Though the layered storylines and complex world-building of Fourth Wing might not be everyone’s cup of tea, BookTok is encouraging readers everywhere to grab a copy of Rebecca Yarro’s coming-of-age novel. The sequel, titled Iron Flame, was released on Nov. 7, and The Empyrean series has three more books and a TV show in the works. I, along with several readers new to the genre of fantasy, had a little trouble following the book’s plot at first because I was preoccupied with trying to understand the kingdoms’ layouts. As someone who struggles to understand fantasy worlds at times, I’ll be the first to say that I was a little confused when trying to navigate the Fourth Wing map. But thanks to the internet, I now understand the kingdoms of Navarre and Poromiel and I’m here to break it down for you.
Whether you’re someone who just came across Fourth Wing or you’re trying to catch up as you wait for the third book to come out, here’s an explainer on the world in which The Empyrean series takes place.
Fourth Wing follows Violet Sorrengail as she attends the Basgiath War College in the kingdom of Navarre, which has been at war with the neighboring Poromiel for over 400 years. The two kingdoms exist on the same continent, with the Esben Mountain Range serving as a geographical divide.
WHAT IS POROMIEL’S LAYOUT?
Despite its smaller size, Poromiel has become a hotspot for farming due to its plains and marshlands. This kingdom produces textiles, grain, gems, and consists of the Krovola, Braevick, and Cygnisen provinces. The province of Braevick contains the highest peaks of the Esben Mountain Range, rendering it a tricky yet intense place for battles.
WHAT IS NAVARRE’S LAYOUT?
Navarre contains mountainous terrain, which makes it ideal for producing ore, timber, deer, and elk. Its land is divided into six provinces: Luceras, Morraine, Elsum, Deaconshire, Calldyr, and Tyrrendor. Deaconshire is home to the Basgiath War College, as well as a valley behind it called The Vale, which houses the kingdom’s war dragons. The Cliffs of Dralor along the Arctile Ocean, which line the province of Tyrrendor, act as a protective barrier for the kingdom. Aretia, a notable city on the coast of Tyrrendor, used to be the capital of Navarre until it was burned to the ground in a rebellion against a former king.
WHAT ARE THE BARRENS?
East of Poromiel lies The Barrens, which is now unoccupied land after its magic was drained in the Battle of Gianfar. It took place six centuries before the events of Fourth Wing and helped to unify the kingdom of Navarre. It was one of the final instances where Navarre and Poromiel worked together against The Barrens.
WHAT TREATIES ARE THE KINGDOMS BOUND TO?
Per the Trade Agreement of Resson, trades between Navarre and Poromiel occur four times a year at the Athebyne outpost, located on the border of Tyrrendor and Krovola. The Treaty of Arif creates a mutually shared space in the Esben Mountain Range for Navarre’s dragons and Poromiel’s gryphons.
Hopefully, this guide makes the wonderful Empyrean universe a bit more understandable! Fourth Wing is a beautifully written, first-of-its-kind book that audiences across the board deserve to enjoy.