Caius Varian

Emperor Caius Varian in Judhofkiin.

*"During the time, I was convinced that this will be my final when my role during the civil war in Skyrim that last until me an my wife's deaths."*
―Caius Varian[src]
**Emperor Caius Varian** (4E 133–4E 184) was the second Emperor of the Varian Empire. He ascended the throne after his father's death in 4E 168, and his reign was marked with conflicts, the war with the Third Aldmeri Dominion that results in the Talos ban and the Imperial City sacked, involved in a civil war by supporting the rebels, and being a very unpopular emperor. However he alongside with his wife, Brelyna, were ambushed and killed at the Battle of Grimpen Ward, and was succeeded by his brother, Flavius.

## By game

* Caius Varian (Invasion)
* Caius Varian (Legends)

## History

### Early years and Marriage

Caius Varian was born on 4E 133 in Cyrodiil. His father, Reman Varian, the founding and reigning emperor and his nord wife, Svennja. He was an younger brother, Flavius who was succeeded Caius Varian at the time his two older daughters refusal to the throne. During the reign of his father Caius was indeed popular prince of the Varian Dynasty. At the young age, Caius was an originally child, he was thought how to hunt, fight with a sword and archery. Caius become heir presumptive to the ruby throne; but the Empire weakened and almost caused a civil war in Cyrodiil.

At eighteen years old, Caius joined the Imperial Army as the rank of General. He involved in the early wars with High Rock after he Imperial and High Rock made peace and make alliance, his father was formed now known as Tamrielic Alliance. Emperor Reman Varian appointed his son Caius Varian as Military governor of Padomaic Islands, which the rumors that the continent of Akavir forces is planning to invade Tamriel. While remaining General, Caius Varian was thought to plan the invasion of Akavir--but it conserved that it wasn't the case. Later in coming years after Caius death, the Padomaic Islands had been as headquarters of the crime family, and re-conquered by Caius's daughter, Marcella who is also General. At age of 21 in 4E 153, Caius Varian married Brelyna of House Selodil. Caius and Brelyna have two daughters, Tulvia who became the Countess of Kvatch, and Marcella, the future Empress.

On the island of Yneslea, Caius Varian build a new city, the construction began on 4E 159 rather it will be on land or a port-city. Caius Varian chose port-like-city that the Imperial Navy would place their ships as well like Black Harbor. The Elder Council pressurizing Caius to not build a city, Caius Varian begin to build the city as well. They're few incidents/accidents when that ten or more workers was killed every months during the building of new city. The newest city that his father picked the name of the new city, which Caius named New Gaius; it will soon to be capital port-city of Padomaic Islands.

The port-city of New Gaius have almost everything including: shops, an inn, and everything. Upon New Gaius completion, and already been Military governor, Caius Varian was titled the new royalty title, Prince of Padomaic Islands, which he never been prince of Padomaic Islands. Upon Caius Varian become Emperor in 4E 168, Caius made New Gaius—a headquarters for Imperial Navy and it's soldiers and their families, which made a market for it. Emperor Caius Varian then made his first visit since while being Empire in 4E 171 and another in vacation 4E 172-173. It's possible that his youngest daughter, Marcella was born in New Gaius palace or Imperial city. After years since Caius death in 184th of the Fourth Era, the Imperial army deserters make a crime family make a temporality headquarters for the family but it will defeating by Marcella Varian herself at near New Gaius in 4E 197 during her re-conquest on the Padomaic islands.

### Emperor

Caius ascended to the Ruby Throne and inherited a weakened empire. He was crowned on 4E 168 after the death of his father, Reman Varian. He's not a popular monarch in Cyrodiil, but he gained respect along with his subjects and military generals. His brother, Flavius, the High King Consort of Hammerfell and future Emperor, become the heir presumptive to the throne until the birth of her daughters in 4E 168 and 4E 173, respectfully. When Caius was crowned Emperor, the people of Cyrodiil was given suspension about the new emperor non-Dragonborn and Caius Varian was criticized by the people of Cyrodiil by not being non-Dragonborn emperor. He's the first non-Dragonborn ruler of the Varian bloodline to ruled in Fourth Era.

During his reign, Caius was not popular throughout the Empire, the Imperial citizens were mixed, but final years of his rule had a average reputation. However his military campaigns was either extremely decorated and successful or slow paced and deeply coasted often because of the frustration of the Elder Council. The Emperor confronted the Council and their High Chancellor Thaoroth of Lillandril that turns into a heated arguments. Caius's policy were dissolved.

With the Emperor's disappointment, tensions with the Third Aldmeri Dominion at all-time high, and a war was imminent. Prior to the Great War, the Imperial military was also greatly weakened from many wars that the Empire had been involved in, and what remained of the Legion forces was scattered across the provinces.

### The Great War

After three years of being Emperor, members of the Thalmor, the governmental body of the Third Aldmeri Dominion, visited the Imperial City. On the 30th of Frostfall, 4E 171, an ambassador arrived at the Imperial City with an ultimatum for the new Emperor and a gift in a covered cart. This ultimatum demanded tributes, the disbandment of the Blades, outlawing of Talos worship, and the ceding a large portion of southern Hammerfell to the Dominion. Despite the weakness of the Imperial military, as warned by his generals, Caius Varian refused the ultimatum. As a result, the ambassador showed the Emperor the gift, the heads of all the Blades agents from within the Aldmeri Dominion, marking the start of the Great War.

#### The Sack of the Imperial City

The Dominion had been sending in numerous forces into Imperial lands leading up to 4E 173, making advances on the eastern bank near the Imperial City, despite Imperial reinforcements from Skyrim bolstering the Emperor's main army. By the end of 4E 173, the Imperial capital was surrounded, with only the supply route to Bruma in the north remaining open. The next year, in 4E 174, the Dominion committed all availabe forces to the Cyrodiil front. During the spring of that year, Aldmeri reinforcements were gathering in southern Cyrodiil, and launched an assault on the Imperial City itself on the 12th of Second Seed. One of the Aldmeri armies drove north to fully surround the Imperial City, while the main army of Lord Naarifin attacked the City from the south, east, and west. Caius Varian decided to fight out of the capital instead of remaining within it during the siege, once more ignoring the advice of his generals.

The Eighth Legion covered the Emperor's retreat in a desperate rearguard action on the walls of the capital. The Emperor's main army forced their way through the Aldmeri army in the north, meeting the Legions of General Jonna who came marching from Skyrim. In the meantime, the Imperial Capital fell, resulting in the Imperial City being sacked by the Dominion. The Imperial Palace was burned, White-Gold Tower was looted, and many atrocities were carried out against the civilians living in the city.

#### Battle of the Red Ring

*"No. The troops... must believe the emperor is strong. Stranger. You have proven a mighty warrior. Here, take my armor. In my helm, none will know who you are. Lead the battle in my stead. The fate of the Empire is in your hands."*
―Caius Varian to the Forgotten Hero[src]
In the winter of 4E 174 to 4E 175, the Thalmor were convinced that the fighting in Cyrodiil was all but over. They made several attempts to negotiate with the Emperor, and Caius Varian encouraged the Thalmor in their belief that he was planning to surrender. In reality, he gathered his forces to retake the Imperial Capital. Imperial desertion did occur, as numbers of Legionnaires believed the Empire was doomed. The Forgotten Hero, alongside their companions, informed the Emperor of Lord Naarifin's plan to unleash The Culling prophecy. However, the Emperor knew an attack on the Imperial City was doomed to fail, as the Dominion was able to somehow predict the Empire's every move. The Hero volunteered to infiltrate the city, and discover the source of this power. It would later turn out that the Dominion held the Orb of Vaermina, and used this as a means to spy on the Legion. When it was destroyed, the Legions started their advance on the Capital.

While the Emperor himself was wounded by Aldmeri Assassins just before the battle of the Red Ring would take place, and thus could not lead the charge himself, the battle was still planned by the Emperor. The Forgotten Hero would wear the Emperor's armor, and take his stead to boost morale among the Legions and convince them that the Emperor was strong. The Imperial City would be surrounded on all sides by the Imperial forces. The main army was commanded by the Forgotten Hero, and would advance from the north. Two other armies, commanded by General Jonna and General Decianus, surrounded the southern, western, and eastern sides of the city. Lord Naarifin, despite his attempts to unleash hordes of Daedra, was defeated by the Forgotten Hero. The Emperor captured Lord Naarifin, and kept him alive for thirty-three days, hanging from the White-Gold Tower.

#### The End of the Great War

*Further information: White-Gold Concordat*
While the Battle of the Red Ring resulted in an Imperial victory, the Legions were too weakened to continue their advance. The entire Imperial military didn't have more than half its soldiers fit for duty, not counting the annihilations of three Legions in their entirety. Caius Varian knew there would be no better time for peace, and thus signed the White-Gold Concordat, marking the end of the Great War. The terms of the Concordat were largely unchanged to the original ultimatum, but Caius Varian believed the peace was necessary to give the Empire a chance to regain its strength. By 4E 175, most of the Empire welcomed peace at almost any price. Hammerfell refused to sign the Concordat, however, and as such, Caius Varian was forced to renounce Hammerfell as an Imperial province, leaving Hammerfell to fight the Dominion until 4E 180, until the signing of the Second Treaty of Stros M'kai. In response for the signing of the White-Gold Concordat, the Jarls of Skyrim were given chests of gold by the Empire.

### Post-Great War and Empire Rebuilding

Originally, the Imperial Legion did not enforce the outlawing of Talos worship, as dictated by the Concordat. However, when Ulfric Stormcloak made the Legion openly accept free Talos worship, the Emperor was forced to crack down on Talos worship, and allow the Thalmor Justiciars into Imperial land. As a result of the enforcement of the Talos ban, the Stormcloaks would be founded. Local support in Skyrim for the Emperor varied. There were those who considered the Emperor to have renounced both humanity and honor when the Concordat was signed. Others considered that the Emperor didn't have any choice in signing the Concordat, as without it the Dominion would have destroyed the Empire. In response to the rebellion in Skyrim, the Emperor sent General Tullius to quell the rebellion.

Despite the signing of the White-Gold Concordat, the Empire was rebuilding its forces for the next conflict with the Aldmeri Dominion and stationing the bulk of them on the Cyrodiilic-Aldmeri border. The Emperor refused to sent Tullius any reinforcements in fear of weakening the border with the Dominion. After the secretly unbanning of Talos, Caius's popularity grew about 3.5-5.1 percent in Cyrodiil. As youth, Caius was taught that banning of Talos, God of Honor were hateful and unlawful. Caius also is a proud worshipper of Talos as well. After the peace treaty was signed, he hold a meeting with the Elder Council to secretly un lifted the ban of Talos. After the war, Cyrodiil was rack and ruins, even in Imperial City. Caius told the council that he must rebuild his empire after the aftermath of the war, they agreed and they sent multiple explorers, miners and Cyrodiilic Army Legion to gather more Ayleid coals from the ruins that once founded one of the popular empire in Tamriel. Even Caius Varian himself who scavaged with the miners themselves. The Ayleid Ruins of Beldaburo, Garlas Agea, Garlas Malatar, Miscarcand, Stirk and Tempest Island were also taken their goal and ores from these ruins. The Imperial City was re-finished from damages in 4E 179 and other cities who survived nor damages was finished around 4E 181-4E 183. Even his re-building his empire--thus making him more popular, but here're some criticisms against Caius Varian that he "not going rebuild on his own", which the criticisms were last during his reign.

The career that lead up building Imperial city was unique. Since the aftermath of the Oblivion Crisis, Caius and his brother Flavius reveled the people of Cyrodiil and even Imperial city, capital city of Varian Empire. While back in Imperial city, Caius Varian start to rivalry with General and Chief Councilor of the Elder Council Matteius Doran. Doran said that the Emperor Caius is doing this for fame and making fun of his father, which Caius denied the calm which Matteius was no proof. Soon after, Matteius Doran almost assassinate attempt on Caius, which the Emperor survives. The rivalry ended when Matteius Doran was dismissed from the council and still resumed his role as General for the rest of his military career.

### Civil War in Skyrim

*Main article: Skyrim Civil War*
This event led to the Markarth Incident, which itself sparked the Civil War in Skyrim between the Stormcloaks and the Imperial Legion. He was known for planning and taking part in the Battle of the Red Ring, a successful Imperial move to retake the Imperial City and defeat the Aldmeri Dominion's main invasion force in Cyrodiil. However, in reality it wasn't Caius Varian leading the charge, but the Forgotten Hero wearing the Emperor's armor. The Imperial Legion is the military arm of the Empire, which, prior to its Great War with the Aldmeri Dominion, ruled over most of Tamriel.[*source?*] The Legion is attempting to quell the rebellion led by Ulfric Stormcloak, with the goal of restoring the peace and keeping Skyrim in the Empire.

The Imperial Legion believes that as a province of the Empire, Skyrim must abide by its laws and customs, including the terms of the White-Gold Concordat. Though most do not approve of the White-Gold Concordat, they nevertheless allow the Thalmor to uphold it in order to preserve the peace between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion. If any legionaries keep faith in Talos, as it is implied Legate Rikke or Hadvar do, they keep their religion to themselves and pray to Talos discreetly and out of earshot. Though the Empire has appeased the Aldmeri Dominion's demands, Vittoria Vici, the cousin of Emperor **Caius Varian**, states that the Empire has little love for the Dominion. Even so, high ranking Imperials do acknowledge that Ulfric is not wrong that the Thalmor hold influence over the Empire. Some Imperial loyal Jarls and lords recognize the power of the Thalmor and seek to ingratiate themselves with them if it serves their interests. These people state that the times of war between the Empire and Aldmeri Dominion is over and that peace and prosperity is good for everyone. At the same time, Maven Black-Briar respects the Thalmor due to them holding power.

### Death and succession

Caius, who was accompanying by her wife Empress Brelyna, made a visit with the High King Torygg in Solitude, the capital of the Unified Skyrim before the rise of Ulfric Stormcloak and the Stormcloak Rebellion. After the Solitude visit, Caius and Brelyna than travel and visited to Whiterun, which made successful diplomatic trade relations with the Jarl of Whiterun, presumably Balgruuf the Greater before starting to departing back to the Imperial City. A small band of Stormcloak soldiers led by Helvgvar Fine-Shield who heard that Caius arrived in Skyrim, and decided to stalking the Emperor's Legion soon after he departed from Whiterun. Helvgvar and his troops departed from their station at Grimpen Ward, and met Caius in the Pale region. When both Caius and Helvgvar's armies meet, a large-scale or massive battle broke out and both Helvgvar and Caius duel. Sources from the battle claimed that both Helvgvar and Caius were mortally wounded, mostly caused of their encountered with one other. The main and most accepted source, is the Empire's pyrrhic victory, but suffered a huge blow following Caius and Brelyna's fall in battle, as well the Stormcloaks suffered a huge blow when Helvgvar also fall in battle.

The bodies of both Caius and his wife traveled back to the Imperial City, and his younger brother Flavius inherited the Ruby Throne in the name of Caius's youngest daughter Marcella, who was nine or ten years old at the time and became the heir presumptive due to the Imperial Act of Succession. Marcella ascended the Imperial throne after Flavius's death in 4E 199.

## Legacy

At the early of his reign, the empire was weakened and soon to be at war with the Third Aldmeri Dominion, which broke out as the Great War, after the events of the war after the treaty of White-Gold Concordat was sign, Talos was banned. However, with the help of his brother and successor, Flavius, they secretly lifting the Talos ban. During the Skyrim Civil War, Caius saw involved during the Skyrim Civil War in Skyrim between the Stormcloaks and the Imperial Army.

In the Fifth Era, Caius appeared as spirit in the Aetherius realm of Judhofkiin, who is the realm and residence of his daughter Marcella, who was ascended into godhood as a member of the Divines.

## Appearance and personality

Caius Varian's appearance were described as he black-haired short hair style with a stable beard. Some say it could appearance of his ancestor, Tiber Septim. His muscularly appearance may seem to be swinging a sword in his youth into teens. In battle, he somehow wears Imperial General's Armor without plated-version. When he's not at the battle, he wears Emperor's Robe. The personality of Caius Varian were devoted, respectful with other people, unlike his younger brother, Flavius Varian, thoughtful towards others, faith in life, oneself and others in a good more, but when he was in an bad mood, he was rude, disrespectful, and selfish.

## Appearances

* *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim* (mentioned only)
	+ *The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard* (mentioned only)
	+ *The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn* (mentioned only)
* *The Elder Scrolls VI: Invasion* (appears as a ghost or a spirit)
	+ *The Elder Scrolls VI: Underworld* (mentioned only)
* *The Elder Scrolls: Legends* (*The Rise of the Varians*)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 *Dynasties: The Varians of Cyrodiil*
2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 *The Great War*
3. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 133*
4. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 151*
5. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 153*
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 168*
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 173*
8. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 159*
9. ↑ *Year in Tamriel: 4E 159*
10. ↑ *Thaoroth and the Emperor*
11. ↑ Dialogue with Legate Rikke
12. ↑ Events of "Chapter 14 - A Fractured Legion"
13. ↑ Events of "Interlude"
14. ↑ Events of "Chapter 18 - A Knife in the Dark"
15. ↑ Events of "Chapter 19 - The Siege of the Imperial City"
16. ↑ Events of "Chapter 20 - The Showdown"
17. ↑ Conversations between Irileth, Proventus Avenicci and Balgruuf the Greater
18. ↑ Dialogue with Alvor
19. ↑ Dialogue with Igmund
20. ↑ Dialogue with Thalmor Justiciars in *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*
21. ↑ Dialogue with Stormcloak Commanders
22. ↑ Dialogue with Hadvar
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Dialogue with General Tullius
24. ↑ *Dialogue with Jarl Igmund*
25. ↑ *Story mode of The Elder Scrolls: Legends*
26. ↑ *The Talos Mistake*
27. ↑ *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim* — dialogue with Thalmor Justiciars
28. ↑ Dialogue with Ondolemar
29. ↑ '*The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim* — dialogue with Vittoria Vici
30. ↑ *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim* — dialogue with Razelan during "Diplomatic Immunity"
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim* — dialogue with Erikur during "Diplomatic Immunity"
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim* — dialogue with Maven Black-Briar during "Diplomatic Immunity"
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Dialogue with Siddgeir during "Diplomatic Immunity"
34. ↑ *The Emperor Killed in Skyrim*
35. ↑ Events during "A Dynasty Reunion"