More on the Burning Plains

The publication of Brisingr has given us some more information on the army that Eragon faced on the Burning Plains (the first time). Here are a few of them:

Composition of Galbatorix's Army

Eragon faced about 100,000 troops. Where did they come from? Eldest and Brisingr give us a few answers. First of all Nassuada got intel that they walked from as far north as Uru'Baen. Brisingr confirms that much: in order to repair the war machines lost on the Burning Plains people go to Du Weldenvarden to chop wood. Very likely that some troops sent by Galbatorix where from the far North, like Gil'Ead or even Ceunon. This however in anything but prudent: in the week or so after the battle they were definitely not available to defend their cities when the elves struck. The vast majority of the Armt though probably comes from the South of the Empire. This goes a long way to explain why even though the majority of the Army fled across the Jiet River there was no attempt to attack the Varden/Surdans/Dwarves later: they fled to their homes.

Supplies for the Imperial Army

If there was any doubt that the Jiet River was used to ferry troops and supplies, the Second Battle of the Burning Plains, where the elite 300 painless soldiers and Murtagh tried to capture Eragon puts this to rest. Disembarking from the boats was probably no innovation of these troops. Vary likely many of the 100,000 (and significantly, their supplies) probably came this way.

Murtagh on the Battlefield and the original aim of the Army

Originally the 100,000 were intended to crush the enemy Army and then lay waste to Surda, hence the war machine. Murtagh came late not because he was reinforcement but because he was to capture Eragon. The Twins were probably more than enough reinforcement to help the original army had Eragon never appeared.

Dead yet not quite dead

Ok, for 18 months this blog has been dead. But I read Brisingr again so hear are a few pointers:

1. The events of the book take place in about 1 month
2. While most of Galbatorix's army that was in the Burning Plains has survived, we do not see it reformed. It seems Galbatorix is raising a new Army against the coalition oposing him. On the other hand there is a serious possibility that Galbatorix is moving the bulk of his army north to face the far more serious elvish threat
3. It is very possible that after losing on the open field Galbatorix decided to fortify his cities rather than risk another open battle. The stragglers of the Burning Plains could easily be the soldiers faced at Feinster. It is very possible that Galbatorix emptied his city garissons in order to "fix" his problem once and for and, after his defeat, decided to refortify them
4. It seems that the dwarves are now the main bankrollers of the Varden. True, they paid a serious part of their expenses even at Farthen Dur, but the Army at the Burning Plains was bankrolled mostly by Surda. If I would dare take a guess on the economic impact of the war the Empire, the elves and the dwarves are at a loss while Surda is rather neutral, since on the one hand have to pay for their army but on the other hand receive dwarven (and to a lesser extent Varden) subsidies on their economy
5. Beyond Dras Leona food will become a serious problem, especially if Galbatorix follows a scorched earth policy. The food Surda grows is limited, no matter how much money is spent on it, the fish of the sea and of Leona lake are limited, too, so how is the coalition army going to eat? Unless a lightning campaign is to follow after Dras Leona there will be trouble
6. What is going to happen on Book IV? Here are a few guesses
a. Thiefs are going to break in the vault of Urubaen and "liberate" the 3rd dragon egg and some heart of hearts
b. Islanzadi will die
c. Galbatorix will fall and Nassuada will take his throne

Here are a few foods for thought