Battle of the Burning Plains V

Several more questions follow:

5. Why where the burning plains chosen by Nasuada as the battleflied? We are only told that the army was sent up the Jiet River to stop Galbatorix's river from going down the river to invade Surda


6. Why did the imperial army did not include cavalry? This, more than all others is the reason why the imperial army lost. Historically the cavalry is owned and manned by the aristocracy of a country. Is it that the empire no longer has an aristocracy after the slaying of the Forsworn? Did Galbatorix or his unknown general believe it was not necessary? Could it be (something supported by the existance of war machines) that the army was mainly intended for siege rather than for battles in open field? Does that mean that the imperial general or Galbatorix believe that the Surdans would just lock themselves up behind their walls and just weather the siege?


7. Why did the dwarves (and Eragon who joined them for his 8th attack) attack from the flank rather than the back? I might be repetitive but attacks from the back are more effective than from the side or the front. Encirclement would have been another option but it seems that even after the addition of the dwarves the imperial army maintained superiority. As Sun Tzu states never cage a beast, always leave a path of escape (and slaughter them as they escape).

Basically the battle has a high degree of realism, something that cannot be said about Farthen Dur. Saphira misses the dwarven army but this is understandable considering that if she flies over where it was camped it was during the night. The generals make mistakes, but these are mistakes people can be expected to do, not blaring ommisions from the writer.

Unlike Tolkien where we learn of places long before they become important (Gondor, Mordor, Rohan, Isengrad and Moria get mentioned at the council of Elrond if not earlier, long before they become important, let alone battlefields) Paolini's places seem to come out of the blue (with the exception of Ellesmera), but then again they are not public knowledge. The Shire is quite unknown to the inhabitants of Rohan and Gondor. It would have been better if the Burning Plains were mentioned before they became a battlefield (again), but we are quite ignorant of the battlefields of the Fall. I will try to examine scenarios of what would have happened had other events taken place.


What if


1. What would happen had the dwarves not arrived?

More likely the Varden would have retreated behind their fortification with Eragon covering their retreat. The breach would have been sealed somewhat, Eragon probably covering this sector with Arya, and a slow attack of the imperials would have followed. It ending would more likely be a Pyrrhic imperial victory, something quite acceptable to Surda that had reinforcements at the cities. A second battle inside Surda could have taken place leading to a defeat of the imperial army if it was not reinforced

2. What would happen had Eragon not arrived that day?

More likely that the battle would have awaited for Eragon's arrival. The imperial general is also aware of Eragon's arrival, he chose his arrival to announce his rejection of Surda's terms. Could it be that he was waiting for more troops like cavalry? Perhaps he chose to attack now fearing Surdan reinforcement that indeed arrived in the form of the dwarves.

3. What would happen had Murtagh arrived at the beginning of the battle?

More likely Eragon and Murtagh would have fought in single combat. When Eragon was not tired he could definitely defeat Murtagh in a sword duel, and with the jewelry fully charged victory in magical combat would have been a strong possibility if not certainty. Arya might have lent her strength, too. With their rider defeated the imperials might have even melted away without a fight.

4. How come Murtagh and his dragon Thorn matched Eragon and Saphira in strength?

When Arya summoned in Eragon the essence of silver she told him that the true name of one should remain hidden else they can be tottaly manipulated. Murtagh and Thorn's strength are in my opinion an example of this type of manipulation.

5 What would happen had Eragon not arrived at all?

Had the dwarves arrived on time and the imperial army waiting for whatever it was waiting Nasuada would have attacked, more likely the next day. Murtagh more likely would not have arrived to join the battle. The outcome would have been more likely than not a loss for the forces supporting Galbatorix since they were badly led and no longer had such a massive numerical advantage.

I have little more to add, stay tuned