The Empyrean is the governing body of dragons in charge of dragonkind.
General Information[]
Dragons are bound by the Empyrean and do not answer to humans.
Before a dragon is allowed to bond for the first time, they must request the Right of Benefaction. They are able to obtain the Right before they reach maturity, while still being a feathertail, however it is extremely rare for a feathertail to bond to a human. When a dragon requests the Right of Benefaction, the head of their den must approve the request.
Dragons are discouraged from bonding to a rider that a part of the bloodline of a rider that that had bonded to previously. This is discouraged because when a dragon bonds to a rider that is in the direct familial line as one of their previous riders, that rider either gains a second signet or it causes madness. In cases where the rider is in the same family, but not a direct descendant, of a previous rider, their signet tends to be more powerful.
History[]
The First Six riders were desperate to save their people when they approached the dens over six hundred years ago. Those dragons formed the first Empyrean and bonded humans only to protect their hatching grounds from venin, who were the bigger threat. Dragon had the ability to channel magic, while humans could weave wards and runes. Dragons need humans to develop signet abilities from bonding to weave the protective wards around Navarre, which protects the Vale. Dragons and humans have both kept information from the other and used each other for their own reasons ever since.
By the time Violet Sorrengail begins Basgiath War College, fewer and fewer dragons are willing to bond. The humans do not know the reason, but it is because the Empyrean knows about the rise in the number of venin. The Empyrean remains divided on whether or not the dragons should get involved. Because the Empyrean had not decided on what to do as a group, none of the dragons were willing to put their riders in danger by telling them about the venin threat if they did not already know.
When the Revolution acted and gave cadets the choice to either join them or stay with Navarre, the Empyrean decided that it would be up to each individual dragon if they wanted to tell their riders the truth about the threat. The dragons that chose to leave and bring their clutches of hatchlings with them would not be punished by the Empyrean.
Empyrean Laws[]
Confirmed[]
- “Humans can’t know what’s said within the Empyrean, it's a rule” - Andarna[1]
- A Dragon that defies an Empyrean ruling may be subject to punishment.[2]
Possible[]
- Dragons only give their full name to their bonded rider.[3]
- Bonding a relative of a previous rider is typically forbidden though distant relatives may be permitted.[3]
- It is considered a violation to share a rider's memories with dragons outside of the mating bond.[4]
- The act of sharing memories with other riders and dragons feels "uncomfortable."[2]
- It is considered a cardinal rule that riders do not directly address someone else's dragon.[5]
- Dragons do not kill other dragons, unless it is in defense of one's life or the life of their bonded rider. Killing another dragon earns the title "Slayer."
- Dragons are not required to share information with their rider.[2]
Official Empyrean Decisions[]
- Allowed two dragons to bond to Violet Sorrengail.
- Was split on whether or not to act against venin. Some wanted to, others didn't.
References[]
- ↑ Fourth Wing, Chapter 16
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Iron Flame, Chapter 37
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fourth Wing. Chapter 8
- ↑ Fourth Wing, Chapter 20
- ↑ Iron Flame, Chapter 62