
The Vale · behind Basgiath · the dragons' domain
The Vale
“On the first of October, the first-year cadets of the Riders Quadrant enter the bowl-shaped forested valley to the southwest of the citadel and pray they come out alive.”
Fourth Wing — Rebecca Yarros
You walk in on foot, spread out like you were told, and hope something enormous decides you're worth keeping.
The dragons' own valley behind Basgiath — sacred, sovereign, off-limits — where Threshing happens, the wardstone burns, and no human belongs uninvited.
At a glance
- What it is
- A forested bowl of a valley behind the citadel — the dragons' home and hatching ground, not a campus feature. Theirs, not ours.
- Who holds it
- The dragons. Humans enter once a year, by permission, at their own risk.
- What happens here
- Threshing, every October first. Spread out, and a dragon chooses you — or walks past and leaves you nothing.
- The wardstone
- The First Six wove Navarre's wardstone at its edge; seven breeds of dragonfire keep the whole kingdom shielded.
- Notable
- Entrance at the narrowest part of the flight field, past a gorge and a waterfall, guarded by the cliff that holds the Gauntlet.
- The rules
- Dragons may kill anyone who fails to impress; cadets may kill each other. No consequences. It's their house.
Who's chosen here
Every bond in the story started in this valley.
Swipe to meet them all
We're Caffeine and Curses. The Library started as my design research — so we keep the notes here where everyone can use them. The pages are fan-made, not official; the licensed designs are in the shop.
Officially licensed
Become a member
Join the Library.
Admit one obsessive reader.
You're on the list — welcome to the Library. ✦
For library updates and new releases.
Made by fans who never left.
These pages are fan-made. For officially licensed merch, see our shop.
The Empyrean, ©2023-2025, Rebecca Yarros.




