Nïdhwal

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Nïdhwal
Other Names	Sea Serpents
Qualities	Oar-shaped flippers, long and angular heads, et al.
Description	Great sea-dragons of the deep sea.
Notable Members	Unnamed Nïdhwal that attempted to attack Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira

Nïdhwal (pronounced Nyed-whal), also known as sea serpents or sea snakes, were giant reptilian intelligent creatures living in the Western Sea. Glaedr compared the Nïdhwalar with the Fanghur, calling them "cousins of the dragons", although the Nïdhwalar regard themselves as completely different from dragons. They were described as being closer to dragons than Fanghur in terms of intelligence, and like Fanghur could use the power of their minds to incapacitate their prey. They have structures similar to the dragons' Eldunarí, which are theorized to aid in remaining at great depths for extended periods of time. Nïdhwalar eat their own kind as well as the occasional dragon.

Physical description

Their heads are long and angular and they have tendrils that are about six feet in length (though these could probably grow longer in bigger individuals). They are at least as large as a Blue Whale, and some are even larger. Their jaws are large enough for a Horse and rider to pass through unscathed, and are filled with hundreds of glinting white teeth. They have giant oar shaped flippers coming off their chests.

Description and history

Nïdhwalar are rarely seen and are not often spoken of. They are to the ocean as the Fanghur are to the air of the Beors, and both are distant cousins to the dragons. They are sometimes referred to as Sea-dragons or dragons of the deep. Though the differences in their appearances are greater, the Nïdhwalar are more closely related to dragons than the Fanghur. Though they are unable to breath fire like dragons, they are extremely intelligent, and even have a structure similar to the Eldunarí of a dragon within their armored chests, which is believed to enable them to remain submerged for extended periods of time at great depths. It is unknown whether a Nïdhwal can transfer its spirit to its Eldunarí-like structure, like a dragon can with its heart of hearts. Like their Fanghur cousins, Nïdhwalar often use their minds to incapacitate their prey, including dragons. This has led to the demise of several dragons, for to the Nïdhwalar, they and dragons are nothing alike. Nïdhwalar will also engage in cannibalism, eating their own race, which has critically endangered their species. They have no interest in what happens outside the deep waters of their realm. Glaedr also notes while briefly educating Eragon and Saphira on Nïdhwalar that it is quite unusual to encounter one only a few miles of dragon flight from the shore. Because of this, it seems that either boldness or desperation has driven them to venture closer to the shore since the Riders' Fall. They are so rare by the 8^th millennium AC that they were rarely spoken of. They were normally found quite far out to sea, in the deepest depths. All attempts by the Dragon Riders to negotiate with them failed.

Role in the books

The Nïdhwalar are one of the few species capable of killing dragons. The most famed case of a confrontation between a dragon and sea snake involved a dragon named Fundor, who fought a Nidhwhal. The outcome of the confrontation is unknown. During the chapter A Crown of Ice and Snow, a Nïdhwal almost bites Saphira when she landed on the water. The Nïdhwal in that chapter was shown to have needle-like teeth, a mind full of nothing but insatiable hunger, a neck reminiscent of snakes and large, oar-shaped flippers coming off its chest. Above its eyes it had bony crests, above which six-foot-long ropy tendrils grew. Its mouth was full of hundreds of white teeth.

Cuaroc was called "Hunter of the Nïdhwal" among other names, and it is suggested by this title that he faced one or perhaps several of these creatures.

Real World Connections

• Nïdhwalar may have been inspired by the Loch Ness Monster, as they possess some attributes of a Deep-Sea Oarfish or viperfish.
• The physical description of the Nïdhwal is similar to the Liopleurodon, a large prehistoric marine reptile that lived in the Middle Jurassic Period.
• The name may be a portmanteau of "Nidhogg", a dragon from Norse mythology and "narwahl", a species of whale found in Norse waters.

External links

• Sea Serpent at Wikipedia