Varis Greenleaf

—Varis, repeating what he said to High Prince Ryger, regarding his plans to meet with Lyrandar.

***Varis Greenleaf*** is a half-elf Foundling of House Lyrandar, and ex-captain of the Silver Dancer.

## **Description**

### **Appearance**

Varis has swept back blond hair, a raggedy greying beard, and the Dragonmark of the Storm on his left forearm.

### **Personality**

As of his rescue from the lighthouse, Varis is a mild-mannered gentleman with a sharp eye and a beautiful singing voice. He carries an air of wisdom with him, alongside the weighted sadness of his lost six years. This doesn’t stop the bold attitude of his younger years to shine through from time to time though. As he spends more time among good company, this bright and confident personality gradually begins to make itself more known.

## **Biography**

### **Background**

Varis's Mark of the Storm manifested during a fishing trip with his family where he was swept out to sea. He clung to a piece of driftwood, and in that moment of life or death, his mark made itself known. Using gust, he managed to push himself to shore.

Having always dreamt of being a pirate, Varis eventually gets his chance, and climbs all the way up to being the first mate of Ryger ir'Wynarn, knowing the man long before he became High Prince. Being a Foundling with the Mark of the Storm, Varis was later recruited by Ryger to take part in a political plot to solidify an alliance between House Lyrandar and the Seadragons. He would go to House Lyrandar as a double agent against the Seadragons, looking to get his qualifications as an heir. This was a ploy to win them over in order to bridge alliances between House Lyrandar and the Principalities.

However during a visit back to the lighthouse where his lover Duncan resided, Varis was caught up in a curse that transformed him and his crew into fish monstrosities. Unable to leave the lighthouse, Varis disappeared off the face of Khorvaire. As a result, the alliance with House Lyrandar fell through, and he lost six years of his life to the curse.

### **Metanoia Blues**

#### Chapter 1: The Lonely Lighthouse - Chapter 2: The Hag of Driftwood Marsh

Fortune would strike Varis in the form of Willow, Luca, and En, who stumble upon him in the caves under the lighthouse. The trio endeavours to fetch a magic soap from Old Aggie Eeltongue, and uses it to free Varis and his crew from their fish forms, returning them to their original bodies.

#### Chapter 3: Three Ships-a-Sailing - Chapter 4: What Evil Lurks?

Returned to his human body, Varis resides at the Nodding Poppy recovering from over half a decade as a sea spawn. Willow and the others choose not to tell Varis the truth about Duncan, and instead let him live on believing his love for the man was without the influence of magic. It remains unclear if Varis was ever under the sway of a spell, or if his love for Duncan was as true as he believes.

Eventually he'd leave to go live with his niece Zabella in Regalport.

#### Chapter 5: The Wreck of Good Fortune

Varis invites Willow, Luca and En to his formal hearing in Regalport with High Prince Ryger, a long distance communication facilitated by House Sivis. While explaining his disappearance to Ryger, he'd give due credit to the trio for breaking his curse. Ryger would pass on his thanks to the trio and assure Varis that he would receive a comfortable stipend until Ryger's return in two months. Ryger also confirms that Varis's former vessel, the *Silver Dancer,* is now stationed to protect the bay under Captain Miraldine Frostroot.

Later, the Odds and Ends send Varis a letter, officially requesting him be the captain of their ship, the Scrap Bucket, a name inspired by a quip he'd made during lunch many weeks prior. He accepts, sending him on a voyage to Skyshriek Reef. After the Odd's and Ends's job is largely complete, Varis speaks privately with Willow and suggests that he might yet be willing to join the crew of the Scrap Bucket going forward in their adventures, but regardless of how he chooses to move forward, he makes a wager with Willow to *"take their stories to greater heights."*

#### Chapter 6: Three of a Kind

Returning to Regalport, Varis leaves the Odds and Ends to their devices while he spends quality time with his family. When the quartet sees him again he's gotten a haircut and trimmed his beard, helping him to look younger and healthier. Receiving his portion of the pay for the harpy hunting job, he joins the Odds and Ends for a day of shopping and feasting, encountering an old friend in Baron Henderson Law along the way.

Preparing for his meeting with Ryger, Varis sits down for a chat with Willow. A joke lands badly, and as a result Varis become privy to the fact that Koulton Brightwind - the prince of the Wind Whisperers, whom Ryger is allied with - and Willow Jenkins are at odds. Though Varis has loyalties to Ryger, he promises to keep Willow's secret.

Finally the day arrives for Varis and Ryger to meet. He's accompanied to the meeting by his three saviours, En, disguised as Audrey Whistler, Willow disguised as Gil Gasket, and Luca whom support him as he steps before the High Prince. Despite his failings, Ryger welcomes him back with open arms, offering him a new job as a Seadragon.

## **Relationships**

### ***Duncan O’Fairn***

Ex-lover. Varis remembers him fondly as a lonely but kind man who kept him good company, and would listen to him when he talked. He remains unaware of Duncan's deal with Aggie to magically win his affections.

### ***Seeker Else***

Else assisted Varis in his recovery from the curse, both physically and mentally. The two maintain a warm relationship even after Varis moves away to Regalport.

### ***Luca Karrnson***

Luca and Varis connect as fellow leaders and captains whom have lost everything, Varis often extending kind words and advice to the lost young man.

### ***Ryger ir'Wynarn***

Many years before Ryger became High Prince, Varis was his first mate. Ryger entrusted Varis with a bold political ploy to unite Lyrandar and the Seadragons, which Varis accepted without hesitation. Though they were separated by a hag's curse for six years, Varis still holds a deep respect and even love for his former captain, Ryger similarly continuing to hold Varis in high regard.

### ***Willow Jenkins***

Since Varis's recovery from his curse, Willow has been keeping an eye on his well being. They occasionally talk shop about ships, and share a mutual respect for each other and the sea. Varis regards Willow, Luca, and En, as his saviours, the trio giving him a second lease on life he never thought he'd get. He becomes the first person that Willow confides in regarding their past with the Wind Whisperers.

### ***Zabella***

Varis’s niece. He lives with her in Regalport, along with her two children. The little family gets along well, the children taking an obvious shine to their new uncle.