| Name | Jack Barlowe |
|---|---|
| Age | 20 years (Fourth Wing) |
| Species | Human → Venin |
| Status | Alive |
| Quadrant | Riders Quadrant, Basgiath War College |
| Rank/Title | Cadet |
| Signet | Unknown |
| Eye Color | Glacial Blue |
| Hair Color | Blond |
| Dragon Bond | Baide † (died in Fourth Wing, Orange Scorpiontail dragon) |
| Appears in | Fourth Wing (2023), Iron Flame (2023), Onyx Storm (2025) |
Contents
Biography
Jack Barlowe makes it his mission to kill Violet Sorrengail after meeting her on the parapet. Assigned to Third Squad, Flame Section, First Wing, he becomes infamous for killing cadets during training. Violet defeats him in a challenge by poisoning him with oranges, and later nearly kills him when her lightning collapses part of a mountain during War Games. Presumed dead, Jack is secretly healed by Nolon and later returns to Basgiath. He briefly saves Violet from an assassination attempt, claiming he has changed. During the Battle of Basgiath, he kills his dragon Baide on the wardstone, extinguishing its flame. Instead of dying, Jack is revealed to have turned Venin and is locked away after the battle.
Imprisoned in Aretia, Jack is interrogated by Violet with the help of Imogen’s memory erasure. He provides key intelligence about Venin and their abilities. Theophanie attempts to free—and later kill—him, confirming he knows dangerous secrets. Garrick secures him inside the Rybestad chest, leaving Jack’s ultimate fate uncertain.
Physical Description
Body & Build
- Hulking, stocky frame with immense physical strength
- Described by Violet as “monstrous”
- Capable of tossing cadets from the parapet
- Able to snap necks with ease
Hair
- Blond, with thick brows that match his hair color.
Eyes & Skin
- Glacial blue eyes
- By Onyx Storm, eyes permanently rimmed with bright red from his Venin transformation
- Face flushes red when enraged
Clothing & Gear
- Typically wears standard rider gear
- Intimidation stems more from his size and presence than his attire
Powers
Lesser Magic
As a rider bonded to Baide, Jack was able to channel lesser magic before turning Venin. This allowed him to lock and unlock doors without touching them, move with preternatural speed, manipulate mage lights, power ink pens, and place runes.
Veninism
After becoming Venin, Jack draws magic directly from the source rather than a dragon. This grants him immense and corrupt power, bypassing the natural limits of riders.
Pain Projection
A Venin ability that allows Jack to force raw power into another’s body, causing overwhelming pain. This was initially mistaken for his signet but later confirmed to be a Venin trait.
Abilities
Jack is brutally strong, often relying on sheer force in combat. His size and endurance make him a dangerous opponent, enhanced further by his corrupted Venin powers.
Dragon
Baide
Jack Barlowe bonded with Baide, an orange scorpiontail known for her fierce strength and volatile nature. Their partnership reflected Jack’s own violent tendencies, built more on dominance than mutual respect. Jack ultimately betrayed Baide during the Battle of Basgiath. In a shocking act, he seized her horns and drove a dagger between the scales of her neck, killing her and sending her body crashing down onto the wardstone. Her death not only extinguished the flame but also marked Jack’s final break from rider honor, cementing his transformation into a Venin.
