The Rivan Codex is a collection of background material to the Belgariad

The Belgariad

The Belgariad is a five-book fantasy epic written by David Eddings.The series tells the story of the recovery of the Orb of Aldur and coming of age of Garion, an orphaned farmboy. Garion is accompanied by his aunt Polgara and grandfather Belgarath as they try to fulfill an ancient prophecy that...

 and Malloreon

The Malloreon

The Malloreon is a five part fantasy book series written by David Eddings, which follows The Belgariad. The Malloreon is set in the same world as The Belgariad, but expands on several aspects of the setting, especially the eastern continent of Mallorea....

 fantasy saga by David and Leigh Eddings

David Eddings

David Eddings was an American author who wrote several best-selling series of epic fantasy novels.-Biography:...

. It consists of two bodies of material used in writing the novels, one for each series, with three informal essays by David Eddings. Belgarath the Sorcerer

Belgarath the Sorcerer

Belgarath the Sorcerer is a book by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings.Set in the same universe as the Eddings' The Belgariad and The Malloreon, it is effectively one big flashback to the other series, although the framework story is set after the events of The Malloreon.The book opens shortly after...

and Polgara the Sorceress

Polgara the Sorceress

Polgara the Sorceress is a fantasy novel by David and Leigh Eddings, and the twelfth in the setting of The Belgariad, The Malloreon and Belgarath the Sorcerer...

do not have dedicated sections, but are referred to in the Eddings' discussions, and drew on the material of the first ten books. In particular, one text presented in the background to the Belgariad forms the basis for the first chapter of Belgarath the Sorcerer.

The Rivan Codex also contains the holy writings of the various religions in the world and the economic diversities of the different countries.

One of the essays also lists the following formula for epic fantasy:

1. The Underlying Theology
   Theology
   Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
   
    (Polytheistic/Monotheistic/Buddhist/Other)
2. The Quest
   Quest
   In mythology and literature, a quest, a journey towards a goal, serves as a plot device and as a symbol. Quests appear in the folklore of every nation and also figure prominently in non-national cultures. In literature, the objects of quests require great exertion on the part of the hero, and...
   
   
3. The Magic Talisman
   Amulet
   An amulet, similar to a talisman , is any object intended to bring good luck or protection to its owner.Potential amulets include gems, especially engraved gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals; even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—, to...
   
    (Holy Grail
   Holy Grail
   The Holy Grail is a sacred object figuring in literature and certain Christian traditions, most often identified with the dish, plate, or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper and said to possess miraculous powers...
   
   /One Ring/Magic Sword/Jewel)
4. The Hero
   Hero
   A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
   
   : Galahad
   Galahad
   Sir Galahad |Round Table]] and one of the three achievers of the Holy Grail in Arthurian legend. He is the illegitimate son of Lancelot and Elaine of Corbenic, and is renowned for his gallantry and purity. Emerging quite late in the medieval Arthurian tradition, he is perhaps the knightly...
   
    the Pure, Gawain
   Gawain
   Gawain is King Arthur's nephew and a Knight of the Round Table who appears very early in the Arthurian legend's development. He is one of a select number of Round Table members to be referred to as the greatest knight, most notably in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight...
   
    the Brave, Perceval
   Perceval
   Perceval may refer to*Spencer Perceval, British prime minister*Percival or Perceval, Arthurian knight...
   
    the Dumb (Naive), or Lancelot
   Lancelot
   Sir Lancelot du Lac is one of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. He is the most trusted of King Arthur's knights and plays a part in many of Arthur's victories...
   
    the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
5. The Resident Wizard (Gandalf
   Gandalf
   Gandalf is a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In these stories, Gandalf appears as a wizard, member and later the head of the order known as the Istari, as well as leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the army of the West...
   
   , Merlin
   Merlin
   Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...
   
   , Belgarath)
6. The Heroine (Ce'Nedra)
7. The Villain
   Villain
   A villain is an "evil" character in a story, whether a historical narrative or, especially, a work of fiction. The villain usually is the antagonist, the character who tends to have a negative effect on other characters...
   
   (usually with some diabolical agenda)
8. The Companions (generally a multicultural crew who can protect the hero until he defeats the villain)
9. The Romantic Interests for 8.(NB: both 8&9 must be well-rounded groups, with individualised personalities and flaws)
10. The kings, queens, emperors, generals, courtiers and such, who make up the governments of the world.