Tairneanach, most commonly known as Tairn, is the bonded dragon of Violet Sorrengail and mate of Sgaeyl. He is currently the second largest dragon in active service and the only other black dragon aside from Codagh.[1]
Biography[]
He is the child of Murtcuideam and Fiaclanfuil and descended from the cunning Dubhmadinn line. He's a little over a hundred years old, which makes him about middle aged. He's revered as a battle dragon among Dragonkind, and is accredited for the defeat of the Tyrrish Rebellion despite nearly dying during the Battle of Aretia when his only other previous rider Naolin burned out saving Brennan Sorrengail. Because of his rare color and breed of tail, Tairn is also considered one of the deadliest dragons in Navarre. [1]
Prior to the events of Fourth Wing, Tairn had refused to bond in the five years between Naolin's death and Violet's Threshing. [1]
Physical Description[]
Tairn is a Black Morningstartail with scarred black wings and one of the biggest dragons Violet has ever seen, who doesn't even come close to reaching his ankle. His underbelly is covered in rock-hard scales and he has long claws. His scales are larger and thicker than Violet's hand. He has a series of pointed spikes that ripple down most of his neck like a mane. His seat is a smooth, scaly divot just in front of his wings. The pommel is a thick ridge of scales where his neck meets his shoulders.
With Violet, he wears a saddle made out of sumptuous black leather, completed with two raised pommels for her hands and stirrups, including a buckle and straps.
Personality[]
He has a very dry sense of humour and enjoys teasing Violet about her relationship with Xaden. Tairn is also overprotective of Violet and will not hesitate to burn someone alive if they harm her.
Power and Abilities[]
Powers[]
When Violet is first learning how to ride, Tairn creates invisible bands of power that keep her on her seat so that she doesn't fall off mid-flight. Due to their bond, Tairn can telepathically communicate with Violet. He, Violet, Sgaeyl, and Xaden can all communicate with each other when they meet due to the mating bond that also exists between Tairn and Sgaeyl.
Abilities[]
Tairn's physical prowess is noticeably greater than most dragons at Basgiath. Despite only recently returning into active service since the Tyrrish rebellion, he's incredibly fast when flying and his large size intimidates most riders and dragons.
Professor Kaori, Navarre's foremost expert on dragonkind, credited him for Navarre's victory in the Tyrrish rebellion. He stated that Tairn is "one of the deadliest dragons in Navarre."
| “ | ...He’s revered as a battle dragon among their kind, and if not for him, we probably would have lost during the Tyrrish rebellion. Add to it that he’s a morningstartail, and he’s one of the deadliest dragons in Navarre. | ” |
–Professor Kaori to his class of first-years | ||
Relationships[]
Sgaeyl[]
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Sgaeyl is Tairn's chosen mate. Their mating bond is the strongest to appear in centuries. Since they are mates, Tairn and Sgaeyl cannot be apart from each other for too long, or else they die.
Andarna[]
| “ | We do not eat our allies | ” |
–Tairn to Andarna[2] | ||
He acts as Andarna's main father figure since they have both bonded to Violet.
Violet Sorrengail[]
Violet is Tairn's bonded rider. He chose her during Threshing after she protected Andarna from Jack Barlowe, Tynan, and Oren Seifert. He and Violet continue to strengthen their bond throughout her time as a first-year at Basgiath. Tairn is extremely protective of Violet and will take action against those whom he believes means her harm. This is seen multiple times throughout the first book. For example, when Dain Aetos angrily approaches Violet after a flying session, Tairn threatens to burn him alive. And again in the second book this time with threatening to digest Varrish and take the other of Solas' eye in the same line.
| “ | Tell him if he harms you, I’ll scorch the ground where he stands. | ” |
–Tairn to Violet Sorrengail | ||
Tairn starts channeling his power into Violet after she demonstrated that she "held [her] own and controlled [her] temper." A while later, it's revealed that Violet's signet power is lightning wielding.
Prior to him choosing to bond with Violet, Tairn also met and knew of her older brother, Brennan Sorrengail. This is due to the fact that Tairn's previous rider, Naolin, fought by Brennan's side during the Tyrrish rebellion.
Naolin[]
Naolin was Tairn's bonded rider before Violet. His signet was siphoning, which allowed him to absorb power from various sources. They fought together during the Tyrrish rebellion, alongside Brennan. However, Naolin died at the Battle of Aretia after burning out his power in a futile attempt to revive Brennan.
Quotes[]
"I know exactly who and what you are, Violet Sorrengail." Tairn to Violet Sorrengail
"You're bleeding. Stop it." Tairn to Violet Sorrengail
"Should I get the wingleader?" Tairn to Violet Sorrengail
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- In Scottish Gaelic, "tairneanach" means "thunder." His full name is pronounced TAHR-nyuh-nuhkh.