Quick Facts
Gendermale
BornLys
Died305 AC—Dragonstone, the Crownlands—Dragonstone
Place of deathDragonstone
Cause of deathburn—capital punishment—Killed by Jon Snow—Burned alive by Drogon—Killed by Cersei Lannister—Killed by Daario Naharis
HomeworldLys
HairBald
Also known asThe Spider, Lord Varys, Varys the Spider
Character
Varys
Game of Thrones·House Targaryen·character in A Song of Ice and Fire
Varys, known as "the Spider," is a eunuch and the Master of Whisperers who commands a vast network of informants and child spies he calls his "little birds" across Westeros and Essos. Born a slave in Lys and mutilated by a sorcerer as a child, he rose through cunning to sit on the Small Council under multiple kings, cultivating a mild, obsequious public manner that masks a formidable political mind.
Unlike his rival Petyr Baelish, Varys professes to serve the good of the realm and its common people rather than his own ambition, shifting his loyalty to whichever ruler he believes will govern best. This overview summarizes his character and role; the Timeline covers the specific intrigues and allegiances that mark his story.
murderer
Explore this entityJump to key sections about Varys.
Relationships
Key people, factions, places, and events connected to Varys.
PEOPLE
sorcererMasters
FACTIONS
House TargaryenAffiliationsHouse Baratheon of King's LandingAffiliationsSmall CouncilAffiliationsKing's Small CouncilAffiliationsSeven KingdomsAffiliationsDaenerys TargaryenAffiliationsAerys II TargaryenAffiliations
House Baratheon of King's Landing Small CouncilAffiliations
PLACES
Connected Content
Related entities surfaced from across the OLN network.
Game of ThronesAppears InGame of Thrones: Season 7Referenced via appears inJorah MormontReferenced via trained byRobert BaratheonReferenced via trained byTyrion LannisterAlly OfIllyrio MopatisAlly OfOlenna TyrellReferenced via trained byAegon Targaryen (son of Rhaenyra)Referenced via trained byKevan LannisterReferenced via trained by
Identity
- Occupation
- murdererrevolutionaryspyspymasteradviserthiefpoliticianMaster of Whisperers
Appearance
- Gender
- male
- Hair color
- Bald
Origin & End
- Homeworld
- Lys
- Born
- Lys
- Died
- 305 AC—Dragonstone, the Crownlands—Dragonstone
Affiliations
- Affiliations
- House TargaryenHouse Baratheon of King's LandingSmall CouncilKing's Small CouncilSeven KingdomsDaenerys TargaryenAerys II TargaryenHouse Baratheon of King's Landing Small Council
Relationships
- Trained by
- sorcerer
Abilities & Equipment
- Weapons
- None (uses intellect and espionage)None mentionedNone, relies on intellect and manipulationcrossbow
Other
- Cause of death
- burn—capital punishment—Killed by Jon Snow—Burned alive by Drogon—Killed by Cersei Lannister—Killed by Daario Naharis
- Performers
- Conleth Hill
- Place of death
- Dragonstone
- Image
- Varys8x05Dragonstone.PNG
- Series
- ''Game of Thrones''
- Nickname
- the Spider—Lord—Spider—Little Birds—Rugen
- Allegiance
- Daenerys Targaryen—Seven Kingdoms—Targaryens—Robert Baratheon—None specific, manipulates for personal gain and what he believes is best for the realm—The Sparrow—Aerys II Targaryen—Targaryen—Lannister—The realm—King Joffrey Baratheon—King's Landing—The Spider's Web—None (neutral)—The Spider—The Small Council—House Targaryen—Tyrion Lannister—Jon Snow—None specific, but often manipulates for personal gain—None specific, shifts based on his plans
- Seat
- King's Landing
- Type
- Master of Whisperers—Spies—Servants and retainers of House Targaryen—Servants and retainers of House Baratheon of King's Landing—Masters of Whisperers—Lyseni—character—Slaves and freedmen—Mummers
Appearances
Where Varys appears across works and media.
A Song of Ice and Fire
46 episodes
Game of Thrones Season 6
A Clash of Kings
A Storm of Swords
Game of Thrones Season 2
Game of Thrones Season 1
A Feast for Crows
Game of Thrones Season 7
A Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones Season 8
A Dance with Dragons
Game of Thrones Season 3
+2 more
Connections 24
- member of
- Small CouncilDaenerys Targaryen
- serves
- Daenerys Targaryen
- has member
- RosArthurFrancesMarthaWineseller
- enslaved
- Sorcerer
- castrated
- Sorcerer
- captured by
- Sorcerer
Sources
Also covered on
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