Variks, Kell of Kells

"Variks is the funniest, most relatable Eliksni I've ever met. That's not a hard bar to clear, I'll grant you. But still."

- Ghost

Variks, the Loyal is a Fallen warden of the Prison of Elders. He belongs to the House of Judgment, and has no loyalty to any members of the House of Wolves or any of the Kells. He is one of the few Fallen who has remained loyal to the Queen of the Reef, acting as one of her advisors. Variks sells Fallen-themed items to Guardians. Variks uses a modified servitor called the Warden to guard the Prison and communicate to Guardians.

Biography
Variks had lived among the House of Wolves as a scribe and witnessed the Uprising on Cybele under Skolas. Unable to abide the attack on civilians, he contacted the crows and helped put an end to the uprising, with Skolas being captured (It's likely that Variks already hated Skolas, as he claims he is responsible for the removal of his arms). From that day, Variks served the Queen, in an effort to keep the House of Judgment and its ancient traditions alive in the face of increasing degradation under the rule of the Kells.

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, not even memories of former glory. Others such as Petra Venj suspect he has ulterior motives, going so far as to suggest that Variks might become the Kell of Kells. She claims he "holds too many alliances," and that his true allegience is only to whomever serves his interests best.

When Uldren was believed to be dead Variks was given control of the Crows, and now he is using them to find the Kell of Kells in order to save the Fallen.

Prison of Elders Rewards
Rotates Weekly based around the lockout period.

Class Items

 * Hunter


 * Titan


 * Warlock
 * House of Devils (bond)
 * House of Kings (bond)
 * House of Wolves (bond)

Vestian Outpost Quotes

 * "What do you know...of the Nine, Guardian?"
 * "The Eliksni call you fierce killer, taker of great ships!"
 * "I took this staff long ago from Devil Captain Vajis, called Cle-ver-head-ed. He wasn't as clever as Variks."
 * "You look ready to fight today."
 * "Fallen, you call us. But we are Eliksni."
 * "You are going back to Earth now? Will you tell the City about Variks, friend?"
 * "You all look the same sometimes, but your smell I know."
 * "Send me your ship. I need the parts."
 * "My service to the Queen is... Com-pli-cated, Guardian."
 * "We were great long ago... And strong, my house."
 * "I assure, what you're hearing of me are lies."
 * "Come below the Prison."
 * "I'll show you a good fight. Keep you strong and quick."
 * "Are you fighting today?"
 * "Come, Killer of Wolves."
 * "I shall help you."
 * "Do you see how I help you?"
 * "I help you, help me?"
 * "You look ready to fight today?"
 * "You bested Skolas. What follows?"
 * "Many fights await you."
 * "You are the greatest of warriors."
 * "You are welcome, among my House."
 * "I am of House Judgement, Guardian."
 * "We are friends now."
 * "Good, good."
 * "Come here. I would have your scent."
 * "Sssssh, come here."
 * (unintelligible chattering, like a growl)
 * "We are friends, yes, Guardian? Give me your Ghost."
 * "What does Petra need now?"
 * "Did a Crow send you? Or Petra? That prince Uldren?"
 * "Are you looking for the Prison, Guardian?"
 * "Not fighting today? Weak? Scared?"
 * "I am loyal to the Queen, all else you've heard of me are lies."
 * "I was a Judgement scribe long ago. I had much respect."
 * "Be cautious about the Wolves up there, hiding."
 * "You put on a good show for us, Guardian."
 * "You're looking for Variks? You found Variks."
 * "We captured a terrible Hive beast. Caught it in the Dark. Even I don't know what it is."
 * "Just you? You need two friends. Strong ones."
 * "You work for me and I help you."
 * "We make a good team, no? I find Skolas, you fight Skolas. Tell Cayde he's no longer of use for Variks."
 * "You caught Skolas. You brought him to Judgement. You are my friend and you can stand there if you want."
 * "We catch all who seek to harm the Queen. You have the Crucible. We have Variks."
 * "Are you staring at my arms, Guardian? Where Skolas cut me? Look away."
 * "Tell me more of your Crucible. How you fight in the name of the Great Machine."
 * "One day soon I'll tell you the story of how our world ended. I'll tell you the story of the Great Machine."
 * "Tell me about about the City below the Tower."
 * "Do you think the Great Machine has noticed what we did? Will it speak to me again? Tell me where the great Eliksni have gone?"
 * "You watch me, I watch you."
 * "All these Guardians here. Maybe I'll catch a Ghost and take it apart."
 * "You! Machine! What chamber holds the new Cabal?"
 * "He's been back to the Scatter. Tell the Queen, she must keep me safe."
 * "And now we have Eramis the Shipstealer, Baroness of Devils."
 * "Tell the Queen I have news of Skolas."
 * "You think you hate Wolves? I promise my hate is sharper."
 * "Someone is looking for Variks, someone has questions."
 * "Be sure to send word to the Queen."
 * "Increase the ether feed to the Archon. He's been quite entertaining."
 * "Why does the Queen hate you so? To make you watch Variks with such... vigilance."

Prison of Elders Quotes

 * (When introducing a particular class of enemy) "...They want to KILL you... ...Kill them ba-a-a-a-ck..."
 * "Impress me, ye-e-e-s-s?"
 * (After the Guardians successfully complete a round and linger in the area) "Return/Retreat to airlock, Guardian..."
 * Fallen of the Wolf Banner march to wa-a-ar...
 * (When sending a Heavy Ammo crate or Scorch Cannon)"I-i-i-ncoming..."
 * (When critical objective is dismantling splinter mines) Dismantle mines, ye-e-e-e-s-s-s-? Orrrrr... you die-e-e-e-e...

Shadow Thief Quotes

 * "Taniks has no House. He kneels before no banner, owes allegiance to no Kell. He is a murderer, and very good at what he does-s-s-s-s. I have been tracking him since Wolves broke their chains, yes? Now Taniks works for Wolf pack, but not for long..."
 * "Lift field distortion! Ketch just above you!"
 * "Taniks has called you out, Guardian... ...You are challenged in the ways of o-o-o-o-ld...Fight well Guardian, Fight...for honor"

Wolves of Mars Quotes

 * "Reef different now. Petra mauled by grief, loss of her Queen. Same for House Wolves. Banner is torn, Kell is dead. And so they seek at cave to call home."
 * "As do I. Wolves here broken, but still more remain."

Lost to Light Quotes (Daily Heroic only)

 * "Guardian, this is Variks. Detected signal. Detected you. Ketch out of Fallen hands. Watch your back."
 * "Taken will not rest. Will claim every house. Consume every banner. You must stand, Guardian, yes? Or all shall fall."

Trivia

 * Variks is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker who voiced The Gravemind in the Halo series.
 * Variks is the only non-hostile Fallen that Guardians can interact with.
 * He will sometimes call other Fallen "pirate scum."
 * His upper arms are artificial; this is the reverse of normal Fallen practice, to amputate the lower two arms on Dregs.
 * He is the only Fallen seen so far who known to fluently speak the Human language. His voice still has a distinct growl characteristic of Fallen.
 * Variks likely has 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.