Vocabulary in Iron Flame

Magical protective barriers or shields, typically invisible, that are constructed to keep out enemies or dangerous creatures. In this text they protect the walled city from venin and wyvern attacks.

A class of dark, power-draining enemies who draw magic from the earth itself, corrupting it and themselves in the process. They are the primary threat the riders and dragons fight against.

Large, dangerous winged creatures controlled by venin, used as mounts in battle against the dragon riders. They are distinct from dragons and considered lesser, corrupted beasts.

A unique magical ability that manifests in a rider after bonding with a dragon, specific to that individual. Each rider's signet is different and reflects their bond with their dragon.

One of the four divisions of the war college that students are sorted into, each with a different military function such as riders, infantry, or scribes.

A healing signet power that allows a rider to magically repair injuries in other people. It is a rare and valued ability within the war college.

A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or battlement, used here as a vantage point or defensive position on the college's stone structures.

A formal official investigation or inquiry into a death or serious incident, conducted by authorities to determine cause and assign responsibility.

A person or channel through which magical power flows or is transmitted, used here to describe how a rider channels their dragon's power into their own signet abilities.

A raised platform at the front of a hall or room where leaders or officials stand to address a crowd, signaling authority and elevated status.

In this text, a rare metal blended specifically to make weapons capable of killing venin and wyvern, since ordinary steel is ineffective against them.

Describing a rider candidate who has not yet formed a bond with a dragon, leaving them without a dragon's protection and highly vulnerable to being killed during the bonding attempt.

In this context, a squad or small tactical unit of dragon riders who fly and fight together as a coordinated group in battle.

Designated or singled out, often by a dragon's choice or a magical sign, indicating a special claim or dangerous attention placed on a particular person.

A tear or break in the magical wards or in the physical landscape, through which venin or other threats can pass into protected territory.

A person who channels and uses magic, specifically one who draws power through a bond with a dragon. The term distinguishes magic-users from ordinary soldiers.

To choke or strangle someone by squeezing the throat, used here both literally in combat and figuratively to describe suppressing or cutting off something forcefully.

To cause a magical power or signet ability to appear and become active for the first time, a critical milestone for any rider at the war college.

An ancient object of great power or historical significance, often tied to the founding of the wards or to early dragon riders, and sought by both sides in the conflict.

To forcibly enlist someone into military service without their free consent, used here when discussing how the kingdom compels people to fight.

To cancel out or render powerless a magical ability or ward, a rare signet skill that can neutralize another wielder's power entirely.

A long, narrow crack or split in rock or earth, used in this text to describe physical breaks in terrain caused by powerful magic or venin corruption.

A person who actively rebels against an established authority or government, used here for members of the resistance fighting against the kingdom's ruling power.

The magical bond or connection between a rider and their dragon, which channels power and emotion between them and cannot be easily broken without severe consequences.

The visible physical corruption that spreads through a venin's body as they continue to drain power from the earth, marking their progressive loss of humanity.