Ask Me Anything About ASOIAF

[Bodeanicus]

Originally Posted by Slave [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Oh did you catch why Varys is a Targaryen loyalist? I finally figured this out the other day. He gives Tyrion some bullshit excuse but --- it is because he's a wizard and his power is linked to the dragons.

Clarify.

[Slave]

Varys is out for power. Everything he has done so far has been to throw the Seven Kingdoms into chaos for Daenerys's return so she will not have to face a united front. It is not out of some strange sense of loyalty to the Targaryens however, it is because he is a wizard and magical power has been increasing in the world since the advent of the dragons. He wants the most magical power he can get for his own ends, so for now he shares many of the same goals as Daenerys. When he has enough, however, there is almost no telling what he will be capable of and what he may use it for.

[Bodeanicus]

Originally Posted by Slave [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Varys is out for power. Everything he has done so far has been to throw the Seven Kingdoms into chaos for Daenerys's return so she will not have to face a united front. It is not out of some strange sense of loyalty to the Targaryens however, it is because he is a wizard and magical power has been increasing in the world since the advent of the dragons. He wants the most magical power he can get for his own ends, so for now he shares many of the same goals as Daenerys. When he has enough, however, there is almost no telling what he will be capable of and what he may use it for.

Is that why he told Tyrion he hates magicians and sorcerers after one castrated him when he was a child? It could be argued he just said that to throw off suspicion, but nothing has be written that even hints of Varys being a sorcerer of any type. He's an expert actor, and intelligence gatherer. In short, he's a master spy, and supports whoever he thinks will be the best ruler. I won't go so far to say he's altruistic. His end game is to bring Aegon Targaryen back from exile to rule. With Varys as councilor, of course. He loves power as much as Littlefinger, but I think he's arguable more concerned for the kingdom as a whole. Littlefinger just wants to be king.

This theory is arguable as far fetched as the Tyrion is a Targaryen theory. Highly improbable.

[Bodeanicus]

Originally Posted by Bodeanicus [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Is that why he told Tyrion he hates magicians and sorcerers after one castrated him when he was a child? It could be argued he just said that to throw off suspicion, but nothing has be written that even hints of Varys being a sorcerer of any type. He's an expert actor, and intelligence gatherer. In short, he's a master spy, and supports whoever he thinks will be the best ruler. I won't go so far to say he's altruistic. His end game is to bring Aegon Targaryen back from exile to rule. With Varys as councilor, of course. He loves power as much as Littlefinger, but I think he's arguably more concerned for the kingdom as a whole. Littlefinger just wants to be king.

This theory is arguably as far fetched as the Tyrion is a Targaryen theory. Highly improbable.

[Slave]

Originally Posted by Bodeanicus [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Is that why he told Tyrion he hates magicians and sorcerers after one castrated him when he was a child? It could be argued he just said that to throw off suspicion, but nothing has be written that even hints of Varys being a sorcerer of any type. He's an expert actor, and intelligence gatherer. In short, he's a master spy, and supports whoever he thinks will be the best ruler. I won't go so far to say he's altruistic. His end game is to bring Aegon Targaryen back from exile to rule. With Varys as councilor, of course. He loves power as much as Littlefinger, but I think he's arguable more concerned for the kingdom as a whole. Littlefinger just wants to be king.

This theory is arguable as far fetched as the Tyrion is a Targaryen theory. Highly improbable.

Varys knows that sorcery exists from his experience becoming a eunuch. Varys knows that dragons increase the power of magic in the world. Varys is obsessed with magical powers because of what happened to him. He has gained some measure of it, and uses it to supplement his spying abilities via the children. He "knows things that he shouldn't possibly be able to know."

If Varys hates magic so much, he wouldn't be doing everything in his power to place Daenerys on the Iron Throne, because he knows that dragons are magic made flesh. It's subtle but it's all there, just as Johanna and Aerys II = Tyrion, which there is more than enough evidence for.

[Bodeanicus]

Originally Posted by Slave [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Varys knows that sorcery exists from his experience becoming a eunuch. Varys knows that dragons increase the power of magic in the world. Varys is obsessed with magical powers because of what happened to him. He has gained some measure of it, and uses it to supplement his spying abilities via the children. He "knows things that he shouldn't possibly be able to know."

If Varys hates magic so much, he wouldn't be doing everything in his power to place Daenerys on the Iron Throne, because he knows that dragons are magic made flesh. It's subtle but it's all there, just as Johanna and Aerys II = Tyrion, which there is more than enough evidence for.

He isn't trying to put Daenerys Targaryen on the throne. He's trying to put Aegon Targaryen on the throne. Varys "know things he shouldn't know" because he's The Master of Whisperers. He's the spymaster. That's what he does. There's nothing magic about it. And I don't recall him knowing anything about the connection between dragons and magic. If you know the passage, tell me what book, and what page.

I think you're looking for an excuse to make Varys a wizard or sorcerer because you want him to be. He's not. He's done nothing overtly magical in the books, like Daenerys, Melissandre, Jaqen Haqar (Faceless Man,) The Others, The Three Eyed Crow, Mirri Maz Duur, or Euron Crow's Eye (Greyjoy.) He's just a very good actor and spy with many, many contacts and resources. Nothing more.

[Slave]

Originally Posted by Bodeanicus [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

He isn't trying to put Daenerys Targaryen on the throne. He's trying to put Aegon Targaryen on the throne. Varys "know things he shouldn't know" because he's The Master of Whisperers. He's the spymaster. That's what he does. There's nothing magic about it. And I don't recall him knowing anything about the connection between dragons and magic. If you know the passage, tell me what book, and what page.

I think you're looking for an excuse to make Varys a wizard or sorcerer because you want him to be. He's not. He's done nothing overtly magical in the books, like Daenerys, Melissandre, Jaqen Haqar (Faceless Man,) The Others, The Three Eyed Crow, Mirri Maz Duur, or Euron Crow's Eye (Greyjoy.) He's just a very good actor and spy with many, many contacts and resources. Nothing more.

He's so subtle that he has you convinced, doesn't he? He knows things he shouldn't know. Ned knew he was Master of Whisperers when he said that. And you're wholly throwing out the whole sorcerer conversation with Illyrio. I think you're ignoring important evidence! Even the pyromancers have been exclaiming about the improved state of magic. As you say, it's Varys's job to know things. To put this one past him, yet ascribe him an equal-to-magical ability to ferret out other secrets, is inconsistent.

[Slave]

He is also called a sorcerer several times by Illyrio in their conversation beneath the Red Keep that Arya overhears.

[Bodeanicus]

And has to the conversation between Varys and Illyrio that Arya overheard, he wasn't speaking literally. He was in admiration of Varys' seemingly supernatural skills. Varys and Illyrio have been partners in crime, literally, since they were adolescents.

[Bodeanicus]

Apparently, there's a theory floating around that Varys is a Targaryen, hence his motive to retore the throne to the Targaryens.

"He shaves his head so his silver hair won't show, just like Egg in those other stories!"