Garion

A farm boy who hears the Voice of Prophecy, learns sorcery to heal a horse and kill Asharak, and journeys from his childhood home at Faldor's farm to fulfill an ancient destiny.

Garion is the protagonist of the five-book fantasy epic The Belgariad by David Eddings. His earliest memories are at Faldor's farm, a prosperous but not specifically large farm in Sendaria, and include the kitchen and farmyard, where he befriends Durnik the blacksmith. He encounters telepathic visions of the antagonist Asharak/Chamdar and hears a distinct 'dry voice' in his mind known as the Voice of Prophecy or 'Necessity'. When Belgarath, alias 'Mister Wolf', announces the theft of the Orb, Garion leaves the farm with Aunt Pol and Durnik. He later discovers that Polgara is Belgarath's daughter and his aunt by bloodline, identifying Belgarath as his grandfather.

Quick Facts

Role

Protagonist

Affiliation

Belgarath
Polgara
Silk
Barak
Durnik
Hettar

First appears

Pawn of Prophecy

Lore & Background

In Queen of Sorcery, Garion travels with his companions through Arendia and Tolnedra. He befriends master archer Lelldorin and must leave him behind after he is gravely injured by Algroths—goat-faced, gorilla-bodied monsters devised by Eddings. The party continues to Vo Mimbre where Garion reveals a plot against King Korodullin; Hettar kills the conspirator Nachak. Later, in Tolnedra, Garion performs his first act of sorcery, unknowingly healing a horse using the Will and the Word. Upon reaching Nyissa, he is detained by Queen Salmissra, who demands the hand of Princess Ce'Nedra in marriage. In a separate confrontation, when Asharak/Chamdar slaps Polgara, Garion strikes him back and speaks the word 'burn'. Remembering that Asharak killed his parents, Garion keeps the flames on the antagonist until he dies. This act reveals his birthright name, Belgarion, as called by Polgara.

Reader's Guide

Garion originates as an orphan raised on Faldor's farm in Sendaria under the protection of Aunt Pol. His role involves recovering the Orb of Aldur, created by the god Aldur and containing a living soul, which was stolen by Torak. He travels with Belgarath (Mister Wolf), Polgara, Durnik, Silk, Barak, and Hettar. Key turning points include his first act of sorcery healing a mad monk in Tolnedra and the killing of Asharak/Chamdar in Nyissa using the Will and the Word. He learns that Asharak is the same person as Chamdar. The group travels through Arendia, Tolnedra, and into Nyissa. Garion's development is marked by the revelation of his true name, Belgarion, after he uses sorcery to kill his parents' murderer. He must navigate political intrigue involving King Korodullin, Emperor Ran Borune, and Grand Duke Kador.