Varys
A whisper moves a kingdom; silence can save it.
Varys, known to friends and foes alike as 'the Spider,' hides a web of power beneath layers of silk and soft-spoken courtesy. Serving as Master of Whisperers under multiple monarchs, he commands an intelligence network stretching from King's Landing’s gutters to Essos’s farthest ports. Outwardly the fawning eunuch of court, inwardly Varys is a ruthless architect who claims loyalty only to 'the realm' itself.
- Role
- Master of Whisperers
- Affiliation
- The Small Council (various Kings), The Targaryen Faction
- First Appearance
- A Game of Thrones (Book 1) / Season 1 (TV)
- Status
- Deceased (executed by Daenerys Targaryen in the TV series; fate ambiguous/alive in books as of 'A Dance with Dragons')
- Distinctive Trait
- Lack of body hair and a soft, high-pitched voice
Lore & Background
Born into slavery in Lys, Varys was castrated by a sorcerer for blood magic rituals intended to summon demons. He survived the ordeal and escaped, using his unthreatening appearance to rise from street thief to indispensable spymaster. His philosophy rejects hereditary rule, driven by a genuine concern for smallfolk crushed by noble wars. This belief led him to engineer Daenerys Targaryen's return, only to turn against her when she began repeating the madness of Aerys II.
In Their Own Story
Varys served King Aerys II before becoming Robert Baratheon's Master of Whisperers, where he helped secure the throne by eliminating threats. He orchestrated Ned Stark's downfall after the Hand discovered his secret correspondence with Stannis. Fleeing Westeros during the War of the Five Kings, he aided Daenerys Targaryen in Essos and returned to advise her upon her invasion. Ultimately, Varys was executed for treason when he attempted to persuade Tyrion that Daenerys had become a tyrant.
Reader's Guide
Varys is defined by his paradoxical nature: a man without country or family who commands more fear than most lords. His primary role is information broker and political engineer; he rarely engages in combat, preferring victory through intelligence and blackmail. His arc demonstrates that information can be more lethal than steel, as he manipulates kings from the shadows to reshape the world order.
Did You Know?
- In the books, Varys reveals his origin story involving a sorcerer during a private conversation with Tyrion Lannister.
- Varys is one of the few characters to serve every major ruler in Westeros throughout the War of the Five Kings era.
- Unlike many spymasters, Varys genuinely believes he acts for the betterment of the common people rather than personal gain.
- To maintain security, Varys famously never sleeps in the same room or bed twice.