Variks, the Loyal

Variks, the Loyal
Salvation Judgment
Biographical information
Other name(s):	The Warden Variks, the Slip Variks, the Beggar Variks, the Kell-Maker Variks, Less-Than-Dreg VIP #1121 Variks, Kell of Judgement (formerly) Variks, Judgment Kell (formerly) Kell of Kells (self-proclaimed) Eliksni Rebel The Traitor (Eramis) Variks, the Betrayer(Calus)
Homeworld:	Riis
Species:	Fallen
Gender:	Male
Eye color:	Aquamarine
Political and military information
Affiliation:	House of Judgment House of Wolves (formerly) Reef (formerly) Mara Sov (formerly) House of Salvation (formerly) House of Light (associate)
Rank:	Scribe
Class:	Vandal
Notable info:	Former Keeper of the Prison of Elders Last surviving member and Scribe of the House of Judgement One of the original Eliksni from Riis; those who remember the Whirlwind

"They call me betrayer. They do not think I hear the words. "Bug." "Insect." "Fallen." I hear. House of Judgment always hears. No choice. Has to. To keep Houses together. Had to."

— 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. In Destiny Variks sold Fallen-themed items to Guardians. 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 Judgment.

His bid for Kell of Kells ultimately failed and Variks briefly joined Eramis and her House of Salvation on Europa. After she gained the powers of Stasis, Variks feared Eramis's loss of mercy, their original vision and her sanity. Eventually, he defected after learning of her affiliation with the Darkness that caused the Whirlwind. He now cooperates with the Vanguard helping to coordinate the dismantling of Eramis' Fallen empire and evacuate like-minded Eliksni to the House of Light, in exchange for amnesty from the Reef.

Biography

The Whirlwind

"Our world died, Variks. Do you recall? We were absolutely powerless to stop it."

— Eramis to Variks

Variks overlooking the Traveler on his homeworld, Riis.

Variks is exceptionally old, even for the Eliksni. As a member of the House of Judgement since before the Whirlwind, he became the last known surviving member in its wake. Before the calamity, he had been a close friend of the artisan Athrys and her mate Eramis. After the House of Judgement fell to ruin, Variks travelled with many Houses, forming many alliances, advising Kells, and worshipping Primes before eventually seeking refuge within the House of Wolves.

Whilst advising within the House of Wolves, Variks befriended an 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.

The Reef Wars

"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 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.

The Wolf Rebellion

Hunting the Wolves

"It is good to work with you, with Petra. All that are Fallen are not lost, yes?"

— Variks to the Guardian

After the Queen provided aid to a 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 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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

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 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. 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. When the Guardian returned to the Vestian Outpost, Variks rewarded them with a Royal Amethyst from the Queen's vaults.

Ending the Rebellion

"Things simple now, yes? We find Skolas, we put an end to Kell of Kells. Or... Wolves put an end to us."

— Variks

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. They discovered that Skolas' forces had breached the Vault of Glass, and Variks panicked when he realized that they were attempting to tap into the Vex Oracles 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.

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.

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.

When the Guardian returned to the Reef, Variks was pleased to have worked with them, passing swift judgment upon Skolas. He granted them a Treasure Key to the Prison of Elders and invited the Guardian to challenge the prisoners within for rewards.

The Taken War

"House Wolves tactics... bad tactics. Fight Cabal? (laughs) Could not find new Kell because there is no Kell. House Wolves follows a new god, a Servitor, a Prime. This is a pilgrimage, Guardian. And for faith, they will stop at nothing."

— Variks.

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. 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. 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.

Master of Crows

"Must be a better way for Eliksni. Must be a way to stop the Fall."

— Variks, during the SIVA Crisis

Variks observed the SIVA Crisis in the Plaguelands on Earth from afar, utilizing the Crows. One of his agents brought him an image of Sepiks Prime reborn as Sepiks Perfected by the Devil Splicers using SIVA. He noted this was the result of a Golden Age project, with the Devil Splicers using the technological advancements the Traveler gave to Humanity. Variks complimented the young Crow on her work before instructing her to speak with the other Crows and learn more of the Devil Splicers' plans. Once she left, Variks allowed himself to feel the full horror of what the Splicers had done to Sepiks. He contemplated once more if he could have stopped his people from using such dangerous technology had he remained among them and found a better way to survive. Variks resolved to find a way to prevent his people from falling any further.

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.

Variks would send information to intel to the City regarding the state of the Fallen houses, as well as the message from the Dantalion Exodus VI, under the moniker of Source GREENRAVEN.

Most Loyal

The Red War

"Reefborn are close to doom, Zavala the Awoken. Fallen, Taken, Red Legion. All carve at the Reef. All claim its flesh."

— Variks pleading with Zavala

Variks observing the Red Legion's arrival.

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 the defensive capabilities of the City with it, Variks was able to use his visual sensors to see the destruction first-hand, watching in horror as the Traveler was trapped within the Traveler Cage.

During the Red War, Variks was forced to ration his Ether intake, rendering him weaker than normal.

Job Undone

"In a world without Kells, Dreg strength will breed nothing but chaos."

— Variks resiting an old House Rain proverb

Following the Red War, Variks had been tasked with integrating a new group of Fallen that Petra, Cayde-6 and five of his associates had been bringing into the Prison. They had the markings of the Scorned Barons, led by Variks's heretical former friend, Fikrul. He had all of the Barons, except for Fikrul, locked in cells and cryopods. Variks had heard from Cayde that he'd shot Fikrul dead through the chest.

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. 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 to speak with Commander Zavala, offering a rare hand cannon in return. Cayde agreed and returned to the Tower with Variks.

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.

The Mad Prince & Heretic Archon

"He is changed. His eyes… If he speaks, don't listen. He speaks lies. Terrible lies."

— Petra to Variks about Uldren

Sometime later, Variks had a dream of being in an Unknown Space. A voice told him that he had failed and that the Traveler was a dark mirror. The voice explained that Unknown Space was a place where everything died and began anew. As they spoke, Variks recalled memories of the Whirlwind and the Traveler fleeing, of his time with the Wolves and Fikrul secreting away Kaliks Prime before preparing to give the Eliksni what they "rightfully deserve". Then, he feels a power burn within him to give him the strength to rise again.

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. 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. 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 mutation in the Archon's Ether.

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.

Wavering Loyalty & Disappearance

"And so I become Variks, the Kell. House Judgment envoy to the Eliksni people."

— Variks' last transmission before disappearing

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. His confusing dream before Cayde brought Uldren and Fikrul to the prison, gnawed at his mind and only added to his growing doubt. However, after one chat with Fikrul regarding his loyalties led to a thought of the Kell of Kells prophecy rather than a memory of Mara as he expected, Variks made his decision.

Days later, Variks did his usual routines for the last time as Prison Warden. On the day of the Prison Break, he ran simulations on the security systems and made adjustments based on the simulation's results. Afterwards, he had one last talk with his his Servitor and Uldren. Finally, at the end of his normal routine, Variks sent a message through the speakers announcing a malfunction in the security system and began a shutdown and reboot, opening all the prison cells and cryopods in the prison. Variks then made his way through the secret passageway that Petra and Cayde used to smuggle in Fikrul and Uldren and boarded a ship full of the prison's ether supply. The Warden recorded two messages to be sent through the prison's relay; the first message he recorded with his synth voice device deactivated, in his native tongue of the High Speak, was addressed to those Eliksni who remembered and would answer the call of House Judgement. The second message he recorded was spoken with his synth device activated regarded his notoriety, reputation and planned ascension to the Kell of House Judgement, an envoy for the Eliksni.

Following that, he declared himself as the prophesied Kell of Kells and fled beyond Awoken territory. Much to the chagrin of the Hidden, who demanded the arrest of the wayward Eliksni, Petra Venj claimed jurisdiction over him and denied it.

Almost a year later, the Hidden received reports of Variks on Niflheim with a Fallen faction led by former House of Devils loyalist Eramis, the Shipstealer, though it was unclear to the agent as to whether he was working with or imprisoned by her.

Beyond Light

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"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, but Eramis responded by ripping off and crushing his mechanical arm. As the Dark Kell left, she ordered her followers to make an example out of him. But at that moment, the Guardian arrived on the scene to save Variks. 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.

He has been noted reaching out to Mithrax, Kell of Light about the House of Light needing a Scribe. Later, he contradicts this denying the young Kell's invitation to join House Light. Despite that, he is still helping evacuate refugees from Europa and directing them to Mithrax.

Rallying with the Eliksni

Eliksni Rescue

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Variks met with Eido to discuss a dispute between members of the House of Light, and newcomers from the House of Salvation. Eido told him she was too busy, and given that it was a dispute over salvage rights, it should be simple enough for him to handle. Variks explained that if she wanted to be a scribe of the House of Judgment, her allegiance to the House of Light must yield to a greater need.

Personality and traits

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.

While serving under the Queen, Variks was known for speaking in rather broken English, "accented" with clicks and growls. According to The Spider, this was largely an act, put on by Variks to disarm his human and Awoken collaborators and cause them to underestimate him.

In Beyond Light, it is revealed that all Variks wanted was another chance for the Eliksni to live in peace and was willing to work with a former bitter enemy, Eramis, to achieve it. Further, while he regrets the role he played in Cayde-6's death, he believes he had to make a hard decision for his people. Although he dared to hope that Eramis would lead the Eliksni to a brighter future, he was ultimately disappointed and saddened that she allowed her hatred to poison her good intentions and gain power from the Darkness. Though the Vanguard would not drop their civil judgement of Variks for his role in the Scorn Breakout and Cayde's death, they agreed to aid him in combating the greater threat in the meantime. Variks continues to worry for his kind as he aids refugee Fallen who wish to escape from Eramis and is happy that some would find safety in the House of Light. He continues to hold onto the hope that Riis-Reborn would be the new home it was meant to be for the Fallen and that one day, the Eliksni could live peacefully with the Guardians.

Inventory

Prison of Elders rewards

Rotates Weekly based on the lockout period.

Rank	Item
1	Class Items (1 Token of Judgment), Special Ammo Synthesis (1 ether seed, 100)
2	Devil's Due BKR (Ship, 1 Token of Flight), Kingslayer BKR (Ship, 1 Token of Flight, Coldsnap BKR (Ship, 1 Token of Flight)
3	Kingswind (Shader, 1 Token of Identity)

Class items

• Hunter
  • Devils Disguise
  • Kells Cloak
  • Kings Mantle
• Titan
  • Devils Mark
  • Kells Mark
  • Kings Mark
• Warlock
  • House of Devils (bond)
  • House of Kings (bond)
  • House of Wolves (bond)

Quotes

Main article: Variks/Quotes for full quotes

Trivia

• Variks is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker who voiced The Gravemind in the Halo series.
• He will sometimes refer to other Fallen as "pirate scum."
• His upper arms are artificial; this is the reverse of normal Fallen practice, to amputate the lower two arms on Dregs.
  • This could mean that Skolas wanted to make Variks a rank lower than even that of Dreg.
• He is the first Fallen observed fluently speaking the human language. His voice still has a distinct growl characteristic of a Fallen.
  • Though he speaks English in a broken manner, The Spider claims that Variks can actually speak it fluently but chooses not to so he can appear more harmless to the Awoken and possibly to the Guardians. However, there is no further evidence beyond The Spider's word to suggest this is true.
• Variks likely had contact with Cayde-6 concerning Prison of Elders inmates. Both mention knowing each other, most likely through the bounty placed on the escaped prisoner Aksor, Archon Priest.
  • This is also likely because of the Scorn prisoners which Cayde and Petra brought in.
• Variks is the first Kell to not be a Captain in rank, but instead a Vandal

Gallery

• 

  Variks as seen in Destiny: House of Wolves

• 

  A side shot of Variks

• 

  The Warden, which Variks controlled and programmed

• 

  Closeup of Variks

• 

  Render of Variks

• 

  Screenshot of Variks

• 

  Variks seen in Beyond Light

• 

  Variks sends out a distress call to the Guardians

• 

  Eramis using her Stasis powers against Variks

• 

  Variks as seen in the Beyond Light trailer

• 

  Variks artwork seen in the Variks character spotlight

• 

  Another artwork of Variks

List of appearances

• Destiny: House of Wolves (First appearance)
  • The Taken King
  • April Update
  • Rise of Iron
  • The Dawning
• Destiny 2 (Mentioned only)
  • Warmind (Mentioned only)
  • Forsaken (Mentioned only)
  • Season of the Forge (Mentioned only)
  • Season of the Drifter (Mentioned only)
  • Season of Opulence (Mentioned only)
  • Season of Arrivals (Mentioned only)
  • Beyond Light
  • Season of the Splicer (Mentioned only)
  • Season of the Deep (Mentioned only)
  • The Final Shape (Indirect appearance)
  • Episode: Revenant
• The Hidden Dossier (Mentioned only)