Fourth Wing Characters

The youngest Sorrengail daughter, forced into the Riders Quadrant despite her frail body and scribe training. She is intelligent, persistent, and resourceful, using poisons, rule citations, and her bonds with Tairn and Andarna to survive. She loves the Archives and carries her father's book.

Arc: She begins wanting the Scribe Quadrant and fearing death, but becomes a rider who bonds two dragons, kills Jack Barlowe and venin, and joins the revolution. After Liam's death she agrees to fight with Xaden's group but refuses to trust him with her heart again.

• Xaden Riorson — her wingleader, lover, and complicated ally; she loves him but refuses to trust him with her heart again
• Tairn — her bonded black dragon
• Andarna — her bonded golden feathertail dragon
• Dain Aetos — childhood best friend and squad leader; she rejects him as more than a friend
• Rhiannon Matthias — closest friend and squadmate
• Liam Mairi — friend and bodyguard who dies protecting her
• Mira Sorrengail — her older sister
• Lilith Sorrengail — her mother, who forced her into the Riders Quadrant
• Brennan — her believed-dead brother, later revealed alive
• Jack Barlowe — enemy who hunts her and is killed by her lightning
• Imogen — former attacker who becomes her trainer and ally

A marked third-year and wingleader of Fourth Wing, son of executed rebel leader Fen Riorson. He is shadow-wielding, guarded, and driven by a deal to protect 107 rebellion children. He initially treats Violet as an enemy because of their families' history.

Arc: He moves from wanting Violet dead to loving her and protecting her, reveals his alliance with gryphon riders and the revolution, and after Liam's death vows to earn back Violet's trust. He stays at Violet's bedside for three days and confirms Aretia's existence.

• Violet Sorrengail — the woman he loves and protects; he calls her Violence and vows to earn back her trust
• Sgaeyl — his bonded blue daggertail dragon
• Tairn — allied dragon linked through the mated bond with Sgaeyl
• Garrick Tavis — best friend, subordinate, and trusted ally
• Bodhi Durran — his cousin and trusted ally
• Liam Mairi — his foster brother, whom he mourns after Liam dies
• Imogen — trusted squad member; he insists they are just friends
• Fen Riorson — his executed father
• Dain Aetos — rival and antagonist; he suspects Dain read Violet's memories
• Brennan — ally in the revolution who knew he was alive

A cruel first-year cadet who mocks and hunts Violet from the parapet onward. He bonds Baide, an Orange Scorpiontail, and has a vendetta against Violet. He wants to kill her and boasts about becoming a wingleader.

Arc: He threatens Violet, attacks Liam and others, and is killed by Violet's lightning after stabbing Liam and gloating from the tower. His death causes his parents to receive a letter and his name to be etched into stone.

• Violet Sorrengail — enemy who hunts her and is killed by her lightning
• Baide — his bonded Orange Scorpiontail
• Liam Mairi — stabs him through the side and throws him from Deigh
• Oren Seifert — ally in hunting Violet and Andarna
• Tynan — ally in hunting Violet and Andarna
• Xaden Riorson — enemy who warns his group to rethink their actions

A wingleader who accuses Violet of cheating at the Gauntlet and later orchestrates the attack on Violet's life. She believes she acted to protect the wings. She is a strict enforcer of rules.

Arc: She is found guilty by a quorum and executed by Tairn's fire despite Violet's plea; her dragon Claidh mourns. Dain defends her and refuses to believe she attacked Violet.

• Violet Sorrengail — accuses her of cheating and orchestrates an attack on her life
• Xaden Riorson — accuses her of the attack and calls for a quorum
• Dain Aetos — close friend last year; he defends her
• Claidh — her bonded dragon
• Nyra — finds her guilty and states her sentence

A first-year cadet who believes Violet is a liability and tries to kill her in challenges and later in her room. He is among the unbonded hunting her dragon. He asks whether they should hunt their own dragons instead of Andarna.

Arc: He is poisoned by Violet's fonilee, wounded in the Threshing attack, and killed by Xaden during the room assault. He chokes Violet and claims her dragon will be his.

• Violet Sorrengail — challenge opponent and attacker who tries to murder her
• Jack Barlowe — ally in hunting Violet and Andarna
• Tynan — ally in hunting Violet and Andarna
• Xaden Riorson — kills him during the attack in Violet's room
• Dain Aetos — overhears his plan to kill Violet

A hostile first-year squadmate who accuses Violet of sleeping with Dain for preferential treatment. He joins Jack and Oren in hunting Andarna. He freezes on the Gauntlet's buoy balls.

Arc: He wounds Violet in the Threshing attack and is incinerated by Tairn. His death is announced among the dead.

• Violet Sorrengail — antagonistic squadmate who tries to kill her
• Jack Barlowe — ally in hunting Violet and Andarna
• Oren Seifert — ally in hunting Violet and Andarna
• Ridoc — squadmate he argues with
• Sawyer — squadmate who intervenes in his argument with Ridoc
• Rhiannon Matthias — squadmate who beat him at assessment
• Tairn — dragon who kills him with fire

The giant black dragon who bonds Violet after she defends Andarna at Threshing. He is powerful, protective, and mentally linked to Violet, channeling lightning through her and shielding her from danger. He insists the secret of dragonkind must not be risked.

Arc: He chooses Violet despite her weakness, trains her in flight and combat, fights wyvern and venin in Resson, and grieves Deigh and Liam while protecting his rider. After the poison cuts off their bond, he remains linked to her through the four-way bond.

• Violet Sorrengail — his bonded rider, whom he calls Silver One
• Andarna — fellow dragon bonded to Violet
• Sgaeyl — his mate
• Xaden Riorson — allied rider linked through the mated bond
• Deigh — fellow dragon whose death he mourns and avenges
• Codagh — confronted by him; Tairn shields Violet from his gaze
• Professor Carr — distrusts him and threatens to burn him alive
• Liam Mairi — catches him midair after Jack throws him from Deigh

A golden feathertail dragon who bonds Violet alongside Tairn. She is young, private, and able to briefly stop time, a gift she gives directly to Violet and later exhausts herself to use. She worries about Violet's injuries and refuses to leave her.

Arc: She saves Violet from Oren's attack, helps catch Liam, and fights in Resson; after using her power she grows huge and her gift is gone. She admits she and Tairn chose Violet and knew about Xaden.

• Violet Sorrengail — her bonded rider, whom she comforts and saves
• Tairn — fellow dragon bonded to Violet; she stays with him
• Sgaeyl — Sgaeyl is fond of her and disapproves of her bonding
• Xaden Riorson — he had a saddle made for her to come along
• Liam Mairi — she lends Violet power to catch him; he was carving her figurine

Violet's childhood best friend and squad leader, a rule-following rider with the signet to read recent memories. He is protective of Violet and distrusts Xaden. He values rules and order more than bending them for Violet.

Arc: He tries to move Violet to the Scribe Quadrant for safety, struggles with her choices, and is suspected of reading her memories and betraying her and Liam. Violet rejects him as more than a friend because he has no faith in her.

• Violet Sorrengail — childhood best friend and squad leader; she rejects him as more than a friend
• Xaden Riorson — rival and antagonist; he distrusts him and accuses him of manipulating Threshing
• Lilith Sorrengail — her son and squad leader
• Colonel Aetos — his father
• Amber Mavis — defends her and is close friends with her last year
• Liam Mairi — gains him as a squad member and trains against him
• Cath — his bonded Red Swordtail

A first-year from a village near Montserrat who becomes Violet's closest friend and bunkmate. She is loyal, ambitious, and manifests a summoning signet. She has a twin named Raegan and is romantically interested in Tara.

Arc: She survives the parapet, shares a study and combat deal with Violet, reunites with her sister Raegan, and fights in War Games and Resson. She aims for a squad leader designation and supports Violet through training and raids.

• Violet Sorrengail — closest friend, squadmate, and confidante
• Tara — romantic interest; they are on-again, off-again
• Raegan — her twin sister
• Ridoc — squadmate and friend
• Sawyer — squadmate and friend
• Feirge — her bonded Green Daggertail
• Tynan — defeats him in sparring
• Dain Aetos — her squad leader, whom she challenges

A marked first-year and son of disgraced Colonel Mairi, assigned by Xaden as Violet's bodyguard. He is skilled, loyal, and has farsight. He was fostered with Xaden at Tirvainne and owes him everything.

Arc: He shadows Violet, becomes her friend, fights Jack and venin, and dies protecting Violet after Deigh is killed. He asks Violet to care for Sloane and hear Xaden out.

• Violet Sorrengail — friend and bodyguard who dies protecting her
• Xaden Riorson — his foster brother and leader; Liam owes him everything
• Deigh — his bonded dragon, who dies with him
• Sloane — his sister, whom he asks Violet to care for
• Jesinia — he flirts with her in the Archives
• Garrick Tavis — fellow marked rider and ally
• Bodhi Durran — fellow marked rider and ally
• Imogen — fellow marked rider and ally

Violet's older sister and a rider whose dragon is Teine. She is protective, pragmatic, and tries to prepare Violet for the Riders Quadrant. She believes Violet is not suited for the quadrant but wants her to survive.

Arc: She equips Violet with armor, gives survival advice, later reunites with her at Montserrat, and stays behind to fight gryphons so Violet can evacuate. Her warnings about Xaden haunt Violet.

• Violet Sorrengail — her younger sister, whom she equips and advises
• Lilith Sorrengail — her mother
• Brennan — her deceased brother
• Xaden Riorson — distrusts him and warns Violet to steer clear
• Dain Aetos — speaks sharply to him and tells him to fix his friendship with Violet
• Teine — her dragon

Violet's mother, a general with a storm-wielding signet who forces Violet into the Riders Quadrant. She is cold, reputation-focused, and refuses special treatment for her daughter. She captured and oversaw the execution of Fen Riorson.

Arc: She remains estranged from Violet, criticizes her wielding, and is connected to the execution of Xaden's father. Her office is broken into, her wards unweaved, and her map stolen by Violet's squad.

• Violet Sorrengail — her daughter, whom she forces into the Riders Quadrant
• Mira Sorrengail — her daughter
• Brennan — her deceased son
• Xaden Riorson — captured and oversaw the execution of his father
• King Tauri — walks at his side and prompts him to greet Dain Aetos
• Colonel Aetos — colleague
• Commandant Panchek — colleague

Violet's older brother, believed dead for five years after fighting the Tyrrish rebellion. His journal helps Violet survive challenges. Naolin died trying to revive him.

Arc: He is mourned and memorialized, then appears at Xaden's room to welcome Violet to the revolution and confirm the Athebyne attack was not an accident.

• Violet Sorrengail — her brother, revealed alive
• Mira Sorrengail — his sister
• Lilith Sorrengail — his mother
• Naolin — died trying to revive him
• Xaden Riorson — ally who knew he was alive

A pink-haired marked second-year who initially attacks Violet and breaks her arm. She later becomes Violet's reluctant trainer and ally. She blames Violet's mother for murdering her family.

Arc: She moves from demanding revenge on Violet to helping train her, fighting beside her in Resson, and urging that Violet be taken to Nolon. She remains fiercely loyal to Xaden.

• Violet Sorrengail — former attacker who becomes her trainer and ally
• Xaden Riorson — fiercely loyal to him and takes orders about Violet
• Garrick Tavis — fellow marked rider; they bicker
• Dain Aetos — tense; she mocks him
• Liam Mairi — fellow marked rider and ally
• Quinn — sits with her and shares squad information
• Cianna — leaves with her after insulting Violet

A marked third-year, Flame Section leader, and Xaden's best friend and sparring partner. He is a skilled fighter and loyal to Xaden. He defends Violet against Amber's cheating accusation.

Arc: He trains and fights alongside Violet, follows Xaden into the revolution despite warning of the risks, and helps search the empty Athebyne outpost. He leaves to tell the others when Violet wakes.

• Xaden Riorson — best friend, subordinate, and trusted ally
• Bodhi Durran — friend and ally who fights alongside him
• Imogen — fellow marked rider; they argue and bicker
• Violet Sorrengail — defends her and fights beside her
• Liam Mairi — fellow marked rider and ally

Xaden's cousin and a marked rider in his trusted circle. He is loyal, pragmatic, and often questions Xaden's harsh choices. He helps remove bodies after Violet's attackers are killed.

Arc: He helps clean up after the attack on Violet, fights in Resson, defends Violet, and reports on Syrena and the iron box after she wakes. He tells Violet that Xaden is in a bad state and warns her not to see him.

• Xaden Riorson — his cousin and trusted ally
• Garrick Tavis — friend and ally who fights alongside him
• Imogen — fellow marked rider and ally
• Violet Sorrengail — ally who moves closer to her when threatened
• Liam Mairi — fellow marked rider and ally
• Syrena — reports she and her sister are alive

Xaden's blue daggertail dragon and Tairn's mate. She is fierce, protective, and blunt with Violet. She never runs from a fight and is fond of Andarna.

Arc: She calls Tairn to save Violet at Threshing, saves Xaden in battle, and remains linked to the four-way bond between riders and dragons. She tells Xaden that Violet will be all right.

• Xaden Riorson — her bonded rider, whom she saves and protects
• Tairn — her mate
• Violet Sorrengail — bluntly tells her she cannot reveal what Andarna is
• Andarna — she is fond of the little dragon

Liam's dragon, who fights beside him and helps protect the evacuation at Resson. He catches Liam after a venin kill. He tells Liam about the gryphon fliers.

Arc: He collides with a wyvern to save Tairn, is eviscerated, and dies; his death leaves Liam dying and devastates Tairn and Xaden.

• Liam Mairi — his rider, whom he catches and fights alongside
• Tairn — fellow dragon he saves by colliding with an attacking wyvern
• Xaden Riorson — witnesses his death and mourns him
• Violet Sorrengail — ally who witnesses his death and tries to help Liam reach him

The wielding professor who trains Violet to control her lightning. He killed Jeremiah because inntinnsics are not allowed to live. He sees Violet as a valuable asset for the war effort.

Arc: He takes Violet off Archives duty, trains her in isolation, warns her that Tairn's power could burn her out, and advises her to keep her loyalties clear from Xaden.

• Violet Sorrengail — her instructor for lightning wielding
• Tairn — refers to Tairn's power as dangerous to Violet
• Xaden Riorson — warns Violet about their combined power
• Jeremiah — killed him when his inntinnsic signet manifested
• Sawyer — Dain brought Sawyer to him
• Dain Aetos — interacted with him about Sawyer

A Battle Brief instructor who teaches cadets about current attacks and the wards. She values critical thinking and rewards Violet's deductions. She wants the outpost to remain safe for cadets.

Arc: She teaches throughout the story, announces the Squad Battle prize, and reacts with shock when Violet's squad presents the stolen map. She confirms Violet's deduction about the ward faltering.

• Violet Sorrengail — her Battle Brief professor who confirms she is right
• Professor Markham — fellow instructor who co-teaches Battle Brief
• Xaden Riorson — praises his question as why he is a wingleader
• Rhiannon Matthias — calls on her in Battle Brief
• Dain Aetos — compliments his answer as a very wingleader answer

A scribe professor who co-teaches Battle Brief and expected Violet to be his star pupil in the Scribe Quadrant. He upholds scribe rules and the Archives. He is disappointed Violet became a rider.

Arc: He refuses classified Montserrat information before telling Violet Mira is alive, and is stunned by the stolen map. He says the Riders Quadrant stole Violet away.

• Violet Sorrengail — her former professor who expected her for the Scribe Quadrant
• Professor Devera — fellow instructor who co-teaches Battle Brief
• Jesinia — scribe in the Archives under his instruction
• Dain Aetos — Dain spoke with him about Violet's safety

A dragonkind instructor who teaches cadets about breeds, bonding, and the unbonded black dragon. He is knowledgeable and cares for students. He taught Violet's siblings and calls her smarter and more compassionate.

Arc: He reveals Naolin died trying to revive Brennan, warns Jack away from Violet, and guides cadets through Threshing. He later questions how the stolen map is known to be current.

• Violet Sorrengail — her instructor who tends her injuries and teaches dragonkind
• Jack Barlowe — warns him away from Violet at the medical station
• Tairn — instructor who contrasts his lessons with Tairn's training
• Brennan — former student he discusses
• Naolin — discusses his signet and death

The roll-keeper who oversees the riders' roll and reads the death roll at formations. He expected Violet for the Scribe Quadrant and regrets her rider path. He commends the dead to Malek.

Arc: He reads casualty lists throughout the story, marking the mounting deaths in the quadrant. He reads names including Oren Seifert, Sharla Gunter, Mushin Vedie, Calvin Atwater, Newland Jahvon, and Aurelie Donans.

• Violet Sorrengail — knows her and expected her for the Scribe Quadrant
• Mira Sorrengail — Mira tells Violet to find Dain, not Fitzgibbons
• Lilith Sorrengail — serves under her command at formation

The commandant who addresses cadets, announces deaths and War Games, and is politically ambitious according to Tara. He oversees formation events and the final Squad Battle task.

Arc: He announces the final Squad Battle task and sequesters squad leaders. When Tairn appears, he gapes and is silenced by Lilith Sorrengail before he can name Tairn.

• Lilith Sorrengail — she silences him before he can name Tairn
• Tara — Tara says he wants Sorrengail's job and then Melgren's
• Xaden Riorson — oversees him during War Games
• Colonel Aetos — colleague during War Games
• King Tauri — attends events with him

A marked rider in Xaden's squad who chooses to fight at Resson. She helps evacuate townspeople and stops a rockslide. She is willing to fight and protect the evacuation.

Arc: She charges the venin, stumbles into the dead zone, and desiccates with her dragon Fuil.

• Xaden Riorson — squad member who follows him into battle
• Fuil — her bonded dragon, who dies with her
• Violet Sorrengail — ally in the Resson battle
• Tairn — Tairn says Fuil will protect her
• Garrick Tavis — fellow marked rider in the battle
• Bodhi Durran — fellow marked rider in the battle
• Imogen — fellow marked rider in the battle

Soleil's dragon, ordered by Tairn to protect her and guard the evacuation path. She charges with Soleil into the dead zone. She desiccates with Soleil after reaching for her as they fall.

Arc: She follows Soleil into the dead zone and dies with her, underscoring the venin's lethal power.

• Soleil — her rider, whom she follows into the dead zone
• Tairn — ordered by Tairn to protect Soleil
• Violet Sorrengail — ally in the Resson battle

A first-year squadmate and friend of Violet who bonds Aotrom, a Brown Swordtail. He is humorous, loyal, and defends squadmates. He jokes through training and combat.

Arc: He survives challenges and Threshing, jokes through training, and joins the squad's raid on General Sorrengail's office. He guards Violet during her challenge with Jack and later helps in the War Games.

• Violet Sorrengail — friend and squadmate who defends her
• Rhiannon Matthias — squadmate and friend
• Sawyer — squadmate and friend
• Liam Mairi — squadmate and ally
• Aotrom — his bonded Brown Swordtail
• Tynan — squadmate he argues with
• Jack Barlowe — enemy; he calls him a sadistic ass

A repeat first-year and metallurgist who bonds Sliseag, a Red Swordtail. He is practical and supportive of the squad. He demonstrates the Gauntlet flawlessly.

Arc: He survives to become a rider, demonstrates the Gauntlet, helps in the office raid, and supports Violet through training. He identifies Professor Carr as the wielding professor who killed Jeremiah.

• Violet Sorrengail — squadmate who defends her and makes a study deal
• Rhiannon Matthias — squadmate and friend
• Ridoc — squadmate and friend
• Sliseag — his bonded Red Swordtail
• Dain Aetos — Dain took him to Professor Carr
• Tynan — confronts him for insulting Violet

A first-year squadmate who can astral project. She explains signets and helps with squad operations. She confirms that Barlowe's Orange Scorpiontail is small.

Arc: She aids the raid on General Sorrengail's office by distracting the guard and later attends Reunification Day. She helps Violet arrange her hair before the event.

• Violet Sorrengail — squadmate who helps her
• Imogen — sits with her and shares squad information
• Heaton — squadmate
• Rhiannon Matthias — squadmate
• Tara — squadmate

A first-year squadmate with unknown patches who wishes the squad luck and asks about active scenarios. He participates in squad training and the office raid.

Arc: He survives challenges and joins the squad's raid on General Sorrengail's office. He is excited for War Games and exclaims that they are going to pretend war.

• Violet Sorrengail — squadmate
• Quinn — squadmate who guards her body during astral projection
• Emery — squadmate

A third-year squadmate with air manipulation. He demonstrates his power and helps in the squad raid. He is skeptical of Mira's tactical scenario.

Arc: He uses air to knock out a guard during the office raid and later fights in War Games. He joins the squad's evacuation during the gryphon attack.

• Violet Sorrengail — squadmate
• Heaton — squadmate

A first-year squadmate who is suspicious of marked ones and later joins the squad's social activities. She helps unweave wards in the office raid.

Arc: She clashes with Ridoc over Xaden's witnesses, helps unweave wards in the office raid, and asks about Tara at Reunification Day.

• Violet Sorrengail — squadmate
• Ridoc — clashes with him over marked ones
• Imogen — helps her unweave wards
• Rhiannon Matthias — asks her whether she and Tara are off again

A first-year squadmate whose father was a rider and whose brother Chase is in the Southern Wing. She is loyal and brave in sparring. She is excited for the Gauntlet.

Arc: She wins a sparring match, then falls from the Gauntlet's spinning posts and dies; Violet burns her pack as tribute to Malek.

• Violet Sorrengail — squadmate whose pack Violet burns
• Rhiannon Matthias — squadmate
• Sawyer — squadmate
• Ridoc — sparring opponent
• Cianna — takes her to the healers after sparring
• Chase — her brother in the Southern Wing
• Luca — chastises her for mocking Pryor

A meek first-year squadmate who hesitates and is mocked by Luca. He struggles with the Gauntlet but makes it through the swinging steel rods.

Arc: He dies during the dragon-line exercise when a red dragon blasts fire, and Luca insults him after his death.

• Violet Sorrengail — squadmate
• Tynan — pushes and belittles him
• Luca — mocks and insults him
• Ridoc — squadmate
• Sawyer — squadmate

A nervous first-year squadmate who whispers to Violet and is snapped at by Luca. She tries to encourage Tynan on the Gauntlet. She nearly falls at the shaking pillars.

Arc: She makes it past the shaking pillars, but Sawyer later reports she fell from an Orange Clubtail and her squadmates fear she is dead.

• Violet Sorrengail — squadmate
• Luca — snaps at her not to let fear into her voice
• Tynan — tries to encourage him on the Gauntlet
• Sawyer — he sees her fall

A haughty first-year squadmate who mocks Pryor, Violet, and Sawyer. She believes showing fear gets cadets killed. She insults the golden dragon and Violet's appearance.

Arc: She insults the golden dragon and the squad; after her insults a blast of heat singes Violet and the squad is reduced to six first-years.

• Violet Sorrengail — antagonistic squadmate who insults her
• Pryor — mocks and insults him
• Ridoc — argues with him
• Trina — snaps at her
• Sawyer — mocks him for being passed over at Threshing

A dark-haired first-year from Morraine who is introduced to Violet by Rhiannon. She is Rhiannon's romantic interest. She talks with Rhiannon about dragons.

Arc: She appears with Rhiannon leaving a private dorm and later is on-again, off-again with her.

• Rhiannon Matthias — romantic interest; they are on-again, off-again
• Violet Sorrengail — acquaintance

A scribe friend of Violet in the Archives. She is helpful, dedicated, and flirts with Liam. She notices Violet's bruised neck.

Arc: She helps Violet search for The Fables of the Barren, notes missing wyvern and venin records, and remains a friend from Violet's scribe years.

• Violet Sorrengail — friend from the Scribe Quadrant who helps her in the Archives
• Liam Mairi — he flirts with her and she flushes
• Professor Markham — scribe under his instruction

A healer and Nolon's wife who treats Violet over the years. She overrules Dain's objections to mending Violet. She orders Helen to fetch Nolon.

Arc: She gives Violet a pain tonic and helps prepare her for mending, ensuring Violet receives proper care despite Dain's protests.

• Nolon — her husband and a mender
• Violet Sorrengail — healer who has treated her over the years
• Dain Aetos — overrules his objections
• Helen — orders her to fetch Nolon

A mender and Winifred's husband who has treated Violet for five years. He warns that mending will hurt. He orders Dain back to the quadrant.

Arc: He mends Violet's shoulder and arm just this once after she refuses transfer to the Scribe Quadrant, causing her to black out. He has mended Violet for five years.

• Winifred — her husband
• Violet Sorrengail — has mended her for five years
• Dain Aetos — orders him back to the quadrant
• Helen — sent to fetch him

A healer in her forties who is ordered by Winifred to fetch Nolon. She is torn by Dain's objection. She obeys Winifred and fetches Nolon.

Arc: She initially hesitates because Dain objects, but leaves to fetch Nolon after Winifred invokes Violet Sorrengail's name.

• Winifred — healer who orders her
• Nolon — sent to fetch him
• Dain Aetos — his objection makes her torn

Dain's father, a colonel who runs War Games and assigns Xaden's squad to Athebyne beyond the wards. He smiles when assigning Xaden. His handwriting is on the missive to Xaden.

Arc: He sends Xaden to Athebyne with a missive assigning them to survive if they can; Xaden concludes they were sent there to die.

• Dain Aetos — his son
• Xaden Riorson — assigns him to Athebyne and sends him the missive
• Lilith Sorrengail — colleague
• Commandant Panchek — colleague during War Games

The commanding general of Navarrian forces whose dragon gives him the signet to see a battle's outcome before it happens. He is suspicious of marked ones and Xaden. He watches Tairn in open assessment.

Arc: He announces the Empyrean's decision that both Tairn and Andarna chose Violet, watches Tairn, and questions Liam about his father and Xaden's whereabouts.

• Codagh — his dragon
• Violet Sorrengail — announces the dragons' decision about her
• Xaden Riorson — suspicious of him and wants to lay eyes on him yearly
• Liam Mairi — questions him about being Colonel Mairi's son
• King Tauri — accompanies him
• Lilith Sorrengail — stands with her

The king of Navarre who attends Reunification Day at Basgiath. He questions Violet and Liam about dragons, gifts, and Xaden. He suggests a Sorrengail on lookout could warn them if Xaden starts another war.

Arc: He asks where Xaden is and shows suspicion of him. He greets Dain Aetos after a prompt from Lilith Sorrengail.

• Violet Sorrengail — questions her about Xaden and her dragons
• Lilith Sorrengail — walks with her and follows her prompt
• Liam Mairi — questions him about his gift
• General Melgren — accompanies him
• Dain Aetos — greeted by him at Reunification Day

Senior wingleader and head of First Wing who calls sections and squads to positions and forms quorums. She enforces the Codex. She orders the squad switch that puts Violet under Xaden.

Arc: She finds Amber guilty and states Amber's sentence will be carried out by fire. She orders Dain Aetos's squad to switch with Aura Beinhaven's.

• Xaden Riorson — fellow wingleader
• Dain Aetos — orders his squad switch to Fourth Wing
• Amber Mavis — finds her guilty
• Violet Sorrengail — assigns her squad switch under Xaden

Amber Mavis's bonded dragon, who snarls and lifts a claw when Amber is sentenced and mourns after her execution. She retreats after Tairn snaps at her.

Arc: She tries to defend Amber but retreats after Tairn intervenes, then grieves when Amber is incinerated.

• Amber Mavis — her bonded dragon
• Tairn — snaps at her when she protests

Jack Barlowe's Orange Scorpiontail. She fights Deigh and races toward Jack after he falls. She cries when Jack is struck by lightning and falls down the mountainside.

Arc: She fights Deigh in the War Games and grieves when Jack falls. Her bond to Jack ties her to his defeat.

• Jack Barlowe — her bonded rider
• Deigh — fights him in the War Games
• Liam Mairi — fights against him

Rhiannon's Green Daggertail. She appears with Rhiannon and rises beneath Tairn so Liam can be transferred. She carries Rhiannon in battle and helps save Liam.

Arc: She fights in the War Games and Resson, carrying Rhiannon and helping rescue Liam.

• Rhiannon Matthias — her bonded dragon
• Tairn — rises beneath him so Liam can be transferred
• Liam Mairi — helps catch and carry him

Dain's Red Swordtail. He takes Deigh's place on the wall and arrives from the north with other dragons. Dain runs up Cath's foreleg during evacuation.

Arc: He arrives in battle after Deigh's death and joins the other dragons from the north.

• Dain Aetos — his bonded dragon
• Deigh — takes his place on the wall
• Tairn — fellow dragon in battle

Mira's dragon. She receives the alarm about incoming gryphons and thinks they have about twenty minutes. Her scales sewn into Violet's vest save Violet from greens during the dragon-line exercise.

Arc: She alerts Mira to the gryphon attack at Montserrat and remains linked to the battle there.

• Mira Sorrengail — her rider
• Violet Sorrengail — her scales sewn into Violet's vest save her

General Melgren's dragon who leads dragons to the Empyrean meeting and relays their decision through Melgren. He confronts Tairn, who growls and shields Violet from his gaze.

Arc: He relays the Empyrean's decision that both Tairn and Andarna's choice of Violet stands.

• General Melgren — his rider
• Tairn — confronted by him; Tairn shields Violet
• Violet Sorrengail — his gaze is shielded from her by Tairn

Xaden's father and the executed leader of the Tyrrish rebellion, known as the Great Betrayer. His death drives Xaden's hostility toward Violet's mother. He is the father of one of the marked children.

Arc: He is executed after being captured by Lilith Sorrengail; his legacy marks Xaden and the rebellion children.

• Xaden Riorson — his son
• Lilith Sorrengail — captured and oversaw his execution
• Violet Sorrengail — his father killed her older brother
• Brennan — Violet's brother died fighting the rebellion he led

The previous and only rider of the unbonded black dragon, whose signet was siphoning. He burned out and died trying to revive Brennan. He is discussed by Professor Kaori.

Arc: He explains the black dragon's history before Tairn bonds Violet. His death is a lesson about the danger of overusing power.

• Brennan — died trying to revive him
• Professor Kaori — discussed by him
• Tairn — previous rider of the black dragon before Tairn

Rhiannon's twin sister, who hosts the reunion at her house and talks with Rhiannon while Rhiannon rocks her nephew. She is visited by Rhiannon, Violet, and Mira when they sneak out of Montserrat.

Arc: She reunites with Rhiannon at her home near Montserrat. Rhiannon has been writing to her monthly.

• Rhiannon Matthias — her twin sister
• Violet Sorrengail — hosts her during the visit
• Mira Sorrengail — accompanies Violet and Rhiannon

Liam's sister, from whom he was separated after their father's execution. Liam asks Violet to care for her. She will enter the Riders Quadrant next year.

Arc: She is not present but is entrusted to Violet by Liam as he dies. Her future in the Riders Quadrant is mentioned.

• Liam Mairi — her brother, who asks Violet to care for her
• Violet Sorrengail — entrusted to her by Liam

A flier mentioned as alive after Resson. Bodhi reports she and her sister are alive. She is connected to the gryphon riders allied with Xaden.

Arc: She survives the Resson battle and is reported alive outside Xaden's room.

• Bodhi Durran — reports she and her sister are alive
• Xaden Riorson — ally among the fliers

A fellow candidate on the tower stairs who shows Violet and Rhiannon a ring hidden in his tunic and plans to propose after graduation. He is enthusiastic about becoming a rider.

Arc: He slips in the rain on the parapet and falls to his death, becoming one of the early casualties Violet witnesses.

• Violet Sorrengail — fellow candidate on the stairs
• Rhiannon Matthias — fellow candidate on the stairs

A first-year who bonds Gleann and is pulled along by Jack Barlowe toward the academic wing. She appears at breakfast with Jack after bonding.

Arc: She bonds Gleann and is seen being dragged affectionately by Jack Barlowe toward the academic wing.

• Jack Barlowe — drags her affectionately toward the academic wing
• Gleann — her bonded dragon

A first-year whose inntinnsic signet manifests in the courtyard, making him hear and speak others' thoughts. He panics as his power manifests. Professor Carr breaks his neck immediately.

Arc: He screams that the thoughts won't stop, points at cadets and speaks their thoughts aloud, then is executed by Professor Carr. His death underscores signet danger.

• Professor Carr — executes him when his signet manifests
• Xaden Riorson — binds him with shadows before Carr kills him
• Violet Sorrengail — points at cadets near her during the manifestation
• Dain Aetos — speaks Dain's thoughts about Violet aloud

The combat instructor who oversees challenges and the Gauntlet. He enforces rules and declares yields. He warns Jack to pull back during his challenge with Violet.

Arc: He referees Violet's matches, warns Jack, and instructs the squad on the Gauntlet. He looks disgusted when Oren yields.

• Violet Sorrengail — challenge official and instructor
• Jack Barlowe — warns and reprimands him
• Rhiannon Matthias — oversees her challenge
• Aurelie — oversees her sparring match
• Ridoc — oversees his sparring match
• Xaden Riorson — asks if he is sure about stepping into Violet's challenge

A major who writes to General Sorrengail requesting reinforcements for the post at Athebyne, describing raids and dire conditions. She is executive officer of the Southern Wing. Her letter reveals raids have spread the wing too thin.

Arc: Her letter is read by Violet during the office raid, exposing unreported dangers at Athebyne and the front lines.

• Lilith Sorrengail — writes to her as executive officer of the Southern Wing
• Violet Sorrengail — her letter is read by Violet during the office raid

A lieutenant colonel who writes to General Sorrengail about growing protests over conscription laws in Tyrrendor. She suggests defensive spending to ease unrest instead of force. Her letter reveals suppressed political tensions.

Arc: Her letter is read by Violet during the office raid, revealing unrest in Tyrrendor that has not been discussed in Battle Brief.

• Lilith Sorrengail — writes to her about Tyrrendor unrest
• Violet Sorrengail — her letter is read by Violet during the office raid