Editing Variks, the Loyal

'''Variks, the Loyal''' is a [[Fallen]] Scribe and former Warden of the [[Prison of Elders]]. He is the last known surviving member of the [[House of Judgment]]. He is one of the few Eliksni who remained loyal after the [[Wolf Rebellion]] to the [[Queen of the Reef]], acting as one of her advisors.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170323235942/https://www.bungie.net/en/event/houseofwolves '''Bungie.net''': House of Wolves]</ref> In [[Destiny]] Variks sold Fallen-themed items to [[Guardian]]s.<ref>[http://planetdestiny.com/complete-reef-reveal-recap/ '''Planet Destiny''': Complete "Reef Reveal" Recap]</ref> Variks uses a modified [[servitor]] called The [[Warden]] to guard the Prison and communicate to Guardians. Variks later fled the Prison after the dissolution of his faith in the Reef. This was partly due to the loss of his Queen, Uldren's insanity, alienation from the Vanguard and a demoralizing discussion with [[Fikrul, the Fanatic]], leading him to attempt to rally the Fallen as a new Kell of Kells representing [[House of Judgment|House Judgment]].<ref name="SIO">'''Bungie (2019/3/5)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Drifter]], Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Stolen Intelligence|Stolen Intelligence]]: [[Lore:Stolen Intelligence#Outliers|Outliers]]''</ref>

Whilst advising within the House of Wolves, Variks befriended an [[Archon|Archon Priest]] named [[Fikrul]]. The two conspired to hide the Wolves' Prime Servitor, [[Kaliks Prime]] after reaching Sol. Later, Fikrul betrayed Variks and they separated on bitter terms.<ref name="LEUS">'''Bungie (2018.08.28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Unknown_Space|Unknown Space]]''</ref> <ref name="LERC">'''Bungie (2018.08.28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Roll_Call|Roll Call]]''</ref>

{{quote|House Winter, attack. House Devils, plot. House Kings, plan. House Wolves, circle. House Judgement...wait. |Variks}}

Party to the plans for the Cybele Uprising under [[Skolas]], Variks was unable to abide the desperate attack on Awoken civilians. Contacting the [[Crow (title)|Crows]], he helped put an end to the uprising and betrayed his former Kell, leading to Skolas's capture. Part of Variks's agenda was likely his hatred of Skolas since he claimed he was responsible for removing his arms. From that day, Variks served the Queen of the Awoken. This was in part an effort to keep the House of Judgment and its ancient traditions alive, in the face of increasing degradation under the Kells' rule.<ref>'''Bungie (2015-5-19)''', ''[[Destiny]] : [[House of Wolves (expansion)| House of Wolves]] , PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Allies#Variks, The Loyal|Variks, The Loyal]]''</ref>

After the Queen provided aid to a [[The Guardian|Guardian]] of the Last City, by helping them find the [[Black Garden]], the Guardian agreed to return the favor in a time of need. Soon after, the House of Wolves who had proclaimed loyalty to the Queen [[Wolf Rebellion|rebelled]] following the mysterious return of their previous Kell, Skolas. Calling upon the Guardian, the Vanguard was granted access to the [[Vestian Outpost]] to enact vengeance upon the Fallen traitors. Variks was introduced to the Guardian here as a Fallen loyal to the Queen and Warden of the Awoken's Prison of Elders. In addition to a formal Eliksni greeting he asked the Guardian to put in a good word for him to [[Petra Venj]].<ref name="HoWQuest">'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard'', [[House of Wolves (quest)]]</ref>  Variks quickly learned from his sources among the Fallen that Skolas in charge of the rebellion. Meeting with the Queen and Petra, Variks informed them of his findings. Petra believed Skolas's return was impossible, but Variks noted it mattered little if it was really him, as the Wolves feared the name and would rise against the Queen for their prior loyalties. The Queen then ordered him to continue questioning his contacts to find information on Skolas's possible whereabouts.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/House_of_Wolves#The_Hunt_for_Skolas|The Hunt for Skolas]]''</ref> Tracking the Wolf Kell to [[Venus]], the Guardian learned he sought to bring the [[House of Winter]] under his control. Working with Petra and the Guardian, Variks provided information for them as they tracked Skolas. When they overheard him making a speech to the House of Winter, Variks translated his words and learned that Skolas had proclaimed himself Kell of Kells. He explained that it was an old prophecy proclaiming that one chosen Eliksni would lead all the Houses to victory and that his enemies would either "flee or fall" before him. Variks speculated that Skolas either saw himself as a prophet or had gone mad. Skolas escaped [[Venus]], and managed to bring a sizeable portion of the House of Winter with him.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]], Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[A Kell Rising]]''</ref>

To track Skolas and the Wolves' movements, Variks and Petra had the Guardian bring him shiplinks carried by Vandals on Venus. Variks was unable to locate Skolas with the shiplinks, but was able to track [[The Silent Fang]], an elite group of Fallen assassins, to [[Earth]].<ref>'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/House_of_Wolves#Gone_to_Ground|Gone to Ground]]''</ref> Providing advice to the Guardian over the comms once again, Variks noted that the [[House of Devils]] had also intercepted the Wolves' communications and had laid traps to prepare for them. In addition, the pair learned that the Silent Fang must have been sent to Earth to convert the House of Devils to Skolas's cause. The Guardian finally located the Silent Fang and was immediately insulted by their commander, Variks began to provide a translation, before thinking better of it.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[The Silent Fang]]''</ref>

With the Devils denied to Skolas, Variks and the others turned their attention to ensuring the would-be Kell of Kells did not ally with the [[House of Kings]]. Having learned of a meeting between Barons of both Houses in the Cosmodrome, Variks and Petra once again served as guides for the Guardian; however, the Wolves used their [[Wolf High Servitor|High Servitors]] to jam communication signals. Variks recognized the trick and bypassed it, allowing him to continue communicating with the Guardian. As he directed them to destroy the High [[Servitors]], Variks explained some of his history to the Guardian, including how he was disgusted by Skolas' brutality. He also informed them he liked working with the Guardian and Petra. Once the Servitors were destroyed, Petra rejoined the comms and Variks noted that the Kings would be able to detect the Wolves as well. Variks warned the Guardian that the Fallen of the House of Kings would not care that they were attempting to stop Skolas and would kill them just the same.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[The Ruling House]]''</ref> Although the Guardian was successful in stopping the meeting and defeating the Barons, Variks was left to wonder about Skolas' chance of succeeding in becoming Kell of Kells and capturing the [[Traveler]]. He considered that he may have chosen the wrong side and whether it was too late to rejoin the Wolves, Petra interrupted his thoughts with a report that the Wolves were infiltrating [[Vex]] networks on Venus.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]], Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/House_of_Wolves#The_Ruling_House|The Ruling House]]''</ref> When the Guardian returned to the Vestian Outpost, Variks rewarded them with a [[Royal Amethyst]] from the Queen's vaults.<ref name="HoWQuest"/>

With the Guardian heading to Venus to stop Skolas' attempt to infiltrate the Vex network, Variks was questioned by Petra on the presence of any more Fallen Houses that Skolas could attempt to recruit. He dismissed the [[House of Exile]], declaring they followed no Kell or Archon, so Petra suggested the [[House of Rain]] from whom the prophecies of the Kell of Kells originated. Variks explained to her that the House of Rain was destroyed in the [[Whirlwind]] and only he kept their prophecies alive. He also noted that Skolas was the first to have declared themselves Kell of Kells and in reality, House Judgment arbitration was the closest to peace the Fallen had ever known. Petra joked that maybe that meant Variks was the Kell of Kells, but he became distracted by new reports of Skolas appearing on Venus.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/House_of_Wolves#The_Kell_of_Kells|The Kell of Kells]]''</ref> They discovered that Skolas' forces had breached the [[Vault of Glass (location)|Vault of Glass]], and Variks panicked when he realized that they were attempting to tap into the Vex [[Oracle]]s and quickly directed the Guardian to destroy them. Although the Guardian was successful, Variks and Petra both agreed that they needed to end their hunt for Skolas quickly before he gained access to Vex technology that could end them all.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Wolves' Gambit]]''</ref>

They tracked Skolas to [[The Citadel]], a massive Vex fortress at the heart of the Ishtar Sink. As the Guardian raced to stop him, Variks and Petra speculated on what Skolas wanted with Vex technology. Variks considered that with Vex time travel, Skolas may believe he could force the Kell of Kells prophecy. When the Guardian ascended the Citadel, Variks commented that he had stood with Skolas for most of the Reef Wars, but now it felt right that the Guardian and Petra would stand in judgment of Skolas. Here they discovered that Skolas was using the Vex warp gates at the top of the Citadel to pull the entire, unscathed House of Wolves through time to him, granting him an unending army should he succeed. Finally, the Guardian faced Skolas, Variks translated the Kell's boast, describing his theft of the secrets of time and space with the confirmation that the House of Wolves would reign forever. After the Wolves' defeat, a fleet of Awoken ships arrives with Petra to capture and imprison Skolas once again within the Prison of Elders.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Queen's Ransom]]''</ref>

As Skolas was transported to the Prison of Elders, Variks went to his quarters to reflect on the Wolf Rebellion. He carved an amethyst with a dull shock dagger while listening to pre-Whirlwind music. Variks thought he should be pleased with the capture of Skolas due to the threat his madness represented, but was not, and instead felt like an ashamed Dreg for betraying his people. He knew, however, that working for Queen Mara was the only way to keep himself alive and that he would betray Skolas again and again if it meant his survival.<ref>'''Bungie (2014/5/19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[House of Wolves (expansion)|House of Wolves]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen_Leadership#Skolas:_Captured|Skolas: Captured]]''</ref>

The House of Wolves reemerged from hiding, rallying under [[Keldar, Archon Priest]] and the rebuilt [[Orbiks Prime]], the Wolves' prior 'machine god'. Orbiks Prime attempted to reassemble the House on Mars, directing its servants to seize Cabal outposts already weakened by the Taken invasion.<ref>Bungie (2015-9-15), [[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[A New Den]]</ref> Thanks to intel provided by [[Variks, the Loyal]], the Guardians hunted down Keldar and Orbiks, destroying the Prime Servitor and killing their Archon. This left the Wolves broken and leaderless once more.<ref>Bungie (2015-9-15), [[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Prime's Path]]</ref> Upon reflection of the events, Variks agreed with Skolas that only the Kell of Kells can unite all the Houses.  

In the aftermath of the destruction of the Awoken fleet and the presumed death of Queen Mara Sov, Variks was given control of the Crows since their prior Master, [[Uldren Sov]], was also believed dead. Variks began to utilise the Crows, in secret, to find the real Kell of Kells to save his species from extinction.<ref>'''Bungie (2015-9-19)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/The_Taken_King#The_Wolves_of_Mars|The Wolves of Mars]]''</ref>

{{Quote|Must be a better way for Eliksni. Must be a way to stop the Fall.|Variks, during the SIVA Crisis}}<ref name="GFF5">'''Bungie (2016-9-20)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Rise of Iron]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies/Fallen#Ghost_Fragments: Fallen 5|Ghost Fragments: Fallen 5]]''</ref>

Months later during [[The Dawning]], Variks intercepted chatter about an impending alliance between the weakened Devil Splicers and the leaderless crew of the mercenary [[Taniks, the Scarred]]. He discovered that the Devils' Splicers used SIVA to resurrect their infamous leader as [[Taniks Perfected]] to cement their alliance. Variks relayed his findings to the [[Vanguard]], leading to a Strike that ended the resurrected Taniks. This once again left the Splicers and Taniks's crew leaderless and in a severely weakened state.<ref>'''Bungie (2016-9-20)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[Rise of Iron]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Activities/Strikes#The_Shadow_Thief:_Revisited|The Shadow Thief: Revisited]]''</ref>

During the opening invasion of the [[Red War]], Variks watched from the Prison of Elders as the [[Red Legion]] cut a swath into the [[Solar System]]. He sent warnings to Petra and [[The Last City]] of the fleet, but was unable to do so due to the meddling of [[The Nine]]. He also sent a warning to the Fallen hoping to save what was left of his people. Due to the Cabal's destruction of the Tower and therefore the defensive capabilities of the City, Variks was able to use his visual sensors to see the destruction first-hand. The Eliksni Warden watched in horror as the Traveler was trapped within the [[Traveler Cage]],. <ref>'''Bungie (2018.08.28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Splinter of Bone|Splinter of Bone]] ''</ref>

Due to the Red War, Variks was forced to ration his Ether intake.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Less Is More|Less Is More]]''</ref><ref name="SomeKindOfLuck">'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Some Kind of Luck|Some Kind of Luck]]''</ref>

In an effort to reunite his people in light of the Traveler's apparent neglect of them after awakening, Variks contracted the help of a bounty hunter named [[Groks]] to make contact with [[Craask]], the Kell of Kings. Variks believed that Craask would understand his mission alongside the rest of the Kings, who previously ended the [[Edge Wars]] with the House of Judgement before the Whirlwind. However, Groks divulged that Craask had been killed by Fikrul and an Awoken man, and that the House of Kings had gone into hiding in the [[European Dead Zone]] of Earth.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Job Undone|Job Undone]]''</ref> Alarmed, Variks contacted Cayde-6 to meet in person within the territory of [[the Spider]] in the [[Tangled Shore]]. Wearing a cloak devoid of the Judgement sigil to avoid aggression from others hosted by the Spider, Variks met Cayde in a gambling hall, explaining that Fikrul had been seen alive. When the Exo doubted him, Variks presented examples of Fallen cheating death in the past, inadvertently mentioning Taniks, the Scarred, angering Cayde. Variks apologized and asked to be taken to the [[Tower (Destiny 2)|Tower]] to speak with Commander [[Zavala]], offering a rare [[hand cannon]] in return. Cayde agreed and returned to the Tower with Variks.<ref name="SomeKindOfLuck"/>

When Variks met with Zavala, he offered to exchange information for assistance to the Reef. Zavala told Variks that he already offered to help the Reef in the past, which was turned down by Petra. Undeterred, Variks explained that he had much to say to the Vanguard Commander.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Overestimation|Overestimation]]''</ref>

Variks was awoken from his dream by an alarm and Petra informing him over comms that Cayde-6 had returned to the Prison of Elders, requesting that two cells be readied for intake. Believing that Cayde had returned with the Fikrul, as previously agreed, Variks consumed a large amount of Ether for strength and moved to the maximum-security wing to prepare two cryo-cells. He watched as Petra shoved a weak Fikrul into one of the cells and Cayde arrived after with a humanoid bag wrapped around his head. Cayde removed the bag and tossed the humanoid into the other cell, revealing his identity as Uldren Sov.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Two Cells|Two Cells]]''</ref> A confused Variks questioned Petra, who explained the Prince's state of insanity and that no one else should be allowed into the cellblock. As Petra and Cayde left, Variks reopened Uldren's cell and approached him reassuringly.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Reacquaintance|Reacquaintance]]''</ref> He was immediately pulled from the cell by the alarming sound of exploding Servitors; investigating, Variks discovered that the machines that had been extracting Ether from Fikrul were broken due to a [[Dark Ether|mutation]] in the Archon's Ether.<ref>'''Bungie (2018/9/4)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Revolution|Revolution]]''</ref>

As Variks and Petra were the only ones allowed in the cellblock, menial duties such as meal distribution and waste disposal fell to Variks personally, leaving him little time to dedicate towards his goal of reuniting the Eliksni.<ref name="TheSpark">'''Bungie (2018.08.28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]], Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#The Spark|The Spark]] '' </ref>

Variks had been contemplating his next action, with the imprisonment of Uldren as well as his talks with the delusional Prince, and the Scorn Archon Fikrul, he began to doubt himself and his duties. Uldren had been assumed dead and his dark reappearance wasn't a part of the schemes that his Kell, Queen Mara Sov, had left for him and the few she had trusted to know her plan<ref name="TheSpark"/><ref name=LEWLL>'''Bungie (2018.08.28)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Forsaken]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Lore:Most Loyal|Most Loyal]]: [[Lore:Most Loyal#Where Loyalty Lies|Where Loyalty Lies]]''</ref>. His confusing dream before Cayde brought Uldren and Fikrul to the prison, gnawed at his mind <ref name=LEUS/> and only added to his growing doubt, however it wasn't until days later that he made a decision.

Almost a year later, the Hidden received reports of Variks on [[Niflheim]] with a [[House of Salvation|Fallen faction]] led by former House of Devils loyalist [[Eramis, the Shipstealer]], though it was unclear as to whether he was working with or imprisoned by her.<ref>'''Bungie (2020/06/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of Arrivals]], Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Rimed Shell]]''</ref>

{{Quote|You do not trust Variks, yes? But leave your distrust, your blame, for later. The Eliksni who attacked me — she is Eramis, the Shipstealer. [...] If she is not stopped, she will destroy us all.|Variks to the Guardian}}

Upon fleeing the Reef, Variks became an uneasy ally of Eramis. They built an Eliksni society on Europa mirroring their pre-Whirlwind existence and even went as far as naming the city, [[Riis Reborn]]. Slowly, Eramis lost sight of their original ideal as she became transfixed with a dark artifact she had found upon the Jovian Moon. When Variks realised Eramis had become obsessed with the power of Darkness, he stole her [[Splinter of Darkness]] and escaped to the frozen wastes, hoping to use a Golden Age outpost to send a transmission for help. Quickly captured by Eramis and half-frozen, Variks begged his former ally for his life before being saved by the Guardian. Once freed from the ice, he became an ally against House Salvation in the Beyond Light campaign. Cooperating with the Vanguard and coordinating the hunts on the council of Eramis' Fallen empire, Variks has avoided civil judgment from the Reef and the Vanguard.

Variks wishes to see the Fallen restored to lawful, peaceful rule. He harbors some lingering jealousy for the other races, especially humanity, as the [[Traveler]] had chosen them for its patronage and left the Fallen with nothing. Despite this opaque behavior towards the Guardians, Variks respects them by his reciprocal ethic of honor, bravery and sacrifice which he would revise for his brethren.<ref>'''Bungie (2015-5-19)''', ''[[Destiny]] : [[House of Wolves (expansion)| House of Wolves]], PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Enemies#Skolas: Defeated|Skolas: Defeated]]''</ref>

| 1 || Class Items (1 [[Token of Judgment]]), [[Special Ammo Synthesis]] (1 ether seed, 100 glimmer)

*''"What do you know...of the Nine, Guardian?"''

*"''Watch yourself. Taniks is no common mercenary. He fights to fulfill a contract and hone his combat skill for... fun."''

*''"Taniks has called you out, Guardian... You are challenged in the ways of old...Fight well Guardian, fight... for honor."''

*''"What have you seen out there? Look beyond the frozen wasteland... Europa is a place of many mysteries... Do not lose your way... We all come to this moon looking for answers. What do you hope to find?"''

*''"I have seen what power has done to Eramis, but perhaps you are different... perhaps there is hope."''