This lore breakdown is a helpful resource for understanding the Empyrean series! This lore guide includes spoilers, so please read AFTER you’ve finished Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm.
Includes info from Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm, so this guide is spoiler in nature.
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Signets and How They Work
What are signets?
Signets are the unique magical power that a human gets from their bonded dragon. All dragon bonded riders can wield lesser magic – like locking and unlocking doors, using a pen, making something move, shielding your mind, or turning mage lights on/off. But their signet is the most powerful and distinctive magical ability unique to each individual. Some signets are rare and/or extra powerful, while others are more common.
A signet’s power and uniqueness can correlate to the power of the dragon and strength of their bond – typically, the stronger the dragon, the stronger the bond, the stronger the signet. However, signets say more about the rider than their dragon.
Don’t confuse a signet as magical abilities given directly from the dragon. Dragons have their own magical powers and when they channel their power into the human, it soon enough manifests into a unique ability that represents the person at their core. Signets are the result of this unique magical chemistry between dragon and rider.
How to get a signet
When dragons and riders bond on Threshing Day, riders receive their unique dragon relic (looks like a tattoo). However, they do not begin channeling magic until their dragon deems them ready. It’s quite the experience when a rider starts channeling magic and can feel the power coursing through them – remember what Violet experienced on the floor of her room before Tairn didn’t put a sock on the door.
But even once the rider starts channeling magic, they haven’t manifested their unique signet yet. They will be able to wield lesser magic after they first begin channeling, and this is when the rider can start going to wielding classes at Basgiath with Professor Carr. The rider’s signet manifests within a few months of their dragon beginning to channel magic through the bond.
At least, hopefully it manifests. The rider’s power may end up burning them from the inside out because it’s built up and has nowhere to go. Luckily, this hasn’t happened in a few decades. There’s no specific time stamp for when this will happen, but it’s around 6 months.
Once a rider manifests their signet – they need to hope it’s one that doesn’t kill them, whether directly (like fire engulfing them) or execution (like the forbidden signet of mind reading).
It takes a lot of energy for a rider to use their signet! And they need to learn how to hone the power to control it so it doesn’t control them. If a rider overuses their signet, they can be at risk of burnout, which severely weakens the rider and can even be fatal.
Mind Signets
NOTE: We are defining mind powers as magical abilities to tap into someone else’s mind, in some way shape or form. While this is seen in both dragon rider signets and gryphon flier gifts, we are only focusing on dragon rider signets here.
In the Rider’s Quadrant, you’ll get killed if you manifest an inntinnsic signet. We saw this happen when Jeremiah’s signet manifested and he couldn’t stop repeating everyone’s thoughts around him.
However, that is the ONLY signet, mind or otherwise, that gets you killed. If you have any other mind signet, it is most likely classified, like Dain’s. And you probably won’t be front and center for battles – which makes sense, because most of these signets are not very useful in battle. Unless you’re Varrish and can see weaknesses, which he admits is very helpful for battle.
Riders with mind signets are far more likely to be used for interrogation.
Gryphon fliers, on the other hand, do not label their unique powers as signets, and mind powers are no exception. Mind abilities are certainly prevalent among the gryphon fliers and should not be underestimated
Known mind signets:
Reading memories
- Requires touching the person’s face
- Kind of works like Google – focus on a certain word to find it in the memory
- Can feel their presence at the edge of the mind when this is being used on you
- Practice strengthens and trains the ability to look further back in memory, not just recent
Wiping short-term memory
- We can assume this also requires touch, because Imogen touches the guard in Iron Flame when she wipes his memory
Truth sayer
- Is able to identify when someone is telling the truth, with several variations that we know of:
- “Knowing” when someone is lying or telling the truth
- Reading bodily functions to tell when someone is telling the truth
- We know this is both a dragon rider and gryphon flier mind power ability
- In one of Iron Flame’s epigraphs, Major Afendra states in “The Guide of the Riders Quadrant”: “The only signet more terrifying than an inntinnsic is a truth-sayer. And yet we let them live.”
Sees weaknesses
- As Varrish puts it, he doesn’t see people – he sees their weaknesses, which is why he is so good at his interrogation job
Inntinnsics
- The only signet that gets you killed
- Not a rare signet – a cadet every few years or manifests this signet and is promptly killed; In most cases, by Professor Carr
- While Xaden believes there are types of inntinnsics, Rebecca Yarros has stated that he doesn’t actually know that because he is the only inntinnsic he knows about
- But since no inntinnsic is allowed to live, we don’t know how or if this ability varies
- Xaden describes his “reading intentions” inntinnsic ability as: “That breath of a second before the actual thought, the subconscious motivation you might not even be aware of in your mind, or when instinct drives you to move or you’re looking to betray someone. The intent is always there. Mostly they come across as pictures, but some people intend in really clear pictures.”
- Violet’s dream walker signet is a type of inntinnsic, according to Xaden, because she can enter people’s minds when they are most vulnerable (while sleeping). Rebecca Yarros has confirmed that as of Onyx Storm, we only know approx. 10% of Violet’s second signet, so the full extent of this dream walker/inntinnsic signet is unknown.
Why are all but one of these mind signets allowed?
It comes down to the ability to control and use to Navarrean advantage.
A clear example is using these mind signet riders for interrogation. In many cases, these mind signets with full access to others’ secrets can also be contained/controlled, because they require touching someone. People like Dain have to touch someone to access their memories, so theoretically leadership can control how he uses this information-gathering signet.
On the other hand, inntinnsics have open doors to everything – no need to touch. They’re considered a security risk to the entire kingdom, especially considering the secrets Navarre has been hiding for the past 400 years.
Countering mind signets
Mental shields are key to preventing mind powers being used on another person. The stronger a rider’s shields, the better they’re able to block out the signet wielder. Creating mental shields is considered a lesser magic and something a rider can begin learning how to do as soon as their dragon begins channeling magic into them. Practice is important to improve the strength of mental shields, and eventually riders can train themselves to have them up all the time (while conscious).
However, if a rider has a mind signet and puts their shields up, it is our understanding they cannot use their own mind signet on others, because their mental shields are up. For example, Xaden lowers his shields for a second to see what Varrish’s intentions are for Violet’s interrogation assessment. This is when Varrish seizes his opportunity to use his mind signet against Xaden and discover his weakness.
Runes can block at least a few mind signets:
- Cat’s ability to heighten emotions is blocked by a specific rune Xaden placed in one of Violet’s daggers
- General Melgren’s battle premonition signet, which isn’t included in this Archives as a mind signet because it’s not directed at other people, is blocked by more than three marked ones together because of a rune
We also don’t know how Bodhi’s signet of countering signets comes into play with mind signets.
Second Signets and Venin Signets
Who gets a second signet? Or rather, how does one get a second signet?
There are two ways for a rider to get a second signet:
- Bond two dragons, like Violet. The only way it’s possible for a second dragon to bond a rider is if the dragon is an Irid because this type of dragon “is magic” and, therefore, can bond an already bonded rider.
- Dragon bonds someone from the dragon’s previous rider’s direct familial line. All riders with a second signet (except Violet) are bonded to a dragon who had previously been bonded with the rider’s direct descendent (like a grandparent).
Apparently, this kind of direct familial bond either leads to a second signet or the rider goes mad. But we have not seen any riders go mad from bonding a dragon previously bonded to their direct descendent (that we know of).
If a dragon bonds a relative not in the direct line, their signet will be extra strong. But they will still only have one signet because their dragon was not previously bonded to a direct familial relative. Like in Quinn’s case: She has one signet that is extra strong, because her dragon was bonded to her great aunt (not a direct familial line). Therefore, she doesn’t have a second signet.
This is why people don’t question Xaden seeming to only have one signet that is extra powerful. According to Basgiath’s records, Sgaeyl was previously bonded to his great uncle. However, it was actually his grandfather. So it’s believed he has one extra strong signet, instead of two signets.
Why some marked ones have second signets
The dragons who bond with the marked ones purposely seek out the direct family members of their previous riders. They know what they are doing when they choose their bonded rider.
These dragons who bond with their previous riders’ direct descendents know that the venin are a big problem, and they know that these new young riders come from families who believe in fighting against the venin. This is why they seek out the children of the rebels, aka the marked ones, to ensure they become more powerful riders. These dragons are literally making their own powerful dragon rider army because more signets equal more power to go up against the venin.
We know that dragons will sometimes hide the fact their rider has a second signet from the rest of the Empyrean to protect them: like Sgaeyl does for Xaden.
While we don’t know exactly how many marked ones have second signets, we do know that it’s often enough to be sure that Professor Kaori can’t possibly have accurate records, but not too completely that anyone questions why Xaden only presents with one.
What in the world does this mean?
We asked Rebecca Yarros! And in typical Rebecca fashion, she both answered and gave us more questions: “What makes you think the members of the Empyrean always give the correct name to give to the rider? Or what makes you think the riders aren’t aware that it’s a different name. It’s the rider who tells you the dragon’s name for the record.”
Marked ones’ second signets are not the same as their rebellion relics:
Riders with rebellion relics (children of the rebels) have a disproportionately higher chance of getting a second signet because their dragons are purposefully seeking them out to fight the venin. So while there is a direct correlation between someone having a rebellion relic and getting a second signet, their second signets are not caused by the rebellion relics themselves, nor magically connected to the relics.
Their rebellion relics are the result of a runed stone that Colonel Mairi created to protect the children of the rebellion leaders upon their deaths. Once the runes were activated, the relics appeared on the children as a form of protection from the person whose dragon performed the executions – General Melgren’s signet, which is battle foresight. If more than 3 of the marked ones are gathered, Melgren can’t use his signet to know what they’re doing. This is why Melgren had the Basgiath War College Code of Conduct amended so marked ones can’t gather in groups of 3.
No one has three signets – Rebecca has confirmed there has to be limitations on power, and someone like Xaden cannot have three signets because he only has one dragon, or Violet because she is not a direct descendent of Tairn’s previously bonded rider.
Characters with confirmed second signets:
| Rider | Public Signet | Secret 2nd Signet |
|---|---|---|
| Violet Sorrengail | Lighting | Dream-walker |
| Xaden Riorson | Shadows | Inntinnsic |
| Liam Mairi | Farsight | Ice |
| Garrick Tavis | Wind | Distance Wielding |
| Imogen Cardulo | Memory Erasing | Rock Wielder* |
* offical signet name unknown
Overview of Venin Signets
Unfortunately, we don’t know much beyond the fact that some higher-level venin (Sages and Mavens) have signets.
For instance, Theophanie is a storm wielder; however, we’re unsure how Theophoanie manifested a signet. As far as we know, she was never bonded to a dragon or a gryphon. She was a High Priestess of Dunne before turning venin.
We know that Bodhi can’t counter venin signets, but it’s unclear if this is because it’s a venin signet (and he can only counter dragon/gryphon magic signets) or if Bodhi isn’t strong enough to counter Theophanie.
We know from Xaden at the end of Iron Flame, that pulling from the source has strengthened his shadow wielding signet. We also get hints about his inntinnsic signet becoming stronger in Onyx Storm.
Magic being in Balance
The oldest rule is: magic loves all things in balance.
The most basic form of this we see is opposite signets like Dain and Imogen, or Violet and Xaden. There is also Bodhi’s signet which is the counter to all signets.
Even when riders pull too much power and burnout – that’s part of the balance of magic. It is a give and take, where you can’t take too much.
In Onyx Storm Chapter 11’s epigraph, it talks about how no one stopped to contemplate the nature of magic’s balance once dragons, gryphons, and humans started bonding. Asking the question “Do we not risk the equal rise of the very powers we seek to wield?”
While we don’t know if every venin with a signet has a dragon signet counterpart, Theophanie shares that Lilith received storm wielding as the balance to Theophanie. But Lilith’s never developed to be as powerful as Theophanie’s. We also know that Lynx manifested shadows to be the balance to Xaden’s shadows now that he is venin.
Signets that we know of (and who wields them)
Expand to see list
| Signet | Rider(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agrarian | Kylynn, Lt. Foley | |
| Air Manipulation / Wind Wielding | Emery, Cianna, Colonel Fremont, Garrick Tavis | |
| Astral projection | Quinn | |
| Battle Foresight | General Melgren | |
| Breathing underwater | Heaton | |
| Countering Signet | Bodhi Durran | |
| Creating wards / Extending Wards | Mira Sorrengail | |
| Distance Wielder | Garrick Tavis, 2 unnamed (historical) | |
| Dream walker | Violet Sorrengail | |
| Farsight | Liam Mairi | |
| Fire wielding | Professor Carr, Unnamed Rider Lieutenant, Aura Beinhaven | |
| Ice wielding | Ridoc Gamlyn, Liam Mairi, Masen Sanborn | |
| Illusionist | Professor Kaori | |
| Inntinnsic | Jeremiah, Xaden Riorson | |
| Lighting wielder | Violet Sorrengail | |
| Mending | Brennan Sorrengail, Nolon, Unnamed Rider (Eastern Wing) | (see footnote 1) |
| Metallurgy / Manipulating metal | Sawyer | |
| Precognition | Aaric Greycastle | |
| Retrocognition / Reading memories | Dain Aetos | |
| Revoking Speech | Unnamed Rider Cadet | |
| Rock / Earth Wielding | Imogen Cardulo | (see footnote 2) |
| Shadow wielder | Xaden Riorson, Lynx | |
| Siphoning | Naolin, Sloane Mairi | (see footnote 3) |
| Size Changer | Unnamed Rider | |
| Sound Seeker | Greely | |
| Storm wielding | General Lilith Sorrengail, Theophanie | |
| Summoning | Rhiannon Matthias | |
| Truth-Sayer | Nora, Unnamed Officer | |
| Unweaving wards | Nadine | |
| Water Wielding | Caroline Ashton | |
| Weakness Detection | Burton Varrish | |
| Wiping memories / Memory Erasure | Imogen Cardulo |
- Exceptionally rare and considered the most precious signet: “They have the power to fix, to restore, to return anything to its original state — from ripped cloth to pulverized bridges, including broken human bones.”
- Offical name unknown
- Absorbing power from various sources and redistributing it
Need More?
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