Belgarion

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Belgarion
Belgarion
Publication information
Publisher	Del Rey Books
First appearance	Pawn of Prophecy
Created by	David Eddings
In story information
Full name	Belgarion/Garion
Species	human
Abilities	Sorcery

Belgarion (also called Garion) is a fictional character and the chief protagonist in The Belgariad and The Malloreon, two fantasy epics written by David Eddings.

Garion is the distant nephew of Polgara the Sorceress and the distant grandson of Belgarath the Sorcerer, though in truth his lineage is many times removed from them, through Belgarath's other daughter and Polgara's twin sister, Beldaran. Beldaran was the wife of Riva Iron-Grip, the first king (and founder) of Riva. Garion's father was Geran, a stonecutter in the Sendarian village of Annath and hidden heir to the Rivan throne. His mother, Ildera, was the daughter of a clan chief of Algaria. He is married to Ce'Nedra and has two children, a boy named Geran and a girl named Beldaran. Interestingly, the Mrin Codex says he will have only one son, leaving open the possibility of daughters, given that both he and Ce'Nedra have exceptional life spans, reproductive and otherwise (Belgarath was about three and a half thousand years old when he fathered his twin daughters). After Belgarion retrieved his son, the Voice of the Prophecy mentioned he may want to expand the royal nursery when he arrives home.

While Garion was still a baby, his parents were killed in a fire (started by the Grolim priest Chamdar). Belgarath was able to save only Garion. Polgara took him to live at Faldor's Farm in Sendaria, where he lived until he was about 14 years old. He left the farm when he embarked on the quest to recover the Orb of Aldur, and it was there that he discovered his heritage, and met Ce'Nedra.

Like his aunt and grandfather, Belgarion is an extremely powerful sorcerer and therefore has an extended lifespan, like his relatives (being disciples of gods allows mortals to live for an indefinite amount of time). From the book Castle of Wizardry onwards, he also holds the titles King of Riva, Overlord of the West, and Lord of the Western Sea, Keeper of the Orb of Aldur, and after Enchanter's End Game takes on the title of Godslayer. Through many of the books he also bears the title Child of Light (he also bears this name in the Mrin Codex), which means the Voice of the Light Prophecy habitually checks on him to offer advice, criticism, or, should he need it, instruction. Among his most important accomplishments are the slaying of the god Torak in Enchanters' End Game, and his decision at the Place Which Is No More in The Seeress of Kell.

As the keeper of the Orb of Aldur, and the only remaining descendant of Riva Iron-Grip, Belgarion was one of three people able to touch it without being destroyed - an ability he now shares only with Eriond and his only son Geran (named after Garion's father).

Raised on Faldor's Farm, Garion demonstrates all the attributes of a Sendarian farmer, which he extends to ruling Riva with relative ease. He has a streak of solid common sense, honesty, and unassuming charm. As he matures, Garion uses these qualities to deal with more 'world-wise' monarchs and politicians in a manner they are unfamiliar with, thus making Garion a very powerful ruler. He's also grown duplicitous enough to use his rural background as a way of pointing that he has not had instruction in intricate proprieties of certain groups--the Mimbrate chivalry and the obscure Sorcerer's code of ethics--assuming there actually is one and Belgarath wasn't dodging questions. As he put it, "Let's agree I don't have very good manners, and you can answer me anyway." Belgarion's upbringing also makes him aware of the common people, and he has a shopkeeper friend in Riva he periodically visits to listen to what's troubling commoners. Rather than use this to ferret out secrets, Belgarion applies what he learns to smoothing out injustices, such as an unfair tax.

Garion has an exceptional talent in the Will and the Word, but is often unaware of the consequences of his actions e.g. he almost triggers an Ice Age whilst creating a thunderstorm. This aptitude is (in part at least) because he has the Prophecy of the Light in his head (who tells him how and when to do things), and his lineage, which includes Polgara and Belgarath. The first measure of his power is shown in Queen of Sorcery when Maas says to Salmissra his power is "untried and undirected but is very strong. He could destroy you quite by accident. In the Belgariad he mainly uses "spontaneous sorcery" meaning he does it without realising or gathering his will. The prophecy also acts through him many times. However, in Guardians of the West he is able to summon a large thunder storm with little effort and few physical and mental effects (despite nearly triggering an Ice Age).

[edit] Family Tree

Belgarath

Poledra

(Bel)Durnik

Polgara

Beldaran

Riva Iron-Grip

Daran

?

Ildera

Geran

Ran Borune XXIII

Rivan Kings

Adara

Hettar

(Bel)Garion

Ce'Nedra

Beldaran

Geran II