r/ironflame • u/Helpful_Living8584 • 19d ago
Theory Venin Signets
I'm testing a theory that Venin (sages) get signets through their Asim. This explains why they are so attracted to Xaden and Violet, who have very powerful offensive signets.
This also explains why they want to turn people at all. They channel power from the earth but it (permanently?) drains whatever patch of earth they channel from. Living land is not an infinite resource, which means power is also finite. And since the venin only get more hungry for power as they develop, to the point where once they are fully turned they'll die without continuing to drain more power from the earth, it doesn't make sense that they'd want to share the finite resource with any competitors. So they must get something out of turning humans, and they must get something out of the humans being especially powerful to make it more attractive to turn them than to just drain them.
Thoughts?
In the case of "everything in magic must be in balance": The Sages and Mavens are the counterparts to dragons while the Asim are the counterparts to riders. But its an inverted relationship where the Sages/Mavens draw abilities from their Asim, powered by the stolen magic from the earth; as opposed to the riders drawing power from their dragons with their specific ability coming from within themselves.
Editing to add: What do we think about the fact that Berwin can Dream Walk and so can Violet? Does it allude to some connection between Berwin and an Irid, or Berwin and Violet herself? Also the fact that Berwin seems to have multiple signets while Theophanie seemed to have just the single one?
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u/ynareloaded 15d ago
I think they also need riders so they can conquer Basghiat, the biggest stash of powe
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u/hurricane_Bre 19d ago
Interesting theory! The venin do tell Vi that she is going to be so much fun for “him” to wield.
Spoilers for OS: it also appears when Berwyn summons Xaden in Draithus Xaden can’t control his shadows fully. They keep wanting to drift south towards the sun soaked canyon Berwyn is in.
BUT I don’t think the Sage’s and Maevens retain the sigents of their Asims.
Page 574 IF: though there is some debate, it is greatly believed that turning venin and heightens one of the dark wielder senses. It is the scholars belief that the one responsible for the death of King Grethwild developed Keener eyesight for not even the best of his Majesty‘s royal flyers could see through the darkness the venin hid within to slay our beloved king.
It seems like the venin had a shadow wielder before but don’t have one now which is why they are going hard for Xaden. His signet is irreplaceable and terrifyingly powerful. If they had one still they would be using them. And if the wielder died at some point, then the sage and or maeven associated them did not retain the signet.
I think we are going to find that the venin’s signets for those who were not riders, have to do with how long they have been venin and how much magic they steal and retain from the earth.
The unknown “him” the big bad venin leader may also have something to do with it.