Fourth Wing » Characters » Violet Sorrengail

Violet Sorrengail

Violet Sorrengail is a dragon rider bonded with both Tairneanach and Andarnaurram. Through her marriage to Xaden Riorson, Duke of Tyrrendor, she is presumed to hold the title of Duchess of Tyrrendor.

Name	Violet Sorrengail
Age	20 years (Fourth Wing), 21 years (Iron Flame & Onyx Storm)
Species	Human
Status	Alive
Quadrant	Riders Quadrant, Basgiath War College
Rank/Title	Cadet → Duchess of Tyrrendor (via marriage)
Signet	Power Wielding (lightning), Dream Walking
Eye Color	Hazel shifting to blue/amber depending on light
Hair Color	Brown with metallic silver tips
Dragon Bonds	Tairneanach (Black Morningstartail dragon), Andarna (Shimmering black Scorpiontail dragon)
Family	Lilith † (mother), Asher † (father), Mira (sister), Brennan (brother)
Love Interests	Prince Halden Tauri (ex), unnamed secret partner, Dain Aetos (former crush), Xaden Riorson (husband/current partner)
Appears in	Fourth Wing (2023), Iron Flame (2023), Onyx Storm (2025)

Contents

Biography

Violet Sorrengail is the central figure in The Empyrean Series, first introduced in Fourth Wing. Born in July 613 AU as the youngest child of General Lilith and Lieutenant Colonel Asher Sorrengail, she has two older siblings, Brennan and Mira. Due to her mother’s illness during pregnancy, Violet was born with a connective tissue disorder that causes frequent joint dislocations and physical fragility.

From a young age, Violet was set on a path toward the Scribe Quadrant. Her life takes a turn when, on her mother’s wishes, she trains to become a Rider instead. Despite concerns about her body and strength, she passes the admission tests and enters Basgiath War College. During the events of Fourth Wing, she faces challenges including the Gauntlet, Threshing, bonding with not one but two dragons, and navigating rivalries, betrayals, and shifting allegiances. Across the series (Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Onyx Storm), Violet grows both physically and mentally—proving herself in battle, leadership, and in her relationships.

Physical Description

Body & Build

Small and fragile, standing around 5′2″–5′3″ and weighing about 115 pounds.
Born with a connective tissue disorder that leaves her joints prone to dislocation.
Uses wraps and clasps to keep her body steady in combat.

Hair

Naturally brown with silver-tipped strands, a distinctive mark that may have begun after her father dedicated her to Dunne, the goddess of war, when she was only two.
Keeps her hair braided in a crown during training and battles.

Eyes & Skin

Eyes shift between hazel, blue, and amber, giving her a striking, changeable look.
Fair skin, often described as delicate and almost ethereal.

Clothing & Gear

Prefers practical outfits suited for combat: boots, daggers, and rider gear.
In formal moments, wears gowns tailored for movement and hidden weapons.
Dragonscale Corset — Gifted by her sister Mira, this protective vest is forged from Teine’s scales. It shields her torso, conceals hidden blade sheaths, and shimmers subtly under a camouflaging mesh.

Powers

Lesser Magic

Through her bond with her dragons, Violet can perform lesser magic. This includes locking and unlocking doors without touching them, moving with preternatural speed, manipulating mage lights, powering ink pens, and placing runes.

Andarna’s Feathertail Gift (Time Manipulation)

Violet was briefly able to stop the flow of time through her bond with Andarna, a feathertail dragon. Feathertail magic differs from that of fully grown dragons, meaning channeling too much could kill Andarna. During the battle at Resson, Violet’s overuse of the gift damaged Andarna, leaving her unable to form a wing after the dreamless sleep and preventing her from carrying a rider. Both Violet and Andarna lost the ability to manipulate time once Andarna entered the dreamless sleep.

Signets

Power Wielding (Lightning): Violet wields pure raw power that takes the form of lightning, shaped through her bond with Tairneanach. Dream Walking: gained through her bond with Andarna, allowing Violet to enter and explore another person’s dreams.

Dragon-Sight

By bonding with Tairneanach, Violet can briefly see through his eyes in battle. This ability is accessible to all riders with their dragons.

Imbuing

Violet is capable of placing her power into objects, leaving it in stasis. It is a rare skill, as imbuing comes naturally to only a few riders.

Abilities

Languages

Violet is fluent in sign language. She speaks Tyrrish, taught by her father. She can read Old Lucerish, which she once used as a secret code with Dain. She understands Krovlish, though less fluently, and she also knows Hedotic.

Tactician

She is skilled at adapting during combat and making split-second decisions. She combines logic, strategy, and resourcefulness, using weapons, magic, and her surroundings to gain an advantage. She prefers to disable and disarm opponents rather than kill, unless her loved ones are in danger.

Weapons

She specializes in daggers and carries several at all times. She also uses a hand-held crossbow from Maren, strapped to her right thigh.

Poisons Mastery

Trained as a Scribe, Violet studied poisons extensively. She keeps a poison book as her only text when joining the Riders Quadrant. She is an expert in using toxins to disable enemies, often slipping them into food or drink before duels.

Relationships

Xaden Riorson	Violet’s most important and lasting relationship develops with Xaden Riorson. Their connection deepens through shared battles, honesty, and the bond between their dragons, Tairneanach and Sgaeyl. Despite secrets and conflict, their relationship grows into a powerful partnership that eventually leads to marriage.
Asher Sorrengail	Violet shared a close bond with her father, who encouraged her love of books and languages. He often read her bedtime stories and spent hours with her in the Archives. His death left a lasting emptiness in her life, shaping much of her empathy and introspection.
Lilith Sorrengail	Violet’s relationship with her mother was distant and strained. Lilith doubted her physical strength but respected her resilience, insisting she could survive Basgiath when others questioned it. Despite their differences, Violet later comes to understand her mother’s sacrifices and the burdens of command.
Mira Sorrengail	Mira acts as both an older sister and protector, often torn between supporting Violet and fearing for her safety. Though she initially doubts Violet’s ability to survive the Riders Quadrant, she grows to respect her strength and independence as Violet proves herself in battle.
Brennan Sorrengail	Violet believed Brennan was dead for years until his survival was revealed. Their reunion is emotional and transformative, rekindling their sibling bond. Brennan becomes one of Violet’s strongest allies and mentors, guiding her through the challenges of the Revolution.
Rhiannon Matthias	Rhiannon is Violet’s closest friend at Basgiath and one of her most trusted allies. They train, study, and fight side by side from their first year onward. Rhiannon’s loyalty, leadership, and calm strength make her one of the few people Violet fully depends on.
Jesinia Neilwart	Jesinia and Violet have been close friends since before Conscription Day. They studied together to prepare for the Scribe Quadrant entrance exam, and Jesinia credits her success to Violet’s help. Their friendship remains strong even after Violet transfers to the Riders Quadrant.
Ridoc Gamlyn	Ridoc is one of Violet’s earliest allies at Basgiath and part of her core friend group with Rhiannon and Sawyer. His humor and loyalty bring levity to her squad, and by the time of the Revolution, he becomes one of her most steadfast supporters, even joining her on the Quest Squad.
Sawyer Henrick	Sawyer and Violet form a strong friendship built on mutual respect and trust. After he loses his leg defending his dragon, Violet helps him regain confidence as a rider. Their bond deepens through shared resilience and understanding of what it means to adapt and overcome.
Imogen Cardulo	Violet and Imogen began as rivals during their early days at Basgiath, but their relationship evolved into genuine friendship and trust. Imogen trained Violet to build strength and resilience, and by Onyx Storm, they fight side by side, both dedicated to protecting Xaden and the Revolution.

Dragons

Tairneanach

Tairneanach is a Black Morningstartail, one of the largest and most feared dragons. Known for his stern and uncompromising personality, he commands authority but remains protective of Violet. During Threshing, he chose to bond with her, a decision that surprised many given his reputation and her perceived fragility. Through their bond, Violet channels the raw lightning of her signet, a reflection of Tairneanach’s power. When their bond was sealed, he left a black dragon relic across Violet’s body, permanently marking her as his rider.

Tairneanach is mated to Sgaeyl, the dragon of Xaden Riorson, a connection that strengthens the ties between Violet and Xaden.

Andarna

Andarna is introduced as a young Feathertail, a juvenile stage in a dragon’s lifecycle. She is later revealed to belong to the Irids, a rare and little-known seventh dragon breed. Unlike Tairneanach’s stern nature, Andarna is curious, willful, and at times impulsive, though she remains deeply loyal to Violet.

At Threshing, Andarna created a rare dual bond with Violet, an unprecedented event that granted Violet unique abilities such as time manipulation and dream walking. Feathertail magic differed from that of fully-grown dragons, which made the bond especially unstable and dangerous. During the battle at Resson, Violet’s overuse of this magic damaged Andarna, leaving her unable to form a wing after the dreamless sleep and preventing her from carrying a rider. Both Violet and Andarna lost the ability to manipulate time once Andarna entered the dreamless sleep.

Fourth Wing — Timeline Events

	Enters Basgiath War College (Age 20)	Violet Sorrengail joins the Riders Quadrant under her mother’s orders, beginning training to become a dragon rider.
	Threshing	Violet bonds with two dragons—Tairn, a powerful black dragon, and Andarna, a young feathertail—an unprecedented event in Basgiath’s history.
	War Games	During a tactical exercise, Violet manifests her signet: the ability to channel lightning.
	Alliance with Xaden Riorson	Violet forms a reluctant alliance with Xaden Riorson, a marked rebellion leader. Their shared experiences and dragon bonds lead to a deep emotional connection that develops into a romantic relationship.
	Battle of Resson	In the battle for Resson, Violet uses Andarna’s time-stopping ability to protect the riders on her mission. The use of the power leaves Andarna severely weakened, and the battle ends with Violet being critically wounded.

Iron Flame — Timeline Events

	Brennan Returns & Aretia’s Rebellion	Violet discovers that her brother, Brennan Sorrengail, is alive and leading a rebellion from Aretia — a stronghold long believed destroyed.
	Xaden’s Graduation	Xaden completes his training at Basgiath and is assigned to Samara. His bond with Sgaeyl maintains his connection to Violet despite their separation.
	Arrest and Escape from Basgiath	After being caught with a forbidden relic book, Violet is detained and tortured by Varish, cut off from her dragons and magic. She is later rescued and flees Basgiath with Xaden and fellow riders to Aretia.
	Journey to Cordyn	Violet travels to Cordyn with Xaden to obtain a Luminary from Viscount Tecarus, an artifact essential to defending against the Venin. During the mission, she encounters Catriona, Xaden’s former betrothed and a gryphon flier.
	Alliance of Fliers and Riders	Aretia’s gryphon fliers join forces with dragon riders in Aretia, training together to prepare for the growing Venin threat along Navarre’s borders.
	Andarna’s Origins Revealed	Violet learns that Andarna is from a previously unknown seventh dragon den and possesses unique camouflage abilities among dragons.
	Xaden’s Second Signet	Xaden reveals his second signet — an Intinnsic who can read intentions — a secret he has kept hidden from the leadership.
	Lilith’s Sacrifice	General Lilith Sorrengail sacrifices her life to restore the wardstone and reinforce the protective wards surrounding Basgiath, saving the college from destruction.
	The Battle and Xaden’s Transformation	In the final confrontation, Xaden uses forbidden magic and is transformed into Venin to save Violet.

Onyx Storm — Timeline Events

	Alliance at Basgiath	Following the events of Iron Flame, leaders from Navarre, Poromiel, and Aretia assemble at Basgiath to discuss a united response to the growing Venin threat. Violet focuses on finding a way to cure Xaden, who has turned Venin.
	Quest for the Seventh Dragon Breed	Violet learns that Andarna belongs to a newly identified seventh dragon breed, the irids. Determined to find answers, she begins searching for more information about this lineage.
	Poromiel Trap	The squad discovers that Mairen’s village in Poromiel has been seized by Venin and launches a rescue mission. The operation proves to be a trap, and Violet encounters Theophanie, a silver-haired storm wielder who becomes a major antagonist.
	Quest Across the Isles	Violet’s squad embarks on a sea journey to locate the irids and a possible cure for Xaden, expanding the search into new and uncharted territories.
	Deverelli	The quest squad travels to Deverell, where the absence of magic severs all contact with their dragons. Violet meets Narelle, a bookseller who gives her encrypted volumes left by her father. Later, she and Xaden negotiate with King Courtlyn after a failed audience turns violent, securing Deverelli as a base for their search across the southern isles.
	Isle of Umbriel	Violet, Xaden, and Dain seek an audience with the queen on the Isle of Umbriel. A priestess there reveals details of Violet’s childhood near-dedication and notes that no irids exist on the island.
	Hedotis	On On Hedotis, Violet meets Talia Riorson, Xaden’s mother, now aligned with the Triumvirate. A poisoning plot nearly kills Garrick before Violet intervenes and secures new diplomatic terms.
	Zehlyna’s Sacrifice	A brutal card game costs Trager his life; in return, the squad secures an army reported at ~40,000 for the war effort.
	Aretia Under Threat	Venin forces advance toward Aretia. At Dunne’s temple, Theophanie confronts Violet. Aid arrives from Leothan and other allies as the wards begin to fail.
	Andarna Breaks the Bond	Leothan calls Andarna to train with the irids. To fulfill her duty, Andarna severs her bond with Violet and departs.
	Mira in Peril	Theophanie captures Mira, attempting to use her as leverage against Violet. A combined effort from Brennan, Sloane, and Dain rescues her and stabilizes Mira’s condition.
	Battle of Draithus — Death of Theophanie	In the climactic Battle of Draithus, Violet confronts Theophanie. With the help of Tairn and Andarna, she kills Theophanie
	Cliffhanger — Memory Loss and Marriage	Violet awakens at Rlorson House with her memories altered. She wears a ring and carries a blessing indicating she married Xaden, who has since disappeared. His message reads: “Don’t look for me.”