Fourth Wing Characters – A Complete Guide

Violet Sorrengail

Violet Sorrengail is the main character of Fourth Wing. At the beginning of the series, Violet abandons her life long training to enter the Scribe Quadrant and becomes a cadet in the ruthless Rider’s Quadrant of Basgiath War College at the order of her mother Lilith Sorrengail who is the commanding General of Basgiath. Violet is very intelligent and relies on her wits to survive through the Rider’s Quadrant while she trains.

During threshing Violet bonds to Tairn who is a black morningstar and Andarna who is a golden feathertail.

Violet’s signet is lightning wielding, her second signet has manifested but is unknown to readers.

Violet and Xaden are forced to be near each other as their dragon’s are mated and Xaden has made a deal with Violet’s mother to ensure her survival. The two of them fall in love against all odds despite that Xaden’s hiding he’s smuggling weapons for Navarre’s enemy for the greater good of the continent.

Xaden Riorson

Xaden Riorson is a third year Rider and is the Wingleader of Fourth Wing at the beginning of the series. He is bonded to Sgaeyl, a blue daggertail dragon who’s known for her ruthlessness. Xaden is a shadow wielder and is the strongest rider of their generation until Violet bonds with Tairn.

Xaden has taken responsibility for all 107 rebellion kids’ lives. He has brokered a deal with Violet’s mother, General Lilith Sorrengail, at the end of the rebellion for the rebellion kids to enter the Rider Quadrant and have a shot at surviving rather than being executed with their parents in exchange for a favor owed at a later date.

At the end of Fourth Wing it is revealed that the father’s rebellion has become the son’s and Xaden has been smuggling weapons to Poromiel so they can fight against the real enemy, the Venin.

Dain Aetos

Dain Aetos is a second year rider and a squad leader. He is bonded to a red swordtail named Cath. Dain’s father Colonel Aetos is the right hand man of Violet’s mother General Lilith Sorrengail. Dain and Violet have grown up together as childhood friends as their parents were regularly stationed together. Violet has had a childhood crush on Dain and Dain returns the feelings as well.

He is very protective over Violet failing to recognize she’s always been meant to be a Rider. He constantly attempts to sneak her into the Scribes quadrant which creates a rift in their relationship. During threshing, Dain and Violet share a kiss however him being overprotective and refusing to let Violet grow ensures it doesn’t go any further than that.

Dain’s signet is retrocognition, he can touch someone’s face and can read recent memories.

Once when touching Violet’s face, Dain sees her past memories and realizes Xaden’s been in Athebyne which third years are not sent out to. Sharing the information with his father, Dain causes Xaden, Violet, Liam and other rebellion kids to gets sent to an ambush disguised a War Games assignment which leads to Liam getting killed.

Liam Mairi

Liam Mairi is a rebellion kid who’s a first year in Basgiath College. He was bonded to a Red daggertail named Deigh. Liam was fostered with Xaden after their parents were executed and he was the closest thing Xaden had to a brother.

After unbonded cadets tried to assassinate Violet in her sleep, Xaden moves Liam to Violet’s squad assigns him as Violet’s bodyguard. Liam is the best of their class, has a charming personality and is genuinely loved by anyone.

Liam’s signet is farsight.

On their assignment in Athebyne, Liam tries to protect Violet from wyverns. Deigh gets fatally wounded during the battle and dies. As a rider without their dragon cannot survive, Liam dies in Violet’s arms. During his last moments, Liam makes Violet promise that she’ll protect Sloane who’s going to be crossing parapet next year.

Lilith Sorrengail

Lilith Sorrengail is the Commander General of Basgiath War College and Violet and Mira’s mother. She is bonded to Aimsir and her signet was storm wielding. Lilith was a cold and calculated mother but she loved her children dearly, so much so that she was part of the leadership in Navarre who hid the truth of Venin.

Rhiannon Matthias

Rhiannon Matthias is Violet’s best friend. The two of them met when crossing the parapet and Violet gave one of her rider’s boot so Rhiannon has a better shot at surviving.

She is from a border village and has a twin sister named Raegan and a nephew named Lukas.

Rhiannon is bonded to a green daggertail named Feirge and her signet is summoning objects.

She is loyal, good at fighting — specifically with a bow staff and a good friend.

Ridoc Gamlyn

Ridoc Gamlyn is Violet’s year and her squad mate. He is bonded to Aatrom a Brown Swordtail and can wield ice. He is the class clown and has a great sense of humor.

Sawyer Henrick

Sawyer Henrick is a repeat cadet in Violet’s year. He is bonded to Sliseag, a red swordtail. Sawyer is a metallurgist.