Bachel was a half-elf and half-human, Speaker for the Cult known as the Draumar who resided in Nal Gorgoth whom worshipped the deity Azlagûr. She made her first appearance as the central antagonist in the book "Murtagh" where she was killed by Murtagh in the same book.
History[]
Early Life[]
Bachel was the daughter of an elven mother and a human father, who was a woodcutter. She was born near Nal Gorgoth, an ancient village amongst the oldest settings out with Alagaesia. She mentioned she had killed her Mother to become Speaker for the Draumar, a cult that worship the Deity named Azlagûr, the “Dreamer of Dreams”.
Bachel became the Speaker and was raised almost akin to royalty in the village, she would often hold feasts and listen to the dreams of the Draumar, which almost without exception were almost the same.
At some point in her life, she came into conflict with Angela, or “Uluthrek” according to Alin. This was the first time she had ever used her powers to move the ground in the Vale of Dreams, but when she encountered the herbalist, Bachel did what she had never done for another and met with her foe outside the walls of Nal Gorgoth, which is a testament to Angela's power.
Meeting Galbatorix and Morzan[]
At some point Galbatorix was sent out to find Nal Gorgoth and appeared after his dragon and companions had been killed. According to Bachel she sent Galbatorix back to the Riders after “whispering in his ear” that helped stroke his madness and demand another Dragon. Bachel said to Murtagh that if the riders were “merciful” they would have granted his request.
Galbarotix and Morzan returned later with the Dragon Hatchling Shruikan during their exile and Bachel sent them as her “thralls” to destroy the riders.
Bachel also met Durza whom spent time at the Well of Dreams, according to Bachel this expanded his vision beyond the normal scope of a shade. Bachel claimed Durza had spent years at Nal Gorgoth.
Later still Bachel had dealings with Saerlith, a member of the Forsworn. Not much is known about this encounter except that Bachel had manipulated him and apparently worked with him as well.
Meeting the Red Rider[]
Bachel makes her first physical appearance when Murtagh and Thorn learn of her and eventually track her down to Nal Gorgoth. She presents herself and the Draumar and hosts a feast for Murtagh and Thorn.
She explains bits of her past life, about being the Speaker and of being part Elf. This is evident when she surprises Murtagh with her ability to out drink any Dwarf or Human.
Bachel listens the following day to the dreams of the Draumar, she listens to the differences of three cultists before meeting Thorn and Murtagh. She listens to Murtagh and Thorn’s dreams as well and shows Murtagh the stone chamber beneath Gal Gorgoth, which is, as Bachel describes “a sister to the hall of the soothsayer” in Uru’Bean.
Bachel leads Murtagh and the other Draumar to a boar hunt which goes well until Murtagh is gored. To Murtagh’s horror Bachel “mercy kills” a cultist that Murtagh could have healed. This leaves him shaken. As they arrive back at Nal Gorgoth Bachel informs Murtagh that new “Thralls” had arrived at the village and proceeds to bury the dead from the hunt in a funeral.
Murtagh demands answers from Bachel about she and the Draumar and without apparent effort she shakes the entire ground and mountains around Nal Gorgoth, forcing Murtagh into politeness once again.
Her Intentions Revealed[]
Later during the night Bachel travels with her servant Greave to the underground temple, which is a source of natural magic. Bachel confronts Murtagh and chastises him for invading the temple. She wields a Dauthdaert, a death spear against him. She bests Murtagh and uses the “breath” on him as well as Thorn and turns them into her unwilling slaves.
Bachel proceeds to try and get Murtagh to swear fealty to Azlagûr, the dreamer of dreams in whom she serves. She tortures him with her mind as well as physically with a gauntlet with ebony claws. She questions him about Eragon, Nasuada, Arya and the Empire in general, with Murtagh struggling to resist.
Under her Thrall Bachel takes Murtagh on another boar hunt while riding upon Thorn. She has another premonition about the “time of the black smoke”.
Bachel presides over the celebration and while some “initiates” are taken to become members of the Dramuar the rest she decrees to be sacrificed to Azlagûr, including Uvek, Murtagh’s new Urgal companion.
Bachel sacrifices an old man, while attempting to get Murtagh to sacrifice a younger woman for Azlagûr.
As Bachel attempts to get Murtagh to obey Murtagh uses a charm Uvek had given him to break free and thrown the dagger at the witch’s heart.
Bachel retreats into the underground temple, while Murtagh, Thorn and Uvek attack the Draumar and Nal Gorgoth.
Final Battle and Death[]
Bachel finally confronts Murtagh with twelve of her cultists and Alin, whom she holds hostage. She mocks Murtagh for not fully understanding what the Dreamers represent and offers him another chance to serve both herself and Azlagûr.
Murtagh battles the Draumar and kills them one by one while trying to rescue Alin. Bachel, meanwhile attacks with Niernan attempting to stab Murtagh in the lung. He manages to fend her off with while attempting to capture her mind.
Bachel attempts to use magic on Murtagh without capturing her mind, through her use of wordless magic. As Bachel and Murtagh use spells against each other attempting to gain the upper hand Murtagh finally manages to trick Bachel into moving beneath a large crystal referred to as "the heart of the world" which crushed her lower half when Murtagh brought it down on her with his magic. After he manages to trick her, Murtagh managed to get past her guard as she tried one last time to kill him even as she lay crushed beneath the crystal, whereupon he slices Bachel’s head open with Ithring, thus ending her life.
Personal Information[]
Appearance[]
Bachel was a half elf/half human. She was extremely tall, more so than most men according to Murtagh. She was described as having strong limbs, an angular face and a dark red mouth. Her hair was black as obsidian and arranged elaborately on her head. She seemed to have an amber skin tone. Her face seemed ageless almost like an elves though Murtagh found it wasn’t exactly the same.
Bachel wore both plain clothes and black armor and often carried a dagger with her. She also donned Dragon bone armor during her final battle with Murtagh.
Powers and Abilities[]
Bachel was an extremely dangerous spellcaster. She had the power to use wordless magic and was able to cast it without use of the ancient language. This allowed her to enchant items, such as amulets that allowed the wielder to resist any form of magic bound by the ancient language and even the power of the name of names. This form of magic was a mixed blessing as Bachel was uneducated on the ancient language and thus lacked knowledge of its unofficial rules.
She is also able to call down powerful earthquakes as she did so when Murtagh demanded she tell him the truth of the Draumar. She was able to call an Earthquake that shook the entire Valley, something Thorn remarked that not even an Eldunarí could do.
In addition Bachel was also a skilled fighter, able to go toe-to-toe with Murtagh using the Dauthdart. Her speed to cast spells was even greater than Murtagh, as he would have to think and speak his words, while Bachel had no such handicap.
Bachel was also a skilled hunter, able to lead hunts for large boar that live near Nal Gorgoth and is able to drink better than any dwarf or human.
Personality[]
Bachel started with a very enigmatic personality and when dealing with Murtagh she refrained from answering questions directly. She took her role as speaker for the cultists very seriously and with great dedication.
Bachel was initially very polite though aloof to Murtagh but this quickly turned to rage when she was questioned or presumably insulted such as when Murtagh demanded answers of her, forcing her to use her powers and making even Murtagh back down from her.
Murtagh described her as having a presence similar to Galbatorix in the way she spoke and in her bearing. She was very well spoken even when she was drinking and very polite in her dealings with anyone, even her own servants.
Bachel expected total obedience in the cultists, and they religiously adhered to this, fearful of provoking her wrath. In turn however the cultists were very loyal and never questioned Bachel, even going as far as to call her Mother and entrust her to know when it was their time to die.
Bachel had absolute faith in the visions of the “dreamer of dreams” Azlagûr and even in his ability to help her out in battle. She was Azlagûr’s most faithful follower and held this position very seriously, doing everything in his name.
In addition, Bachel could be slightly condescending in calling other people “My son” or “my daughter”, though it’s unclear if this is a sign or respect or not.