List of The Belgariad and The Malloreon characters

This is a list of The Belgariad and The Malloreon characters. The Belgariad and The Malloreon are two parts of a fantasy epic written by David Eddings. Note: All of the statements (deceased, married) are written from the current information by the end of the series.

Protagonists

Note: These characters are the main protagonists to the story. There are many other minor and supporting protagonists, including some royalty.

• Garion (known later as Belgarion), the main protagonist of the story and later the King of Riva, Overlord of the West, Lord of the Western Sea and Godslayer. Husband of Ce'Nedra, father of Geran and Beldaran (named after Polgara's dead sister). Garion is called the "Child of Light" in the Mrin Codex and the Darine Codex.

• Belgarath the Sorcerer, first disciple of the god Aldur and husband of presumably deceased Poledra. Ultimate grandfather of Belgarion. Belgarath is called the "Eternal Man", "Ancient One" and "Eternal and Beloved" in the Mrin Codex. One of the prequels written for The Belgariad is Belgarath the Sorcerer, which is a biography of Belgarath. This book is a description of what happened during the seven thousand years of Belgaraths's life.

• Polgara, daughter of Belgarath and Poledra, twin sister of Beldaran, ultimate Aunt of Belgarion. One of the prequels written for The Belgariad is Polgara the Sorceress, which is a biography of Polgara.

• Durnik, a Sendarian blacksmith at Faldor's Farm and later husband of Polgara. Durnik is called the "Man with Two Lives" in the Mrin Codex because he would be resurrected by the Gods.

• Barak, Earl of Trellheim, cousin of King Anheg "the Sly" of Cherek. Barak is called the "Dreadful Bear" in the Mrin Codex.

• Silk (real name is Prince Kheldar of Drasnia, also known as Ambar of Kotu and Radek of Boktor). Silk is called the "Guide" in the Mrin Codex. He is a skilled spy, merchant, thief, and acrobat. He is sharp-witted and cynical. Despite his status as a 'notorious bachelor' throughout the Belgariad, he eventually marries his fellow spy Velvet.

• Velvet (real name is Margravine Liselle). Velvet is called the "Huntress" in the Mrin Codex. Niece to Javelin, Head of the Drasnian Intelligence, and a resourceful spy despite her demure appearance. Ultimately seduces and marries Silk.

• Ce'Nedra, Imperial Princess of Tolnedra, later the wife of Garion and Queen of Riva. Ce'Nedra is called the "Queen of the World and the Bride of Light" in the Mrin Codex. Later mother of Geran and Beldaran.

• Eriond (Errand), a boy sent by the Prophecy to be used by Zedar in the Belgariad to steal the Orb, due to his inherent innocence. Later becomes the adopted son of Durnik and Polgara and adopted brother of Garion. Became the new Child of Light and then the new God of the Angaraks. Called the 'Bearer Of The Orb' by the Dals.

• Hettar, foster-son to King Cho-Hag of Algaria and later husband of Garion's cousin Adara. Hettar is called the "Horse Lord" in the Mrin Codex due to his ability to communicate with horses.

• Lelldorin, son of the Baron of Wildantor and later husband of Ariana. Lelldorin is called "the Archer" in the Mrin Codex.

• Mandorallen, Baron of Vo Mandor, husband of the Baroness Nerina, Knight Protector to Princess Ce'Nedra. Mandorallen is called the "Knight Protector" in the Mrin Codex.

• Relg, an Ulgo diviner and zealot. Despite a troubled relationship from their first meeting, he later becomes the husband of Taiba. Relg is called the "Blind Man" in the Mrin Codex because of his home underground in the caves of Ulgo. He has the ability to push the particles that make up his body through the spaces between particles, allowing him to walk through solid rock.

• Taiba, a Marag slave. Later becomes the wife of Relg. Taiba is called the "Mother of the Race that Died" in the Mrin Codex, for she is the last Marag alive and the ancestor of all subsequent inhabitants of Maragor.

• Sadi, Chief Eunuch to Queen Salmissra. Sadi is called the "Man who is no Man" in the Mrin Codex due to being a Eunuch. An accomplished apothecary with a large stock of chemicals, drugs, poisons and a very small poisonous snake which he uses to advantage.

• Poledra, wife to Belgarath, mother of twins Polgara and Beldaran, ultimate grandmother of Belgarion. Poledra is called the "Woman Who Watches" in the Mrin Codex. She originally was a wolf who learned how to take human form after observing Belgarath for around 1000 years.

• Zakath, Emperor of Mallorea, husband of Cyradis, the Seeress of Kell. Formerly "Kal Zakath" (Kal being an Angarak term meaning "King and God"), until he discarded the affectation after meeting real gods and realizing the absurdity of the presumption. Zakath is called the "Empty One" in the Mrin Codex.

• Toth, (deceased) mute guide to the Seeress Cyradis, he is known as the "Silent Man" in the prophecy of the Dals. He learned to communicate with Durnik through sign language, though Durnik later learns the words are actually being put into his head.

Antagonists

Note: This section includes the three disciples of Torak, along with other major antagonists in the story.

• Agachak, (deceased) Grolim High Priest of Cthol Murgos in the Mallorean. A co-conspirator in King Urgit's scheme to eliminate Kal Zakath by a Dagashi assassin. Agachak is killed when he encounters Zandramas, who assumes a dragon's form to destroy him.
• Asharak, (Real name is Chamdar) incinerated by Belgarion). A Murgo Grolim and disciple of Ctuchik. Killer of Garion's parents, killed by Belgarion with the first use of his newly discovered powers of sorcery.
• Brill, (Real name is Kordoch, deceased). A Dagashi assassin charged with disrupting Garion's quest. Bested in combat and killed by Silk.
• Chabat, (banished) a Grolim priestess and magician. Faced Polgara and Aldur, but was defeated and sent to Hell in order to restrain her demon.
• Ctuchik, (obliterated) disciple and high priest of Torak. Resides at Rak Cthol in Cthol Murgos. Destroyed himself during a duel of sorcery with Belgarath by trying to will the Orb of Aldur out of existence, thus breaking one of the rules of sorcery.
• Dark Prophecy, (overcome) Main driving force against the protagonists, most of the Gods, and the Light Prophecy. Has possessed, in order; Torak (the "uninvited guest", as the Dals call him, a mistake of a God created by the accident, the long-time Child of Dark), an ancient Karand (first discoverer of the Sardion, eventually left in the hidden underwater cove), an early Melcene Emperor (the Sardion's transfer to Melcena), a scholar from the University of Melcene (to carry the Sardion to the Place Which Is No More), Zandramas (the new Child of Dark, upon Torak's demise), and finally Geran, Belgarion's son (the final Child of Dark).
• Harakan, (deceased, also known as Ulfgar and Mengha) Grolim priest and Urvon's underling. Summoned the demon lord Nahaz, headed the Bear-cult, and was killed by Zith, a small, deadly snake.
• Mordja - Totem Demon of the Morindim. Fought with Nahaz in the valley near Kell and fled from the power infused into Durnik by the God Aldur. Zandramas enticed the Demon Lord into the form of the last survivng dragon. He and his dragon host were slain in front of the grotto of the Place Which Is No More by Belgarion after Mordja struck down the mute guide, Toth, with Torak's sword Cthrek Goru.
• Nahaz, Demon Lord. Entranced Urvon into insanity. Made a bid for either the Orb or the Sardion, but was brought low and banished by Durnik.
• Naradas, (deceased) right hand man of Zandramas. Grolim priest. His eyes are entirely white, but he is not blind. Poisoned by Sadi.
• Torak, (deceased) One-Eye, the Dragon God of Angarak. One of the seven deities who created the world. Torak prefers to be called Kal Torak ("Kal" meaning "King and God"). Slain by Belgarion after a duel in Cthol Mishrak, the "City of Night".
• Urvon, (deceased) disciple of Torak. Object of Beldin's endless loathing, and head of the Mallorean Church of Torak. Brought to insanity and dragged down into Hell by Nahaz.
• Zandramas, the Child of Dark after the death of Torak, previously a Grolim priestess. Main antagonist of the Malloreon. Her body was destroyed when the Dark Prophecy was overcome, as her flesh became no more than a husk of swirling stars, which split apart and 'patched' up the hole in the Universe caused by the cosmic accident that birthed the division of Destinies, but what became of her soul or spirit is unknown; Garion speculates, but even the Voice of the Prophecy of Light does not know.
• Zedar (Formerly known as Belzedar, banished) disciple of Torak, but formerly a disciple of Aldur. For the change in his allegiance, Zedar is also called the Apostate. Zedar is currently encased in rock below Cthol Mishrak by Belgarath

Royalty

• Belgarion, King of Riva, Lord of the Western Sea, Godslayer, Overlord of the West, husband of Ce'Nedra, and father of Geran.
• Ce'Nedra, Queen of Riva and Imperial Princess of Tolnedra and wife of Belgarion.
• Anheg, King of Cherek, husband of Islena, and cousin of Barak.
• Islena, Queen of Cherek, and wife of Anheg.
• Cho-Hag, King of Algaria, husband of Silar, and foster-father of Hettar.
• Silar, Queen of Algaria, wife of Cho-Hag, and foster-mother of Hettar.
• Drosta lek Thun, King of Gar og Nadrak.
• Fulrach, King of Sendaria, and husband of Layla.
• Layla, Queen of Sendaria, and wife of Fulrach.
• Gethell,(deceased) King of Mishrak Ac Thull, replaced by his son, Nathel.
• Korodullin, King of Arendia, and husband of Mayaserana.(although the names Korodullin and Mayaserana are not their real names, these are used because they are the names of the first king and queen of Arendia)
• Mayaserana, Queen of Arendia, and wife of Korodullin.
• Rhodar, (deceased by overweight and heart failure) King of Drasnia, husband of Porenn, and uncle of Silk.
• Porenn, Queen of Drasnia, wife of Rhodar, regent of Kheva and aunt by marriage of Silk. She is actually near Silk's age; prior to his falling in love with Liselle (Velvet, see above), he is deeply in love with Porenn, despite her marriage to his uncle. This fact causes Silk a great deal of pain.
• Kheva, son of Rhodar and Porenn, ascends the throne at the age of six upon Rhodar's death early in the Malloreon, under the regency of his mother and with the blessing of Garion and the other Western Monarchs.
• Kheldar, the heir to the Drasnian throne before the birth or Kheva.
• Salmissra, Queen of Nyissa (this name is continued through every generation, to please their god Issa, who loved the original Salmissra). Current Salmissra changed into a snake by Polgara.
• Ran Borune XXIII, (deceased by old age) Emperor of Tolnedra, and father of Ce'Nedra.
• Varana, Duke of Anadile and a Tolnedran general. Varana eventually is adopted by Emperor Ran Borune and takes the throne upon the death of the Emperor, proclaiming himself Ran Borune XXIV.
• Taur Urgas, (killed in action) Former King of Cthol Murgos; died in a duel with King Cho-Hag of Algaria at the Battle of Thull Mardu.
• Urgit, King of Cthol Murgos after the death of Taur Urgas, his legal father. Genetically the son of Silk's father through Lady Tamazin, one of Taur Urgas' wives.
• Gorim, High Priest in Ulgoland. His name belongs only to his office; he has no personal name.

Disciples of Aldur

• Beldin, the Dwarf. Ethnicity unknown because of his extreme deformities. Very intelligent and powerful. Hinted to be the most intelligent amongst Aldur's disciples. Changed into a hawk alongside his new wife Vella at the end of the series.

• Belgarath, "The Ancient" or "Eternal Man". First disciple of Aldur. Father of Polgara and Beldaran. One of the main characters throughout both series and preceding books. Easily irritable and mischievous, but extremely clever, a great teacher and excellent if reluctant leader. Loves his ale.

• Belkira, an Alorn shepherd. Twin of Beltira. A gentle disciple, who enjoys cooking. He and his brother discovered mind speech.

• Beltira, an Alorn shepherd. Twin of Belkira. Virtually identical to Belkira, to the point where Aldur's other disciples have difficulty telling them apart. Polgara claims to be able to tell them apart with ease.

• Belzedar, the Apostate. Originally one of Aldur's disciples, but later turned sides and became a disciple of Torak. Is buried alive in the rocks under Cthol Mishrak by Belgarath.

• Belmakor, (deceased) the Melcene. An urbane philosopher and mathematician. Said to have been one of the most intelligent of Aldur's disciples. Fell into a despair which resulted in his suicide, believed to have been caused by the discovery of Belzedar's apostasy.

• Belsambar, (deceased) the Angarak. Exceptional at creating illusion. During the war of the Gods, suggested the use of fire on the enemy Angaraks. The mayhem caused by this suggestion caused Belsambar's depression, which resulted in his suicide.

• Beldurnik "The Man with Two Lives". Originally named "Durnik", he is taken as a disciple in The Malloreon. Husband of Polgara, adopted father of Eriond, uncle of Garion. (Name is conjecture. He is never referred to as "Beldurnik" throughout the series.)

• Polgara, "Beloved Daughter". Daughter of Belgarath and Poledra, twin sister of Beldaran, ultimate great-Aunt of Garion, wife of Durnik. Special status in ranks of disciples because of the two thousand years spent looking after the Rivan line, finally producing Belgarion.

• Poledra, Belgarath's wife, and mother to Polgara and Beldaran. Believed to be dead throughout the Belgariad and most of the Mallorean.
• Belgarion

Deities

Gods

Aldur

Aldur is the eldest of the seven gods. He is worshipped by no race of people, but has a number of disciples: Belgarath, Beldin, the twins Belkira and Beltira, Belzedar (formerly), Polgara, Belmakor (deceased), Belsambar (deceased), Belgarion, Durnik (in the Malloreon), and Poledra, as mentioned in Polgara the Sorceress. His totem animal is the owl; this is never mentioned in the primary story (though the owl is commonly associated with his disciples in various ways), but appears in the Rivan Codex.

After Aldur and his brothers create the world in which the stories are set, Aldur refuses to take a seventh part of mankind to worship him, leaving the ancestors of the Ulgos, Dals, Morindim, Karands, and Melcenes Godless. Instead, he takes disciples, prepending Bel- to their names. Polgara and Poledra are also counted among the Disciples, as is shown by the prefix Pol- being the feminine of Bel-. At one stage, Aldur also names Polgara as his Beloved daughter, although this may be connected to the title "Ancient and Beloved" which is given to her father, Belgarath. The Disciples all at some time took residence at the Vale of Aldur, where each disciple has its own tower, apart from Poledra and Polgara who inhabit a cottage at the far edge of the Vale. Aldur also possesses a tower, wherein natural resources are apparently inexhaustible.

The Orb of Aldur is a powerful half of the stone located at the centre of the Universe, polished into a roughly spherical shape by Aldur's hand after it fell to earth. Torak coveted the stone; therefore he smote Aldur and stole it, causing the War of the Gods in which the world was cracked apart. The Orb did not appreciate such use; therefore Torak was maimed by the Orb's chastisement, which earned Torak the insult frequently used by Disciple Beldin of "Ol' Burnt Face". After two thousand years, the stolen Orb was retrieved, and all the gods save Torak departed from the physical world. More so than his brothers, Aldur remained in spirit to guide his disciples and the course of the Prophecy of Light.

Belar

Belar is the youngest of the seven gods. He is the god of the Alorns, and his totem animal is the bear. Belar is closely allied with Aldur in the War of Destinies, and is also described as being close to Mara. When he maintains a physical presence in the world, he appears as a young man, and is known for drinking and feasting with Alorn warriors, talking incessantly, and lavishing his attentions on young women.

Chaldan

Chaldan is the god of the Arends, and his totem animal is the bull. Chaldan emphasises pride and militaristic tradition as virtues; therefore sermons at funerals are not concerned with the comforting of the bereaved, but with vengeance. Chaldan does not play a significant role in the stories. His name, after being given correctly in Pawn of Prophecy is frequently misspelled as "Chamdar" in later books. 'Chamdar' is actually the real identity of the Belgariad villain Asharak the Murgo.

Issa

Issa is the god of the Nyissans. His totem animal is the serpent. Even while he is physically present in the world, Issa spends long periods sleeping. Whilst in slumber, his manifestation is a large statue behind Salmissra's throne. When all the gods save Torak left the world, he gave the governance of his people over to his beloved high priestess, Salmissra, but neglected to prolong her life. A long line of subsequent Salmissras ruled in her stead, each chosen by their resemblance to the original, and also given certain secrets such as the ability to summon a physical incarnation of Issa by calling his spirit into the stone statue. The last Salmissra is eventually changed into a snake and made immortal by Polgara.

Mara

Mara is the god of the Marags. His totem animal, never mentioned except in the Rivan Codex, is the bat. Known as the "weeping god" for his long mourning after the Tolnedran massacre of the Marags, Mara nursed a hatred for the Tolnedrans. He stirred the ghosts of his dead people, so that few could enter his domain without being driven mad. The exception is the monastery at Mar Terrin, where Tolnedran monks attempt to comfort the spirits of the Marags.

Mara has the most constant spiritual presence after the departure of the gods, in that he is found to be always howling in the ruins of Mar Amon. His mad grief ended with the restoration of the Marags when Taiba, a descendant of the massacre's survivors, was found in the caverns below Rak Cthol.

Nedra

Nedra is the second-oldest of the seven gods. He is the god of the Tolnedrans, and his totem animal is the lion. Nedra instills the values of thrift and wealth into his people: as a result, Tolnedrans are often associated with the idea of greed and Emperor Varana, as the representative for the Tolnedrans, is characterised as the archetypal skeptic. This suggests the Tolnedrans to be a materialistic race. Their culture thrives on enterprise and commerce.

Torak

Torak is the third of the seven Gods. His people are the Angaraks, and his is the only totem animal to be counted among the monstrous races (perhaps due to Torak's vain attempts to enhance the creature): the dragon.

The left side of his body, most notably his face and hand, are seriously maimed, having been burnt by the Orb of Aldur. Before this, he was said to be the most handsome of the Gods. His left eye, called the Eye That Was Not, continually burns with the fire of the Orb of Aldur. Beldin therefore often referred to Torak as "Old burnt-face"; this reference hints at Beldin's true identity when he is in disguise, as he is the only one to use it.

Alone among his brothers, Torak served the Dark in the War of Destinies. He fought them all in the War of the Gods, which he had brought about by stealing the Orb of Aldur; when almost defeated, he split the world using the power of the Orb, leaving the remaining Angaraks on one side of a new ocean, and their enemies on the other. This act offended the spirit of the Orb, which then struck him with its fire in retaliation. Establishing a theocratic military culture, Torak drove the Angaraks to exploit and dominate the new continent of Mallorea, integrating the Dals, Karands, and Melcenes, and also taking much of the western continent. Eons later, Torak was slain by Belgarion in the ruins of Cthol Mishrak, at what was then thought to be the ultimate meeting of the Child of Light and the Child of Dark.

In the Belgariad, Torak serves the role of the archetypical Dark Lord. Like many fantasy dark lords of his genre, Torak almost achieves domination of the world, only to be apparently killed in a great battle, but rises again many years later, which is usually the focus of the book or series.

Eriond

Eriond, formerly called Errand, was originally meant to be the God of the Angaraks until a 'Great Accident' (revealed to be cosmic in origin) caused Torak to be born instead. Eriond thereafter existed in spirit until about the time that Zedar began his journey in search of the Orb of Aldur. Errand then appeared as a child to Zedar and allowed himself to be used in Zedar's plot to take the Orb. The name "Errand" is not derived from "Eriond", but is simply the only word that he, in his child form, was able to remember for many years. In this form, Errand was raised as Polgara's ward. By the time he had become an adult, by human terms, the time for the Great Choice was to be made. The Choice was made by the Seeress of Kell, and caused him to be made God of the Angaraks. It is stated, though not seen in the stories, that once ascending to his full Godhood, he would also become the God of the Dals, and would eventually replace all of the other Gods as the God of all races. He takes no totem animal, but is frequently accompanied by an unusual stallion who is simply named Horse.

UL

UL is the mysterious god of the Ulgos, who originally were a tribe of people without a god of their own. He is not counted among the traditional seven, and theologians of their religions are ambivalent in their treatment of him. At the end of The Belgariad, it is revealed that he is the father of the seven gods, older and more powerful than they, and omnipresent as well, causing significant upheaval in religious thought. He is also god of the monstrous beasts rejected by his sons. UL is served by a High Priest, who is always called Gorim. The successive Gorims throughout their world's history can be said to be the disciples of UL, as they seem to learn some powers similar to sorcery. While they are not immortal, they live as long as UL requires them to serve. This is also true for disciples of Aldur. Poledra also served UL for many years, and so may be considered his disciple as much as she is Aldur's. In the War of Destinies, he is generally seen on the side of Light, often working closely with Aldur. The Ulgos look to UL much as monotheists in our reality look to God/Jehovah/Yahweh/Allah: ergo, with awe, reverence, faith, and occasional zealotry. They also took their name from him, ULgo, according to one of the Gorims. Due to his appearance as one in The Seeress of Kell, it is thought that his totem may be an albatross.

At the end of the series, the other gods leave the "World" and leave Eriond as the god of all the races.

Demons

• The King of Hell is the ruler of the demons' universe. He constantly strives to break the chains in which he was bound by UL. He once hatched a plot to obtain the Orb of Aldur and its opposite the Sardion, in an attempt to use their power to free himself from Hell, and hurl UL into a prison of his making, but failed when the two Demon Lords he sent to capture the Orb and Sardion were vanquished or slain.
• Demon Lords are Disciples of the King of Hell, and as such are the most powerful demons alive. They are far beyond the powers of most or all mortal summoners to control, only submitting as part of a deal (usually having ulterior motives in the Demon Lord's favour). It is not even certain that they flee from the power of the Orb, as lesser demons do, though a Demon Lord is shown to be outmatched by the power of a God on one occasion.
  • Nahaz is the chief demon among the Karandese cult. He has waged a long war on Mordja, and sees his role in the War of Destinies, aiding Urvon, as simply a continuation of this. He is defeated and banished by Durnik upon his raising to disciplehood under Aldur.
  • Mordja appears to be the lord of the demons in contact with the Morindim. He enters the War of Destinies in aid of Zandramas, opposing Nahaz but with similar goals. Near the end of the conflict, he is trapped in the body of a dragon and killed.
• Lesser demons appear numerous times in the stories. They are occasionally named, though these names seem to be inventions of their summoners. Their relative rank and power seems to be indicated by size, with names attached to the varying degrees at one point. This is not an exact science: the Demon Lord Nahaz almost always used a human-sized form (although his true form was monstrously huge), and summoned demons' shapes (and therefore sizes) are determined by the imagination of the summoner.

Other minor and supporting characters

• Adara, Garion's Algarian cousin. Wife of Hettar.
• Ariana, nurse and wife of Lelldorin.
• Atesca, General of the Mallorean military, later Commander-in-Chief
• Bethra (deceased), a Tolnedran courtesan and spy, Silk's rival. For a time, Bethra was Hunter, the secret code name for the most secretive of the Drasnian spies.
• Brand (current one assassinated), the Rivan Warder. A regent that serves in the absence of the Rivan King, and later Belgarion's chief minister. Like "Gorim", the name "Brand" is a title, whose holder has no personal name.
• Brendig, a Captain (later General) in the Sendarian Army, who lost one arm in the Battle of Thull Mardu.
• Doroon (deceased), one of Garion's childhood friends at Faldor's farm. Chatters as he runs. Died in the Battle of Thull Mardu.
• Faldor, owner of the renowned Faldor's Farm, the place where Garion grew up.
• Greldik, a Cherek sailor who often served the protagonists.
• Grinneg, Barak's cousin. Cherek ambassador at Tol Honeth.
• Grodeg, (possibly deceased) the High Priest of Belar.
• Earl of Jarviksholm (deceased), an exiled Cherek nobleman. Beheaded for breaking Cherek's oldest law of allowing an Angarak into the kingdom.
• Issus, Nyissan assassin and Sadi's "employee".
• Javelin, (Real name is Margrave Khendon) Chief of Drasnian intelligence. Liselle's uncle.
• Jeebers, Ce'Nedra's childhood tutor.
• Kador (poisoned), the head of the Vordue family and the Grand Duke of Tol Vordue. Was the candidate to the Tolnedran throne before he was stripped of his candidacy due to his involvement to Asharak.
• Martje, a blind Cherek seer who predicts Barak's "doom" and Belgarion's importance. Ultimately stripped of her imperfect precognition by Polgara.
• Merel, Barak's wife and mother of his children.
• Nachak (deceased), the Murgo ambassador to Arendia. Killed by Hettar after being exposed to the plot to kill the Arendish King.
• Nerina, Baroness of Vo Mandor, and Mandorallen's beloved.
• Olban, (deceased) youngest son of Brand, who attempts to assassinate Garion.
• Oltorain, a Mimbrate Arendish nobleman, brother of Ariana.
• Poppi, A Fenling, an animal with very distinct human characteristics which are modified by Vordai to be her companions when she is exiled to the Drasnian Fens. Married to Tupik.
• Count Reldegen, Lelldorin's uncle.
• Rundorig, one of Garion's childhood friends. Husband of Zubrette.
• Earl of Seline, a Sendarian nobleman and advisor to King Fulrach.
• Torasin (deceased), son of Count Reldegan and cousin to Lelldorin.
• Tupik, A Fenling, an animal with very distinct human characteristics which are modified by Vordai to be her companions when she is exiled to the Drasnian Fens. Married to Poppi.
• Unrak, protector of Geran (son of Belgarion). Son of Barak.
• Baron of Vo Ebor (deceased), Mandorallen's mentor. Husband of Nerina.
• Vella, a Nadrak dancer, known for her seductivity. Owned by Yarblek (see below) after her husband's death, but later sold to Beldin, of whom she is enamored. Changed into a hawk to live with him.
• Vordai (deceased), the Witch of the Drasnian Fens.
• Xantha, Queen of the Dryads.
• X'bel, a dryad who wanted to "kill" Garion.
• Xera, Ce'Nedra's Dryad cousin.
• Yarblek, a Nadrak merchant and Silk's business partner.
• Zubrette, one of Garion's childhood friends and one of his first loves. Wife of Rundorig.

Other characters

These are characters in the Belgariad and the Malloreon that influence the story, but do not fit into any of the other categories.

The Prophecy of Light

The Prophecy of Light is the positive main driving force of the protagonists, the other six gods, and Eriond. Often called the "dry voice" at the rest of the series because it was unheard except to Garion. Spoke for the first time when he told Garion to use the Will and the Word. He also guides the protagonists to fullfill an upcoming EVENT, much to Belgarath's dismay whether if he is ahead or behind.

Cyradis

Cyradis is the Seer chosen to make the final choice between Light and Dark. She first appears to Errand at the Vale of Aldur; later to the rest at Rheon in Guardians of the West and is shown as a slight girl with dark blonde hair and a blindfold around her eyes. She is escorted by the mute Toth. During the final Choice she begins to panic, as she is unable to consult her people regarding the decision. Polgara removes her blindfold, making her able to see with human eyes. She then chooses Eriond (Light) over Geran (Dark). Removing her blindfold causes her to lose her second sight. She is married to Zakath at the end of the series.

Senji

Senji is an Alchemist and Sorcerer whom Beldin, Belgarath and Garion meet in Melcene during Sorceress of Darshiva after they followed Zandramas' trail there. He is referred to as 'the Clubfoot' by Cyradis and is around 3900 years old. He leads the sorcerers to a museum where the Sardion once rested and also gives Belgarath a copy of the Ashabine Oracles.

He discovered the Gift of 'the Will and the Word' by accident in the 15th century when he turned lead into gold by shouting at it; because the Melcenes did not believe him, they attempted to prove it by trying to pushing him out the window (trying to determine if (A) he was in fact unkillable, (B) what means he would take to save his life while plummeting toward the paved courtyard, and (C) if it might be possible to discover the secret of flight by giving him no other alternative. Quoted from page 139 of "Sorceress of Darshiva"). While they were carrying out this method, he translocated the assassin high above the Melcene harbour (thus ruining the fishing nets of a local fisherman). Outraged by this affair, he implemented a widespread plague of constipation, releasing his victims only after a personal appeal from the Melcene Emperor himself. After this they accepted his extraordinary gift and left him to himself. Even though he has this gift, his abilities are weak at best, and he chooses to turn it to Alchemy.

Races

Humans

Alorns

Alorns are the people of Belar, that occupy the north-western part of the western continent. Once the people were combined into the one country Aloria, but they were divided to better protect the Orb of Aldur, by which insurrectionists called the Bear-Cult wanted to reunite them. The nations maintain strong military and economic ties.

• Algars are the people of Algaria. At the dividing of Aloria, Algar Fleet-foot and his followers took the broad grasslands drained by the River Aldur. The Algars are nomadic cattle-herders and horse-breeders who live in moving house-trains. Their culture seems to be based loosely on that of various western Native American tribes, and they fight as light cavalry similar to Cossacks (and the Peloi of the Elenium and Tamuli). Their only true city is the Algar Stronghold, a fortress which exists solely to draw Angaraks to a convenient battleground. No one actually lives there.
• Chereks are the people of Cherek. When the last king of a united Aloria, Cherek Bear-shoulders, divided his empire among his sons, he retained the mountainous peninsula that came to bear his name. The Chereks are primarily sailors, dominating sea trade (and piracy) in the West, forming the Alorn navy and patrolling the Sea of the Winds. On land, they are hunters, miners, and foresters, and also fight as shock troops. Similar to Vikings and the Thalesians of the Elenium and Tamuli.
• Drasnians are the inhabitants of Drasnia, the northern moors taken by Dras Bull-neck in the breaking of Aloria. They are best known for their extensive intelligence operations. Espionage is a common and respected profession for the Drasnians. Many Drasnians are merchants, though it is probably true that most (if not all) Drasnian merchants have at least some connection with Drasnian Intelligence. The core of the Drasnian military is heavy infantry, mainly pikemen. Their culture seems to be based loosely on that of Western Russia, adding elements of Renaissance Italy with its complex politics, intelligence gathering, and family house feuding.
• Rivans are the people of the Isle of Winds. An insignificant Alorn possession before the empire was divided, it became the dominion of Riva Iron-Grip, the keeper of the Orb of Aldur. The island has a single harbour, defended by the fortress-city of Riva. It is virtually impossible to land ships anywhere else on the island. Once a closed nation, trade enclaves exist outside the city, and Rivan merchants and artisans are not uncommon in other nations of the West. Militarily, the Rivans are defenders of the fortress-city of Riva, where the Orb of Aldur is kept. Their climate and society is similar to that of Britain and Switzerland respectively. When in the field, they fight as medium infantry.
• The Bear-Cult is often the concern and a nuisance to most of the world due to their overzeal to Belar and to their ambition to reunite all of Aloria and to conquer the southern Kingdoms. Probably similar to ancient Celts or invading Germanic tribes.

Angaraks

Angaraks are the people of Torak. In Mallorea, they are the dominant people in the northwest, and are common throughout the Empire as soldiers and administrators. In the west, they occupy the southern half of the continent, and the lands east of the Escarpment in the north. These western nations were originally the people of Cthol Mishrak in the far northwest of Mallorea. Separate from mainstream Mallorean society, this population became stratified by social class. When Torak broke the city and drove its people to migrate west, he took the social classes to be racial groups, and sent them in three groups accordingly: the Nadraks, Thulls and Murgos. These races actually despise each other with passion with each faction wanting to be dominant. The only thing stopping them from tearing each other apart was that Torak told them not to. After Torak was slain by Belgarion, the Malloreans launched a vicious campaign against the Murgos. The Nadraks fearing the same fate allied themselves with the west in an attempt to be shielded from the fury of 'Zakath, the leader of the Malloreans. Though the Malloreans became bogged down in northeast Cthol Murgos and the war effectively came to a stalemate. Somewhat culturally similar to Mongolians with a pinch of Muslim ideology.

• Grolims are the hereditary priesthood of the Angaraks. They are found throughout Angarak lands, but they do not have their own country. Grolims are very close physically to Murgos. In Mallorea, their power is balanced by the secular military. The Eastern (Mallorean) Grolims are ruled by Urvon, a disciple of Torak. The Western Grolims answer to the Sorcerer Ctuchik, another disciple of Torak, who rules from Rak Cthol. In the west, Grolim power is nearly absolute, particularly among the Murgos and Thulls. However, their hold on the Nadraks is weak at best. The Grolims have a ranking within the church, which are shown by the color of the linings of their hoods. Low-ranking Grolims have plain black linings, middle-ranking priests have green, and the highest rank has purple. There are also assorted High Priests, some of whom have formidable power as sorcerers.
• Malloreans are the people of Mallorea in general, and also the Angarak population specifically. The distinction is not always strongly maintained; a typical Mallorean is one third Angarak, one third Karand and one third Melcene. They are similar to Persians and Chinese people due to the conceptual mentioning of "boundless Mallorea".
• Murgos are the people of Cthol Murgos. Originally the warrior caste and aristocracy of Cthol Mishrak, they were the first group to migrate west, and penetrated the farthest south on the western continent. Beyond the equator, they conquered the entire southern half of the continent, which was populated by a Dallish people. Later the Murgos made the locals slaves. Very few westerners know just how far Cthol Murgos really is. The Murgos are a highly militaristic race and practice ritual self-scarification in the name of Torak. Culturally similar to Attila's Huns, theologically similar to Aztecs in mutilation and human sacrifice.
• Nadraks are the inhabitants of Gar og Nadrak. Formerly the merchant class of Cthol Mishrak, they were the last to come west and remained in the heavily-forested north. Their lands border Drasnia, and tentative peace exists between the two nations. Their primary industries are mining, hunting, and trapping. Drinking is also a major pastime of the populace.
• Thulls are the people of Mishrak ac Thull. Deriving from the Cthol Mishrak worker caste, they followed the Murgos west and settled in the semi-arid plains between the Escarpment and the Sea of the East. Economically, the Thulls are farmers and serve their Angarak cousins to the north and south. The Thulls are terribly afraid of the Angarak church, and the population is extremely high due to the Grolim sacrificial rules. Thulls are almost invariably described as dull or stupid, although not evil as the Grolims and Murgos.

Arends

Arends are the people of Chaldan, inhabiting Arendia on the western continent and the island of Perivor off Mallorea. Most Arends are generally slow-witted, and tend to jump into things without thinking. The Arendish nobility continue to emphasize pride, honor, and military prowess, while the serfs form the downtrodden masses, with little variation in their conditions across the country. As such, while the upper classes strongly identify as Asturian, Mimbrate, or (formerly) Wacite, the lower classes are effectively just 'Arendish'. For most of its history, Arendia was embroiled in a never-ending series of civil wars among the three major duchies, Asturia, Mimbre, and Wacune. Vo Wacune was destroyed by an Asturian force in events described in Polgara the Sorceress, while the Asturians themselves were effectively fighting a guerrilla war at the time of the multi-nation Battle of Vo Mimbre. After the battle, the heir to the duchy of Asturia was married to the only son of the duke of Mimbre. Although this legally united the kingdom, prejudice and local conflicts between Asturians and Mimbrates continued for generations. The Mimbrates are also known for their habit of speaking extravagantly, using archaic styles of speaking ("Thees, Thous and Foreasmuches" as Eddings puts it in the Rivan Codex). This is widely prevalent among the Mimbrates and to a lesser extent the Wacites, although the Asturians abandoned it as a sign of defiance towards the Mimbrates.

• Asturians live in the forested northern half of Arendia, the old Duchy of Asturia. The Asturians were long ago defeated by the Mimbrates, and the city of Vo Astur ravaged, but unlike the Wacites they were not destroyed or dispersed. Instead, they lived in nominal subjection to the Mimbrates, but with their soldiers and noblemen engaged in quiet rebellion, assaulting tax collectors and fading into the forest. Their tactics resemble those of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, and like the Sherwood outlaws the Asturians are famed for their archery. They are similar to the English and Welsh, who were famed for their skill with the Longbow.
• Mimbrates are now the dominant people of Arendia, the inhabitants of the historical Duchy of Mimbre. The martial traditions of their nobility run along chivalrous lines, with Mimbrate knights in heavy armour forming a fearsome heavy cavalry collectively, and highly trained warriors individually. The Arendish civil war "officially" ended when Korodullin, Duke of Mimbre, and Mayaserana, daughter of the Duke of Asturia, married and became co-regent King and Queen. The breach was not wholly healed, and the Mimbrates remained the chief authority in Arendia, often refusing to recognize the titles of any of the Asturian nobility. They are similar to medieval English or French knights.
  • The people of Perivor are the descendants of the crew and passengers of a Mimbrate ship that, despite the generally poor seakeeping of Mimbrate vessels, sailed around southern Cthol Murgos before wrecking on this island off the coast of Dalasia, in Mallorea. The survivors interbred with the native Dals and established the traditions and culture of their homeland, blended somewhat with the mystical ways of the Dals. The major difference between Arendia and Perivor is that the people of Perivor have abolished serfdom on their islands, and Perivor citizens, should they have a dispute, settle it at a tournament rather than a war.
• Wacites were the people of the Duchy of Wacune, which controlled territory later held by Asturia and then became the country of Sendaria. Polgara described the city as bright and beautiful. Sheathed all in snow-white marble, Vo Wacune was the archetype of every fairytale city; but when civil war broke out again, Wacune was destroyed, largely through Asturian actions. Its people effectively vanished from history; most of the nobility were lost, and the lower classes were either absorbed into Asturia or removed to the north, to Polgara's Duchy of Erat (which later became Sendaria). Unlike the Mimbrate knights and Asturian archers, the Wacites did not have an iconic character to their military. The Wacite peasants have a brogue that is quite similar to the Irish.

Marags

Marags are the people of Mara. They are generally thought to be extinct at the time of the opening of The Belgariad, due to a genocidal war waged by the Tolnedrans. The war, ostensibly, was fought due to the horrific Marag practice of cannibalism, a practice begun due to a misinterpretation of the word "assume" in one of their holy texts. The reason behind the war was really the presence of vast gold fields that the Tolnedrans desired for themselves. It is later revealed that Tolnedrans sold Marag survivors to Nyissan slavers who in turn sold them to the Murgos, and that some still live in the slave pens under Rak Cthol.

Most details about Maragor come from Belgarath the Sorcerer and bits and pieces throughout the texts. Probably due to their god's 'unwholesome' interest in reproduction, girls were born 8 to 9 times more than boys. Due to these factors, Marag women controlled the society. The governing body was a group of nine elder women known as the "Council of Matriarchs". Marriage was relatively unknown, and sexual promiscuity was common. In general, a Marag male's role in society was reduced, participating in athletic contests or in the military.

Nyissans

Nyissans are the people of Issa. The state of Nyissa is situated on the swampy equatorial west coast of the western continent. The head of state is the handmaiden of Issa (or highpriestess), Salmissra, who is chosen based purely on physical resemblance to the original Salmissra. Nyissans identify closely with the snake, which heavily influences their culture. Most Nyissan people shave off their hair, because the insects that live in the swamps of Nyissa like to nest in it. The use of drugs and poisons is common and accepted to the disgust of all other Races and also the only non-Angarak western country that practices slavery. Vaguely similar to ancient Egyptians culturally.

Sendars

Sendars are a people of mixed background, mostly of Alorn and Arendish descent. Sendaria is located above Arendia on the coast of the western continent, right below Cherek. The land that is now Sendaria was once the Duchy of Erat, which was owned by Polgara the Sorceress. Emperor Ran Horb II, the grandest of all the Tolnedran Emperors, and who led the empire into the height of its Golden Age, established the Kingdom of Sendaria independent from Arendia, to prevent Arendia from becoming more influential than Tolnedra. Practicality and a strong work ethic are intrinsic to the Sendarian national identity, and a lot of food eaten in the west is grown in Sendaria. Sendars are unusual in that they elected their first king, Fundor the Magnificent, who was originally a rutabaga (and cabbage) farmer. Culturally resembles pre-industrial England, with shades of American multiculturalism.

Tolnedrans

Tolnedrans are the people of Nedra, dwelling in the Empire of Tolnedra in the subtropical north of the western continent. Tolnedrans are known for their fixation on trade and money (which they are said to have invented). Tolnedra is ruled by one of the five major families: the Honethites, the Vorduvians, the Borunes, the Horbites, and the Ranites. The Belgariad and The Mallorean take place during the reign of Ran Borune XXIII and his adoptive son, Varana, the Duke of Anadile, later Ran Borune XXIV. The primary military force of Tolnedra are the numerous Legions, a heavy infantry renowned for their extensive training and rigid discipline, and widely considered the most powerful and one of the largest military forces in the world. Very similar to the Roman legionaries and Renaissance Age commerce. They are also unusual in their complete rejection of, and disbelief in, the concepts of magic and sorcery.

Godless Ones

Other human races are descended from the Godless Ones, ethnicities chosen by no god (Aldur abstaining from selection) at the beginning of the human race. They are widely spread across both continents and have physical diversity comparable to the other races as a result.

• Dals live in the Dalasian Protectorates in the south of the Mallorean continent, with a small remnant population in southern Cthol Murgos. The Dals are mystics and include seers and necromancers. All of them share a common group mind, once called an "oversoul". Resembles African and pre-Christian traits of mysticism.
• Karands are demon worshippers living in the north-east of Mallorea, in the seven kingdoms of Karanda. The kingdoms include Jenno, Pallia, Delchin, Zamad, and Katakor.
• Melcenes live in the south-east of Mallorea, near their ancestral island, Melcena. Melcenes are characterised as civilized, and are great administrators and architects due to their organized approach to problems. The breaking of the world cause the Melcenes to lose over half of their land to the rising ocean. This prompted their expansion onto the main continent of Mallorea. They could be construed to be quasi-Japanese due to their small, commercial island nation, with a touch of Southeast Asian culture due to their usages of war elephants.
• Morindim are nomadic, tribal demon worshippers, living in the frozen wastes north of the Kingdoms of the West. Their upper class consists mostly of Dreamers, who "commune" with the demons, and Magicians, those who control the demon by forming a body to imprison it in. If the magician should fail to control his demon, it will break free to wreak havoc on its former master and the clan, usually until nightfall when it returns to its own reality.
• Ulgos live in caves under mountainous Ulgoland, where they migrated after adopting the worship of UL, the father of the other seven gods. The Ulgos retreated into the caves after the cracking of the world, a cataclysmic event which drove many of the non-human monsters mad. Culturally, the Ulgos are similar to the Biblical Israelites.
• Godless Ones (would-be Ulgos) were cursed by Gorim to wither and die following their refusal to follow him to Prolgu. Their women were made barren. They believed that Gorim had brought a pestilence upon them. Later, after all were either severely aged or deceased, a boy called Garath stayed for a while with them before becoming Aldur's first disciple, Belgarath.

It can be seen that there were four main groups migrating away from the now lost continent under the Sea of the East. Demon worshippers to the North (split by the Sea of the East into Morinds and Karands), Melcenes to the far East, Ulgos to the West, and Dals in the southern halves of both continents.

Non-humans

• Ape-Bear look a lot like the Eldrakyn and can be easily mistaken for them. They can be found in the mountains of South Mallorea

• Dragons; not so much a name as a description. When the world was still young, only three were created before they were cast aside without being given a proper name. During the first mating season, the two males killed each other and the surviving female has lived alone in a lair at the Korim/Turim reef outside of Perivor. She is described as an enormous bird with only vaguely draconic features, rather than a traditional dragon. So impressed with these creatures was Torak, the Dragon-God of Angarak, that he made them his totem animal and did as much as he could to render them invincible, most notably making them impervious to sorcery.

• Dryads live in the Wood of the Dryads, north of Nyissa and south of Tolnedra. Dryads are always female and require contact with males of various species to reproduce. Every Dryad is magically bound to a particular oak tree in the wood, and each lives as long as the tree. One of the great families of the Tolnedran Empire, the Borunes, is closely tied to the Dryads through intermarriage. Dryads experience euphoria when given chocolate, a tactic Belgarath uses to his advantage to avoid capture and to obtain favors.

• Eldrakyn, Algroths, and Trolls. Trolls are found in the North of Cherek; little is revealed to the reader regarding them. Algroths are native to Ulgoland, but occasionally venture into the areas surrounding the Ulgo mountains, usually Arendia. They are pack hunters and their claws are poisonous. Eldrakyn, the strongest and smartest of these three bestial humanoids, are found near Ulgoland and may live for centuries. They have been known to raise and breed packs of Rock-Wolves. A similar creature called an "Ape-Bear" inhabits the Dalasian Protectorates in Mallorea.

• Fenlings are a species of otter-like creature, but larger and more intelligent, that inhabit the Drasnian Fens. Often hunted for furs until the witch Vordai took them under her protection. With a bit of magical tampering they achieved a semi-sapient state but had reached the limits what Vordai was capable of. With the coaxing of Belgarath and the god Aldur, the species as a whole achieved full sapience and speech as a final gift to Vordai from Belgarath. Though traditionally given a negative role in Drasnian mythology, they are nothing worse than mischievous. The Witch of the Fens, Vordai, considers the fenlings her children; in particular, she lives with a mated pair named Tupik and Poppi. It is implied that they would become accepted as another people under Aldur after the events of the series.

• Harpies are a rare species that inhabits only the remotest parts of Ulgoland. They are seen but once in the series (see: Belgarath the Sorcerer) and no description is given. It is assumed they resemble the classic Greek idea of a half-woman/half-vulture monster. Polgara recounts the incident later, describing them as semi-human, though without human intelligence. She also states that their lack of a beak makes them "second rate birds of prey" and shrugs them off as somewhat harmless.

• Hounds of Torak or Chandim were once Grolim Angaraks, changed by Torak into giant dog-like monsters. After Torak's defeat at the Battle of Vo Mimbre, Urvon went amongst them and convinced them that he spoke for Torak. He managed to convert a few back to Human form. These retain their intelligence and gift for sorcery, but the centuries spent as dogs have stripped all remnants of humanity from them (except perhaps sarcasm and sadism). They are also more dangerous in packs and like dogs are fanatically loyal to their master Urvon.

• Hrulgin are predatory creatures that closely resemble horses except for possessing fangs and claws. They are pack hunters, led by a single stallion. In the Malloreon, Prince Hettar shows interest in taming the colts, which would then make fearsome mounts to the benefit of the riders. He is dissuaded by Durnik.

• Mud-men are golems constructed of mud and debris to house the snakes of Nyissa. These creatures are the assassins of Divine Salmissra and though they are easily torn asunder, their severed limbs continue to seek completion of their task. They are easily destroyed by a heavy rain.

• Raveners are found in southern Cthol Murgos, and eat the bodies of the dead. In times of famine, pestilence or war the Raveners can go into a frenzy and attempt to eat the living as well as the dead. They are able to run for days, feeling nothing but all-consuming hunger. The only thing they fear is the sea, which they consider even hungrier than they.

• Rock-Wolves more closely resemble hyenas than wolves, these creatures are fierce pack hunters. One of their few fears is fire. Relatively domesticated rock-wolves may appear under the command of an Eldrak.

See also

Novels portal

• The Belgariad
• The Malloreon
• David Eddings

External links

• A Timeline for the Belgariad and the Malloreon
• Glossary of Characters