Varys - A Character Study

[@onyedikachukwumiracle]

If Varys is truly a Blackfyre then he is the most intelligent Valyrian to ever exist in Westeros

[@verifiedbobcallahan7972]

I think this is the most likely conclusion

[@MrNicoJac]

Also the only one who cannot think with his cock.... "Coincidence?? I think not!" 😂

[@tayetrotman]

Idk about that tbh. What about Maester Aemon, he was pretty smart. Or hell Viserys II, the guy who spent most of his life holding the realm together. Or Septa Maegelle and Archmaester Vaegon who realised the great game was stupid and decided to pursue their passions instead.

[@joeyjojojrshabadoo7462]

They weren't idiots, just insane.

[@tayetrotman]

@@joeyjojojrshabadoo7462 I mean… I suppose it depends how you define stupidity does it not? None of them were particularly lacking in intelligence as far as I am aware, but some people also define stupidity as a lack of wisdom and well, their insanity and arrogance made many of them deeply unwise.

[@ashleyofnaath]

I know we lack concrete proof, but if Varys were a Targaryen descendant, what better way to hide the child than with a traveling group of mummers? The child would never be in one place for too long, and anytime he appears in front of people he's disguised in character. There's something kind of genius about hiding the child in plane sight too in my opinion. Great video.

[@andrewjohnston9115]

He's not a Targaryen, literally (It's a book after all) no clues, we can make up what we want but nothing in the books points to Varys being a Targaryen, no blonde hair, fat, and smart, definitely not a Targaryen.

[@Lexxir]

@@andrewjohnston9115 you’re insane. Where is this solid concrete proof disproving his Targaryen heritage? I think it’s just as likely either way by that logic

[@tonette6592]

If he were not a Targaryen, why did his 'parts' work for magic? You must have "King's blood" which is Targaryen blood. Shaving his head would hide his Targaryen white hair.

[@SporkyMcFly]

​@@Lexxir I would say Blackfire.

[@Magmafrost13]

@@tonette6592 I think you've misunderstood the kings blood thing. King's blood just makes magic more potent, the same magic can be achieved without it but to a lesser effect. And the Targaryens are not the only kings, we dont really know what qualifies something as king's blood but Drogo seems to have counted, as do the Baratheons (who granted do have Targaryen blood, but not very much at this point)

[@alonys]

When someone is mute, people sometimes also assume the person is deaf and that is priceless for a spymaster. People will be more open and speak unguardedly when a little bird is there.

[@OublietteTight]

Does he take care of the ones who grow too old? If the little birds have no tongues, how can they report? How can he mutilate them when he himself was abused? Ish.

[@HorizonsHideout]

@@OublietteTight They can write. Varys wants Illyrio to find more mute literate boys in the first book

[@Wunderturd2]

He's recruiting young children that are able to do at least basic reading and writing, whether they are further educated in more advanced writing, reading and math I don't know. Having basic knowledge of how to read and write they can communicate with him, relay what they heard and who they heard it from, possibly read documents and letters, know what is written on them, if its important to varys or just a grocery list. While cutting out their tongues or making them unable to speak may seem abusive and cruel, they aren't able to speak if captured and reveal what they know, jeopardizing the mission Varys has chosen. I think they were well cared for and provided for by varys and Illio. What happens to them once they are older, if they survive? Who knows

[@stephenartigues6027]

“I swear it by my lost manhood” is a wild line

[@fairith90]

was looking for a comment like this ;)

[@ForeverWog]

“This is turning into a miniseries”. You say that like it’s a bad thing!

[@ytmatx]

First rule of Crusader Kings: Make sure your Spymaster is on side.

[@mikeyhall9522]

Thats the secret brother, generation to generation I raise the children to be essential parts of my councilors lol. Always do a diplomacy split so I can assure my family likes one another lol. I be passing down capable, loyal councilors.

[@Cornbinks]

Aodh Canmore liked this comment.

[@dr.wolinsbelt]

Obligatory incest comment

[@Somethingname]

@@mikeyhall9522 When everyone ends up inbred and sterile anyway, their education don't matter much xD

[@melanoidmarkus]

Never thought I'd want to see a Varys prequel spin-off that's GoT mixed with mob/crime drama elements.

[@prieterico]

I was just thinking the same. Or at least just a chapter of him getting bought out of the brothel and ending with him being taken by the magician

[@bungalowfeuhler1541]

I could totally dig an animated series that just follows Varys all day.

[@green_dragon_knight]

One of the things I like about GRRM writing morally grey characters is that it can be simultaneously true that Varys genuinely wants to look after the smallfolk and that evil schemers who do terrible things always say that as justification. It’s fantastic character writing.

[@mittsmittsy9683]

god i would pay millions to have robert read asoiaf as an audiobook

[@ryanhughes1101]

I’m pretty sure that can be accommodated.

[@TheDeadlyKnight]

He tells us when he slays Ser Kevan. He’s acting on behalf of Westeros’s citizenry: “For the realm. For the children….” He even stops tittering in speech, for the first time ever in all the years Ser Kevan had known him. He uses a normal-sounding voice inflection, a sign to readers he’s perhaps speaking genuinely

[@abelbabel8484]

I don't believe it. If he only wanted peaceful good rule for the realm to thrive, Tommen would be the perfect puppet to achieve that through. But instead he's plotting invasion and another war for the throne.

[@ryanhughes1101]

Doesn’t Ser Kevan die of wild fire? Or is it different in the book?

[@TheDeadlyKnight]

@@ryanhughes1101 in the book Varys’s child informers kill Ser Kevan & Grand Maester Pycelle, the night before Cersei’s trial-by-combat for murder & adultery. There were additional adultery charges. She had to do the naked walk to get pardoned for those. She’s such a harlot in the books

[@TheDeadlyKnight]

@@ryanhughes1101the kids stabbed them both to death with knives….after Varys shot them with (I think) Tyrion’s crossbow

[@PhilipWester]

I mean, in the same breath, he also claims that Faegon is actually Aegon VI Targaryen when there's almost no way that's the real Aegon Targaryen VI.

[@BalooSJ]

So, Varys as an accelerationist? "Things are going badly and are heading for disaster. Let's speedrun that so we can get to the rebuilding sooner."

[@Matthew10950]

I only recently learned of the term accelerationist and I have to admit...it fits my mental state really well. Not the racist, great replacement, white supremacist idiocy though.

[@lomiification]

​@@Matthew10950accelerationism is racist though. It doesn't need anything extra beyond hurting people of color more than white people when the disaster happens. If you try to help bring about a disaster that disproportionately affects black people, that's a racist action.

[@GrimFaceHunter]

Like Nero.

[@TheAmericanPrometheus]

​@@Matthew10950 being an 'accelerationist' is nothing anyone should proudly admit to being. Lol

[@Matthew10950]

@TheAmericanPrometheus I don't subscribe to the racist aspect of it, but im also tired of this just limping along waiting for things to get unsustainably worse

[@ShouldersofGiants100]

One contradiction I have never seen discussed regarding the little birds: Why cut out their tongues? Now, people would obviously say initially "it's so they cannot speak and so can't pass secrets". But as is mentioned by Illyrio, being able to read is a core requirement for Varys', he needs children who can read. But anyone who can read has a means of communication that, while far from widespread, is common enough amongst the nobility that no secret could be kept. This contradiction strongly implies either Varys is very specifically worried about discovery by someone who cannot read or (more likely in my view), that he is dabbling in something where spoken words specifically grant power or create danger.

[@simoneriksson8329]

Very good point!

[@GBfanatic15]

to be fair most small folk and even some lords and ladies are illiterate

[@Julian-pw5mv]

It might just be to prevent people overhearing them. It's a lot harder to spy on people that pass notes than it is to listen in on a conversation. And children aren't known to be especially good at keeping their mouths shut.

[@nagphillips7886]

It makes sense if you think they've been taught to communicate through sign language. You need them to be able to read so they can learn written secrets. And then come back and relay them. Without being overheard or to have written proof that could lead back to Varys.

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

GRRM likes gruesome stuff for its own sake. It is just another example of his usual "taking things to 11", no matter how much sense it makes. The Wall is higher than makes sense for the same reason.,

[@inquisitorgarza312]

Familiar vengeance seems to be a good motivation for so many in this world, and make no mistake that he is very personal motivated to seeing Aegon VI in the Throne.

[@arturleperoke3205]

"I swear it by my lost manhood" - I mean, Varys is straight up telling us that his word means nothing cause he swears by literally NOTHING

[@MatteBlacke]

Ha! Yeah. It’s a ridiculous phrase.

[@eric2500]

Nice!

[@MeetThaNewDealer]

"Power resides where men believe it resides. It's a trick. A shadow on the wall. And, a very small man can cast a very large shadow." Truer words have never been spoken.

[@HahaDamn]

This is some of the worst pop philosophy ever written in my opinion, completely ahistorical - people believed for 99% of human history in the natural necessity of institutions like slavery, kings, lords of some variety - with democratic institutions also appearing to have the same “self evident” “god given” nature when they arise in the record too. Power resides in the imminent structure of society, the stories people tell after may be fanciful, but express a truth. No one is going to say Aegon was powerful only because men believed him so. He was, as a matter of fact powerful and could command the power of life and death over every man woman and child in Westeros (except Dorne) as a matter of fact. No one is going to say the Maesters are not powerful because they direct and control the flow of knowledge. The priestly classes control the believers of religion (which in the real world was a self evident truth that God or many gods existed for every singly human until the development of modern capitalism). The soldiers control their own arms. But really in all of this, whoever controls the productive base of society and the means by which to sustain life is really the one with the power. In Ancient Rome legions would owe their loyalty to their Generals, not the state because of the way they were paid and the obligations they were owed. Making your own general emperor was a quick way to wealth etc. In the Middle Ages because of the relative weakness of kings and lords, compared to the universal nature and immense bureaucracy of the Church, the Popes could command much larger armies than kings in Europe could. But this changed once the commercial revolution began and the economic prosperity of towns in Europe emerged, local self governance and the development of free labourers, rather than serfs, that improve technology and wealth of merchant and producer classes that would surpass religious and aristocratic classes over time. At the base of all these actions though, the drive to survive through the accumulation of wealth is at the core - people didn’t just go on crusades because they believed in a priest, but the prospect of looting and booty was the main objective (why they sacked the richest city in the world, which they went to help, when they could instead of the Muslims they went to fight). Roman soldiers didn’t just fight because they believed in their general, they were promised land and a retirement for service. Peasants didn’t just fight because they believed in a lord - they did it because they were required to by their legal status.

[@andrewjohnston9115]

Actually Cersei showed Little Finger what power was, and if you try to mess with the IRS or HMRC you'll find out pretty quick what power looks like and it's not a trick.

[@jordanduffy9233]

@@HahaDamn little bro stop trying to pretend you're smarter than the author you're not

[@HahaDamn]

@@jordanduffy9233 clown ass

[@HahaDamn]

@@jordanduffy9233 it’s not a competition, I disagree with what one character says, you are actually a baby who can’t handle even a discussion, nothing you said had any substance, very intelligent, very smart buddy

[@TravisBrady-wn8fr]

When he lost the legions in the teutorburg forest and commited suicide was a charachter flaw. The germanic tribes severed his head and sent it to Rome. This angered Lord Stannis.

[@roscojenkins7451]

I don't get it

[@willmercury]

​@@roscojenkins7451 You don't need it.

[@michaelbuick6995]

​@@roscojenkins7451Teutoburg Forest was a battle. Romans fought, and lost, to Germanic tribes in 9 AD. It's a pretty monumental event in the then nascent Roman Empire although what it has to do with Varys is beyond me.

[@roscojenkins7451]

@@michaelbuick6995 yea I knew the gist of it being historical... Completely confused on the connection to the video about a character in a fantasy novella

[@kenchin77777]

Varus give me back my legions!

[@ianvincible111]

Love your videos, Robert. Thanks for feeding the hunger for deep lore.

[@Knight860]

There is a theory by Kevin Pendragon that the sorcerer was Marwyn the Mage, who possibly in an attempt to end the threat of the Blackfyre's (If Varys is indeed one) castrated Varys. The voice in the flames is questionable as GRRM told us to take that with a big grain of salt.

[@prieterico]

Great video, love how you don't go overboard with speculations. I truly believe Varys is a possible Blackfyre descendant trying to put a Blackfyre into the throne, calling him a Targaryen, and making sure the people prosper and have a lasting under his rule, which made the contradiction in his current actons all the more. Is he really a cold scheming spider? Is he a Targaryen or a Blackfyre? Does it matter if he has noble blood or not? Are his actions justified if he wins the game? What was Saera to him? Will Faegon be grateful for uncle Varys help? Will he end up as a certain eunuch that schemed to help a Byzantine noble into the throne?

[@krumskull4299]

Littlefinger triggered some of the recent wars which left Varys to make the best of the situation. Varys said himself that he didn't entirely know what game Littlefinger was playing at.

[@michieldobbels8099]

So happy with this video! Varys always seemed such a mystery.

[@johnsmith-i5j7i]

Crappy ending for him he literally admitted and gave up lol

[@landocalrissian7479]

At any cost! Vareys's thinking is generational. Not for this generation but maybe the next? Or the one after that. Very much looking forward to the mini series this hopefully will become.

[@willherondale6367]

The idea of caring for the people of Westeros falls flat when you remember his and Illyrios plans to unleash a horde of Dothraki on the continent led by Viserys.

[@Bones1220]

Varys is so fascinating

[@pieceofgosa]

He's either a Blackfyre & his motive is revenge, or he legit is just doing what he thinks is best for Westeros in the long-term. I don't think there are too many other viable interpretations of his actions.

[@clownpendotfart]

GRRM has basically confirmed the latter. I personally don't think the Blackfyre theories fit well with his history of being born into slavery: to the extent that anyone like the GC is keeping track of Blackfyres and supporting them, they shouldn't be permitting that sort of thing to happen to them.

[@pieceofgosa]

@@clownpendotfart Just to play devil's advocate (because I broadly agree with you) his "history of being born into slavery" is not in any reasonable way confirmed. We, the readers, do not directly witness it. Illyrio & Varys could easily be lying about Varys' past. Additionally, he does not have to be a Blackfyre to be a Blackfyre supporter. My own feeling is that the GC believe (f)Aegon to be a Blackfyre but this is just another of Varys's deceptions. I think (f)Aegon is neither Targ nor Blackfyre, Varys & Illyrio are playing everyone in order to put a commoner of the throne.

[@PhilipWester]

​@@clownpendotfartHow would Viserys or Daenerys unleashing a horde of raping Dothraki upon Westeros serve the realm?

[@Magmafrost13]

2:39 I mean this immediately answers the previous question, doesnt it. The troupe sold Varys because they were offered a large sum of money, presumably substantially more than even the best mummer Varys could become would earn them

[@andrewfrancis1338]

Perhaps the support of Dany and Viserys was for the purpose of creating chaos from which (f)Aegon could than unite the realm against. (The cruel king with foreign Dothraki barbarians), or the returned Targ/Blackfyre, rightful heir, backed by advisors of whom are westerosi, and while using sell swords, they aren’t as barbaric as the Dothraki.

[@alihijazi4451]

I've been waiting for this video for SO long. Thank you Robert ❤

[@markdavis8532]

I really enjoy your videos, Robert. Your theories are always intriguing and entertaining. Keep up the good work.

[@Ivashanko]

Varys is also clearly anti-Rhollorism, and we need to factor that into Varys' decisions. It is possible he betrayed the last Targ when he seemed at risk of converting to the faith of the Red God, and the new King and his heirs were an issue because they were not his trueborn heirs at all, which would make a fervent believer of the Flames next in line to sit on iron. I don't think this explains all of his motivations, but I believe it explains parts of them.

[@Gerdoch]

I can't wait for the rest of this miniseries, this is really one of the more interesting subplots in ASOIAF.

[@ghaznavid]

Can't wait for this mini-series :p

[@eric2500]

Varys knows desperation and hunger will make the little birds turn over their loyalties to the highest bidder, he lived that life himself, so, out with their tongues.

[@IsAcRafT]

Let's not lie ourselves, he is Alpharius....

[@eren__morwen5947]

Elite reference

[@abelbabel8484]

Haircut checks out

[@kilroy3579]

Your work never ceases to impress...bravo

[@jesusyvictoria]

I am enjoying your videos as you develop your theories from the facts and then analyze the character's motivation in a logical level, keeping the wild speculation reasonalibly low profile, whilst some of the other channel constantly create wild speculation as the core of their theories. One thing that intriged me about Varys when re-reading GoT is that he discussed with Illyrio about Daenerys being pregnant and seems to wish that she and Khal Drogo would have moved faster to conquer Westeros. But then in the next council he strongly supports killing Daenerys and I guess he buys someone to kill her. I know at the same time they are sending Barristan Selmy to deffend and guide her, but it is still a risk that she could have indeed died. Also, on the converstaion that Varys has with Illyrio, Illyrio says: "If one can die, why not a second? ... You have danced the dance before" - Which implicates that Varys has already plotted to kill a hand before. If this is Jon Connington, that we know is alive, Illyrio may be referring to faking the dead of the hand, in order to give him some important undercover task. What was Varys planning with this and what was his old deal with a dead hand?

[@carter358]

There should be a tv show about Varys and Illyrio's early days in Pentos.

[@lyarrastark6254]

Thank you, Robert. Great video.

[@lastofgiants]

You're so wonderful for these videos. Thank you

[@anthroposmetron4475]

The whole Dothraki scheme continues to baffle me. It's said multiple times within the first book that the notion of a Dothraki invasion is nonsense, because they have no navy, they're superstitiously terrified of water, and they're a people on the other side of Essos. So what the hell were Varys and Illyrio anticipating would happen? And how could they have known it would happen by sending Daenerys and Viserys to Drogo? I don't think they explicitly say in the Arya scene that they're banking on an invasion of Westeros - just that Drogo will move against somewhere. Maybe that somewhere was one of the cities in Essos. You could, and I would politely suggest should, make a video on literally just that part of the plot. I don't see anyone trying to answer that question, so you'd be breaking fresh ground.

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

I agree and think we tend to put too much trust in GRRM's valuing of logic. Giving away dragons eggs, which are said to be worth a fortune by Viserys but would be a symbol of legitimacy to any Targaryen, also seems inconsistent once we learn that Illyrio actually supports another pretender.

[@NeilsonBuntowa]

perhaps the voice Varys heard in the flame was about Daenyrs together with the Dothraki would one day cross the narrow sea. perhaps to conquer the westeros, lay ways to the seven kingdom but will ultimately fail and fall. in other words Varys would only used Danny to weaken the seven kingdoms for Aegon IV to finally be seated on the Iron throne.

[@clownpendotfart]

The wineseller plot to poison Daenerys was a (successful) attempt to prod Drogo into acting sooner to invade Westeros.

[@winterwulf1995]

Get her and Viserys out of the way whilst they scheme to put Young Griff on the throne perhaps? The blackfyre theory still holds a lot of weight in my mind. If he's a Blackfyre loyalist then sending the two remaining Targaryens to the Dothraki would almost ensure that they never invade

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

@@winterwulf1995 Varys wants an invasion in the first book. He urges Illyrio to make it happen quicker. I don't believe GRRM had the fAegon plan in mind when he started. I think the dragons eggs prove it. Sometime we just have to admit that the Lord Of Lines makes up the stuff as he goes along.

[@alex52043]

The scene where Varys kills Kevan in the books strongly suggests that he isn't really a eunuch. The high voice is apparently fake. He could be Aegon's father.

[@TheDeadlyKnight]

Hmm. We have all just assumed it, cuz he’s doughy-built & has said so. I noted, as well, he uses a normal voice inflection, apparently for the 1st time any of the main characters can remember

[@clownpendotfart]

@@TheDeadlyKnight Based on Young Griff's apparent age, he seems to have been born after Varys came over from Essos to be Master of Whispers. Was he going back & forth to father a child in Essos?

[@TheDeadlyKnight]

@@clownpendotfart Yeah, that part is unlikely. Varys does have a Valyrian-sounding name. & his buddy Illyrio married Serra: a Lyseni w/ a Valyrian background. She’s most likely Aegon’s mother. We can guess she could also be related to Varys, or a Brightflame (cadet Targaryens).

[@la_scrittice_vita]

Treating the little birds gently is in response to a comment about them dying & proposing older children more likeky to survive. "Treat them gently" is rejecting that proposal. It seems to be saying "No, I still want them young, still without tongues, just do what you can to keep them alive." Kind of Dilbert or Disney management, making demands while also creating rules that make it all but impossible to get the job done the way they want.

[@animesempai0]

It would be absolutely crazy if the blackfyre theory is true, to have varys confess in a moment before Daenerys Burns him would be fitting. I just have a good feeling about the books that are coming, I can't wait.

[@clownpendotfart]

Books are coming? And you've been waiting.

[@animesempai0]

​@@clownpendotfart you either are foolish or dumb to believe that the publishers would allow this book series to go unfinished. Whether George is gone or alive it will be done just like Kintaro Miura with berserk or Robert Jordan with The Wheel of time.

[@stephaniespain9849]

I love these videos so much. Thank you!!!

[@sankarkrishnan407]

Varys works for Blackfyres. He want Aegon , a blackfyre to be the king. But Dany and the Dragons. He can easily overwhelm Cersei by his plans. But he had no answer to the Dragons and the eminent threat from the north. If his Aegon goes to North and deal with the others the people may accepted him.

[@peter-paulkutschlojenga7336]

Just watched a 4 year old video of yours, refresh youtube and this is up

[@temi1355]

Kendrick knew not to mention Varys

[@bookfan22]

😂

[@the13thfox46]

Varys is one of the most interesting characters in the series.

[@pjgrantland3058]

never been this early in an upload. Hey Robert!

[@richardtabor8686]

Still think he's intact. Very interested to hear what you have to say about the subject.

[@shaunpetersen256]

Surprised no talk of Varys’ hate of magic. When he told Tyrion his back story, I think the way his voice changed was an indication that he had pulled back the veil. In that monologue he says that he hates magic and all those who practice it. I think that explains why he came to court for the Targaryens. It’s possible that drove changes in his strategy over time.

[@clownpendotfart]

Why the Seven Kingdoms instead of Essos? Essos has never been unified, but instead a collection of city states. I think there's important information outside the text, from GRRM. Conleth Hill, who plays Varys on Game of Thrones, said that GRRM told him (and also told him not to reveal until the end) that Varys is ultimately a good man. GRRM has also said that his two most misunderstood characters are Melisandre and Varys. In the most recent book, Melisandre became a minor POV, and Varys got to monologue in Kevan's epilogue. Both are ways of showing that the characters believe everything they're doing (however underhanded) is for the greater good.

[@Godzilla00X]

According to the mermaid theory, varys is secretly a mermaid who wants to melt the wall to flood the land so his merling empire can claim the land lol

[@joelfaulkner2930]

Much more likely to be serving his own interests than the realm i think personally and he says nice things about Aegon to Kevan because he more than anyone knows that little birds are never far away and the walls have ears... But a very thoughtful and thought provoking video

[@clownpendotfart]

GRRM told Conleth Hill that Varys was ultimately a good man, and has written that Varys is one of his most misunderstood characters (the other is Melisandre).

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

House Blackfyre, being a great best friend or both while making a great King.

[@lawrencereid2767]

Brother steel

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

@lawrencereid2767 wonderful to see you again. Hope you are doing Fantastic

[@glamourweaver]

The answer to which defunct Targaryen line Varys and Faegon are descended from is probably all of them. You’ve probably got the original Saera in that Lysene brothel’s history. You have the Blackfyres. You have Aerion.

[@JohnTorres1987]

Why would Varys want to be hand of the king? The hours are long, especially under Robert, the work is thankless, and he has more power as the master of whisperers anyway. He has no last name and isn’t from Westeros so they wouldn’t allow it.

[@AndrewK23777]

Great vid IDG & HoW. Look forward to this Varys series of vids. Varys is quite mysterious for sure , many mysterious aspects about him. And he does seem quite paradoxical on several fronts, including his treatment of his child network. Many "ifs" around Varys for sure but to me i just can't look past the potential Blackfyre connections and what likely is driving Varys on many levels. I suspect Varys is a Blackfyre sympathizer or an actual Blackfyre (via the female line) potentially Serra's brother or cousin , who i certainly suspect is a Blackfyre herself (also of the female line , her look certainly sounds Valyrian). V conveniently shaves his head to conceal i suspect the likely typical Valyrian hair color. And being longtime close friends with Illyrio , who is seemingly fAegon's actual father , makes sense his sights being on Westeros. To fulfill the long-game aims of the Bfs assuming Westerosi rule , via helping his close friend's son (who might be V's kin as well) get the throne. If Varys is an actual Blackfyre would also make sense with his Targ / Valyrian lineage would make his blood extra enticing to that sorcerer. I don't really buy this "I serve the realm" stuff from V , imo its mainly keep the realm in chaos until his Blackfyre claimant / champion (fAegon) comes of age. Varys helped keep a tyrant on the throne , Aerys II (literally a mad king), when a quality alternative was available (Rhaegar) and part of Robert's apathetic bankrupting regime after that. V just wants the realm declining and / or in chaos , so fAegon looks all the better in comparison. He might view given his upbringing fAegon has the makings of a great king ; but i suspect his service mainly to Serra , Illyrio and the Blackfyre cause overall.

[@clownpendotfart]

GRRM told Conleth Hill that Varys was a good man, and wrote that Varys is one of his most misunderstood characters. That extratextual evidence suggests that you should take what he says to Kevan seriously. I do think the best way to make sense of it is not to assume he's had the same goal since he first came over to Westeros, but instead to imagine that he became more comfortable intervening the longer he spent in the halls of power.

[@AndrewK23777]

@@clownpendotfart that exchange to me was mostly about Aegon / fAegon and Varys' overly idealized image of him. As i said in my comment V may view that fAegon has the making of a potentially great king ; but his aim seems to get him on the throne by any means necessary. Including cruelty and allowing and facilitating chaos until that point. Cutting tongues out of so many children , helping keep the Mad King in power and presiding over an apathetic bankrupting king and regime for many years after that. Wasn't so keen or quick to be rid of the monster Joffrey either. Could have saved the realm a lot of pain if he acted differently but he wants the realm as low and as bad a state as possible for fAegon to look all the better imo. He may think fAegon is this dream king and it will all be worth it with what fAegon's rule could bing. But i still think V is somewhat blinded and tunnel-visioned around that idea and seems to totally put morality and the good of the realm aside until that fAegon as king becomes a reality. Also , i expect fAegon will not nearly live up to the image Varys has of him.

[@clownpendotfart]

@@AndrewK23777 Young Griff hadn't even been born when Varys first came over. We know from Pycelle that he told Aerys not to open the gates to Tywin, indicating he was actually trying to do his job competently for the king that brought him over. And it's not a spymaster's job to balance Robert's books, nor is there any reason to believe he was behind Littlefinger's selection as Master of Coin (we basically know how that happened). Varys certainly believes in doing whatever is necessary for his objective, but he also appears to believe that's not actually sacrificing the good of the realm.

[@AndrewK23777]

@@clownpendotfart as you said earlier and i agree i do think his aspirations have been evolving and changing over the years he's been in Westeros. Obviously before fAegon was born he likely had somewhat different aims. But if he is an actual Blackfyre or even just a Blackfyre sympathizer (to be determined) that could have always influenced his thinking / approach in Westeros. With the Pycelle / sack of KL situation that could also be viewed as part of trying to protect a tyrant / the Mad King and keep him in power ; which helping his king but clearly not for the good of the realm or anyone in it imo. Perhaps seeing the state of the realm and how the power players influence the masses over time has shaped and affected him / his choices & behavior. But his current aims to me seem very fAegon / Blackfyre centric , until proven otherwise. Perhaps its his own somewhat warped view that what he's doing is a long term benefit for the realm but he somewhat facilitated a lot of pain and carnage and doing many morally questionable things in the process thus far. I do think V is overly idealizing fAegon , i suspect he will not live up to Varys' expectations. Especially because compared to Egg's life experiences and journey fAegon's is a very safe choreographed version. So could be all these morally questionable actions will not fully pay off or prove worth it the way he expects.

[@clownpendotfart]

@@AndrewK23777 He's explicitly Aegon-centric per the epilogue. But I don't think he's caused that much "carnage" so far. He killed Pycelle & Kevan, and perhaps that will cause more carnage in the future, but there hasn't been a new book in the decade+ since.

[@ricoc9492]

I wish the showrunners put this kind of energy into the writing in the later seasons. It was disappointing to see how gullible the character became

[@FloppsEB]

in a way, i think Varys is the simplest character, the most steadfast, and predictable. i simply believe the backstory we have till now, and how his motivations come clear from there. it tallies. which is why i'll be gladly surprised to be proved wrong.

[@JohnTorres1987]

Maybe Maegor(son of Aerion) was his father. Moqorro said that he sees dragons bright and dark. And Aerion is the bright dragon. They never say what happened to Maegor and he could still be alive.

[@mt_baldwin]

I think we got the missing puzzle piece from House of the Dragon via George RR Martin that completely demystifies Varys. He knows about, and more importantly believes in, the Targaryen prophecy. This answers every question about him and makes every single other puzzle piece, every single one of Varys's actions and words now fit perfectly into place. He wholeheartedly believes in but hates magic, so this fits. It answers why a foreigner like him cares so deeply for Westerosi politics and why he's so loyal to house Targaryen. It shows that that he does indeed "serve the realm" and care about the smallfolk. He's trying to keep a Targaryen on the throne, he's even trying to make "the prince that was promised", all to protect the entire world of men from The Others and the long night. Edit: This is probably what the blue flame told him or was trying to tell him. The blue flame fits with the Others as well, a warning or more likely a threat. Everything fits. In fact it fits so perfectly that this is the biggest knock against this theory. Would Martin be so on the nose with his hints?

[@1stofHisName-m2d]

Love your videos brother, keep up the good work 👏

[@uriustosh]

Aegon VI is a good lad.

[@winterwulf1995]

I'm sure Viserys was at first too

[@michaelb299]

Will you do a character study of Barriol ? I sense he has a very interesting story, be he a simple fool or a more complex and secret character ; his prophecies can respond to some of the mages / prophecies of ASOIAF and can also be analyzed from the religious perspective, with the Drowned God and Rhllor. Also, is Steffon Baratheon’s death in a wreck actually an accident, or was it purposedly organized ? After all, just before he died, he had sent a letter displaying the incredible fool he had just met in Barriol, who might even teach Stannis laugh.

[@jaysheth1541]

I also think the reality of Aegon 6th is very different than what Varys wants in him. There is a critical gap. Aegon may be a Warrior, but he is not true Knight. His cowardice will be revealed and Varys won't know what to do next if his main piece in the Game is not worth playing the Game. Littlefinger will undo Varys' plans with help of Bran and Bloodraven. It will get orchestrated without conscious coordination but things will come together for Varys to see his own defeat after such wonderful playing in the Game. He is also very austere, but Illyrio is whole different fish altogether from what Varys is. Varys is on mission, Illyrio wants to grab power.

[@Zwijger]

Another thing about removing the children's tongues: he himself has been mutilated, yet still lives, thrives even. Furthermore, he himself says he remembers the horrible voice in that event, not the pain. I don't know where the kids come from, but perhaps their living conditions even improve under him in all other regards; after all even without a tongue they could tattle on his operation if they hated him. It to me seems that cutting out their tongue is a necessary evil, but also that it is, in his mind, not as evil an act as it seems to us.

[@Melissa-tw2gp]

Treating abandoned children gently is just smart. You want them to both fear and love you. They’ll be more loyal and eager to please.

[@Cr4t3rus]

Varys and Illerio did not know about the son of Reygar, right? They do what they can to help Denerys but when the Golden Company lands in Westeros, we for the first time hear them (Varys) even talk about him? Or do I miss something? Must have been a big surprise for them

[@emarti3853]

Have you heard the theory that he is not a eunuch? His voice got pretty deep in the epilogue

[@winterwulf1995]

Must've missed the part where he takes his little birds tongues. Could anyone tell me which book/chapter this is mentioned in

[@abelbabel8484]

He read the passage in the video. It's the scene where Arya overhears them talking while sneaking around, before King Robert dies. It's not explicitly stated he's cutting their tongues, but the dialogue doesn't make much sense otherwise, so yeah.

[@wheezysqueezebox7651]

Varys, a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma...

[@loreandfantasy4571]

One possible general motivation, not really canvassed in this video, is to have a realm free from magic.

[@PearlJamaholic]

Varys reminds me a lot of the Cigarette Smoking Man from The X-Files. Does a lot of awful things, and makes dirty deals with crooked men(aliens), but thinks he is doing these things for the right reason, so he is right in doing so. The Realm would be a better place without Varys, and would find peace with or without him. He is not the savior of the Realms as he thinks he is.

[@Mickie1198]

Quite frankly, there was no way tomen could have ruled while Cersei lived. But we already know tomen was fated to die and leave Cersei childless. Cersei was too far gone..

[@PistachioDean]

Interesting use of AI. I did respect My Little Thought Tree so much for using all ASOIAF fan art in his one hour long Sansa video. Especially with a platform as big as this one, it’s a great way to showcase the talents within the community. But I get that AI is free and can whip up a (albeit dodgy) version of an image you’re trying to get across

[@BDnevernind]

Isn't there a raven in the window during the Dance epilogue? Do we really not think that was a performance for whoever might be warging ravens that hang out with the Hand of thr King?

[@its99pm]

or was it Bloodraven watching?

[@BDnevernind]

@@its99pm I've always thought this, but IDG seems to think it's "absolutely" untrue???

[@MackeyDeez]

Varys is a person who is in a position which he can influence the people in power. Unlike his rival schemer Little finger he manipulate the powerful out of benevolence instead of power for himself.

[@Andystuff800]

I'm not convinced he cuts out their tongues. "If they kept their tongues" could just mean keeping secrets, and I've yet to see more proof than that.

[@CSNA_Gaming]

Does anyone know if Varys is really a eunuch? Did i miss a passage or are we just meant to believe that hes a eunuch because he said so?

[@MrCoffeejingler]

The best evidence against Varys supporting the Realm is his involvement in taking down Robert and leading to the War of The Five Kings, the realm suffers and the smallfolk bleed. It must all be for fAegon

[@clownpendotfart]

Varys didn't take down Robert... although he was planning on a Dothraki invasion. Varys was trying to delays civil war until that invasion was ready.

[@NoviceDuelist]

​@@clownpendotfartdid varys support daenerys from the beginning then? but he also used to spy and sent people to kill him as robert ordered him? how can he do both?

[@clownpendotfart]

@@NoviceDuelist Yes, the first book establishes him to be a secret Targaryen loyalist, and Pycelle's confession in the 2nd book shows Varys was loyal to Aerys when Pycelle wasn't. Varys only sends the wine merchant because Khal Drogo is dragging his feet on an invasion. After the "assassination" is foiled by Jorah (Varys & Illyrio's agent, whom they had just tipped off), Drogo changes his mind and decides to invade, which is exactly the result they wanted.

[@NoviceDuelist]

@@clownpendotfart ok thanks a lot for replying bro

[@JonathanRossRogers]

OK, what's Varys' plan in the show? It's hard to believe he'd think Viserys would be a good king. He does eventually serve Daenerys before betraying her. Was that his plan back in Season one, or did D & D never have a plan at all?

[@BlameBarky]

so glad the audio has been sorted out. still a bit peaky here and there, maybe move it down 1 or 2 dbs to -12 or -13. love your content though. just pull down the audio levels lol

[@shootits48]

I always thought Varus wants revenge, not to be a victim and to set life the way he feels it should be.

[@MariaVosa]

These deep dives keep bringing up aspects that I've not fully considered. Most of the stuff in this video is known to me, but I will admit I never considered why the wizard(?) wanted to buy Varys' manhood in particular. As you say, it would be cheaper and easier just to buy a regular slave, if all he wanted was an adolescent. And why is he bald...?

[@its99pm]

him being bald to hide Targ silver-white hair was a very early theory i came across, so that's definitely been covered before. what i don't see anyone questioning and discussing are things like 'GRRM-approved good man™' - what exactly does that mean, and why does he live like a pious monk (especially when contrasted with Illyrio's luxury)?. also, if he's the most misunderstood, are there other aspects of him (apart from him genuinely believing he's doing what's best for the realm) that we've got wrong? the darker voice when he talks to Kevan is particularly interesting.

[@PacificEgg]

Can you do a video with David LightBringer?

[@DanteYewToob]

I think the tongue removal is an act of kindness in a twisted way… it ensures that the kids are never tortured for information if it’s obvious they cannot speak. Most would assume they can’t read or write either, so they would likely be left alone or just killed swiftly. But if some twisted dirtbag suspected a kid and wanted info from a kid that could speak… well.. not good. They live in a violent and dangerous world these are a real possibility for those kids. In his mind, he’s trading a bit of pain now for a life of them being cared for and provided for instead of dying on the streets of hunger and sickness. I don’t like it at all but I kinda get it. I just thought of something messed up.. lol imagine you’re a starving homeless kid and some guy says you can have food and treats if you work for him, but then he cuts your tongue off. It’s like a monkeys paw wish! You can have all the tasty food you want, but you don’t have a tongue! Haha that’s so messed up! Poor kids probably can’t even taste the food and treats he gives them. Mermaid jerk!

[@carlrood4457]

When considering "the realm", I think we may need to consider how one might define it. I like to consider the quote from Louis XIV, "L'etat c'est moi" (The state is me). The idea is that the ruler is the state, so what's good for the king is good for the nation. If Varys believes Young Griff is the rightful ruler than serving him could be defined as serving "the realm". However, I have another question. Whether he's Aegon or not, Vary was in Westeros for several years before his birth. Young Griff is at least passable to be Aegon's age, after all. If he's a fake, he'd still have to have developed to where Jon Connington couldn't tell he was considerably older or younger. So what was Varys' ORIGINAL reason for going to Westeros?

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

The state is not the realm. The word is an abbreviated form of "the state of finances" and by extension a description of all that is effected by the king's (or the government's) treasury. Therefore, the "state" is the ruling apparatus, not the people or the land it applies to.

[@hidingtk2860]

Bring on the miniseries!

[@aprilmae274]

In Fire and Blood when Jaehaerys ascends they literally call it the Ascension. There is another Ascension with that Valaryon-Targaryen Bloodline called the Roggare Ascension. These 'Ascensions' are NOT what they seem-they are splits from Targaryen bloodline within their bloodline. There are now Targaryens that are NOT Targaryens in the family-but they still have Valyrian blood.

[@markgross6006]

Varys and Illyrio want Targaryen rule to return to Westeros because Pentos has been more or less a client state of the Targaryen Dynasty since the end of the Century of Blood. We know that Pentos and Bravos have been at war with each other in the past, and Robert Baratheon leaving Westeros in massive debt with the Iron Bank of Bravos puts Pentos in particular at risk (at the very least economically). A stable Westeros has second and third order effects on the stability of Western Essos.

[@Mckadow]

Hey i don't say this with malice but just an honest opinion , the ai images are a little distracting since they usually have messed up eyes or blades melted into their hands. I'm here to listen to you so it seems like extra work for a pretty weird to look at picture. Keep up the videos though no matter what you do image wise in the future.

[@konstantinkrastev4478]

Varys is most likely a blackfyre , who else would recommend him to Aeris maybe Aeris even knew

[@TheKulu42]

I wonder if anybody cautioned Varys about one aspect of his little birds. Yes, they can't talk if you cut out their tongues, but if they can read and you need them to share what they read, surely, they must be able to write.

_"The ends justify the means"_ is a notion that has permitted more evil and atrocities than greed or revenge

[@bobdowling6932]

There is a prophecy that a Targaryen must sit on the iron throne for the Night King to be defeated. Suppose that is what Varys heard in the blue flames. He is the same as Melisandre in this regard: willing to do unspeakable things to defeat the Night King, and any Targaryen will do.

[@andrewb2156]

There isn't a Night King in the books.

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

There is a vision in a dream that a great danger is coming from the north and a logical deduction by someone that the realm needs to be united to resist it. Then there are rambling idiots fantasing a prophecy around it and spreading it to whomever is dumb enough to buy it.

[@erinreese1007]

I have to say i agree about not lying to kevin but he could have many reasons to lie to Illyrio. He may not be on his side after all.

[@SHARKVADERS]

I D G !!!!!!!

[@elainemaguire2269]

Perhaps he's also privy to the prophecy of the Prince that was Promised, and why he will be necessary to defeat the white walkers?

[@clownpendotfart]

He did suggest sending deserters from the City Watch to the Wall (Tywin commanded their knees be broken instead), but I don't think there's any indication he's aware of the magical plotline of the books.

[@its99pm]

@@clownpendotfart it makes a bit of sense if Bloodraven influenced Varys to believe that the realm can only be saved if a Targ descendant is on the throne. That way, Varys is "justified" in doing whatever he must to get either fAegon or Dany on the throne to save the realm and the innocents. mostly spitballing, but there was a raven present when Varys talked to Kevan...

[@buddhapork]

Maybe the mad king told him the prophecy of ice and fire? And he´s trying to make sure line events up for it to come to fruition?