Inntinnsic
A spoiler-free guide to Fourth Wing, Iron Flame & Onyx Storm (The Empyrean).
Only showing what’s been revealed up to your current progress. Future events, identities, and relationships are hidden.
Overview
An inntinnsic is a mind-reading signet category. Jeremiah’s manifestation appears as uncontrolled access to other people’s thoughts, and the response in the Riders Quadrant treats the signet as immediately lethal for its wielder.
The category includes more than uncontrolled mind reading. Xaden later reveals that his own signet is a type of inntinnsic ability that reads intentions rather than ordinary thoughts.
Xaden later classifies Violet’s dream-walking as another form of inntinnsic ability, distinct from waking mind-reading.
Mechanics
Jeremiah’s manifestation works without control: he reads minds involuntarily and speaks other people’s thoughts aloud while panicking that the thoughts will not stop.
Xaden’s inntinnsic ability reads intentions rather than ordinary thoughts.
Dream-walking differs from waking mind-reading because Violet does not read minds while people are awake. Xaden describes it as entering people while she is unconscious.
Uses
Carr describes an inntinnsic’s access to minds as access to information, including classified material. In his explanation, that reach makes an unfettered inntinnsic a security risk to the entire kingdom.
Limitations
Mind reading is a capital offense, and Carr says inntinnsics are not allowed to live because unfettered access to classified material makes them a security risk to the entire kingdom. He says he killed Jeremiah before Jeremiah could see death coming.
Xaden says his own inntinnsic status would get him killed if anyone knew, even though his ability reads intentions rather than ordinary thoughts.
Shielding can block Xaden’s active reading. When Violet asks him to read Melgren’s party, he finds everyone shielded except one major.
Xaden considers dream-walking more dangerous than waking inntinnsic ability because people cannot shield while sleeping.
Known Users
Jeremiah manifests as an inntinnsic in the courtyard.
Xaden reveals that he is a type of inntinnsic, with a signet that reads intentions.
Violet’s dream-walking is identified by Xaden as a form of inntinnsic ability.
Important Incidents
Jeremiah’s manifestation ends almost immediately after another cadet identifies him as an inntinnsic. Professor Carr breaks his neck without a trial or further explanation.
Xaden uses intention-reading during the meeting with Melgren’s party. He reads the unshielded major’s fear and intent to make the group agree, then orders Violet to shield.