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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What is the Senarium?
Senarium in Latin means “composed of six in a group”
In the Empyrean series, they are the King’s council and the highest-ranking aristocrats in Navarre. These representatives from each of the six provinces govern the kingdom and handle important political decisions, including treaty negotiations and defensive agreements.
Note: It’s unclear if the Commanding General of Navarrean Armies (Melgren) is also part of the Senarium, or if he is sitting in on these talks because of current events.
The Rankings of Aristocracy
The rankings we see within the Empyrean universe mirror that of traditional aristocracy with a few shortcuts. Besides the reigning monarchs, the King and Queen, there are three other titles we’ve seen in our story so far.
(In descending order of rank)
- Duke/Duchess
- Highest and more important nobility rank. There can be multiple dukes in one province, but there is only one Duke of (insert province). For instance, Lindell is a duke IN Tyrrendor, but Lewellen is the Duke OF Tyrrdendor and, therefore, reigned over Duke Lindell.
- Earl
- This rank is only referenced once “The Earl of Lewellen” (when he’s demoted from Duke for his secret loyalty to Aretia this whole time). In our traditional world, Earl originally functioned as royal governors, in charge of collecting taxes and with authority over their own regions or shires.
Game of Thrones Example:
There’s the King of Westeros (or the King of the Iron Throne). Then the North is ruled by House Stark – who in this example would be like the Duke of Tyrrendor, and resides in Winterfell. Then a lesser Duke or Earl would be like House Bolton or Reed or Karstark, who rules over a region in the North and answers to House Stark, who answers to the King.
- Viscounts
- Poromiel has Viscounts, but Navarre doesn’t as far as we’ve seen. Alternatively, we don’t think there are dukes or earls in Poromiel, because Viscount seems to be the step down from the monarchy. (Based on Viscount Tecarus being named Queen Maraya’s heir.)
How the Senarium conducts their business
We know that when Mira presents her case to the Senarium for adjusting the Basgiath wardstone to allow flier magic, they put it to a vote and the majority wins.
Most people are summoned or have an invitation to meet with the Senarium. It would seem that it’s for them to accept a request to their audience.
Senarium Members & Their Provinces
Tyrrendor
Xaden is given his title back after both Lindell and Lewellen are sanctioned for their roles in hiding Aretia. This gives Xaden the full title of “His Grace, Lieutenant Xaden Riorson, 16th Duke of Tyrrendor.”
Former Duke Lewellen, now Earl Lewellen, and presumably now Earl Lindell were both vital in keeping Aretia’s goals moving forward. Before Xaden’s title was reinstated, Lewellen served as Tyrrendor’s representative when House Riorson was removed from the Senarium six years ago after the rebellion failed and the Treaty of Aretia was formed.
Lewellen currently acts as Xaden’s proxy when he’s away.
Lindell fostered both Xaden and Liam at Tirvainne with Lewellan’s help, and he ensured the foster boys were as prepared as possible for the Riders Quadrant.
Tyrrendor is the southernmost and largest province with a geological advantage due to its coast line and the Cliffs of Dralor. It provides the majority of conscripts, including most of the Marked Ones, and Aretia is/was its capital.
Morraine
The province of Morraine’s Senarium seat is held by Duchess Ilene. She is described to have a high-pitched voice and wears a giant ruby necklace.
She is disdainful toward Xaden and Violet and is pretty angry that Xaden led a rebellion (cross out, revolution) and she doesn’t trust him.
However, she has proposed marriage between her daughter and Xaden in hopes of getting her bloodline not only in Morraine, but also Tyrrendor. This is one of about a dozen marriage proposals Xaden gets since getting his title back. Since Xaden isn’t married and doesn’t have an heir, the other provinces want alliances with Tyrrendor in the form of political marriages.
Morraine is where Basgiath is located, and this province is in the north along the coast of the Emerald Sea.
Characters from Morrainan include: Tara, Avalynn, and Lyra of the First Six.
Calldyr
The Duke of Calldyr seems to run most of the meetings, as he appears to be leading the conversions most of the time. He has a short blond beard and has had at least four consorts.
Calldyr the province is home to Calldyr City where the King and royal family reside. It’s also where the rebellion executions took place.
Calldyr is one of the three provinces that kept their language during Unification, now known as the common language that is spoken throughout Navarre. Many people in the Calldyr Province are loyal to Hedeon, the god of wisdom.
If the wards weren’t extended, most of Calldyr would be unwarded.
Elsum
Duchess of Elsum has dark brows and long dark hair, long enough to brush the table when she leans forward.
Elsum is also one of the three provinces that kept their language during Unification.
Luceras
Luceras can be remote and the province is along the northern coast.
(This is where Ateos was stationed in Iron Flame for his bad behavior.)
Violet’s Grandma Niara (her father’s mother) lives here.
Characters from Luceras: Sawyer, Lynx, Warrick of the First Six
Deaconshire
We don’t know if they have a Duke or Duchess.
This is the other of the three provinces that kept their language during Unification.
It’s the burial place of one of Violet’s Grandmothers.
Political Climate in Onyx Storm Opening
When Onyx Storm begins, the Senarium is currently having unprecedented peace talks with Poromiel, as the two kingdoms negotiate terms to ally and fight against the venin together.
However, Navarre is not willing to open their protected borders to Poromiel refugees or let fliers into Basgiath, which means the two kingdoms are at a standstill. Their politics are very different from each other and, what’s more, if Navarre is unwilling to help Poromiel citizens and fliers, then what does Poromiel get out of this alliance?
Navarre is also not willing to let the fliers stay at Basgiath because they can’t protect themselves from the hostile environment with riders previously trained to kill fliers. Without anything to gain from an alliance, Poromiel is threatening to walk after the seventh day of negotiations. Their only incentives are weapons and keeping their people safe.
And if Navarre can’t promise that deal, then why shouldn’t Poromiel keep attacking Navarre outposts to obtain alloy-hilted daggers for their own defenses?
Cygnisen is especially ready to walk away.
The only things everyone can agree on is that fliers will be allowed to tour the quadrant with their squads’ first-year riders. And the other thing they agree on is the task force to find Andarna’s kind. This is in Poromiel’s interest too because Queen Maraya hopes the seventh dragon breed might know how to defeat the venin, given the age of Andarna’s egg.
These negotiations are wearing on all involved – as we’ve seen from Brennan and Lewellan.
Which yes, Brennan is part of these negotiations, but he’s not with the Senarium. He is part of the representation for Aretian Assembly at Basgiath, and he is the translator/middle man between Poromiel and Navarre.
Need More?
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