Flavius Varian

**Emperor Flavius Varian** (4E 135–4E 199), was known as **Favis at-Veraan**, and **Flavius the Elder**, was the husband of High Queen Yisine, becoming as consort of Hammerfell by marriage, and the third Emperor of the Varian Empire. As Emperor, he also best known for his best battles plans, and even survives few assassination attempts, which with effect to it, involved with the early years of the Skyrim Civil War and an struggling health crisis.

Flavius Varian is the third of the three non-dragonborn emperors, along with Reman Varian and his brother Caius Varian. He is the first Emperor to be buried at Dovah Skor, and he is appeared in novels of *An Elder Scrolls Novel: The Infernal City* and *An Elder Scrolls Novel: Lord of Souls* as its supporting deuteragonist.

## History

### Early years

Flavius Varian was born in 4E 135, the second youngest son of Emperor Reman Varian and Empress Consort Svennja. Flavius and his older brother Caius were born in Imperial City, The relationship with his older brother, Prince Caius Varian was not so great but he and Flavius was able to keep it control. During his father's reign, both Princes were designed to have a similar paths. His older brother, Caius was become heir presumptive to the newly established the Fourth Empire when his father become Emperor in 4E 129; but the Empire was weakened and the road of recovery that almost caused another civil war in Cyrodiil. Flavius didn't have a chance to become Emperor because of his second in line to the Ruby Throne.

### Marriage and Consort of Hammerfell

Flavius married to Yisine, a daughter to a wealthy Redguard nobleman and High Queen of Hammerfell after a right of conquest, which supported by the Empire in the same year of 4E 157. Doing so, Flavius was known as, Favis at-Veraan in Hammerfell. Both Flavius and Yisine were both crowned as High Queen and King (sovereigns) of Hammerfell. While Flavius Varian was nineteen years old and Queen Yisine was twenty-one years old. The marriage between a Imperial and Redguard royal families were considered either prosperous or traitorous among their respective races. Sometime after the successful marriage ceremony, Flavius adopted Kaydoc the future High King as his own adoptive son.

While Flavius and Yisine become High King and Queen of Hammerfell, making them sovereigns of the restored monarchy in Hammerfell, Flavius and Yisine managed to restored the Redguard monarchy and build two new cities, Koagor and Rhanid, which both were completed in 4E 190 and 4E 195 respectfully. As High King consort, he led the Redguard army against the Third Aldmeri Dominion and face couple battles against Lady Arannelya, general of the main force of the Thalmor invasion into Hammerfell. Flavius also helped his brother Emperor Caius in Cyrodiil, but in a losing effort. After the Great War, Hammerfell were completely taking over by the Dominion, forcing Flavius and Yisine into exile in High Rock. It had rumored that Flavius and Yisine were killed by the Thalmor, but they emerged after the war.

### The Great War and Lost the Imperial City

*Main article: Great War*
When his father, Emperor Reman Varian died on 4E 168, the Fourth Empire weakened while his brother Caius becomes Emperor, and Flavius becomes the heir presumptive under the new established Imperial Act of Succession law. When the Great War broke out between the Empire of Cyrodiil and the Third Aldmeri Dominion. The Aldmeri Dominion invaded the Empire of Cyrodiil after his brother, Emperor Caius Varian rejected an ultimatum presented by a Thalmor ambassador. The Dominion forces caught the Empire by surprise and apparently had far better success than planned. Their success apparently encouraged them to go beyond the aim of conquering Hammerfell, and instead they decided to conquer the entire Empire. The Dominion advance culminated in the Sack of the Imperial City.

Prince Flavius Varian and his brother Emperor Caius Varian split their remaining forces into three hosts that surrounded the occupied Imperial City. Titus himself was injured by assassins and unable to fight; however, unknown to his troops, his place was taken by the mysterious Forgotten Hero, who donned his armor and led the Legion to victory. After a long, bloody battle, the Dominion army in Cyrodiil was utterly destroyed and the Imperial City recaptured. Lord Naarifin was hung from the top of White-Gold Tower and kept alive for thirty-three days. Despite the resounding victory, Titus II realized the Empire was too exhausted to continue fighting. He negotiated with the Thalmor and signed the White-Gold Concordat, a treaty that gave the Thalmor free reign to stamp out the worship of Talos in Tamriel, disbanded the Blades, and ceded a large part of southern Hammerfell to the Aldmeri Dominion. Critics note that the terms of the Concordat are almost identical to those of the original ultimatum presented by the Thalmor prior to the war.

In 4E 175 his brother the Emperor signed the White-Gold Concordat at the end of the Great War, a treaty between the Varian Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion, that banned Talos worship in the Empire. According to The Talos Mistake, Prince Flavius Varian had always believed the worshiping of Talos as a deity was morally wrong and that the ban on Talos worship was in no way coerced by the Aldmeri Dominion. Though considering Titus rejected the outlawing of Talos worship demanded by the Thalmor at the start of the Great War, the publication may be an effort to save face after the Empire was terribly diminished by the Great 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 Titus Mede leading the charge, but the Forgotten Hero wearing the Emperor's armor.

Following the signing of the treaty, Ulfric led a force of militia to retake the Reach, which had declared independence under the Forsworn during the Great War. Ulfric held the city and refused to surrender it to the Imperial Legion until they agreed to allow Talos worship once again. This led to the Aldmeri Dominion establishing a presence in Skyrim to oversee enforcement of the ban on Talos worship, which had up until that point been largely ignored.

### Post-War and Skyrim Civil War

*Main article: Skyrim Civil War*
Sometime after the Great-War, Flavius return to Hammerfell to continued the consort ship of Hammerfell with his wife Yisine. Hammerfell lost about 1,200 of Septims in the course of the Post-war era, including the ecompany was pledged with the Thalmor only lost about 500 Septims as well as Hammerfell must paid the Dominion with addental 50,000 gold, which was slowly recovered during the warning ears of the Fourth Era. In 4E 178, Flavius and Yisine gift Prince Kaydoc the duchy of Renemath, however in 4E 184, his brother Caius was killed in Skyrim and Kaydoc was become the King of Sentinel. While Hammerfell was forced to gained its independence from Cyrodiil was however untrue. However Flavius and his brother Emperor Caius Varian lift the ban of Talos and rebuilding Cyrodiil and had complete the rebuild of the Imperial City years later. Prince Kaydoc promoted to Commander of the Redguard Forces, and remained intact.

The Stormcloak uprising was initiated by Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak of Eastmarch after the Markarth Incident, and aims to remove the Imperial Legion from Skyrim and turn the province into an independent kingdom. The rebels' stated goals include lifting the ban on Talos worship across Skyrim, expelling or executing all the Thalmor Justiciars who have been granted the authority by the Empire to enforce the White-Gold Concordat within the province, crown Ulfric Stormcloak the High King of Skyrim, and to independently prepare Skyrim for a future war with the Aldmeri Dominion.

Both Flavius and his brother the Emperor made a personal relations with the Nords and its High King Torygg when he was crowned High King. The relations with Skyrim Kingdom and the Varian Empire had improved and stability until Torygg was killed by Ulfric.

### Imperial reign

Flavius was never expected to ascend to the Ruby Throne, which he was staying at his Hammerfell palace in Rihad, co-ruling as its High King consort when a message that his brother, Caius along with his wife Empress Consort Brelyna were both killed in The Pale, Skyrim by the Stormcloaks, sparking a crisis. According to the Imperial Act of Succession law, Flavius eligible to inherited the throne, while making his niece, Marcella, who was either the ages of ten or eleven years old, weren't able to inherit the throne due to age requirement. While Flavius accepted Marcella to be his successor rather than his eldest son, Cresola. Flavius, deeply saddened and mourned his loss of his older brother, he is unable to return to the Imperial City from Rihad due to his illness. On his return to the Imperial City after his recovery, Flavius was crowned Emperor in the Temple of the One, and relighted the Dragonfires with the blood of Tiber Septim.

Upon his accession to the Imperial throne, Flavius and Yisine make adjustments, and make Yisine's son, Kaydoc to the throne of Sentinel, a city-state, after the death of Kaydoc's father-in-law Casber. While both Flavius and Yisine are ruling from two different nations with Flavius in the Imperial City and Yisine in Rihad. Upon Flavius with his reigning monarch Yisine, abdicating the Hammerfell Throne in 4E 191, Flavius, along with his wife Yisine, the former reigning monarch of Hammerfell, traveled to the Imperial City.

He survives few assassination attempts, which he was no harm. The first assassination attempt was when he was Prince in 4E 167 by unknown Altmer assassin, passivity was part of the Dark Brotherhood. Second assassination attempt was in 4E 189, by Madman Claudius Septimius and Claudius was sentenced to death and making his first of the three assassination attempts of his reign. The third assassination attempt was again called by the Dark Brotherhood assassins in 4E 193, all assassin may be killed or captured. The fourth assassination attempt occurred in the Imperial City on 4E 194 by Prince Ottus of Daggerfell, who went to insanity, possibility by Sheogorath. Even though Prince Ottus was royal family in High Rock, he sent back to High Rock where he was sent to insanity asylum and was forgive by Flavius himself.

Flavius had important and small role during the start of the Conquest of Padomaic Islands, which begin of early-stages of the famously War of the Red Dragon, however that Flavius himself isn't preset of command. Since adopting his niece Marcella and the future Empress, she became the first female Dragonborn at the very young age, and become the most popular General of the Imperial Legion, helping Flavius defeating the the Altmer and the Bosmer alliance at Dovah Skor.

### Later years and Death

Since becoming Emperor, Flavius had already been plagued with illnesses and faced personal tragedies. Flavius's health begin to taken a huge toll on himself, throughout the Great War and his fight against the Forebears during Second Great War. His eldest son Cresola, was killed during a battle near Riverwood in 4E 193 which the Emperor was deeply mourned after upon hearing the news. Few days later, Flavius's other son, Sergentius declined to be a new heir, however records stated that he accepted or declined the role. His niece, Marcella who became Dragonborn after her youth at High Hrothgar, became the heir presumptive, after her sister Tulvia declined the offer to the Throne.

While Flavius had scheduled to abdicate the throne in favor of Marcella in 4E 199, his health rapidly decline throughout the year. By Rain's Hand, the Empire had avoided a another civil war, Flavius died peacefully and was succeeded by his niece Marcella, the first Dragonborn Empress. Upon his death, Flavius become the first monarch of the Varian Dynasty to be buried at Dovah Skor, while his brother, father and grandfather was also reburied at the Varian Tomb, at Marcella's request years later.

## Legacy

His 15-year-reign marked one of inheriting a weakening empire while becoming a successful emperors in the Fourth Era, while having issues prior to his death.[*source?*] His sons, Cresola and Segentius, the supposed heirs, had little empathy of coming to the throne, with Cresola was killed near Riverwood in 4E 193, while Segentius becomes a heir presumptive or apparent, however he sworn his allegiance to his cousin, Marcella's accession to the Ruby Throne. During war and his biggest role during the Great War, their are conspiracies that Flavius, then as Prince wielding Goldbrand at the Battle of the Red Ring in 4E 175 and in reality, it was wielded by Reive, Naarifin's Daedric minion, and retrieved by The Forgotten Hero, who was disguised as Emperor of Cyrodiil Caius Varian who used it in the battle.*[citation needed]* Many believed that Flavius himself was in the battle, but he's reality, Flavius was leading his army during the battle.

In 4E 175, his brother signed the White-Gold Concordat at the end of the Great War, a treaty between the Empire and the Third Aldmeri Dominion, included the controversial ban of Talos worship in the Empire. Both the Emperor and Flavius had a mistake banning their founder and a deity, who was morally wrong the ban on Talos worship was in no way coerced by the Aldmeri Dominion. Though considering Caius rejected the outlawing of Talos worship demanded by the Thalmor.

## Personality and appearance

Just like his brother and predecessor, Flavius also devoted, respectful with other people, thoughtful towards others, faith in life, oneself and others in a good more. While Flavius was a Prince during the reign of his brother, he had the personality had a good one, which he likes to introduced his troops how to behave during combat. Flavius considered his brother Caius as "one of the greatest." When become the High King of Hammerfell due to married to High Queen Yisine, now his wife, Flavius was probably known in Hammerfell as "Flavius Lotdwiin" and was known for his neutral faith in others and also respect along his subjects, even after becoming Emperor. Most of his tenure as consort to Yisine, he doesn't accept the title as High King which he sworn oath to Yisine as his queen. During the Great War, Flavius fought under as the Commander of the Redguard Army and Prince of the Imperial Legion, along side with his brother Caius, the Emperor.

Flavius Varian manifested himself as an extremely energetic ruler. He seems incredibly proud, as is apparent from his initial rejection of the Thalmorian requirements. In the Battle of the Red Ring, is also the Flavius proved to be a skilled warrior when he personally led the soldiers into battle. His victorious battle has even been an example for future generations. The Titan was also a capable diplomat, capable of jumping and intrigue to hide his true intentions. His abilities are also evidenced by the fact that he was able to wrap the well-informed Thalmor at other times and gather a new military force behind his back while pretending to sign the surrender. He was also a realist, realizing how many soldiers had fallen in the war, preferring to accept the thalmorian requirements. With pride, the aging monarch built his own death and accepted it with cold calm.

His personality somehow change after his brother death at the Battle of Grimpen Ward in Skyrim, which Flavius become somehow depressed on after his brother's sometime murder. He somehow continued his mild depression effects during his reign to his death.

In terms of appearance, we know Flavius Varian's form of his advanced age. He could have been around eighty-one years old when he died. At that time Flavius Varian had very little hair with a advancing bald and had a short gray beard. His face was very wrinkled and his eyes were blue. He was dressed in a traditional expensive imperial robe.

## Trivia

* The name, Flavius is of Latin origin, meaning "golden" or "yellow-haired".

## Notes

1. ↑ Due to his marriage to Yisine, the Queen Regnant of Hammerfell, was giving the High King consort. However Kaydoc already born years before the marriage and Flavius's accession as Favis at-Veraan of Hammerfell in 4E 157. Flavius's status as High King consort of Hammerfell gained popularity in the nation, however he also gained as the co-head of state even he doesn't took the title.

## Appearances

* *An Elder Scrolls Novel: The Infernal City*
* *An Elder Scrolls Novel: Lord of Souls*
* *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim* (mentioned only)
* *The Elder Scrolls VI: Invasion* (mentioned only)
* *The Elder Scrolls: Legends* (*The Rise of the Varians*)

## References

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 *Dynasties: The Varians of Cyrodiil*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 *Pocket Guide to the Empire, Second Edition: Cyrodiil*
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 *The Great Steel*
4. ↑ *Year in Tamriel: 4E 135*
5. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 135*
6. ↑ *Year in Hammerfell: 4E 135*
7. ↑ *Year in Hammerfell: 4E 157*
8. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 168*
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 *Cyrodiilic Law of Succession*
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 *The Great War*
11. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 175*
12. ↑ *Year in Tamriel: 4E 175*
13. ↑ Dialogue with Jarl Igmund
14. ↑ Story mode of *The Elder Scrolls: Legends*
15. ↑ *The Bear of Markarth*
16. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 178*
17. ↑ *Year in Hammerfell: 4E 184*
18. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 184*
19. ↑ Dialogue with Igmund
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Dialogue with Galmar Stone-Fist
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Dialogue with Ulfric Stormcloak
22. ↑ *Flavius and the High King*
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 *The Varian Dragon*
24. ↑ *Year in Hammerfell: 4E 194*
25. ↑ *Year in Tamriel: 4E 167*
26. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 189*
27. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 193*
28. ↑ *Year in Tamriel: 4E 193*
29. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 194*
30. ↑ Dialogue with High Councilor Thaoroth Lylirilamil
31. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 193*
32. ↑ *Year in Cyrodiil: 4E 199*
33. ↑ Inscription found in Dovah Skor in *The Elder Scrolls VI: Invasion*
34. ↑ *The Last Flavius Heirs*
35. ↑ Dialogue with Relydren Felleno
36. ↑ Dialogue with General Tullius
37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 *The Real Flavius I's Personality*
38. ↑ *The Last Flavius*