SURDA

Surda is a small country in the continent of Alagaësia. Created roughly a century before the story of Eragon, Surda shares the southwest border of The Empire; it is south of the Broddring Kingdom, from which Galbatorix rules his ever growing empire.

Surda escaped being annexed into the Empire by seeming harmless to the king, Galbatorix. During the past century, Surda has been using up its resources secretly conducting guerrilla warfare with the Empire and supporting the Varden, a rebel organization created to destroy Galbatorix. Because of the disparity between the power of the Empire and that of Surda, the smaller country remains officially neutral, not daring to openly confront the Empire until the second book of the series. The Surdan king at the time of Eragon is Orrin, son of Larkin, who is well trained in battle even though he initially lacks experience and is given to studying chemistry and physics rather than military strategy. King Orrin rules Surda from the Borromeo Castle at Aberon, the capital of Surda. Borromeo Castle is situated on a high bluff, giving its inhabitants and guards excellent views of the surrounding area. Such views serve as a security measure for the castle's safety. The ballista mounted on Borromeo's battlements (as well as the towers circling Aberon) were especially designed to shoot down approaching dragons, a precautionary measure no doubt installed to fight the Thirteen Forsworn and Galbatorix himself.