Rebecca Yarros' Empyrean Series books are of equal importance to the protection of Navarre, but there's a definite hierarchy when it comes to skills acquired.

Before conscription day, which is thought to be held in late July, every potential cadet will need to a written and physical exam. Those who do not are immediately assigned to the Infantry, but those who do will be given the choice of all four Quadrants. While most candidates enter into Basgiath on a volunteer basis, the marked ones—like Xaden in Fourth Wing—are forced to enter the Riders Quadrant as punishment for their parent's crimes in the rebellion. Once conscripted, cadets will train for three years until being sent out in service of Navarre.

Riders Quadrant

The Top Of The Military Hierarchy

The Riders Quadrant is the most dangerous academy a candidate can choose to enter—and there are many ways cadets can meet their deaths before the years end. The biggest draw to the Riders Quadrant is the possibility of becoming a rider and bonding with a dragon. This also grants the rider a signet ability—a magical power unique to each individual. Because of the power riders can wield, the Riders Quadrant sits at the top of the military hierarchy. However, to get to this point, cadets must go through a rigorous series of challenges.

Only a quarter of cadets will make it to graduation.

To enter, candidates must cross the parapet, a narrow stone bridge that sits 200 feet above the main college. Only around 85 percent of candidates actually make it across and will enter the Riders Quadrant as cadets. From there, cadets are put through intense training that ranges from sparring, sitting in on battle briefs, and making it up the gauntlet—an obstacle course carved into a steep ridgeline. Only once cadets these trials are they able to attend presentation and threshing—the event in which riders are bonded to a dragon. Only a quarter of cadets will make it to graduation.

The Riders Quadrant is divided into four wings, each wing has three sections, and each section has three squads. Violet is a part of the second squad, in the flame section, of fourth wing, alongside her friends Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer. Most of Fourth Wing's cast of characters are from the Riders Quadrant, as the books follow Violet through her first and second years at Basgiath War College. In addition to Violet, there are a series of powerful riders that play an important role in the narrative, including Xaden, Dain, and Violet's mother, Lilith Sorrengail.

Infantry Quadrant

Navarre's Footsoldiers

The Infantry Quadrant is what a majority of conscripts , with nearly 1000 cadets ing in a single year. This makes them the largest quadrant at Basgiath. Infantry cadets are primarily trained for land battle, and it's said it takes nearly a full company of Infantry to make up for the loss of one dragon rider. While they may hold little power in comparison to riders, they still hold important positions in Navarre's military ranks. Cadets are trained in both camping and outdoor survival—with intense preparation to make and break camp in snow through the winter, and land navigation.

Cadets will carry a rudimentary set of survival gear in their packs at all times, in addition to a shortsword—which is the standard weapon for anyone in the Infantry. In their second year, they will practice operations with the Rider, Healer, and Scribe Quadrants as a mock simulation of what a full battalion may look like in war. It's from this storyline in Fourth Wing sequel that readers are finally introduced to several infantry characters—including Calvin and Gwen. It's also revealed that Navarre's crown prince, Halden, trained in the infantry, as well as Xaden's father, Fen Riorson.

Healers Quadrant

They Act As Navarre's Medics

The Healers Quadrant can be found at the southern end of Basgiath. Cadets who the Healers Quadrant are trained in just that—focusing on traditional medicine and tinctures to heal the wounds of the Infantry or Riders Quadrant. The Healers Quadrant cannot wield any form of magic themselves, but do work in tandem with riders who have the Mending signet ability—such as Nolon from Fourth Wing. Nolon's wife, Winifred, also works as a healer in the Quadrant—and the two characters are very familiar with Violet due to her frequent breaks or sprains.

Healers are also sworn to never harm a beating heart, and are taught to do everything in their power to save human life.

Without the ability to wield magic, healers are instead trained to heal wounds as best they can, and use surgeons for the more serious injuries. The Healers Quadrant is also closely located to the Riders—with a bridge that connects the two to the Healers' infirmary. This is due to the high number of wounds riders receive during their training, and healers receive an abundance of hands-on training themselves through their injuries. Healers are also sworn to never harm a beating heart, and are taught to do everything in their power to save human life.

Scribe Quadrant

The Historians & Recorders

Scribes are the keepers of history and have the responsibility to record the present day as well—giving them access to current military movements throughout Navarre. To enter the Scribe Quadrant, a cadet must a written exam—this is said to cover the history of Navarre and their longtime issues with the province of Poromiel. Scribe cadets begin their days incredibly early, often rising at five in the morning to begin their studies. They are trained to study and master the past, and also to relay and record the present.

The scribes are seen more often than the other Quadrant's throughout Fourth Wing, and this is mainly due to the fact that they are present every morning to record fallen cadets of the Riders Quadrant. Aside from assisting with the death roll call, the Scribes also spend time on archive duty, recording history, and transferring information from the front lines. The Archives are the largest central repository in Navarre, and are meant to hold almost every copy or text ever written. This also holds sublevel royal vaults—where the most valuable documents in history are stored.

Known Scribes throughout Fourth Wing include Violet's deceased father—who she trained with for most of her life, Colonel Markham, and Violet's old friend Jessinia. Colonel Markham is the Curator of the Scribe Quadrant—a prestigious military role that allows him access to all of Navarre's key information. While each of these characters has thus far held secondary roles, Onyx Storm's narrative makes it likely Yarros will explore the Scribe Quadrant in more detail throughout the remainder of the Empyrean Series books.