#murtagh-man

[aldarquen]

SPOILERS for MURTAGH Finished reading it last year and been obsessed ever since. Oh yeah, and I made some complimentary memes..

[crustaceousfaggot]

Kinda baffled whenever I see people draw Murtaugh as like... A teenager. That man is 23 years old with the haggard features and haunted demeanor of a 40 year old divorced chainsmoker. At least give him a 5 o'clock shadow or something.

[medievalandfantasymelee]

THE HOT MEDIEVAL & FANTASY MEN MELEE

SECOND ROUND: 17th Tilt

Murtagh Morzansson, Eragon (2006) VS. Boromir, Son of Denethor, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Propaganda

Murtagh Morzansson, Eragon (2006) Portrayed by: Garrett Hedlund Defeated Opponents: - Geralt z Rivii [Michał Żebrowski], The Witcher {Wiedźmin} (2002) - Mordred [Jason Done], Merlin (1998)

“Murtagh was the best part of the Eragon movie, and is a poor little wet meow meow who tries so hard to be good and doesn't quite make it.”

Boromir, Son of Denethor, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Portrayed by: Sean Bean Defeated Opponents: - Sir Percival [Tom Hopper], Merlin (2008-2012) - Alessandro Farnese [Diarmuid Noyes], Borgia (2011-2014)

“The eldest son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor; Boromir was a lesson that even the most honorable men could fall to the One Ring's temptation. There's nothing hotter than a tragic fallen hero.”

Additional Propaganda Under the Cut

Additional Propaganda

For Murtagh Morzansson:

For Boromir:

“I love him your honor”

“HOT ALSO HE DESERVES SO MUCH BETTER”

[sparklepirate]

Hey wait shit I just realized something.

So one of the big themes in this book so far is that Murtagh is super super protective over children. It, you know, makes sense that he ruminates on this a lot. He was abused... At every point in his life, but especially as a child. So, while he's extremely hesitant at the idea of having children, he knows that if he were ever to do so, he would give everything in him to be a good father. And in the meantime, he is viciously protective over the children he meets- Essie, saving her from Sarros and making sure she's safe from her father. The street urchins in Gil'ead, beating up their dad for being neglectful towards them (perhaps not the most tactful move, but still). His whole motivation for helping Carabel in the first place was purely to save Silna, because he couldn't stand the idea of a child being scared or hurt, or suffering any of the same horrible experiences that he did.

Which. Um. Made me wonder.

... Does Murtagh know that Eragon made Elva? Like... Like he probably knows she exists, but does he know, like, what her powers do to her, and how she got them, and that it was Eragon's fuck up that made her and made her suffer so much? Because uhhh. He would lose his absolute fucking mind over it if he ever found out. 😬😬😬😬

[alagaesia-headcanons]

I've Had A Thought. I was thinking about the scene where Eragon is reminiscing over Brom's message to him as his father, and how Eragon is confounded and troubled that he in no way mentioned Murtagh. I found it a little sad that, for whatever reason, Brom decided Murtagh didn't bear mentioning. Then it crossed my mind to consider the possibility that Brom didn't know about Murtagh at all.

As it turns out, Eragon actually does think about it in that scene- he says, "He must have known about Murtagh. He couldn't not have." And admittedly I don't think this is the most likely scenario or that it's now my personal interpretation of canon, but the idea really has captivated me. Because it actually does fit within the facts! (the new book notwithstanding)

Brom was a gardener at Morzan's estate for three years, and while it's probably more likely that he learned about Murtagh in that time, I think it's certainly feasible for him to never know. Morzan was very determined to keep him hidden and took a lot of precautions to ensure just that. Oromis said Morzan forced all his servants to swear fealty and Brom found a flaw in his wards to infiltrate, and possibly he was able to do so because a job as a gardener didn't require such strict oaths because it wasn't in proximity to Murtagh.

Again, it may not be the most likely, but I can absolutely believe Selena might not have told him either. She also would have been aware of the serious danger Murtagh was in and would've wanted him to stay hidden. Even after Brom told her who he was and she started working with the Varden, she might have kept it secret. For one, Brom's hatred of Morzan is described as extreme and all consuming, and that it never waned with time. Even if she came to believe that Brom wouldn't harm Murtagh, she might not have trusted he could look at him kindly. And of course, telling him about her child with Morzan also risked damaging their relationship considering that they were lovers. Then there's the possibility that Selena did build all this necessary trust to tell Brom about Murtagh if he wasn't aware of him already, but it was too late for her to discuss it with him before she died. So I think it is conceivable that Brom actually never knew about Murtagh's existence.

Where this concept really shines is in an AU where Brom survives after Murtagh saves them from the Ra'zac. I've always liked these, and I sometimes toy with my own, but there's so many ways Brom could react and I've never been able to settle on one well enough to get invested in it. But I find this SUCH a fascinating take on it (especially if you wave off the detail that Murtagh's voice sounds ~exactly like~ Morzan's, which I tend to do). Brom recovers and meets their rescuer, and he has no idea he's looking at Morzan and Selena's son. Murtagh seems terribly familiar, but Brom has been relentlessly haunted by his past for so long now that he doesn't put much stock in the perceived similarities. Meanwhile, Murtagh realizes that Brom truly does not know that he's the son of the man he murdered, a precarious but welcome relief. Because he doesn't know- up until Murtagh's confession in the valley.

Brom is stunned by disbelief. It can't be true, Morzan had no children, because surely he would know, surely-! But another thought dawns on him, drowning out the memories of Morzan, because who could have been the mother of his child other than his wife: Selena? And Murtagh is looking at him with fear, fear that he'll turn on him because he shares the blood of the man Brom hated most. It's heart wrenching, because even as part of his mind tells him that maybe he should scorn him, Brom is looking at this man who single handedly saved him from the brink of death and saved Eragon and Saphira from far worse at the hands of Galbatorix, and who has given them extraordinary devotion ever since.

In his core, he accepts the truth of Murtagh's claim as he explains his past and recounts the story of his parents exactly how Brom knows it to be. The paradigm shift sends him reeling. Murtagh believes Brom is affected only because of his past with Morzan; he has no way of knowing what he felt for Selena. He still glances at him nervously, especially as he admits that he briefly intended to serve Galbatorix, yet then there's also a spark of trust and gratitude- maybe even hope- in his eyes when Brom doesn't rescind the way he vouched for him when they were stopped inside the gates. How could he? Murtagh has accomplished one thing neither Morzan nor Selena ever did: escape.

Despite everything, his aching heart feels something fiercely like pride. He would not dare ruin that for him.

Then to further prove the truth, like the world is laughing at his years of ignorance, Ajihad recognizes him, because after Murtagh was brought to Uru'baen, the Varden's spies informed him of Morzan's son. But of course, that was after Brom cut himself off and started living in Carvahall, so he never learned of that discovery. "Morzan's son" is said over and over, but in Brom's mind, that idea is far eclipsed by Selena's son. He's hurt and ashamed to realize he never knew something so significant about the woman he loved. And he feels guilty that Murtagh struggled for so long in Uru'baen because no one was there to save him when he was left helplessly alone. Brom must have been so close to him when he arrived right after Selena's death, but he just didn't know.

Brom is utterly at a loss. How can he process Murtagh- the child of Selena and Morzan, Eragon's half brother, and in a certain sense, his own stepson? What can he do now? He was already so terrified of telling Eragon the truth of being his father, and now he has another staggering revelation to inflict on Eragon and Murtagh both. The prospect feels terrifyingly impossible, but keeping his secrets has grown even more painful. Watching how easily and how well Eragon and Murtagh get along is now bitterly ironic. Even without knowing it, Murtagh is a great older brother, waiting vigilantly near his side after the battle. The injury Durza inflicted scared Brom in a way he can't put into words; he simply could not bear to lose Eragon. How could he risk that happening without telling Eragon how much he loves him and values him as his son? But telling him truth could be the quickest way to lose him. And now, with Murtagh, he has more to lose than he ever realized.

-And because Murtagh deserves it, I like all these changes resulting in the Twins never getting the chance to kidnap him, and so Brom has to figure out how to make the three of them into a family <3

[saphira-approves]

Y’all know me, y’all know it’s a Bad Day when I’m too tired to stay up even a little later to talk Alagaësia, but sometime in the next couple days I WILL have the energy to share detailed and coherent thoughts on the Murtagh extra bits in the deluxe edition, but for now I shall simply share a spoiler-free rendition of my initial reaction:

AAAUUUUGGGHH ALL MY HEART’S DESIRE!!! ANSWERED!!!!! GIVEN!!!!!! AUGH

[millythegoat]

The bench reaction says it all

[everythingloveandanimated]

Something I love thinking about, Murtagh’s interactions with Ismira when she’s older.

He talks to her like she’s a young lady in the court, like how he did with Essie. He listens intently to her, comments appropriately, gives advice and gentle correction, sometimes gives comfort.

When she’s five or seven years old, he teaches her how to dance. Starting by letting her stand on his feet so she can get used to the feeling of how her legs are supposed to move.

Depending on her height, he levitates her so that she is eye-level with him. She holds his jerkin or shirt in her fist while he keeps a hand at her back to move her along with him.

As she gets older, he teaches her some of the more complicated steps, a spin here while he moves in the opposite direction. He teaches a dance with moments where the lady does something different than the man, but they still stay in harmony.

Sometimes he’ll sing a song from court while they dance. Sometimes he’ll make up his own.

He loves treating his second cousin/niece as he would a lady of the court. To him it’s a game, but it’s also a respect to her station as daughter of the Lord of Palancar Valley.

****

Ismira laughs and giggles with delight during these dances. Sometimes she gets nervous when learning a new step. But Murtagh is always patient with her, teaching her how to properly put her feet, teaching her how to count the beats of a rhythm.

The spins and dips are her favorites. She loves the motion. She feels carefree as she twirls and safe when Murtagh catches her in his arm.

Once she has the dances of Carvahall under her belt, she helps her family help Murtagh brush up on the dance steps for upcoming festivals. While she loves dancing with her father, mother, Uncle Eragon, and her friends, there’s a certain grace, poise and dignity when she dances with Uncle Murtagh. She truly feels like a lady of the court.



[theriu]

Finally rereading Eragon since I never got past book 2 when they came out in high school. Well, listening, I borrowed the audiobook on Libby. And it. Is not thrilling me thus far. Was Eragon always this freakin' WHINEY?!

It's okay, River, just remember Murtaugh. We loved Murtaugh. We can still hope he is as cool a character as we remember.

[newtonsheffield]

Reading what’s happening at Nal Gorgoth like; This is not the time, I know, but do we maybe think now that we should have swallowed our pride and asked our Baby brother and his girlfriend for help?

We could have even just asked our own long term, long distance, low commitment casual girlfriend for help. You know, the one that’s the fucking Queen?

[glbtrx]

Honestly when I was reading Inheritance the last thing i expected was to see galbatorix create sappy romantic fantasies for nasuada and murtagh like a goddamn fangirl but ok

[medievalandfantasymelee]

THE HOT MEDIEVAL & FANTASY MEN MELEE

FIRST ROUND: 3rd Tilt

Murtagh Morzansson, Eragon (2006) VS. Mordred, Merlin (1998)

Propaganda

Murtagh Morzansson, Eragon (2002) Portrayed by: Garrett Hedlund Defeated Opponents: - Geralt z Rivii [Michał Żebrowski], The Witcher {Wiedźmin} (2002)

“Murtagh was the best part of the Eragon movie, and is a poor little wet meow meow who tries so hard to be good and doesn't quite make it.”

Mordred, Merlin (1998) Portrayed by: Jason Done Defeated Opponents: - Robin Hood [Kevin Costner], Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

“Distinctly remember picking my jaw up from the floor when aged-up Mordred showed up like goddamn. He got those piercing eyes he’s such a pretty bugger and he’s trying so hard to be good, just the goodest boy I can fix him except actually he was never wrong.”

Additional Propaganda Under the Cut

Additional Propaganda

For Murtagh Morzansson:

For Mordred:

[sparklepirate]

I love the batshit storytelling power of tabletop games.

Things my players have done in our campaign so far:

- Left Glaedr's eldunarí to freeze outside because they used him as an eye for their snowman and then forgot about him while they ran off to do their mission

- My werecat player traumatized the thirteen year old dragon rider student by giving him a "prophecy" about how he is destined for great things, but he was going to be betrayed by the person he trusts the most (he pulled that completely out of his ass).

- My dragon player has made a pact with the weird groundskeeper/janitor around campus to fuel her kleptomaniac tendency, and steal a gem from my blacksmith player. More on that to come.

- They did some absolutely heinous things to a pack of Shrrg in their first combat encounter. RIP.

- They adopted one of the Shrrg after they doomed him to a slow death of starvation by shattering his teeth (horrible). They healed him, and charmed him into being a friend, and then forged him a new set of magically enchanted steel dentures, so now he is going to be a permanent party member!

- They essentially ignored the main quest (a mysterious circle of destruction and mutated Shrrg that suggest a magical detonation in the same vein of the Vroengard explosion/the Galbatorix explosion only a few miles from the school) in order to go on a new self imposed sidequest of... Well.

- First the party cajoled Saphira into dragging back a Christmas tree.

- The bard (my boyfriend irl) has an antagonistic love-hate relationship with Glaedr (somehow) and spontaneously invented the holiday Christmas in universe while trying to convince Glaedr to sub in as a Christmas ornament. Glaedr refused.

- The whole party, now on board, convinced all the other eldunarí to be Christmas tree ornaments. Glaedr eventually caved and agreed to be the tree topper (the most prestigious position for the most important eldunarí, of course, they told him).

- They decided to name the holiday Gladmas in his honor.

- They came up with the (completely original) idea of a Gladmas icon- a man on the back of a beautiful glittering red dragon, who visits all the little children and leaves them presents. They came up with a plan to use all the eldunarí to power a hasten spell to get them around the world in one night. And they know just the perfect duo to pull this off! The only rider around with a red dragon who would fit the bill!

- So next session is going to be a side quest to convince Murtagh to become Santa Claus.

[concha-de-mar]

I know Murtagh is canonically a white man but never in my 3 months of knowing him have I ever imagined him as a white man

[saphira-approves]

BTW, given Murtagh's expressed desire for a more formal education, I could see one or a couple of the Eldunari consenting to go with him to be his teachers on the road, and I just think Murtagh deserves a cool dragon teacher. Let's have a female dragon in there to spice things up, Paolini.

Oh YES

Give Thorn a ghost mom

[first-and-last-neocount]

Being so wracked by guilt for events beyond your control that it fundamentally alters who you are as a person? Couldn't be me #lying