Arya’s secret is out!
Darien and Lucy discover some secrets of the elves Eldest chapter 27, “Queen Islanzadí,” and chapter 28, “Out of the Past.”
Talking points include the big reveal, Arya being manipulated into forgiveness, Eragon’s ever-present crush, a new werecat friend, the weight of inheritance, Orik being a Grade-A friend, and ANOTHER DRAGON?!
Sparks of Inspiration
Lucy acknowledges the value of unwavering pettiness.
Darien sings the praises of Milicent Patrick and The Lady from the Black Lagoon by Mallory O'Meara
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Snag your own EABA merch!
Help Lucy meet Toothless at Universal Epic Universe AND listen to bonus episodes about The Legend of Zelda and Spirited Away by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
No portion of this episode may be used for AI training purposes or to create derivative works without express written permission from the creators and co-hosts Lucy Hart and Darien Smartt.
Arya has a secret.
Darien and Lucy go deeper into the woods in Eldest chapter 24, “Arrow to the Heart,” chapter 25, “The Dagshelgr Invocation,” and chapter 26, “The Pinewood City.”
Talking points include the best strategy for world building/info dumping, hammering out the timeline, examining metaphor in the death of the gyrfalcon, a good use of Eragon waking up, a hood not being enough of a disguise, forest orgy, and elven architecture.
Sparks of Inspiration
Darien wants everyone to know that Hades 2 is good.
Lucy finds inspiration with Moonlight Cottage ASMR https://youtube.com/@moonlightcottageasmr?si=5RdXW9nZefarcWDl
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Snag your own EABA merch!
Help Lucy meet Toothless at Universal Epic Universe AND listen to bonus episodes about The Legend of Zelda and Spirited Away by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
No portion of this episode may be used for AI training purposes or to create derivative works without express written permission from the creators and co-hosts Lucy Hart and Darien Smartt.
Six days, Roran?!
Lucy and Darien are helpless as everything goes wrong in Eldest chapter 23, “His Enemy's Face.”
Talking points include reflecting on the first real series impact of inheritance, you, who is holding onto hope, some idle speculation about what Roran and Katrina do off page, the clever chapter title, and Sloane being the worst for real.
Sparks of Inspiration
Lucy is creatively inspired by this book!
Darien is creatively inspired by listening to “Your Idol” from the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack on repeat.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Snag your own EABA merch!
Help Lucy meet Toothless at Universal Epic Universe AND listen to bonus episodes about The Legend of Zelda by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
No portion of this episode may be used for AI training purposes or to create derivative works without express written permission from the creators and co-hosts Lucy Hart and Darien Smartt.
Roran becomes the center of attention.
Darien and Lucy witness some small town drama in Eldest chapter 21, “Wounds of the Past,” and chapter 22, “Wounds of the Present.”
Talking points include the masterfully crafted tension, Sloan being completely out of line, Roran's Big Announcement, Katrina making a choice, taking a sip of tea every time the word “Inheritance” is mentioned, and Darien’s plea to brew your tea properly.
Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of cannibalism and domestic violence.
Sparks of Inspiration
Darien raves about Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle.
Lucy rekindles her joy of Lord of the Rings with Tales of the Shire.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Snag your own EABA merch!
Help Lucy meet Toothless at Universal Epic Universe AND listen to bonus episodes about NIMONA and SPIRITED AWAY by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
No portion of this episode may be used for AI training purposes or to create derivative works without express written permission from the creators and co-hosts Lucy Hart and Darien Smartt.
Arya is not okay right now.
Lucy and Darien get a crash course in elven etiquette in Eldest chapter 19, “Arya Svit-kona” and 20, “Ceris.”
Talking points include Arya crashing out, learning new words, exploring alternatives to avoiding long-held grudges, Eragon's “new” feelings, theorizing about the emotional regulation skills of elves, the evolutionary implications of dwarves having 14 toes, and a darker interpretation of Arya rushing the dwarves companions away.
Sparks of Inspiration
Lucy reflects on her recent experience entering a writing contest.
Darien discusses accidentally cosplaying Katniss Everdeen when making an Ares lip sync video.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Snag your own EABA merch!
Help Lucy meet Toothless at Universal Epic Universe AND listen to bonus episodes about NIMONA and SPIRITED AWAY by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
No portion of this episode may be used for AI training purposes or to create derivative works without express written permission from the creators and co-hosts Lucy Hart and Darien Smartt.
Is there anything more embarrassing than a crush?
Darien and Lucy enjoy a river cruise in Eldest chapter 17, “Down the Rushing Mere-Wash” and 18, “Drifting.”
Talking points include interpreting Eragon’s definition of a Dragon Rider, interrogating why all magic seems to come from the elves, pondering the name origin of Morzan’s sword, some Misty Mountain vibes, an analysis of a chronic illness and physical disability narrative, and Darien and Lucy laying all the cards on the table about their feelings for the Eragon/Arya ship.
Sparks of Inspiration
Darien found a very cute picture book for her niece and nephew, The Monstore by Tara Lazar and illustrated by James Burk.
Lucy sings her love of character creation in TTRPG.
Content warning: This episode contains mention of and conversations about violence, bloodshed, child death, and real world wars.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Snag your own EABA merch!
Help Lucy meet Toothless in Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
No portion of this episode may be used for AI training purposes or to create derivative works without express written permission from the creators and co-hosts Lucy Hart and Darien Smartt.
It's our very first minisode!
Darien assigns hordes to dragon-type Pokémon. Whose horde is made up of bubble wands? Whose horde is made up of parts from imploded billionaire submarines? Listen to find out!
Get more dragons by supporting the show on Patreon and listening to the latest episodes about Dragon Tales and DragonHeart: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
No portion of this episode may be used for AI training purposes or to create derivative works without express written permission from the creators and co-hosts Lucy Hart and Darien Smartt.
Roran gets emotionally drunk and pops the question.
Diego from Tears of Fire joins Lucy and Darien to watch things get rough for Carvahall in Eldest chapter 15, “Diamonds in the Night,” and 16, “Under a Darkling Sky.”
Talking points include shouting out Paolini for his varied female characters, a good, cathartic cry session, analyzing the distinct violence of Sloan, a stark reminder about the importance of vaccines, and Roran having no guidance as he steps into his role as leader.
Sparks of Inspiration
Diego shouts out his friend https://twitch.tv/kaleisblue and the importance of shooting your shot!
Lucy has probably celebrated storms before, and she certainly will again.
Darien got sucked into Worlds Beyond Number!
Explore The Last Dragon Chronicles with Diego at https://open.spotify.com/show/1s4lvy8Qdoz9ZK70YWYKX1?si=4oLlR7OkTJSK2cZJNC8mTw
Content warning: This episode contains mention of and conversations about violence, bloodshed, child death, and real world wars.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Help Lucy meet Toothless in Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
The unfortunate truth of coral.
Darien and Lucy get a crash course in dwarven lore in Eldest chapter 14, “Celbedeil.”
Talking points include Eragon needing to broaden his language horizons, Pride being all year long, some very juicy dwarven lore, the struggle to explain what coral is, Darien bringing up Discworld two episodes in a row, further examination of how Paolini frames religious beliefs through the series, and when it’s okay to smack talk someone’s religious beliefs in their our religious temple.
Content Warning for conversations about dietary changes and religious intolerance.
Sparks of Inspiration
Lucy’s been working out with The Fitness Marshall https://www.youtube.com/@TheFitnessMarshall
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Help Lucy meet Toothless in Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
Eragon can’t even walk into town without causing a riot.
Darien and Lucy get a crash course in dwarven lore in Eldest chapter 13, “Az Sweldn rak Anhûin.”
Talking points include the co-hosts not being sure if they like Arya, Saphira being so dragon, speculating Eragon’s height, theorizing which fantasy science fiction series Christopher Paloni didn’t read, killer food descriptions, and all kinds of dwarven drama.
Sparks of Inspiration
Lucy created a Geode and entered a short story competition!
Darien wants everyone to watch K-Pop Demon Hunters on Netflix.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Help Lucy meet Toothless in Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
Bones?!
Lucy and Darien witness the origin of a local legend in Eldest chapter 11, “Hammer and Tongs,” and chapter 12, “Retaliation.”
Talking points include Roran and Eragon having very different days, why Darien will never order bone marrow tacos, the Empire's complete disregard for its people, accepting that the characters are not also the narrators, and how folk heroes are born.
Sparks of Inspiration
Darien sings the praise of Witchings: House of Elephants by Claribel A. Ortega.
Lucy had a lot of fun at Gem State Comic Con.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Help Lucy meet Toothless in Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
Hey, where’s Tornac?
Darien and Lucy refuse to let the episode change POVs by sticking to delight in the events of Eldest chapter 10, “Hrothgar’s Gift.”
Talking points include once again wishing Dragon Riders grew to look that their dragons over time, Eragon belonging to all the races of Alagaësia, trying to figure out where Murtagh’s beloved horse went, Eragon’s relationship to his trauma, and Eragon once again facing an uncertain future.
Sparks of Inspiration
Lucy gets to play her favorite GameCube games! Listen to the whole of “Pyrite Town” from the Pokemon Coliseum Soundtrack: https://youtu.be/FxQxXpRDLDU?si=MKtsRzx6eDyrgIGP
Darien had a lot of fun at Gem State Comic Con.
Towards the end of the episode, Cache the dog got very cross about some folks walking past the house. We’ve attempted to remove the barking from the background to the best of our abilities.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Help Lucy meet Toothless in Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
Life happened and we didn't have the chance to record, so this week we're giving all listeners a sneak peak into The Dragons' Keep, our bonus feed for Patrons!
For our very first bonus episode, it was only fitting we discuss a piece of foundational dragon text: The Chronicles of Pern.
Full spoilers for Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
Content Warning: This episode contains mention of and conversations about sexual assault, domestic violence, and 1960s internalized misogyny.
We're all doomed!!
Lucy and Darien delight in the events of Eldest chapter 8, “Fealty” and chapter 9, “A Sorceress, a Snake, and a Scroll.”
Talking points include Lucy being a Pisces, acknowledging how long ten minutes really feels like when cheering, speculating on Jörmundur's true motives and nature, just a hot lady shooting her shot, road trip plans, the return of the best character in the series, and the definition of “an appropriate pause.”
Sparks of Inspiration
Darien has a Spark of Inspi-Geode.
Lucy crafted another short narrative piece!
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Feel like crying? Here are those cowboy funeral poems recommended by listener, Curtis Moore:
https://youtu.be/_OOz3zzYVeM?si=bxCRCouZADAaYZZk
https://youtu.be/FKThG9IjDwg?si=f-0z-pWaUar0rfzU
Get more Eragon and Back Again on Patreon! Enjoy recent episode about D-War at https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
This podcast has guests?!
Darien (she/they) and Lucy (she/her) are joined by a special guest Francesca McMahon (any) for Eldest chapter 6, “Saphira’s Promise,” and chapter 7, “Requiem.”
Talking points include making a guest do the chapter summaries, Saphira’s unexpected remorse, the dwarves’ deepening respect for Saphira, speculation on the symbolism behind death rituals, giving Paolini props for knowing how to end a chapter strong, how Nasuada song provides insight into her backstory, and a very unhappy Cache dog barking indignantly in the background cause he had to be in his kennel during recording (sorry).
Sparks of Inspiration
Lucy has a Geode this week, breaking out of her writer’s block and creating a new short story about The Deep.
Fran sings the praises of Power Rangers (2017) (It’s actually great, y’all.)
Darien is inspired by all of her amazing friends, for real.
Get More Fran!!
Check out their books at https://francescamcmahon.com/publication
Listen to their podcast at https://www.instagram.com/bestdamcamppod/
Follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/adoseoffran/
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Get more Eragon and Back Again on Patreon! Enjoy recent episode about D-War at https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
A new point of view character?!
Lucy and Darien practice some political intrigue in Eldest chapter 3, “Roran,” and chapter 4, “The Hunted Hunters.”
Talking points include a sincere wondering if anyone “gets” the name of the podcast, analyzing why these chapters are seemingly “boring” compared to others, the value of social norms in a fantasy narrative, Katrina being great, how people deserve to worry about normal, everyday kerfuffles, an imbalanced loneliness between cousins, and Roran busting out the SAT words.
Sparks of Inspiration
Lucy and Darien are thrilled to discuss Sara Raach’s Go Luck Yourself.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Get more Eragon and Back Again on Patreon! Enjoy recent episode about D-War at https://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
Never underestimate Nasuada.
Lucy and Darien practice some political intrigue in Eldest chapter 2, “The Council of Elders,” and chapter 3, “Truth Among Friends.”
Talking points include how, even though Murtagh dies at the start of Eldest, Paolini wrote a whole prequel book about him and a red dragon, Lucy’s feelings about Eragon attempting to scry Murtagh using a tear, the worst time to deal with chronic pain, the best(?) place to store a dagger, Nasuada being incredible, and Arya subtle strategies to keep Eragon at a distance.
Sparks of Inspiration
Darien reflects on the value of being comfortable in your creative space.
Lucy enjoys rereading John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Get more Eragon and Back Again on Patreon! Enjoy recent episodes about The Reluctant Dragon (1941) and Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons
Cover art by Luana Pastor
What a way to start this book…
Darien and Lucy unpack the unexpected trauma that is Eldest chapter 1, “A Twin Disaster.”
Talking points include Paolini's recontextualization of previous events in order to prioritize new themes, being told about and not shown some pretty important plot points, compelling evidence for Eragon having no sense of smell, a totally spoiler-free observation of the chapter title, and the ways this heavy chapter sets the tone for the rest of the book.
Sparks of Inspiration
Lucy combats seasonal depression with the mobile game DragonVale!
Darien pretends to be an enigmatic magical girl in her new Girl by Moonlight campaign 🌙
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Get more Eragon and Back Again on Patreon! Enjoy recent episodes about The Reluctant Dragon (1941) and Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragonshttps://www.patreon.com/EABA
Cover art by Luana Pastor
Y'all Showed Up 💛💜
Let's celebrate finishing Eragon by emptying out the mail bag! Thank you dear listeners for so many wonderful, thoughtful comments and emails!!
Talking points include really digging into the Shade backstory and how it can mirror Eragon's experiences, relitigating the “Who Should Have Taken Off Saphira's Armor?” Case, taking care not to boil down the worth of a human being to their ability to reproduce, Eragon being absent in the host’s Top Three Favorite Characters lists, starting the Roran Hype Tour, an unexpected detour into Twilight lore and head canons, and Darien getting (rightfully) called out for not consistently including the podcast email in the show notes.
Here's that deep Twilight lore account Darien mentioned in this episode: https://www.instagram.com/sarahelizabeth_talks?igsh=MWlhdnJoeW5sczZmcw==
Sparks of Inspiration
Our fabulous listeners!!!
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com (Here it is, Owen!!)
Get more Eragon and Back Again on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/EABA
We did it!
Lucy and Darien wrap the first book in The Inheritance Cycle with Eragon chapter 58, “Battle Under Farthen Dur,” and chapter 59, “The Mourning Sage.”
Talking points include the Urgals still be labeled as monsters, Hrothgar’s daring fashion statement, Angela’s incredible entrance on the battlefield, pondering why exactly Eragon when off alone while Arya took the armor off Saphira, an epic fight scene, a somewhat oddly placed tragic backstory reveal, interrogating Eragon’s reaction to his new scar, and looking to future adventures.
Sparks of Inspiration
Lucy and Darien share the joy of finishing Eragon and making a podcast together.
Share your Sparks of Inspiration or your thoughts about Eragon with us on Instagram @EragonPod or send an email to eragonpod@gmail.com
Check out this AMAZING art discussed in the episode https://www.instagram.com/p/DC43uhnSvGj/?igsh=aGM2cm54NWs1Znk=
Get more Eragon and Back Again on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/EABA