Varis Galvus

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Varis zos Galvus
(ヴァリス・ゾス・ガルヴァス, Varisu Zosu Garuvasu?, lit. Varis zos Galvas)
Biographical information
Affiliation	Garlean Empire
Occupation	Emperor
Physical description
Race	Garlean
Gender	Male
Gameplay details

Varis zos Galvus is a non-playable character from Final Fantasy XIV. During the events of A Realm Reborn, he becomes the new emperor of the Garlean Empire, succeeding his grandfather Solus zos Galvus. Before his ascension, he was Varis yae Galvus, a High Legatus.

He has one known son, Zenos yae Galvus.

Profile

Appearance

Varis is a large Garlean man with beige skin and platinum blond hair. His face is slightly gaunt and he has pale yellow eyes. Like Cid nan Garlond and Nero tol Scaeva, he bears the signature "third eye" of Garleans, with a circlet worn over and outlining it. He wears a massive suit of dark armor with a red cape, similar to his late grandfather's promotional artwork.

Personality

Despite the few appearances Varis has made, the emperor of Garlemald appeared militant, cold, stoic yet determined and charismatic.

In his mind, Varis believes his actions are just as he is willing to kill all beastmen to ensure the removal of Primals. In addition, Varis seems to follow a "needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few" creed, as he stated that the condition of Eorzea and its people are of little consequence to the fate of the entire world in the quest to remove or bind eikons.

Varis also has little to no love for his family, as he was seen spitting on the coffin of his uncle, after ousting him from the throne. He also recognized his son Zenos for the monster he was and did not mourn his supposed death. How he felt about his grandfather, Emperor Solus and founder of the Garlean Empire, is unknown but it is likely that Varis at least respected him.

Story

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. (Skip section)

A Realm Reborn

Varis spits on the casket of his uncle.

Varis zos Galvus is revealed as the new emperor of Garlemald during a meeting of the Eorzean Alliance, having settled the succession crisis following the death of Solus zos Galvus. He had been contesting the throne with his uncle, the eldest son of Emperor Solus. Being a High Legatus and therefore with military prowess, Varis ousted his rival and was able to crown himself Emperor. Since, like Gaius van Baelsar, he was opposed to Project Meteor, the Alliance leaders are rightly worried about another Garlean invasion into Eorzea under the new Emperor.

Varis as the new Emperor.

During the Main Scenario quests added in Dreams of Ice, it is revealed that he had planted a mole in the Eorzean Alliance back when the Grand Companies were reinstated known as "the Ivy." This spy was none other than Flame Marshal Eline Roaille, the second-in-command of the Immortal Flames. However, uncovering the Ivy's spy network revealed she had also been a double agent for other parties such as Ul'dahn Monetarists and Ishgardian heretics.

Heavensward

Varis himself, along with his favored Legatus, Regula van Hydrus of the VIth Imperial Legion, are met in person in the Sea of Clouds interrogating the Zundu Vanu Vanu of Ok'Gundu while pursing Archbishop Thordan VII. Varis acknowledges the Warrior of Light's reputation...as a "nuisance," and claims to be seeking a means to stop the primals, albeit with different means as he was willing to kill the Zundu though they had no role in Bismarck's summoning. Luckily, Lucia intervened with her magitek armor. Varis then takes his leave on his dreadnaught, the Gration, promising the Adventurer that they will meet again.

Stormblood

After the defeat of the Garlean forces in Ala Mhigo, Varis remarks "it's over" as Elidibus appears behind him. When the Ascian offers his condolences regarding the death of his son, Varis brushes him off, saying that Zenos was never fit for the throne. He further adds that there's no place for "shadowless charlatans" teaching savages to summon their false gods. Elidibus assures he won't stop him from going after the Black Ascians, though Varis remains skeptical of what mortal life will mean after the final Rejoining. Evading his query, the white Ascian instead unmasks himself, and his appearance, though unseen to the player, shocks and outrages Varis.

At some point, Varis decides to broker peace with Doma, sending Asahi sas Brutus of the Populares faction as ambassador to speak with his voice, offering a prisoner exchange as a sign of good will. Unbeknownst to him, his newly revived son Zenos and Asahi conspired against him and the treaty nearly ended in failure, though with the Warrior of Light's success and Asahi's carelessness resulted in the conditions remaining valid with the exchange being a success. He later confronts Zenos on the matter, but he assures him that everything that's happened is according to plan, stating that it's for the fate of the world.

Spoilers end here.