sees the opportunity and strikes Durza in the heart, killing him once and for all. As Durza dies, three dark spirits leave his body, releasing all of the Urguls from his control.

The first images that Eragon sees depict the life of Carsaib, the child who one day became Durza. Through these images, Eragon learns that Carsaib and his parents were abandoned from their nomadic tribe when Carsaib's father was called acused of being an "oathbreaker". Carsaib later finds himself looking at his parents graves before traveling into the desert to be found by Haeg, a sorcerer. Haeg taught Carsaib how to use the spirits and their spells. One night, bandits killed Haeg and in rage Carsaib summoned vengeful spirits who were too powerful to control. They possessed his mind and body, turning him into Durza.

Durza, being a Shade, has incredible powers of magic. His sword has a long scratch on it from when Ajihad, leader of the Varden, tried to kill him. Durza's wound on Eragon, a long scar on his back, pained him for many months before it was removed by magical means. Durza is also depicted as the antagonist in a poem Eragon rights for the Blood-oath festival, which recieves much acclaim from the Elves and an honored place in one of their institutions.