Varelos of Myr

Varelos of Myr is the current Master of Whisperers on King Viserys III Small Council.

Younger Years
Varelos was born a simple man from a simple family, though his ambitions reached far beyond the baker dreams of his artisan father. Copper was plenty in their home, food too, a simple life in which a simple person would be perfectly content. But it was a life that many would call squalor and Varelos despised the way that noble folk looked upon him and his. Growing up, Varelos looked to a different line of work, away from baking and cakes, and instead information and other unsavoury services.

With a large family, it was quite simple to keep his operation closely contained, with little chance of deception between his agents. Family could be trusted, beggars and vagabonds less so. As time passed, Varelos’ name became known amongst the nobles of Myr. At first, there was defiance and a desire to see him hanged… until they realised that he could be used, instead of killed. Their clientele had quickly changed from the scum of the Free Cities to nobles, businessmen and politicians within the Free Cities. The law would turn the cheek and accept bribes to sweeten their gaze in other directions. It is often expected that people in their line of work to be cold and callous, yet Varelos relied on his charm to reach the heights he had. As far as masters of espionage went, Varelos developed a reputation for being one that was trustworthy and as honourable as thieves came. It was not just simple information gathering that Varelos was adept in, but also his written word and ability to change his calligraphy methods to suit his purpose, be it trade contracts, patents of nobility or licenses to sell and travel where few were allowed.

Adulthood
The first client of prominence that had approached Varelos, was the Blackfyre family, though not directly and face-to-face contact ha never been harbored. Merely whispers that flew between Varelos and Robert Caron, the hand of the Blackfyre King. Simple, but necessary tasks in gaining information in the Disputed Land and the Stepstones.

But like most ambitious men, he was not content with what he had and the Three Daughters had proved to be the ceiling of his ventures. That was until he was approached by a Red Priest, seeking a very special arrangement, one of great intrigue and deception. It was a challenge like no other, and yet it enthralled Varelos greatly. He was to help turn a Prince to the Red God, or rather present a scenario in which he could be convinced. He knew that the Priests of R’hllor were cunning but this was a special level of dedication to the cause. Gold was offered in abundance, but gold Varelos had in abundance. Gold only went so far. Varelos desired station, merit and titles. And so Varelos agreed to the task, at no expense to the church, but a slight amendment to their plans in which this Prince’s favour would be gained by not just the Red Priest, but Varelos too.

The plan was simple enough, the Targaryen Prince would naturally assume that his titles and privilege would be enough to keep him safe. He would believe his guards were sharp and competent… until they were drowned in ale and wine. A forged invitation to a high end establishment for leading business owners and nobles and they would watch as Prince Viserys and his entourage drowned in wine and hedonism. And when the hours turned dark, the plan was enacted. As Viserys slept in his assigned room, planned meticulously by Varelos, the drunken and vulnerable guards were suitably displaced and disposed of and the Prince blindfolded, gagged and stolen away. For many hours, the Prince would sit in an abandoned warehouse, allowing only his ears to deceive him and the conundrum he had found himself in. Threats were whispered into his ear, words of ransoms, violence and threats of dismemberment. But then the sounds of flames sparked, even with the hood hindering his vision, the Prince felt the flames and its warmth lick his body as screams cried out one by one, as swords slashed and bodies fell. Soon, the hood fell… and stood before the Targaryen Prince was Varelos and a Red Priest, promising him his safety. Not wanting to give Viserys an opportunity to inspect his surroundings, they rushed the royal to Varelos’ organisation, before his agents all rose from their sedentary positions on the ground playing dead, wiping down their clothes and heading to a tavern to celebrate a job well done.

Valar Jorrāelis and the Black Pearl
Knowing that a secondary income and front to their family operation was a pertinent move, Varelos used the proceeds of his espionage venture to set up a high-end establishment to cater to wealthy patrons and their hedonistic desires. First and foremost, Valar Jorrāelis was an aristocratic tavern and inn. But secondarily, and which would become primary in the coming years, it acted as a brothel that provided the most esteemed courtesans across the Three Daughter and indeed Essos. It is recorded that nobles travel from Braavos, Westeros and even pirate Kings from the Basilisk Isles, all to entertain the company of the greatest treasures in the known world. The greatest accomplishment of Valar Jorrāelis however, is the patronage and training of the most renown courtesan in the known world. For over a year, Bellenara Otherys, better known as the Black Pearl, followed the footsteps of her ancestors and trained as both courtier and courtesan under the tutelage of Varelos and the majordomo of Valar Jorrāelis.

Joining the Royal Court
Viserys would become a trusted friend over time, unbeknownst to the Prince that Varelos and the Red Priest had orchestrated it all to gain kinship with Varelos and his ears for the Red Priest to begin the transition of his faith to R’hllor. Varelos cared little of his faith, even though it was one that he shared. Letters would travel the narrow sea to and fro between Varelos and the Prince, speaking of their tales as their friendship and the trust between them strengthened. With the passing of the previous Master of Whisperers, Varelos was invited to King’s Landing to speak of a new relationship, one where Varelos would oversee intelligence gathering for the crown. It was no secret or surprise that his appointment was met with strong objections to the nobles of the land, but Varelos knew that there was no one better suited to the position and that a position such as Master of Whisperers was one better served by one lesser known than a famous or infamous noble. Intelligence required the friendship and trust of peasants and servants to do the bidding of their masters, and when their masters were part of the elite, there would always be jealous animosity between them.

With his family at his side, Varelos went about setting up a diverse and far-reaching network of spies and agents across Westeros and the narrow-sea. There would be little that took place in the courts of Lords, loyal and rebellious alike. All that was left to fulfill his ambitions was lands and titles, which he had no doubt would come in good time. It took time for the royal family to warm to Varelos, which was understandable as they had been faced with a heathen, foreigner and lowborn from Myr who had been thrust into a position of great power and privilege. But as the years passed, walls were broken and friendships grew, notably with Queen Rhaenys as Varelos came to admire her own knowledge and abilities in gathering information and slightly less delicate skills. Knowing the Queen would make as great an ally as the King himself, Varelos would often share his reports with the Queen and discuss the formulations of plans on what to do with such intelligence. Furthermore, he had his own sister, Seraya, join the ladies-in-waiting in her court. Her wait would be longer than others, but a great deal shorter than if she were a dear friend to Queen Rhaenys.

The list of strong allies grew longer, and those who would question Varelos’ title and position grew weaker in their voice. In 307, Varelos used his position of privilege and favour with the King to establish his own foothold in the capital of Westeros, opening the second chain of Valar Jorrāelis in the capital, catering once more for the elite and bourgeois of Westeros. Whilst many on the Small Council would spend their days in the Red Keep, Varelos opted to remain within his own establishment on the Street of Silk.

Timeline
273: Varelos was born to Harlor and Vellona in Free-City of Myr.

283: Varelos begins working for his father's artisan bakery.

286: Varelos begins spying on nobles and selling information for coin.

288: Varelos acquires Robert Caron as a client.

289: Varelos meets and deceives Prince Viserys Targaryen

294: Varelos develops a network of family and friends to gather intelligence for sale.

295: Varelos opens a tavern/brothel in Myr.

305: Varelos invited to the Small Council.

307: Varelos opens a tavern/brothel in King’s Landing.

Family Tree
https://www.familyecho.com/?p=BNHGD&c=qee07iyk7l&f=539740995289260416