Onyx Storm has been out for over a month, and the third installment of The Empyrean has once again taken the world by storm. I’m having a hard time moving on from the series—the revelations, the worldbuilding, and, of course, the Venin being front and center.
The seemingly ultimate villains of the series (though I don’t believe they are, the gods are too prominent in Onyx Storm to not be suspicious—but more on that later!) got major expansions in terms of their magic system, hierarchy, and organization. With all this new information, I thought it would be a good idea to compile everything we know about the Venin—their known members, their powers, and what they might mean for our beloved characters and the world.
This post contains The Empyrean spoilers and will heavily use information we learned from Onyx Storm. If you need to brush up on the events check out my breakdown of Onyx Storm Ending Explained.
With that being said—welcome to your ultimate Venin Compendium!
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Everything We Know About Venin
What is Venin (or Dark Wielders)?
A Venin is someone who has chosen to wield a forbidden type of magic by channeling magic directly from earth rather than a creature to ground them. Channeling directly from the earth proves to be addictive and most Venin cannot resist the temptation to channel more and more power until all the magic is drained. It is assumed that they require more and more power as they continue channeling.
How are Venin created?
Venin are formed the moment someone channels directly from the earth—even once. This act marks them as Initiates of the Venin, setting them on a path of corruption.
Rebecca Yarros foreshadows this transformation early on:
“Just don’t try to channel power without being a bonded rider and red-eyed monsters won’t hide under your bed, waiting to snatch you away on their two-legged dragons to join their dark army.”
Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing, Chapter 1
In Onyx Storm, we get more clarity on the process:
“Do you have to be taught?” I repeat. Xaden did it on his own, but I need to know if we’re in danger from every random infantry cadet who didn’t have the guts to cross the parapet.
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm, Chapter 12
His breath rattles, and he drops his focus to the alloy. “Not if you’re already experienced with the flow of magic. Someone who has never wielded would require instruction, but a dragon rider or gryphon flier?” He shakes his head.
From Fourth Wing through Onyx Storm, it’s clear that those already attuned to magic—like dragon riders or gryphon fliers—find it easier to channel from the earth. However, Jack’s comment suggests that even those without prior magic experience can be trained to do so.
Regardless of how someone starts channeling from the earth, the moment they do, they become Venin. There’s no going back.
Venin Ranks and What Do They Look Like
The Venin have various types of attires and appearances. They’ve been observed wearing robes, staves and red fighting leathers. The color red is prominent both in their appearances and their clothing.
As far as we’re aware, there are four ranks of Venin:
Initiate
This is the lowest rank of Venin and is the initial level all Venin are as soon as someone channels from the ground. They have red rings around their eyes right after they channel however it fades based on how often they channel. After a while, the red around their eyes do not fade away if they continue channeling. They feel the pull of magic constantly and sometimes can channel without realizing.
Asim
This is the level a Venin progresses to once they channel enough times. The red around their eyes are semi permanent and the veins become more pronounced if they’re provoked.
Sage
The red around their eyes are permanent, and spiderwebbed around their temples. They usually wear robes.
Maven
The highest ranking of Venin we know of, akin to Generals in Navarrian and Poromish armies. A Venin has never been captured and studied.
Violet, Xaden and the others assume Theophanie is a maven, however it is never been proven, it’s just Violet assumes and I am not fully convinced, because Theophanie seemingly reports to someone else.
“And her.” She pauses just in front of the wyvern’s bloody snout and cuts her gaze to mine. “A weapon like you will only submit to someone stronger, so come, let’s get this farce over with so you can begin your real journey. He’s waiting.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm, Chapter 60
Glee lights her smile. “Berwyn?” I guess.
“As if I would answer to that fool? I think not.” She glances skyward.
There are two options based on what we know of, either Theophanie is a Sage and we just assumed she’s a Maven or there is a rank of Venin we’re not aware of.
How are Venin killed?
Venin can be killed with following methods.
- Venin can be killed with the alloy that powers the wards in Navarre. Current common fighting method for Venin is using alloy hilted daggers. A dagger can strike a few times before it’s depleted.
- Andarna’s fire can kill the Venin. I theorize it is because Andarna can channel magic from a difference source then the rest of the Navarrian dragons.
- Violet Sorrengail can kill Venin. She channels pure power.
Venin can also be weakened.
- In order to channel from earth, they have to have contact with the ground. So if they’re suspended from the air magically or by a magical artifact (e.g. Rybestad chest) they can’t channel.
- Similarly, they cannot channel if the magic is already drained from the ground. When Tecarus makes Violet fight a Venin, they are safe on the stands because the stands are made out of stones that have already been drained.
- The leadership of Navarre is experimenting with a signet blocking serum, to neutralize Venin. It works on Jack Barlowe.
How are Venin cured?
Navarrian research has shown no advancement for a cure as outlined in the epigraphs in Iron Flame.
We have tried every method we know of, as you requested. There is no cure. There is only control.
Rebecca Yarros, Iron Flame, Chapter 66
The irid dragons confirm that there is no way to cure someone from becoming Venin.
“Is that the dark wielder’s cure?” Andarna asks, her head moving in a serpentine motion. “To evolve?”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm, Chapter 42
My breath freezes in my chest. The female’s golden eyes narrow to slits. “There is no cure.”
…
“If they trade their soul, surely they can get it back,” Andarna retorts. “It is not a trade,” the female lectures.
“The soul is not kept by the earth as dark wielders steal its magic. The power exchange kills the soul one piece at a time, and death has no cure.”
Venin Powers
In addition to draining ground to channel magic directly from source, Venin can do a variety of other things.
- Fire Wielding
- Pain Projection
- Gravity Manipulation
- Shields
- Destruction
- Fighting Adaptation
- Fireproof
Navarre’s Denial of Venin
Navarre has been aware of the threat of Venin for hundreds of years. Hundreds of years ago, the leadership has made a decision to power their wards over crafting weapons to fight the Venin. The border closure kept Navarre “safe” however it left Poromiel defenseless against the Venin.
In order to cover their tracks, Navarrian leadership invented a war between Poromiel, gaslighting the society into thinking Poromiel doesn’t accept peace and want to fight. Poromiel continues on trying to raid Navarrian outposts to get access to the alloy that powers the wards.
Navarrian leadership brings new military members into the fold when they reach high enough rank to continue fabricating the lies that hides the existence of Venin.
Venin Infiltration of Navarre
Despite their insistence on fighting Venin in secret and keeping their borders closed, Navarre has been infiltrated by Venin this whole time. Jack Barlowe alludes to the fact that they hide in plain sight. Considering we don’t know what Mavens look like it is safe to assume there are Venin in ranks of Navarrian army.
We know for a fact that they are imitating Scribes and have infiltrated Basgiath.
What is a Wyvern?
Wyverns are two legged, reanimated fliers that Venin create. They take a lot of effort to create and have runes inside of them. They can fly, and have different kinds of fire (red, green and blue so far). Each fire has different effects.
Killing a Venin leads to all Wyvern created by them to die as well. Unlike the dragons and their Wyverns, the Wyverns channel from their creators, not the other way around.
Known Venin
Xaden
As of the ending of Onyx Storm, Xaden is at least the rank of Asim if not Sage.
How did Xaden turn Venin?
In Iron Flame, the Aretian Riders fly back to Basgiath to defend the hatching grounds. Violet and Xaden split up. While Violet tries to imbue the wardstone, Xaden defends the war college to give her enough time.
Brennan mends the wardstone, but they can’t imbue it in time. Violet decides to channel all of her power into the stone to imbue it before it’s too late, even though she knows it will kill her.
While she’s imbuing the stone at the cost of her life, Xaden fights the Sage, Brewyn. Feeling Violet’s intent to sacrifice herself for the wardstone, Xaden knows he has to defeat Brewyn quickly. Realizing he’ll never be strong enough to win as he is, Xaden channels directly from the earth—despite Sgaeyl’s outrage.
He kills Brewyn—though we later learn that his death didn’t hold— at the cost of his soul, turning himself into an Initiate.
Throughout Onyx Storm, Xaden battles for control, struggling against the allure of power directly from the source. He channels at least three times—once by accident and twice in battle—to protect himself, his fellow riders, and Violet.
Throughout the entire book, Xaden is realistic and extremely pessimistic about his condition, knowing he must make preparations for when he turns, not if. He teaches Violet how to track his shadows and prepares for Bodhi to take over as the Duke of Tyrrendor.
At the end of Onyx Storm, after Brewyn summons him—revealing himself to be alive— Xaden finally accepts there really is no cure, and the only way to fight Venin is by becoming one. Sgaeyl is in danger and wounded, and to protect her, Xaden finally gives in. He succumbs to the allure of the power, unleashing an Onyx Storm of shadows, taking the step into becoming an Asim, if not a Sage directly.
At the end of Onyx Storm, Xaden has joined the ranks of Venin—and he is gone.
Who knows Xaden is a Venin?
Between the end of Iron Flame until Xaden fully turns, only a handful of people find out Xaden is a Venin.
- Violet: She is to first to find out Xaden channeled from the earth. She never leaves his side and is determined to find a cure.
- Garrick, Bodhi and Imogen: Xaden and Violet tell them immediately. They’re worried for Violet’s safety and are apprehensive about Xaden’s ability to control themselves but they stand by his side.
- Brennan: Xaden tells Brennan to see if he can mend him and see if they can find a cure.
- Ridoc: He overhears the conversation between the Irids, Violet and Andarna. He is not onboard as quickly as the others if at all. He swears to protect Violet.
- Mira: They tell Mira when she returns back from visiting their grandmother, who give her cryptic information about Violet’s dedication. She is wary about Violet because she’s told “someone who’s heart beats for Violet” will turn Venin. She mistakenly assumes this is about Violet. This is when Xaden tells Mira to protect Violet.
At the end of Onyx Storm, well, everyone knows. Onyx Storm unleashed and all that.
What about Xaden and Sgaeyl’s bond?
The bond between a rider and dragon does not need to be broken when they turn Venin.
“I’ll let you keep both your dragons while giving you what you want most in the world.” Her gaze drops to the conduit as wind pulses. The others must be here. “Control and knowledge.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm, Chapter 11
I’m planning on doing a whole post about this soon, about Violet’s missing 12 hours and what happens next. But Sgaeyl and Xaden’s bond has been shaky since he turned at the end of Iron Flame. Xaden fully turns to save Sgaeyl, while seemingly holding onto his soul by a thread attached to his love for Violet. Sgaeyl sees that in her and the two of them have a cryptic exchange about hatching a plan with Sgaeyl saying “We will ask.”
Then the missing 12 hours happen, Xaden is gone, and Tairn is resting. I fully believe Andarna broke Sgaeyl and Tairn’s bond — we’re told she can forge and break bonds as she sees fit so Sgaeyl can go with Xaden to infiltrate Venin.
Jack Barlowe
When did Jack Barlowe turn Venin?
It is unclear when Jack Barlowe turned Venin. However, considering Violet killing him by dropping a building on him in Fourth Wing not killing him, it is safe to assume he is Venin by War Games.
Most people assume, Jack has turned Venin between Threshing and War Games, however my personal theory is that he was Venin when he entered the quadrant.
Jack has that hint about while being bonded to a magical creature (dragon/gryphon) makes it easier because one already is familiar with the flow of magic, they can also be taught.
Jack knows about feathertails during threshing. He hunts Andarna seemingly to eliminate the weakling, but he makes a comment about feathertails.
“It’s for the best,” Jack argues, his tone dropping. “It’s unrideable, a certified freak, and you know feathertails are useless in combat. They refuse to fight.” His voice fades as they walk farther away, headed north.
Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing, Chapter 13
How does Jack know about feathertails if we he didn’t have the knowledge ahead of time?
Brewyn has a son in Basgiath. He is hard to access to.
“Did you not ask for power?” Berwyn snarls, holding two alloy-hilted daggers of his own as he approaches Panchek. “Have I not provided?” “Put those away. We both know you’re not going to hurt me.” Panchek reaches for the net over his dragon. “I’m the only one who can give you access to your son.”
Rebecca Yarros, Onyx Storm, Chapter 65
Why is his son inaccessible unless he was under captivity? My theory is that Jack is Brewyn’s actual son, and he has had the knowledge about Venin, feathertails and the fact that their fire can kill Venin ahead of time.
Why was Jack sent back to Basgiath?
He was sent to Basgiath to take down the wards Venin to move in to Navarre and my personal theory is that he was also sent to take down Andarna.
Theophanie
Theophanie is a notable Venin who is present throughout Onyx Storm. She used to be a priestess of Dunne, and therefore can be killed by a weapon laced with her wrath. Violet Sorrengail assumes Theophanie is a Maven, but this is never confirmed. Theophanie reports to someone else and expects to be rewarded with Basgiath and hatching grounds once she delivers Violet and her iridescent dragon. She’s a storm wielder.
Brewyn
Brewyn is a Sage. He battles Xaden at the end of Iron Flame and although Xaden thinks he killed him, he survives. He summons Xaden at the end of Onyx Storm which we find out Venin can do and is impossible for an Asim or Initiate to resist. We do not know Brewyn’s signet.
Other Potential Venin Suspects
I’m intending to break down most of these suspects below in a different post since there are a lot of backing evidence and this one’s already pretty long, but here’s a brief summary of who else I think are Venin.
Who Turned Venin at the End of Onyx Storm?
This is a very long discussion, so there’s an entirely different post breaking down who turned at the end of Onyx Storm. TLDR; my money is on Bodhi.
Naolin
I will forever die on this hill. Naolin is Tairn’s previous rider. He was a siphon like Sloane. It is heavily implied that Naolin and Brennan were a couple. When Brennan took the fatal wound in Battle of Aretia and faked his own death, it was Naolin who siphoned power into him. We know it “cost him everything” which was a phrase used to describe Venin before. However, Tairn never talks about Naolin and is very anti-Venin, even more so than the rest of them.
Then there’s the bit between Sloane, Brennan and Mira. Sloane siphons power from Dain into Brennan so he can mend Mira which leaves a mark on all of their skins. Brennan, supposedly went through this before with Naolin, but he doesn’t have a mark. Why? Because Naolin didn’t channel from another rider, he channeled from the ground.
Not to mention the signets in riders manifest to answer the ones Venin have (nature has balance and all of that.) Who is Sloane balancing? Venin Naolin.
Brennan
Brennan is and continues to be sus. Not only he’s very secretive about what went down with Naolin, he also has a rune mark in his hands that Rebecca Yarros constantly draws attention to.
We know Wyvern are reanimated with the runes inside of them. My belief is that Brennan is either a Venin and the rune is to hide his appearance differences, or he is a Wyvern-like creature reanimated by Naolin, his creator.
Melgren
Rebecca Yarros loves dropping hints in plain sight. We’ve been told what Venin are and how to defeat them in the first chapter of Fourth Wing, which is why I similarly believe, this is a truth hiding in plain sight as well.
“I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if General Melgren ripped a mask off one day and revealed he was a terrifying venin. That man has always given me the creeps.”
Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing, Chapter 31
It would also makes sense if Aaric is the balance for Melgren’s Veninism, although battle foresight and full precognition is a bit too different.
Markham
There are way too many scribes hiding in plain sight. Is this man just incompetent? Is he just an evil gaslighter only saving his skin? Or is he actually Venin, letting Venin take everything before giving up Navarre too?
Varrish
Venin has a rhetoric of controlling their dragons and how they are not bound by their rules which Varrish mentioned a few times. He is also weirdly into Andarna over and over again. He could be one of those Venin hiding in plain sight mentioned earlier.
General Aetos
He is just too prominent not to be important. Not to mention he’s too hell bent on torturing Violet. Although, I do think he’s not a Venin but a power hungry military member.
General Daramor
We still don’t know who the top Venin is. Theophanie was reporting to someone we don’t know about yet. General Daramor is mentioned countless times in the epigraphs of the Empyrean. He is a historical figure from the Great War who fought against Navarre.
“In response to the Great War, dragons claimed the western lands and gryphons the central ones, abandoning the Barrens and the memory of General Daramor, who nearly destroyed the Continent with his army. Our allies sailed home and we began a period of peace and prosperity as the provinces of Navarre united for the first time behind the safety of our wards, under the protection of the first bonded riders.”
Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing, Chapter 19
We know The Barrens have been destroyed by the Venin and we know General Daramor was the enemy the first six fought against, so could he be the Maven? Only time will tell!
There you have it—everything we know about the Venin so far! I’ll be breaking down some of the most popular Venin theories in my next post, including whether becoming Venin is actually a form of dedication.
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Do you think anyone else is secretly Venin? Drop your theories in the comments—I’d love to hear them!
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