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Ra'zac
Arguably the most fearsome and vile of Alagaësia’s races, the Ra’zac are
mysterious creatures, grotesquely formed and endowed with tremendous physical
attributes. They cannot truly be categorized; they are neither plants nor
animals, but something else entirely. Their exact origin is unknown; it is
theorized that they may have come from whatever land humans originated from. It
may have been Ra’zac predation on humans that drove the humans to Alagaësia. The
name Ra’zac itself is a source of confusion; it is unknown if that is truly the
name of their race or if that is just what they have chosen to call themselves.
It is also unknown if any Ra’zac possess individual names.
When the Riders became aware of the Ra’zac’s presence in Alagaësia, they
immediately set about eradicating the race. However, two adult Ra’zac, called
Lethrblaka, evaded the Riders. These two reproduced and are responsible for the
Ra’zac plaguing the land at the time of Eragon and Saphira, although there are
believed to be very few of the creatures in existence.
Galbatorix approached the Ra’zac and enlisted them as his personal dragon
hunters. They were given Helgrind, outside Dras Leona, as their headquarters.
When rumors of a dragon egg hatching reached the king, he sent them to Carvahall
to investigate. This led to Eragon and Saphira fleeing with Brom. They continued
to pursue the young Rider long after their first encounter with him in Carvahall.
Ra’zac always wear dark cloaks to hide the true form of their twisted bodies.
A large hump juts out of their back and shiny black skin, similar to an
insect’s, covers their entire body. Their faces consist of two enormous black
eyes, which are lidless and about the size of a human fist. Below the eyes is a
cruel black beak, which covers a purple and barbed tongue. The beak is
well-developed for the devouring of the Ra’zac’s preferred food: humans. Their
speech is said to be slick and oily, with “s” sounds tending to be emphasized.
Screeches, hisses and clicks are used along with speech to communicate.
They are incapable of using magic, but that in no way makes them weak. This
disability is well-compensated in physical attributes that far surpass any
human’s. The strength of the Ra’zac is unparalleled among humans, as is their
swiftness. Great heights can be leapt without any true effort. Even when
shrouded by a hood, the gaze of one can paralyze a man with fear. Their foul
breath holds similar properties; men can be completely incapacitated by it,
although the effects are less on dwarves and do not harm Elves. Their eyes are
powerful enough to see clearly on a cloudy night, and their sense of smell is
superb. Finally, wounds inflicted by them are typically painful and slow to
heal.
Yet, despite all their advantages over humans, Ra’zac do have weaknesses and
fears. They are very cunning, but also narrow-minded. Sunlight pains them;
however, they will carry on through it if driven hard enough. Deep water scares
them profoundly, for Ra’zac cannot swim.
A Ra’zac is actually a juvenile form of their race. They are hatched from
eggs as pupae, and the young grow black exoskeletons similar to a human’s body.
On the first full moon of a Ra’zac’s twentieth year, it will shed its
exoskeleton and become a Lethrblaka.
Lethrblaka are huge winged creatures, akin to a dragon but still very
different. Their bodies are covered by naked, hairless flesh that is gray and
leathery. They are well-muscled, particularly in their hind legs, and have
massive, powerful wings. The face of a Lethrblaka bears traits of the Ra’zac; it
possesses both the eyes and beak of a Ra’zac. But unlike Ra’zac, Lethrblaka will
prey on anything—not just humans. Also differing from the Ra’zac is the
intelligence of a Lethrblaka; their thinking is as sophisticated as any dragon.
The relationship between the Lethrblaka and their Ra’zac young is somewhat odd:
the Ra’zac will actually ride their parents like a Rider might a dragon.
Ra’zac are foul and unnatural creatures who have proved to be a scourge on
the land of Alagaësia and its people. Complete eradication of them, if possible,
would be a strenuous and difficult task. However, it would also be a great
service to Alagaësia. Powerful and mysterious, they are creatures to fear and
avoid.
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