Warning: This article contains SPOILERS forOnyx Storm,book 3 of theEmpyreanseries.InFourth Wing,every dragon ridercharacter in Yarros’ series has a signet, and some have a secret second signet.Some signets inFourth Wingare more powerfulthan others, and need to be trained and honed by the rider. One signet in particular is incredibly powerful and therefore a threat to Navarre’s military - the“inntinnsic”. An inntinnsic is able to read the thoughts or intentions of others without touching them.
Inntinnsics are considered such a threat that manifesting an inntinnsic signet is a death sentence in Navarre. In a shocking scene inFourth Wing,a professor does not hesitate to snap their student’s neck for manifesting this powerful ability. This shows how far the higher-ups in Basgiath andFourth Wing’sNavarran militaryas a whole are willing to go to protect their secrets.
What Are Inntinnsics? Fourth Wing’s Most Dangerous Signets Explained
“Inntinnsic”is a type of signet in Rebecca YarrosEmpyreanseries. Signets are magical powers that manifest in dragon riders specifically. An inntinnsic is a rider who can read other people’s minds without touching them. Some riders’ powers are inntinnsic-adjacent but not technically inntinnsic - for example, Dain Aetos can read memories but has to touch the person he is reading. There are repeated references to him touching Violet’s face inFourth Wing,and it is later revealed he is reading her memories without her knowledge.
Inntinnsic abilities can vary in degree and nature in theEmpyreanseries. Less is known about them than other abilities because of their secretive nature. For example,Xaden’s second signetis a“type of inntinnsic”, as he admits inIron Flame,butXaden reads people’s intentions, rather than specific thoughts. This retrospectively explains Violet’s hints throughout her narration inFourth Wing.At times, he seems to sense Xaden trying to read her before they are together -“He looks at me like he’s trying to see through me, and ice prickles my scalp.”
Why Inntinnsics Are Killed In The Empyrean Series
Navarre Is Protective Of Its Secrets
In Navarre’s militaristic society inFourth Wing,inntinnsics pose a huge security risk. It is established inFourth Wingthat authority figures take a no-hesitation approach to this. Jeremiah’s inntinnsic signet manifesting was a dramatic scene in the first book, with Carr snapping his neck as soon as he realized what was happening. Carr tells Violet that inntinnsics are a security risk because they have access to classified information. While Yarros explores the virtue of truth and disclosure throughoutFourth WingandIron Flame,this also points to corruption in Navarre’s ruling class.
Being an inntinnsic is a death sentence - this explains why Xaden is so guarded…
It is hinted at inFourth Wingand further developed inIron Flamethat the higher-ups in Navarre are altering and destroying history, as well as working with the venin. By this logic, it can be safely assumed that they eliminate inntinnsics because if their true motives are revealed, they will lose their grip on the control they have of the continent. Because of this, being an inntinnsic is a death sentence - this explains why Xaden is so guarded in the early days of their relationship inFourth Wing’s dialogue.
What Inntinnsic Characters Have We Met In Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, & Onyx Storm
Onyx Storm Develops The Role Of Inntinnsics Further
In book one,Fourth Wing,Jeremiah is swiftly killed by Professor Carr as soon as he manifests his inntinnsic signet. This is framed as a merciful death because Jeremiah is a full inntinnsic and his reading of everybody’s thoughts is driving him insane. In book two,Iron Flame,Xaden reveals that his second signet is an inntinnsic ability to read intentions. This is hinted at throughoutFourth Wing,but is kept ambiguous untilIron Flamebecause his mental bond with Violet muddies the waters, with Violet often questioning whether she sent a thought down the bond without realizing.
ByOnyx Storm,Xaden’s signet seems to have grown when he finishes Violet’s thoughts for heron a few occasions, leading her to once again question whether or not she thought something out loud. Other characters inEmpyreanhave inntinnsic-adjacent signets, but their nature allows them to be a classified signet rather than a death sentence; the line in the sand seems to be physical touch. For example, Varrish can read other people’s weaknesses, Dain can read memories, and Imogen can wipe memories. InOnyx Storm,Violet’s second signetis revealed as dreamwalking, another form of inntinnsic.
