He used the crown's gold to create his spy network, who he called his " little birds". Varys was always quick to point out any traitors Aerys might have missed. According to Ser Barristan Selmy, "the rot in King Aerys's reign began with Varys". As a spymaster in King's Landing, Varys's influence grew with Aerys's increasing paranoia. Varys was brought to Aerys's court at some point after the death of Lord Steffon Baratheon in 278 AC. In his growing paranoia, Aerys no longer trusted his son, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, his wife, Queen Rhaella Targaryen, or his Hand of the King, Lord Tywin Lannister. These secrets increased Varys and Illyrio's wealth tenfold, and in time Varys became so infamous that word of his talents reached the ears of the Westerosi King Aerys II Targaryen across the narrow sea. Varys and the Iron Throne - by Mike Capprotti © The little mice were agile orphans purchased by Varys. Realizing the value of information, Varys began training his spy network to acquire the information, letters, ledgers and charts of the wealthy and powerful. Soon, everyone in Pentos who ever had valuables stolen from them knew who to ask to get their belongings back. Varys would steal objects from lesser thieves and Illyrio would get the objects back for their original owners for a small fee. Impoverished and despised in Pentos, Varys made an agreement with a poor sellsword, Illyrio Mopatis. He resorted to begging, prostitution, and thievery, eventually becoming the best thief in Myr, until a rival forced him out and he fled to Pentos. Varys claims to have held a hatred for all things magical ever since. The man had no further use for Varys and tossed him out on the streets alone to die, Varys out of spite for the sorcerer vowed to live. The man gave Varys a potion that made him powerless to move or speak, but did nothing to dull his senses as his manhood was cut off at the stem, then burnt in a brazier in a blood magic ritual. During their stay in Myr, a certain man offered a large sum of money for Varys, an offer his master found too tempting to refuse. Varys says he was apprenticed as an orphan to a troupe of mummers who worked the Free Cities, Oldtown, and occasionally King's Landing. In Pentos, young Varys befriended a poor sellsword named Illyrio Mopatis - by Pojypojy © Free CitiesĪccording to Grand Maester Pycelle, Varys was born as a slave in Lys. As the master of whisperers, he has the task of fostering division amongst the enemies of the Iron Throne, and gathering information on all that happens in the realm. Lord Varys is not a true lord, but he is addressed as such as a courtesy for being a member of the small council. In private, however, he claims to value order, stability, and peace above all, and professes loyalty to those who work for those goals as well. Varys's history of providing information to all sides, of aiding enemies, of pitting rivals against one another, and of manipulation to achieve his ends has earned him a reputation of being distasteful and untrustworthy among the nobles at court. Crucial to his trade is a spy network of children that he refers to as his little mice (in Pentos) or little birds (in Westeros). Secrets are Varys's trade, and his skill at acquiring them has earned him a reputation for being seemingly omniscient. However, as a trained mummer, he is a master of disguise and can alter his voice, gait, smell, and overall appereance, employing different wardrobes, make-up and wigs, to become unrecognizable. His outward manner is obsequious, mysterious, and squeamish. When at court, Varys wears rich silks, velvets, and damasks and soft slippers. He powders his face and smells of lavender, lilacs, and rosewater. Varys is a plump, bald, and effeminate eunuch. Appearance and Character See also: Images of Varys
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