Durza
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Durza is one of the antagonists of Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy. He is a Shade, a sorceror possed by demonic spirits.
Description
Durza is described as being tall and rather thin. He has red hair and red eyes. Durza, being a Shade, has amazing experience in magic and sword fighting combats. Shades can only be killed if they are pierced through the heart. No other form of injury can kill him, permanently. He carries a pale sword with him, which has a long scar down the blade. Though he is weaker than Galbatorix, he is much stronger than an elf or human.
Role in the books
Background
At the end of Eragon, Eragon pushes his way into Durza's mind using magic. While doing so, he is able to capture small glimpses and scenes of Durza's past.
Durza's birth name was Carsaib. Early in his life, he was member of a nomadic tribe. Carsaib and his parents were abandoned by the tribe when Carsaib's father was accused of being an "oathbreaker". Following his parents' deaths, Carsaib found his way into the desert and was discovered by Haeg, a sorcerer, who taught Carsaib how to use spirits and spells.
Haeg was murdered by bandits, and, in his rage over his mentor's death, Carsaib summoned up avenging spirits too powerful to control. The spirits took possession of his mind and body, transforming him into a Shade. The spirits renamed his body Durza.
It is also revealed in another part of the novel that Durza and Ajihad, who was leader of the Varden in Eragon, fought in sword-to-sword combat. During the struggle, Ajihad gave a long scratch down Durza's sword, before Durza disappeared.
Role in Eragon
Durza is first introduced in the prologue, where he leads a band of Urgals to capture Arya and the stolen dragon egg. Successfully capturing Arya, but unsuccessful in capturing the egg, he takes Arya to his castle at Gil'ead and poisons her. After hearing of Eragon being the new Dragon Rider, he sends the Ra'zac to capture the boy and his dragon.
Later in the story, Eragon is captured outside of Gilead and taken to Durza's prison, where he interrigates Eragon. Eragon manages to escape Gil'ead with Arya, after fighting Durza and having Murtagh shoot Durza between the eyes. They believed they had killed him.
In the final battle between the Varden and the Empire's Urgals and Kull, Eragon faces Durza alone and they have a sword magic fight. After invading Durza's mind, Eragon is cut on the back by Durza's sword. Suddenly, Saphira and Arya break through the roof of the hall and come crashing down. Taking advantage of the distraction, Eragon stabs his sword in Durza's heart. Durza is killed and his spirits flee his body.
Role in Eldest
Though Durza does not make an appearance in Eldest, he has left several key situations. For one, Eragon was unable to heal from the scar that Durza left on his back. When preforming strong magic and stretches to improve himself as a Dragon Rider, he experiences painful seizures from it. Also, since Eragon has killed Durza, Eragon is from then out called Eragon Shadeslayer.
Role in Eragon (Movie)
The role of Durza is played by Robert Carlyle in the Eragon film.
Though many aspects of Durza remain close to the book, like his red hair and evil like proportions, there was many others that were changed. For example, at the end in the final battle, Durza and Eragon have a aeiral combat in which Eragon flies Saphira and Durza flies on a shadowy draconic demon that he has summoned from the fire.