Helgrind
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| Helgrind | |
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| General | |
| Major Species | Ra'zac, Humans |
| Location | Central Alagaësia |
| Terrain | Mountainous |
| Climate | Arid |
| Main Industry | Slavery |
| Political | |
| Capital | None |
| Government | Dictatorship |
| Head of State | Ra'zac |
Helgrind was a four-pronged mountain that was worshiped by many of the people of Dras-Leona. It was also the base of operations for the Ra'zac.
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[edit] Location
Helgrind was located just south-east of Dras-Leona in central Alagaësia.
[edit] Religion
Helgrind became a sort of central religious icon for some of the citizens of Dras-Leona. Helgrind's three peaks are worshipped by a cult dwelling in Dras-Leona, so far as having a cathedral uplifted in its honor. The acolytes of this religion practice selfmutilation, believing that the less physical parts you have in this world the more you are linked to the spirit world. They also drink human blood. Brom described it as "terrible". The acolytes also quarrel about things such as if they should worship Helgrind's fourth peak, considering how low it is. Sacrifices were offered to Helgrind, such as human flesh, which were, in reality, eaten by the Ra'zac. When Eragon and Roran arrived to rescue Katrina, they hid back and watched the goings on of Dras Leona's cultists.
[edit] Features
Helgrind is a massive stone mountain. It is made of a blackish mineral, and is large enough to be viewable from Dras-Leona. It is also very steep and impossible to climb, making it an ideal for the Ra'zac's lair, since their flying steeds can carry them there. It is bare of life, except for a single blue flower marking the Ra'zac's lair. In the special edition version of Eldest there is one chapter from the third book that explains how there is a section of Helgrind that looks like it is solid rock, but you can pass right through it and enter the Ra'zac's lair. This illusion is most likely thanks to King Galbatorix's extreme power in magic. Helgrind is also speculated to be the location of the mysterious Vault of Souls. It is also where Katrina, Rorans soon to be wife, was imprisoned by the Ra'zac. Eragon and Roran went to Helgrind and killed the Ra'zac and their steeds, the Lethrblaka.
[edit] Origin
Little is known or explained of Helgrind's origins so far but it is likely unnatural and possibly a formation of magic. Theories exist that it is somehow related to the Vault of Souls and the Rock of Kuthian and also that it may be connected to Galbatorix and Murtagh immense power. In the Brisingr preview, it is said that Helgrind is actually an illusion created by Galbatorix to hide the Ra'zac's lair. Helgrind's features also include four towers, three of which are the same height and are disputedly worshiped. The fouth is shorter.
[edit] Shiprock
Christopher Paolini got the idea for Helgrind when he saw Shiprock in New Mexico. Shiprock is a rock formation rising nearly 1,800 feet (540 meters) above the high-desert plain on the Navajo reservation, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of the northern New Mexico town of Shiprock, which is named for the peak.
[edit] Etymology
The word "Helgrind" comes frome Norse Mythology where the gates of Hell, the underworld, are called Helgrindr and were sometimes known as the gates of hell/death and in the ancient language Helgrind means "gates of death".
[edit] See also
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