Athebyne

Athebyne is carved into the Esben mountain range, perched high above a valley and surrounded by forests of towering evergreens. Its design mirrors that of Montserrat, built as a simple square fortress with four towers, stone crenellations, and thick ramparts. The outpost rises four stories, its highest level serving as an open-air observation point overlooking the valley and the trading post below.

The fortress also includes a flight field, though its walls are only just strong enough to launch dragons. From its gates, a gravel path winds down to Resson, a Poromiel village that sustains both trade and civilian life. A nearby lake serves as a vital water source and a secret meeting ground for gryphon fliers and the marked ones, underscoring Athebyne’s role as a frontier between alliances and enemies.

Athebyne is less a settlement than a military post, its identity shaped by the constant tension of being beyond Navarre’s wards. It is a symbol of sacrifice, duty, and the blurred line between Navarre’s protection and its exploitation of borderlands.

The outpost gains major significance during the events of Fourth Wing, when Colonel Aetos uses it as the staging ground for a covert mission designed to test—and likely eliminate—Xaden Riorson and the marked cadets. It later becomes the backdrop for the Battle of Resson, where Violet Sorrengail, Xaden, and their squad make the pivotal choice to defend the Poromiel village of Resson from venin and wyvern. The battle claims the lives of Soleil Telery and Liam Mairi, leaving a lasting mark on the rebellion and Violet’s journey.

By Iron Flame, Athebyne is again central to political maneuvering. It serves as the chosen meeting site between General Melgren and the Assembly, where Melgren offers recognition of Tyrrendor’s independence in exchange for their aid at Samara—a proposal ultimately rejected.

Resson

A Poromiel village of about 300 civilians, located a thousand feet below the outpost. Enclosed by stone walls and marked by a central wooden clock tower, Resson served as the battlefield where Violet, Xaden, and their squad defended civilians against venin and wyvern. The battle destroyed much of the trading post, though its historical role as a site of cross-border exchange continues to mark it as a contested and symbolically important location.