Dragons

Dragons (Skulblaka in the Ancient Language) were sentient creatures that roamed freely in the land of Alagaësia. They were the mounts and life-long companions of the Dragon Riders. Apart from werecats, spirits and Lethrblaka, dragons were the only known intelligent non-humanoid species.

There are currently only four known dragons left in Alagaësia: Shruikan, Saphira, Thorn, and the green dragon egg in Galbatorix's possession. Glaedr was the only other dragon known to be alive during the Rider War, but he was killed by Murtagh and Thorn and now resides in his Eldunarí which is in Eragon's possession.

Hundreds of years later, the race of dragons were restored, and the Riders returned to Alagaësia and many dragons and riders reside at Dragon Riders Academy.

Overview
The dragons of Alagaësia were reptilian, with scales, sharp teeth, and bat-like membraned wings. They could develop the ability to breathe fire as they matured. Their color varied from dragon to dragon, and there appeared to be some variation in features between different colored dragons, but all dragon colors were the same species. For example, Saphira, a blue dragon, possesses four cheek spikes, slightly curved horns, and two forehead spines while Thorn, a red dragon, had wide, crescent-shaped horns, and two cheek spikes. Glaedr, who was gold, had six cheek spines, crooked horns, and a beard.

According to Brom, dragons could grow to be "larger than most houses" and that some older dragons could be confused with large hills. Their eggs tended to be the same color as the dragon's scales, as did the color of their Rider's magic. Their scales were very strong, capable of deflecting arrows, even on the underbelly. The wings were the weakest part on their body, composed of only a thin membrane of flesh.

Females tend to be more aggressive, vainful and stronger than males, as Saphira often calls herself the "most beautiful creature in all of Alagaësia", as well as attacking Glaedr when he opposes to mate with Saphira. Glaedr himself said that in the wild, the "females were so formidable it was considered among tamed males to be a great accomplishment to mate with one". All dragons had matching color for their eyes and hide and possessed long, barbed tongues. All dragons ate meat, especially deer and other ungulates.

Life Cycle
Dragons hatched from eggs. When first hatched, they were the size of an average house cat, but grew rapidly. When dragons reached about six months old, they gained the ability to breathe fire. Predators by nature, they hunted large animals, with an occasional fish or fowl and some plants, such as Fireweed, which eased bad breath and indigestion.

Dragons started to mate when they were young. They were unfading and did not die, unless by wounds in battle or by sickness. If they had a Rider, they could live on after their Rider's death (ex: Glaedr, Oromis's dragon, lived on after Oromis died). It was believed that there was no limit to a dragon's size, as they grew continuously. Brom said that the most ancient dragons could be confused for hills or small mountains because of their size.

When the Unbound Dragons delivered one of their eggs to the Riders, certain words were said over it. These ensured that the dragon would only hatch for the one destined to be its Rider.

When a dragon's Rider was ever killed, they would go on rampage to avenge their death. Afterwards, they often died from grief. If they so chose to, they could retain their conscious mind in their Eldunarí, or their jeweled "heart of hearts". This allowed anyone with the Eldunarí - if the dragon gave it up to someone - to speak to the dragon and draw energy from them. The dragons could give up their Eldunarí and still live on until the dragon died. It was revealed by the elf Oromis that Galbatorix, during his rebellion, acquired all the Eldunarí from the dragons he killed, which was the source of his amplified power. It assumed he may have given some of them to Murtagh, which explained his increased power and Thorn's speedy growth.

Diet
Large Fish (but not Wise Fish), Deer, Kobb young, Sea Serpents, Bird Banes, Diamond Pythons, Tuskers, Fish of the Silver Sea and River Broad, Eels from the River Tor, Bubblers, Stingers, Blood Creepers, Ooze Toads and other cold-blooded creatures of the Barrier Mountain caverns, Terreocti Sand Beasts, as the dragons enjoy their crunchiness, Scorpion Lizards, Granous, Vine-Weaver Birds, Dragon Lizards, Muddlet foals, Plain Rats, Fighting Spiders, Plain Scorpions, Pig Rats, Painted Plain Deer, Snakes, occasionally domesticated animals, such as the Dwarves' Giant Feldûnost Goats. Grazes on Blood Lilies, Seaweed, Fireweed and Grippers.

Early Years
Along with the dwarves, the Grey Folk and a few other races, dragons were one of the races actually native to Alagäesia. The dwarves and the dragons constantly had skirmishes and neither ever found any liking for the other race. Additionally, there were never any dwarf Dragon Riders because the dwarves were not included in the Blood Oath (The magical pact that created the Riders).

Du Fyrn Skulblaka
After a dragon was killed by a rash elf, the long and bitter Fyrn Skulblaka started between the two races. Each side did things they would regret: at one point, elves ambushed dragon mothers in a forested nesting-place (Stone of Broken Eggs), killing them and breaking their eggs. Eventually, however, an elf named Eragon I (namesake of the current Eragon) discovered an abandoned dragon egg and raised the dragon as his own. Together, the pair acted as mediators for the dragons and elves, as well as were able to eventually resolve the conflict. Afterward, they established a pact or Blood Oath and created the order of the Dragon Riders, binding the Dragons and the Elves together with magic, as it was determined that a simple peace accord would not suffice. The dragons and their Riders were tasked with maintaining the peace in Alagäesia. Humans were later added to the blood oath when they arrived.

The Dragon Rider Era
The dragons agreed to give some of their eggs to the Riders every year so that the order could continue. With the protection and assistance of the Riders, the dragons experienced an age of peace. Though they still had contentions with the dwarves, a full-scale war never again erupted between races.

The Fall
During and after Galbatorix's rebellion, most of the dragons, along with their Riders, were murdered. The Forsworn began a mass genocide of the dragons, leaving them on the brink of extinction. Galbatorix's dragon was thought to be the only surviving dragon by the time of the Rider War, although twelve of the thirteen Forsworns' dragons also remained (one of them, the grey dragon partner of Glaerun, having been killed by the elf rider, Thuviel's explosion along with his or her rider during the Battle at Doru Araeba) remained until they and their riders died of various means. However, Galbatorix still held three dragon eggs and there was another surviving dragon, Glaedr, living in Du Weldenvarden. By Eragon's time, there were only five known dragons in existence:
 * Saphira: Eragon's dragon, a blue female and the only surviving dragoness. The only known surviving daughter of Iormúngr and Vervada
 * Thorn: Murtagh's dragon, a red male
 * Fírnen: Arya's dragon, a green male
 * Shruikan: Galbatorix's dragon, a black male (died in the battle of Urû'baen by the hand of Arya)
 * Glaedr: Oromis's dragon, a gold male (experienced bodily death during the elven invasion of Gil'ead in Brisingr and from then on resided in his Eldunarí)

New Hope
When Eragon discovered the blue dragon egg in the Spine and eventually became Saphira's Rider, some hope was restored for the dragons. Galbatorix also wanted to reestablish the dragon race and the Riders to serve him.

Saphira was the last known female dragon in existence. As revealed by Murtagh, it was Galbatorix's desire to reestablish the order of the Dragon Riders. Therefore, it was likely that Saphira would have become the "mother" of their race.

However, in the Vault of Souls, Eragon found that Vrael, Oromis, and a few other elders had realized that Galbatorix was too powerful and decided to hide away 136 Eldunarí and 243 dragon eggs, 26 of which were saved for the new generation of Dragon Riders and then the Eldunarí cast a spell like that of the Banishing of Names, that erased the memory of the Rock of Kuthian from everyone's minds, including that of the Riders and the mothers of the dragon eggs. This spell would also prevent anyone who entered and left the vault from remembering the dragon eggs in the vault until the demise of Galbatorix. Eragon took these eggs with him at the end of Inheritance.

However, the dragons continued to play a role in the working of Alagäesia, in the form of the tamperings worked by the Eldunarí within the Vault of Souls. They did many things to help bring about Galbatorix's downfall, such as reaching out to the Werecats and giving them the message they would later pass on to Eragon, which would lead him to find both the Brightsteel for his sword, Brisingr, but also to find the Vault of Souls.

Dragon Names
In response to a fan question, stated that dragons would normally choose their own names once they were old enough to understand the concept. Additionally, it wasn't unheard of for a dragon to change his or her name over the centuries. In a perversion of the normal custom, Galbatorix gave Shruikan his name.

In the first book, when Eragon asked Brom about dragons and the Dragon Riders, he asked him what were the names of the former dragons before the fall of the order. Amongst them was Saphira, the name of Brom's former dragon. Later, Eragon shares the list of names with her, and she chose Saphira. Also, when Murtugh explains why his dragon is named Thorn, it is unclear whether Thorn chose his name or Murtugh.

Dragons Seen And Mentioned With The Series And FanFiction

 * Aeridou, wild, a young dragon residing in his Eldunarí who was slain by the Forsworn during the Fall. Kept under Galbatorix's possession and was rescued by Eragon, Arya and Saphira and currently lives within the walls of Dragon Riders Academy as Rumis's advisor, a ginger male. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Agaravel, tamed, a female dragon in her Eldunarí whose rider was murdered by the Forsworn members, Kialandí and Formora. Kept under Galbatorix's possession and was rescued by Eragon, Arya and Saphira and currently lives within the walls of Dragon Riders Academy. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Ahti, tamed, Dahl's beloved dragon, a playful black male who currently attends Dragon Riders Academy.
 * Aiedail, tamed, the focused partner of Gedric who currently trains at Dragon Riders Academy, a black male.
 * Alaric, participated in The Fall, a golden orange-red male that now resides in his Eldunarí within Dragon Riders Academy. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Alfr, wild, a female dragon of black, midnight blue, forest green and deepest purple residing in her Eldunarí that was part of the 134 Eldunarí in the Vault of Souls who aided Eragon in the defeat of Galbatorix and currently resides in the walls of Dragon Riders Academy. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Arva's Green Dragon, tamed, participated in defending Ilirea with its rider Arva, carried Arva's sister to Du Weldenvarden where they both died from their wounds and exhaustion, a green individual. †
 * Avizandum, wild, the King of the Dragons from the time of the Year of Darkness to the Fall of the Riders,he offered his Eldunarí to the riders to hide in the Vault of Souls to continue to fight the thirteen traitors, he resides in Dragon Riders Academy mate of Zubeia, sire of Azymondias, a giant light blue male with a mane of white hair. † (alive as a Eldunarí).
 * Azymondias, tamed, Prince Ezran's dragon partner, son of Avizandum and Zubeia and Prince of the Dragons, a light blue male with a mane of white hair protruding from his head.
 * Auramo, tamed, Gagzog’s partner, currently trains at Dragon Riders Academy, a brilliant gold male
 * Balthamos, tamed, the brooding, rude and often constantly angry partner of Xaphania who trains at Dragon Riders Academy, a male of the darkest of purple - almost black coloration
 * Bathalas, tamed, Jurali's Swiftwind's Dragon, one of the greatest tamed dragon's of the golden age, a amethyst-purple female. †
 * Belgabad, wild, the largest dragon at the time of the fall, a grayish-black dragon who now lives within his Eldunarí. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Bellui, wild, a violet female living in the Falls of Du Fells abr Shur'turgal
 * Birmurnem, tamed, Partner of Ohen the Strong, a bronze male. †
 * Beroan, tamed, one of the greatest tamed dragon's of the golden age. †
 * Bid'Daum, tamed, the first tamed dragon in Alagaësia, dragon of Eragon I, a white male. †
 * Bixara, wild, one of the strongest dragons during the Fall of the Riders, he offered his Eldunarí to the riders to hide in the Vault of Souls to continue to fight the thirteen traitors, he resides in Dragon Riders Academy (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Briam, tamed, one of the greatest tamed dragon's of the golden age. †
 * Carnelon, tamed, Partner of Fresya Glenwingsson, who currently lives with his rider in the walls of the Academy, a brilliant orange male
 * Cuaroc, tamed, The "Bane of the Urgals" and "Hunter of the Nïdhwal‎‎", his Eldunarí was housed within a specially-constructed artificial body made by Silvarí the Enchantress, he guarded the Vault of Souls, a Purple male. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Delvathargen, tamed, Sorcha's Dragon, a golden female attending the academy.
 * Drandacon, tamed, Caled Roamand's partner, a blood red male that studies at Dragon Riders Academy.
 * Draumr, tamed, partner of the half-elf-half-human rider, Konan, a medium-sized young teal dragon with moss green under scales who resides in the Eastern Reaches.
 * Enduriel's Dragon, one of the Thirteen Dragons of the Forsworn, mentioned to be more cunning that his rider, a unnameable dragon of unknown coloration. †
 * Ënurfala, mythological, mentioned only in a deleted scene in Brisingr. It dwelled on Yngla Mountain and was said to have stolen a magic spear from Svarvok, the Urgal God of War.
 * Eridor, wild, the "King of the Wild Dragons", possible son of Vanilor, green male. †
 * Evarínya, tamed, Myra's dragon, her name means "stars" because of her sparkling star-white scales training to be a master dragon and rider pair.
 * Faudun, tamed, Partner of Lady Thildro, one of the greatest tamed dragon's of the golden age during the fall and was famed for being just as large as Shruikan and one of the last dragons Shruiken killed during the Fall of the Dragon Riders, a gigantic silver female. †
 * Ferja, tamed, the sleek and swift Partner of Repra who currently lives at Dragon Riders Academy, a brilliant copper female.
 * Fidelis, wild, a faithful golden-yellow male that currently resides in the remote Os-Mine Hills
 * Fírnen, tamed, Arya's dragon, Saphira's Mate, a green male.
 * Formora's Dragon, tamed, one of the Dragons of the Forsworn, a unnameable brown dragoness. †
 * Forta I, wild, one of the 134 Eldunarí in the Vault of Souls, she joined Eragon and Saphira on their journey to the Eastern Reaches and currently lives within the walls of Dragon Riders Academy, Forta II dam, a crystal-white female. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Forta II, wild, daughter of Forta I, Veritas's adoptive daughter, a young crystal-blue female
 * Fortuna, wild, a jovial midnight-blue female with a scattering of silver dots like star across her entire body who resides in the Eastern Reaches
 * Frenic, wild, part of the 134 Eldunarí in the Vault of Souls, she aided Eragon and Saphira on their travels to the Eastern Lands and currently lives within the walls of Dragon Riders Academy as Sorrel's advisor, a reddish-brown female. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Fundor, the dragon that slew the giant sea snake Nïdhwal on the waters of Fundor Bay. †
 * Glaedr, tamed, Oromis's Dragon, the son Nithring, she of the long tail, Saphira's teacher and mentor, a gold male dragon in his Eldunarí. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Glaerun's Dragon, tamed, one of the Thirteen Dragons of the Forsworn, a unnameable grey dragon. †
 * Greenfire, wild, one of the more peaceful wild dragons of the new age, a green female. Thalmore's daughter.
 * Gretiem, tamed, one of the greatest tamed dragon's of the golden age, a azure blue female. †
 * Guilith, tamed, Reznargh's Dragon Partner, currently training at Dragon Riders Academy, a moss-green female
 * Gundor, Thubdra's friendly partner, a beautiful and majestic slate grey female that currently teaches at Dragon Riders Academy as a assistant instructor and tutor in Axemanship Class
 * Gutaera, tamed, Clupdo's dragon partner, a electric-green with hot pink eyes who studies at the academy
 * Hacosta, tamed, Kakzhog's Dragon, a huge, somewhat grumpy, mud-brown male that attends Dragon Riders Academy
 * Harta, tamed, the Dragon Partner of Travor, a bright purple female who teaches Mind Class at the Academy
 * Hírador, tamed, a metallic-grey male residing in his Eldunarí at Dragon Riders Academy. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Honora, wild, a swift and honorary emerald-green female of the new age
 * Hopian, wild, a glittering male dragon with scales coloured in all the colours of the rainbow that resides on the Southern Cliffs of the Rainbow Plain
 * Hvitr, tamed, Loivissa’s dragon, a white male that currently trains at Dragon Riders Academy
 * Ilistarilor, wild, one of the oldest wild dragons for the new generation who nests, sleeps and eats near Eragon’s hold who entrusted half her eggs into the care of the elves to be bonded as Shur'tugal, a silver female
 * Ilúvatar, tamed, descendant of Vanilor and Eridor and the "Prince of the Dragons", partner of Yanni, white male.
 * Ingothold, a male †
 * Iormúngr, tamed, Saphira II's sire (father) †
 * Irys, wild, one of the wild dragons of the new age, a slim indigo female. Kergan's mate.
 * Istalri, tamed, Dakin's Dragon, teaches Dragon Magic at Dragon Riders Academy, a silvery male.
 * Ivarros, a dragon who's body died during a unreasonably strong thunderstorm before the Fall of the Riders, was part of the 134 Eldunarí in the Vault of Souls, he joined Eragon and Saphira on their journey to the Eastern Reaches and currently lives within the walls of Dragon Riders Academy, a ruddy male. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Jaltin, Sorrel's dragon, student of Dragon Rider's Academy, a young blue female. Valdr II's Mate.
 * Jandusk, tamed, Teka's Dragon, tutors Dragon and Rider Students in Spearmanship, a bulky, bright, hot pink female
 * Jarnunvösk, tamed, Galbatorix's first dragon, a female. †
 * Joyeu, wild, a ruby-red female with deep-pink underwings that currently resides in the caves around Dragon's Nest.
 * Jura, Sita's Partner of Heart and Mind, a rose-red female. †
 * Jurdardn, tamed, Ismira Katrinasdaughter's Partner, a silvery-white female
 * Kail, tamed, Sarabelle Stronghammer's adventurous Dragon, a young, green-eyed, powder blue male
 * Kergan, wild, one of the wild dragons of the new age, a fearsome, somewhat arrogant bronze male residing in Du Fells abr Shur'turgal. Irys's Mate.
 * Kialandí's Dragon, tamed, one of the Thirteen Dragons of the Forsworn, a unnameable purple dragon. †
 * Kveykva, tamed, Yagzhod's dragoness, a aggressive bright yellow female that trains at the academy.
 * Lenora, one of the greatest tamed dragon's of the golden age, a silvery white dragoness. †
 * Mavelyn, wild, a lithe female dragoness who finds the very idea of Riders horrifying, and she treats bonded dragons with contempt, a emerald-green female.
 * Meira, tamed, Hidor's dragoness, a cyan female with a splattering of silvery-blue scales across her body.
 * Michali, tamed, Dlarin's Partner, a student at Dragon Riders Academy, a brash bronze female
 * Mimring the Brilliant, tamed, lived during the period of the War of Iron with his rider Terrin, Mimring's original color is not stated, however following a flight over the Beor Mountains, Mimring's scales had 'Become as clear as diamonds', because he flew close to the sun in order to reach the dragons faster, so that they could come to the defense of Kvôth during the War of Iron. †
 * Miremel, a brown female. †
 * Mithrim, tamed, Kellif’s dragon, the first dragon to hatch after the Rider War, a purple male that trains at Dragon Riders Academy.
 * Morzan's dragon, tamed, one of the Thirteen Dragons of the Forsworn, Galbatorix's first willing dragon disciple, a unnameable red dragon. †
 * Nisroc, tamed, Cain's sarcastic Partner who currently trains at the Eastern Reaches with his rider, a albino white male with blood-red eyes.
 * Nithring, She Of The Long Tail, Glaedr and Healena's dam (mother) †
 * Nuca, tamed, Daia's dragon, a grey female with a purple gleam to her scales. Samaron's mate
 * Opastma, tamed, Hangton's Dragon, a playful teal female
 * Opheila, tamed, Jura's Partner of Heart and Mind, she was part of the 134 Eldunarí in the Vault of Souls, she joined Eragon and Saphira on their journey to the Eastern Reaches and currently lives within the walls of Dragon Riders Academy, a lavender female. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Orinta, tamed, Tarias's dragon, a amethyst-violet female that resides in the Eastern Lands
 * Parmenion, Zann's Partner, a slightly cocky silver male who trains at Dragon Riders Academy
 * Piyriahr, tamed, Aeneas Pyrrhus's Partner, a fearsome icy sea-blue male
 * Pollux, Vedra's Dragon, a murky, swamp green male who currently tutors in Macemanship Class with his rider
 * Ragndis, tamed, Idunnr Vanyali's dragoness, a playful pomegranate-garnet female
 * Raudhr, Morgad Murtaghsson's Dragon, a fast and strong scarlet male who attends Dragon Riders Academy
 * Raugmar the Black, wild, a distant descendant of Belgabad and great-great-great-grandsire of Vervada, Saphira's mother, a black male. †
 * Reiter, tamed, Drache's partner, a iron-silver male that currently resides in Ceunon
 * Redick, tamed, Aretha's Partner, a Dragon protégé studying at the Academy, a black male with startling green eyes
 * Rimdabic, wild, a bottlebrush-scarlet male that resides in the Boolong Forests around Dread Mountain and the Arctic Lake
 * Rorkin, tamed Dair's Partner, a black male attending the Academy
 * Roslarb, wild, a pinkish-red female. †
 * Samaron, tamed, Nuca's mate, Healen's daughter, Riyak's partner, a gold-yellow male that resides in Dragon Riders Academy as one of it's first students.
 * Saola, wild, a proud and independent 3 year old pea-green dragoness that prefers to stay away from the other dragons as a loner.
 * Saphira I, tamed, Brom's dragon, a aqua-blue female. †
 * Saphira II, tamed, Eragon's dragon, child of Iormúngr and Vervada, a blue female
 * Shruikan, tamed Galbatorix's second, forced dragon, a black male. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Spectral Dragon, tamed (in a way), a dragon that appeared in the form of a tattoo around the elves Iduna and Nëya. This dragon was described as an iridescent tattoo that began with the dragon's tail wrapped around Iduna's left ankle, eventually ending with the head on Nëya's chest. It has the vibrant appearance of a rainbow, with every scale inked a different colour. When Iduna and Nëya dance, the dragon appeared to come to life, rising from the tattoo.
 * Stormcleaver, tamed, participated in The Fall, a deep-sea blue male that now resides in his Eldunarí within Dragon Riders Academy after being rescued by Eragon and Arya. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Sundavar, tamed, Ryan Nángoröth's partner, a black male
 * Taenth, tamed, Jedrik's dragon, a musclier and riddle-loving forest-green male
 * Telíf, wild, one of the several un-bonded dragons that reside in Dragon Riders Academy, a green female
 * Thalmore, wild, a honest shining golden male that patrols Malthinae Lake, Greenfire's sire.
 * Tharveral, Liamva's Dragon, a silver female with scales tipped with the slightest black.
 * Thel 'Vadam, tamed, The General's partner-of-heart-and-mind, a enormous male with scales are described as being "as gold as gold can be", a long scar running down his thigh from a fight with a Lethrblaka, and eyes like molten metal. †
 * Thorn, tamed, Murtagh's dragon, a red male
 * Topaz, tamed, Kaltul's partner, son of Opalescence, a cheerful and rambunctious golden-amber male.
 * Umaroth, tamed, Vrael's dragon, he lives within his Eldunarí and was part of the 134 Eldunarí in the Vault of Souls, he joined Eragon and Saphira on their journey to the Eastern Reaches and currently lives within the walls of Dragon Riders Academy, a white male. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Unnamed White Dragon, wild, represented the dragons during the Dragons and Elves Peace Treaty. †
 * Valdr I, wild, the eldest Dragons hidden within the Vault of Souls. † (alive as a Eldunarí)
 * Valdr II, tamed, Rumis's Dragon, a brown male attending the academy. Jaltin's Mate.
 * Valonir, tamed, the half-elf Inari's clever honey-brown dragon
 * Vanilor, wild, King of the Dragons, possibly sire of Eridor. †
 * Veritas, wild, Forta II's adoptive sire, a amethyst-purple male residing in on the hills beyond the Dreaming Dunes
 * Vêrmund the Grim, wild, a black male dragon featured as the central antagonist in the Urgal legend "The Worm of Kulkuras".
 * Vervada, wild, Saphira II's dam (mother), a "crimson" red female. †
 * Vornuin, tamed, Keareyai's dragon, a slim and agile teal-green male.
 * Yaro, Ukzhuk's Dragon, a mangoish-yellow male attending Dragon Riders Academy as a student
 * Yülqa, wild, one of the wild dragons residing in Dragon Riders Academy, a red male
 * Zhadagulthren, tamed, Kharvog Garzvhogsson's Dragon, a light purple male currently residing in the Eastern Reaches