The Lethrblaka, known as the Nrech to the Urgals, is the adult form of the Ra'zac. In the Ancient Language, their name means "Leather-flapper". They could and did hunt anything in Alagaësia.
History[]
Oromis stated in Eldest that it was strongly believed by the Riders that the Lethrblaka had followed the humans to Alagaësia. Only two of these creatures survived the Ra'zac War. The elves and the riders tried to eradicate the Ra'zac and Lethrblaka as quickly as possible. However, this well-deserved eradication was not completely successful, as two Lethrblaka escaped and laid eggs, nesting in the peaks of Helgrind near Dras-Leona. The remaining Ra'zac and Lethrblaka (two of each) worked for King Galbatorix because he made a deal with them to work for him in exchange for their favorite food (humans).
Galbatorix gave them magic protection against harmful spells as part of his bargain, taking all of their other eggs to ensure that he would retain their loyalty and to ensure that Ra'zac and Lethrblaka would always exist to serve him. Additionally, some of these eggs were left in the care of the Priests of Helgrind, who worshipped the Lethrblaka as gods, though these were later destroyed by Eragon and the werecat Solembum. A single Ra'zac egg was discovered by Murtagh during his infiltration of the city guard at Gil'ead a year after Galbatorix's death to locate missing the werecat kitten Silna for her mother, Carabel. Given that its caretakers were under the command of Bachel, it's likely she intended to use it as a weapon or ally against the dragon riders once it had matured. Whether it was destroyed afterwards by the werecats was unknown, but Carabel promised Murtagh that she would see to its destruction.
Oromis stated that they are vicious creatures with intelligence on par with that of dragons, albeit cruel, evil and twisted ones. Though they look vaguely similar, it is unlikely they are related to dragons at all, given their bizarre life cycle and the fact that even elven scholars like Oromis could not classify them among any known family of animal, or even plants. It is never stated as to whether or not they can speak like their offspring, the Ra'zac, though it is possible as Galbatorix was able to make a pact with them. This suggests they have some manner of communication (though it's equally possible the Ra'zac could translate for them). Their weak points are light and water, as referred by Jeod and Oromis in Eldest. Lethrblaka avoid deep water, as they cannot swim. Eragon used a light spell on a Lethrblaka at Helgrind, effectively disorienting them and allowing Saphira to better gain the upper hand against the monsters.
The Ra'zac used the Lethrblaka (their parents) for reaching places that would otherwise be inaccessible, such as their lair in Helgrind, where the Lethrblaka lived with their offspring.
One of the only things useful against Lethrblaka is magic, thus only a Dragon Rider on his/her dragon would have a fair chance of killing them.
In Brisingr, Saphira fights both Lethrblaka during the assault on Helgrind. She kills one in the cave and the other after chasing it to Leona Lake.
In The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm, an Urgal bard tries to cheer up Eragon with a story regarding the tale of Ilgra and the dragon Vêrmund the Grim after Eragon arrives too late to save two dwarves from a cave-in. In the story, a pair of Lethrblaka attack Ilgra's clan, killing livestock and Urgals alike, and the female Kull is forced to wake her enemy, Vêrmund, to fight them. The Lethrblaka prove more agile than the dragon and evade his flames, piercing his scales with their beaks and gaining the advantage until Ilgra springs a trap that releases a flood of water onto all three combatants. Both Lethrblaka are killed in the flood, and the dragon emerges victorious, returning to his mountain to heal. It is not known if these individual Lethrblaka were real or fictitious, as the tale likely predates the Urgals' arrival in Alagaesia.
Appearance[]
The Letherblaka had naked, hairless bodies, similar to those of newborn mice.[1] They had tight corded muscles, large, leathery wings, very strong hind legs, a thick hide, a beak seven feet long, and eyes the size of a grown man's fist, with no pupil or iris.[1] The Lethrblaka also had long, ratlike tails. Their bodies have the appearance of starved, furless dogs and are roughly dragon-sized. Their blood is blue-green. Their appearance has some similarities to their Ra'zac offspring; they both have beaks, black eyes and they have no eyelids. They had a lifespan of up to a century or more[2].
The Lethrblaka meet their Ra'zac offspring after the latter captured Sloan Aldonsson and his daughter, Katrina.
Trivia[]
As the Ra'zac bear similarities to the Nazgul in The Lord of the Rings, the Lethrblaka could also be said to bear a resemblance to the Fellbeasts that the Nazgul used as winged steeds.
Etymology[]
In Icelandic, Leðurblaka, which is pronounced almost the same, means "bat", which a Lethrblaka resembles.
Lethrblaka can also mean "bat" in the ancient language.
Real-World Connection[]
From the description in Eldest, the Lethrblaka slightly resemble a pterosaur (particularly an azhdarchid pterosaur such as Quetzalcoatlus), only with four legs. Renditions by artist René Aigner for illustrated editions of the Inheritance Cycle depict the Lethrblaka as being even more pterosaur-like as well, with the wings also being the front limbs.
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Eldest, chapter "His Enemy's Face"
- ↑ Up to a century or more. (Reddit)