Complete Fourth Wing Characters Guide
By the Ember team · Updated August 2026
The Fourth Wing series by Rebecca Yarros centers on Violet Sorrengail, a dragon rider bonded to two dragons who wields lightning and can walk through dreams, and Xaden Riorson, a shadow-wielding wingleader with secrets that could get him killed. The supporting cast includes squadmates, dragons with distinct personalities, and family members whose choices ripple through all three books.
This guide covers who these characters are, which dragons they bond with, what signets they manifest, and how their arcs evolve across Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm. Spoiler warnings mark major reveals from books two and three.
Short answer
Fourth Wing's main characters include Violet Sorrengail (bonded to dragons Tairn and Andarna, lightning and dream walking signets), Xaden Riorson (bonded to Sgaeyl, shadow wielding signet), Dain Aetos, Rhiannon Matthias, Mira Sorrengail, Liam Mairi, and Brennan Sorrengail. All appear across the Empyrean series with expanding roles in Iron Flame and Onyx Storm.
Main Fourth Wing characters
Violet Sorrengail
Role: Main protagonist and narrator, dragon rider at Basgiath War College
Dragons: Tairneanach (Tairn), a black Morningstartail, and Andarnaurram (Andarna), an Irid (seventh dragon type) with iridescent scorpiontail characteristics
Signets: Lightning wielding (from Tairn) and dream walking (from Andarna, revealed in Onyx Storm)
Physical: Smaller than average with chronic pain and joint issues similar to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Brown hair with silver tips. Age 20 in Fourth Wing, 21 in Iron Flame and Onyx Storm.
Family: General Lilith Sorrengail (mother), Mira Sorrengail (older sister), Brennan Sorrengail (older brother, thought dead until Iron Flame)
Appears in: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm
Violet was trained to be a scribe like her father until his death forced her into the brutal Riders Quadrant. Despite her physical disadvantages, she survives through tactical thinking, cleverness, and unexpected courage. Her bond with Tairn unlocked one of the rarest signets in the Riders Quadrant. Through Andarna, she gained dream walking, a form of inntinnsic that allows her to visit and navigate others' dreams while they sleep.
Xaden Riorson
Role: Wingleader of Fourth Wing, Duke of Tyrrendor, rebellion leader
Dragon: Sgaeyl, a blue Daggertail (mate to Violet's dragon Tairn)
Signets: Shadow wielding (can summon and control shadows for concealment or offensive attacks) and inntinnsic reading (can sense others' true intentions, kept secret because it is forbidden)
Physical: Tall, dark hair, onyx eyes, rebellion relic on left arm
Family: Fen Riorson (father, rebellion leader, executed)
Appears in: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm
Xaden initially wants to kill Violet because her mother killed his father, but he made a secret promise to protect her. The bond between their dragons creates a connection that evolves into romance. Xaden carries both political and military responsibility as Duke of Tyrrendor while leading rebellion alliances. His shadow wielding signet is rare and powerful. His second signet, inntinnsic, is believed to have manifested because Sgaeyl was previously bonded to his grandfather.
Dain Aetos
Role: Lieutenant, squadron leader, Violet's childhood friend
Dragon: Cath, a red Swordtail
Signet: Retrocognition (can read a person's recent memories through touch)
Family: Colonel Aetos (father)
Appears in: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm
Dain has romantic feelings for Violet and wants to protect her, but his choices and his signet create complications that damage their friendship by the end of Fourth Wing.
Rhiannon Matthias
Role: First-year cadet, Violet's squadmate and close friend
Dragon: Feirge, a green Daggertail
Signet: Summoner (retrieval, classified as rare)
Physical: Amber-brown skin, tight curls, athletic build
Appears in: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm
Rhiannon becomes one of Violet's most trusted friends at Basgiath. She is loyal, fierce, and smart, and her friendship with Violet deepens throughout the series.
Mira Sorrengail
Role: Dragon rider, Violet's older sister
Dragon: Teine, a green Clubtail
Signet: Ward extension
Appears in: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm
Mira is protective of Violet and tries to help her survive the Riders Quadrant despite knowing how dangerous it is. Her relationship with Violet is complicated by family secrets revealed in later books.
Liam Mairi
Role: First-year cadet, assigned by Xaden to protect Violet
Dragon: Deigh, a red Daggertail
Signet: Farsightedness
Family: Sloane Mairi (younger sister)
Appears in: Fourth Wing (dies at Resson), Iron Flame (mentioned in flashbacks)
Liam starts as a guard Violet resents, but they become genuine friends. He is kind, loyal, and protective. His death at the battle of Resson is one of the most devastating moments in Fourth Wing.
Sloane Mairi
Role: First-year cadet entering the Riders Quadrant one year after her brother Liam
Dragon: Thoirt, a red (strawberry) Daggertail
Family: Liam Mairi (older brother, deceased)
Appears in: Iron Flame, Onyx Storm
Sloane blames Violet for her brother's death and enters Basgiath carrying that grief. Her arc in Iron Flame and Onyx Storm explores how she processes loss and whether she can forgive.
Brennan Sorrengail
Role: Dragon rider, Violet's older brother, thought dead for six years
Dragon: Marbh, an orange Daggertail
Signet: Mending (exceptionally rare healing ability)
Appears in: Iron Flame (revealed alive), Onyx Storm
Brennan was believed to have died during the Tyrish rebellion. His survival and the reasons he stayed hidden create family tension when Violet discovers the truth in Iron Flame. His mending signet is rare enough that he becomes a critical asset in the rebellion.
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Fourth Wing dragons
Dragons in the Empyrean series are intelligent, powerful, and selective about who they bond with. Each dragon has a distinct personality, and the bond between dragon and rider shapes the signet the rider manifests. Here are the most important dragons in the series.
Tairneanach (Tairn)
Type: Black Morningstartail
Size: Second-largest dragon alive (only Codagh is larger)
Age: Over 100 years old
Rider: Violet Sorrengail (current), Naolin (previous rider, died during the Tyrish rebellion)
Mate: Sgaeyl (Xaden's dragon)
Personality: Gruff, wise, sarcastic, witty, protective
Tairn is one of the most celebrated and feared dragons in Navarre. He has enormous black scales, golden eyes, and pointed spikes that ripple down his neck like a mane. He bonds with Violet after witnessing her defend young Andarna from being killed by other cadets. Despite his gruff demeanor, he is deeply loyal and will submit to things other dragons might find humiliating to help Violet.
Andarnaurram (Andarna)
Type: Irid (seventh dragon type, iridescent scorpiontail). Initially appeared as a golden Feathertail, which was the juvenile form.
Special: Can change scale color, waited 600 years for Violet to hatch
Rider: Violet Sorrengail (first and only rider)
Personality: Young, playful, protective, deeply bonded to Violet
Andarna is revealed to be an entirely unique dragon type. Feathertails were believed to be a separate breed that abstained from violence, but they are actually juvenile dragons. Andarna bonded with Violet before reaching adulthood, which is unprecedented. As a juvenile, Andarna could grant Violet temporary time manipulation (a direct gift, not a signet), but this drains both of them dangerously. After maturing, Andarna becomes an iridescent scorpiontail and grants Violet the dream walking signet.
Sgaeyl
Type: Blue Daggertail
Rider: Xaden Riorson (current), Xaden's grandfather (previous rider)
Mate: Tairn (Violet's dragon)
Personality: Vicious, powerful, short and to-the-point, does not speak to Violet often
Sgaeyl is one of the most powerful and feared dragons alive. She is notoriously vicious and selective. Her mate bond with Tairn means she can communicate with Violet, and Tairn can communicate with Xaden, creating an unusual four-way connection.
Other notable dragons
Codagh (General Melgren's dragon)
Black Swordtail, largest dragon in the series, grants Melgren the ability to see the outcome of battles
Deigh (Liam Mairi's dragon)
Red Daggertail, grants farsightedness signet, dies with Liam at Resson
Cath (Dain Aetos's dragon)
Red Swordtail, grants retrocognition (memory reading) signet
Feirge (Rhiannon Matthias's dragon)
Green Daggertail, grants summoner/retrieval signet
Teine (Mira Sorrengail's dragon)
Green Clubtail, grants ward extension signet
Marbh (Brennan Sorrengail's dragon)
Orange Daggertail, grants exceptionally rare mending signet
What is a signet?
A signet is a special magical ability that manifests from the bond between a dragon rider and their dragon. Each signet is unique to the rider and typically correlates to the strength of the dragon and the depth of their bond. The stronger the dragon, the more powerful the signet tends to be.
Signets range from common to exceptionally rare. Ice wielding and air manipulation are relatively common. Lightning wielding, shadow wielding, mending, and inntinnsic abilities are rare or exceptionally rare. Some riders manifest their signets quickly, while others take months or years.
Most riders have one signet. Violet has two because she bonded with two dragons. Xaden has two signets because his dragon Sgaeyl was previously bonded to his grandfather, and the second signet is believed to have carried over from that earlier bond.
Examples of signets in the series
Who appears in which book
Fourth Wing (Book 1)
Violet, Xaden, Dain, Rhiannon, Liam, Mira, Ridoc, Sawyer, Tairn, Andarna, Sgaeyl, Deigh, and most of the main squadron. Liam dies at the battle of Resson at the end of Fourth Wing.
Iron Flame (Book 2)
All surviving characters from Fourth Wing return. Brennan Sorrengail is revealed to be alive. Sloane Mairi enters Basgiath seeking revenge for Liam's death. Violet's second signet (dream walking) begins to manifest. Andarna matures and is revealed to be an Irid, not a Feathertail.
Onyx Storm (Book 3)
The main cast continues. Violet's dream walking signet is confirmed. Major developments include Violet and Xaden's marriage (Violet becomes Duchess of Tyrrendor) and deeper exploration of the rebellion and venin threat.
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Frequently asked questions
Who are the main characters in Fourth Wing?
Fourth Wing's main characters include Violet Sorrengail (bonded to dragons Tairn and Andarna, lightning and dream walking signets), Xaden Riorson (bonded to Sgaeyl, shadow wielding signet), Dain Aetos, Rhiannon Matthias, Mira Sorrengail, Liam Mairi, and Brennan Sorrengail. All appear across the Empyrean series with expanding roles in Iron Flame and Onyx Storm.
What is a signet in Fourth Wing?
A signet is a special magical ability that a dragon rider manifests from their bond with their dragon. Each rider's signet is unique and typically correlates to the strength of their dragon and the depth of their bond. Examples include lightning wielding (Violet), shadow wielding (Xaden), mending (Brennan), and retrocognition (Dain). Some signets are common, while others like lightning, shadows, and mending are exceptionally rare.
Who does Violet end up with in Fourth Wing?
Violet Sorrengail ends up with Xaden Riorson. Their relationship evolves from initial antagonism (Xaden wanted to kill her because her mother killed his father) to a slow-burn romance throughout Fourth Wing. The bond between their dragons (Tairn and Sgaeyl are mates) creates a connection that intensifies their relationship. By Onyx Storm, they are married and Violet becomes the Duchess of Tyrrendor.
What dragons does Violet bond with?
Violet bonds with two dragons: Tairneanach (Tairn), a massive black Morningstartail who is the second-largest dragon alive, and Andarnaurram (Andarna), who initially appears as a golden Feathertail but is later revealed to be an Irid, the seventh dragon type, with iridescent scorpiontail characteristics. Tairn grants Violet the lightning wielding signet, while Andarna grants dream walking.
What is the strongest dragon in Fourth Wing?
Codagh, General Melgren's black Swordtail dragon, is the largest dragon in the series. Tairn, Violet's black Morningstartail, is the second-largest and one of the most powerful dragons alive. Sgaeyl, Xaden's blue Daggertail, is also considered one of the most powerful and vicious dragons. Dragon strength is often measured by size, age, and the rarity of the signet they grant their rider.
What are all the dragon types in Fourth Wing?
Dragon types include Morningstartails (like Tairn), Daggertails (like Sgaeyl, Deigh, Feirge, Marbh), Swordtails (like Cath, Sliseag, Codagh), Clubtails (like Teine), Scorpiontails (like Baide, Chradh), and Irids (like Andarna, the seventh type). Feathertails were thought to be a separate breed, but they are actually juvenile dragons before they reach maturity. Each type has different characteristics, sizes, and temperaments.
Does Brennan Sorrengail die?
No. Brennan Sorrengail was believed to have died during the Tyrish rebellion six years before Fourth Wing begins, but he is revealed to be alive in Iron Flame. His survival and the reasons he stayed hidden create significant tension when Violet discovers the truth. Brennan is a dragon rider bonded to Marbh, an orange Daggertail, and has an exceptionally rare mending signet.
Sources
Character details, dragon bonds, signets, and book appearances verified via fandom wikis and reputable Fourth Wing character guides as of August 2026.
- The Empyrean Wiki: Violet SorrengailUsed for Violet's character details, dragon bonds, signets, and relationship arcs across all three books.
- The Empyrean Wiki: Xaden RiorsonUsed for Xaden's background, signets (shadow wielding and inntinnsic), dragon bond, and Duke of Tyrrendor title.
- Fourth Wing Characters Explained: Complete Empyrean GuideUsed for comprehensive character roster, signet definitions, and character relationship context.
- Fourth Wing Characters, Dragons, Signets | Esta PintoUsed for dragon names, colors, types, rider bonds, and signet power verification.
- Audible: Violet Sorrengail Character GuideUsed for Violet's age, physical description, dream walking signet revelation in Onyx Storm, and Andarna's time manipulation details.
- Audible: Xaden Riorson Character GuideUsed for Xaden's shadow summoning mechanics, inntinnsic reading ability, and political role as Duke of Tyrrendor.
- Empyrean Riders: Fourth Wing Characters, Dragons & SignetsUsed for signet rarity classifications, complete dragon roster, and supporting character details.
- Beyond the Book Ends: Guide to Fourth Wing CharactersUsed for Liam Mairi, Sloane Mairi, Brennan Sorrengail, and other supporting character verification.
- The Empyrean Wiki: DragonsUsed for dragon breed classifications, previous riders, and complete dragon roster across the series.
- Audible: Dragons of the Empyrean SeriesUsed for Tairn, Sgaeyl, and Andarna personality details and dragon bond mechanics.
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