Podcast Summary: "The Dark Side of Dragonkind: Empyrean Series Theories & Lore"

Episode Release Date: January 3, 2025
Podcast: Dear Fantasy Reader
Hosts: Hannah, Karly, and Kinsey
Season: 2 - Onyx Storm Prep

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Dark Side of Dragonkind: Empyrean Series Theories & Lore," host Carly delves deep into the intricate relationship between dragons and the Venin within Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean series. This episode is part of the Dear Fantasy Reader podcast’s second season, which focuses on prepping for the upcoming release of Onyx Storm by exploring theories, lore, and character analyses from previous installments, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame.

Dragons and Venin: An Intricate Connection

Carly opens the discussion by highlighting the substantial overlap between dragons and the Venin, the mysterious antagonistic force in the series.

Carly [00:00]: "When I started putting down all the information about dragons and Venin and I put it all down side by side, it was actually hard to decide what to put in the Venin category and what to put in the dragon category because there is so much overlap."

She emphasizes that the dragons likely played a significant role in the creation of the Venin, suggesting a complex interplay between these two entities.

Dragon Breeds and Tail Types

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting the various dragon breeds and their corresponding tail types, a crucial aspect of dragon classification in the Empyrean series.

Known Dragon Breeds:

• Seven Breeds: Including Indarna, known for her pearlescent, color-changing scales.
• Tail Types: Five adult dragon tail types, plus the Feathertail, making six known tail types.

Carly speculates on the possibility of a seventh tail type corresponding to the seven dragon breeds, hinting at undiscovered or lost classifications.

Carly [Timestamp Unavailable]: "I think it would be interesting if we had also a seventh known tail type to match up with the number of dragon breeds we have."

She also touches upon Indarna, discussing the various names fans have coined based on her unique attributes, such as the shimmering dragon and Chameleon dragon.

Hatching Grounds and Their Significance

Carly presents a compelling theory connecting the dragons' ancestral hatching grounds with the Venin's emergence and the peculiar issues surrounding dragon breath.

Key Points:

• Location of Hatching Grounds:

  • Black Dragons: Around Orisha.
  • Green Dragons: Around Bazgayth.
  • Orange Dragons: Esben mountain range.

• Venin Movements: The Venin infiltrated through Poromil into Navarre via the Stonewater River and Espen mountain range, areas rich in hatching grounds.

Carly hypothesizes that the Venin may have exploited these ancestral sites to create different breeds of wyvern, which in turn affects the dragons originating from those lines. This theory is used to explain anomalies such as the bad breath problem in certain dragons, hinting at possible corruption or tampering by the Venin.

Carly [Timestamp Unavailable]: "I believe the Venin have somehow located and used ancestral hatching grounds in some way to create different breeds of wyvern, and that by doing so, this is going to affect the dragons that came from those ancestral lines."

She further speculates on the use of dragon eggshells in this process, linking it to the remaining magic in the shells as mentioned by Zaden.

The Ryerson Family's Connection to Dragons

The episode explores the deep-rooted ties between the Ryerson family and dragonkind, suggesting a long-standing alliance and mutual protection.

Highlights:

• Ancestral Ties: The Ryerson family is historically linked to the Black Dragons, with their ancestral hatching grounds situated near Ryerson House.

• Protection Roles: Entrusted with ribstad chests designed to entrap Venin, indicating a strategic role in combating dragon-related threats.

• Historical Events: Reference to King Gretwild’s death at the hands of a Venin wielding Shadows, believed to be Zaden's grandfather, underscores the family's pivotal role in dragon-Venin dynamics.

Carly connects these points to assert that the Ryersons and Black Dragons have been allies even before Navarre's unification, working together to safeguard important sites and secrets.

Carly [Timestamp Unavailable]: "I suspect that the Ryerson family and the Black Dragon lineage have been closely entwined together for a very long time, likely even before the unification of Navarre."

Themes of Control in Dragonkind

A recurring theme in the Empyrean series is the struggle for control between riders and dragons. Carly delves into this dynamic, tying it to the creation and motivations of the Venin.

Discussion Points:

• Rider Control: Characters like Verish obsess over controlling their dragons to prevent the beasts' emotions from overpowering them.

• Dragon Influence: The bond between rider and dragon sometimes leads to dragons exerting dominance, either intentionally or unintentionally.

• Navarre's Intervention: The creation of a serum by Navarre to block out dragon influence hints at attempts to mitigate this power struggle.

Carly suggests that Jack's unique ability to control his dragon might be a result of experimental attempts to find a balance where riders can manage their dragons without succumbing to evil influences.

Carly [00:00]: "There are many themes in these books about who is ultimately in control and in power as a result."

She posits that these control dynamics are intrinsically linked to the advent of the Venin, shaping their creation and objectives.

Upcoming Topics and Teasers

As the episode concludes, Carly teases future discussions, particularly focusing on the Feather Tales, Papasaur, and Gail, indicating their close ties with dragon lore that warrant separate deep dives.

Carly [Timestamp Unavailable]: "If you made it this far and you were hoping we were going to dive deep into feather tales, I am sorry we have to talk about it in the next episode because while researching this, I found that I think the Feather Tales and Papasaur and Gail are too closely tied to be able to talk about one without the other."

She hints at exploring Dane's original research and the intricate connections he uncovered, promising more revelations in subsequent episodes.

Conclusion

This episode of Dear Fantasy Reader offers a thorough examination of dragon lore within the Empyrean series, presenting well-articulated theories and connections that enrich the understanding of the intricate world Rebecca Yarros has crafted. Carly's insightful analysis provides fans with a deeper appreciation of the series' complexities, setting the stage for future explorations as the community eagerly awaits Onyx Storm.

Don't miss out on future episodes—subscribe now and join Hannah, Karly, and Kinsey every Tuesday for more in-depth discussions and theories!