Key Points:
- Andarna, a pivotal character in Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros, is revealed as part of the seventh dragon breed, the irids.
- Irids are a magical, reclusive breed with abilities like camouflage and magic manipulation.
- The Empyrean series highlights Andarna’s journey, her breed’s history, and her quest for identity.
In Onyx Storm, the third book of Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series, Andarna emerges as a unique and compelling figure. Belonging to the mythical seventh dragon breed known as irids, her story uncovers a world of intrigue, magic, and identity. As an irid scorpiontail, Andarna possesses abilities that set her apart from other dragons while exploring her place in a war-torn world.

Andarna’s Identity in Onyx Storm: The Irid Scorpiontail
Andarna’s true nature is unveiled in Onyx Storm, where she is identified as an irid, a breed of dragons thought to be mythical. The term “irid” comes from “iridescent,” reflecting their ability to change color and blend seamlessly into their surroundings. This unique trait symbolizes their magical nature and sets them apart from other dragons in the series.
Unique Physical Features
Irids possess physical characteristics unlike any other dragon breed:
- Camouflage and Stealth: Andarna and her kind can shift the color of their scales, becoming invisible when needed.
- Tail Variations: Andarna’s scorpiontail differentiates her from other irids, such as feathertails. Her tail, shaped like a scorpion’s stinger, serves as a weapon—a trait the irids view as a divergence from their peaceful nature.
Magical Abilities
The irids’ connection to magic is profound:
- Innate Magic: Unlike other dragons who wield magic, irids are magic. They can manipulate magical forces, reshaping and bending them to their will.
- Venin Destruction: Andarna instinctively burned a venin to ash in Iron Flame, showcasing her immense power. This act hinted at her ability to reshape magic unconsciously.
READ MORE: Onyx Storm Ending: Full Breakdown
Who Are The Irid Dragons?
The Irid dragons are a mythical seventh breed introduced in Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series, most prominently in Onyx Storm. Long believed extinct or fictional, these dragons are shrouded in mystery and possess unique traits that set them apart from the other six breeds in Navarre. Their name, “Irid,” derives from “iridescent,” referencing their shimmering, color-shifting scales that allow them to blend into their surroundings or even turn invisible.
Irid dragons are reclusive and highly evolved, having withdrawn from both dragonkind and humanity centuries ago to live in isolation. Physically, they are distinguished by their iridescent scales, which can mimic colors and patterns in their environment, making them nearly undetectable. This camouflage ability is not just for hiding—it reflects their philosophy of avoiding conflict. Unlike other dragon breeds, Irids have subtypes, such as Feathertails (with soft, feather-like tails) and Scorpiontails (with weaponized, stinger-like tails).
Irids are not merely magic users—they are magic itself. While other dragons channel magical energy, Irids can bend, shape, or break magical forces at will. For example, in Iron Flame, Andarna (an Irid Scorpiontail) unknowingly uses this power to incinerate a venin, a feat no other dragon achieves. As elder Irid Leothan explains, “You are irid. You are magic. Bend it, shape it, break it as you see fit.” This innate connection to magic makes them unparalleled in raw power but also fuels their disdain for violence.
Irids view themselves as the only “evolved” dragon breed. They reject war and consider other dragons and humans “primitive” for relying on brute strength. Centuries ago, they abandoned Navarre to create a secluded society on remote, unmapped islands, where they live in harmony, far from the conflicts of the outside world. Their isolation reflects their belief that peace can only exist without interference from lesser beings.
The Irids play a critical role in Onyx Storm. They left Andarna’s egg in Navarre as a “criterion”—a test to judge humanity’s progress. They hoped she would grow up embodying peace, proving humans had evolved. Instead, Andarna adapted to Navarre’s violent reality, developing combat skills and a Scorpiontail. When the Irids meet her, they declare her “defective” and abandon her, symbolizing their harsh verdict on humanity’s failures.
READ MORE: Onyx Storm’s Silver-Haired Venin Explained: Theophanie’s Role in the Empyrean Series
Why the Irids Abandoned Andarna
In Onyx Storm, the third book of Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series, Andarna’s heartbreaking separation from the Irids—the mythical seventh dragon breed—reveals a complex plan gone wrong. The Irids, who value peace and isolation above all else, left Andarna behind in Navarre as part of a calculated experiment to judge humanity’s progress. However, her transformation into a warrior and her bond with humans led them to reject her as “defective,” a decision that reshapes her destiny and the future of the Empyrean world.
The Irids abandoned Andarna’s egg in Navarre centuries ago with a specific purpose. They intended for her to serve as a “criterion”—a living test to measure whether humans had evolved beyond their violent tendencies. The Irids, who view themselves as the only “evolved” dragon breed, believed that if Andarna grew up among humans and adopted their peaceful traits, it would prove humanity was worthy of coexistence.
This plan reflected the Irids’ core philosophy: they abhor violence and prioritize harmony. By leaving Andarna in Navarre, they hoped she would return to them one day as a symbol of peace, demonstrating that humans had matured into a wise, non-violent species. However, the Irids underestimated the brutal realities of Navarre’s world, where wars and power struggles never ceased.
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Instead of becoming a beacon of peace, Andarna was shaped by the harsh world she was born into. Her bond with Violet Sorrengail, a human warrior, and her involvement in battles against the venin—corrupted magic-users—forced her to adapt to survive. Andarna developed a Scorpiontail, a stinger-like weapon, and learned to use her magic aggressively, such as burning a venin to ash in Iron Flame. These traits horrified the Irids, who saw her as a “weaponized” version of their kind.
When the Irids finally meet Andarna in Onyx Storm, they condemn her for embracing violence.
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