Doru Araeba

"Doru Araeba! The only city in history designed to house dragons as well as elves and humans. Doru Araeba! A place of magic and learning and ancient mysteries. Doru Araeba! The very name seems to hum with excitement. Never was there a city like it before, and never shall there be again, for now it is lost, destroyed&mdash;ground to dust by the usurper Galbatorix."

- Helsant, in Domia abr Wyrda

Doru Araeba was the city of the Dragon Riders that was built on the island of Vroengard, in a cauldron-like valley between the island's mountains. The home of the Riders, Doru Araeba was built on a massive scale&mdash;every street was wide enough for at least two dragons to walk alongside each other&mdash;and was the only city in history built to house both dragons and elves and humans. The city was built from stone, and featured extensive elven architecture and many gardens and fountains. Watchtowers, eyries, and dragon rookeries lined the peaks of the mountains surrounding the city, and many Riders and their dragons maintained caves in the mountainsides. The city featured many architectural wonders, including the Singing Fountain of Eldimírim, the crystal fortress Svellhjall, and the Great Library near the Rock of Kuthian.

During the sacking of the city by the Thirteen Forsworn, the Rider Thuviel committed suicide by converting his flesh into energy. The city was heavily damaged, and the region contaminated with a mysterious poison in the air. Doru Araeba was abandoned in the aftermath of the Fall, and was not visited again until Eragon Bromsson and Saphira traveled to Doru Araeba to visit the Rock of Kuthian.

Appearances

 * Eragon
 * Eldest
 * Inheritance