Varric. "A Tale is Told"
"I know everyone in this town. At least, everyone worth knowing."
Race
Dwarf
Gender
Male
Class
Rogue
Specialization
Marksman
Family
Bartrand (brother)
Voice Acting
Brian Bloom
Words are his trade, exaggeration is his specialty. Varric can create or debunk a legend without lifting a finger. Born in the merchant guild, Varric never knew the dwarven homeland and has never worked with stone. He prefers the warm fire of a tavern, a constantly full mug, an attentive audience, and an interesting topic of conversation. He can tell the most captivating story about the Ancestors and the Perfect – or whatever you wish – but he will do it not out of politeness. Truth is merely another commodity. History is written by the victors, but it can also be written by Varric, who will decide who the victors are. If you're looking for a profit, turn to his brother Bartrand – a rogue with a sharp business sense. But if you want to be remembered, you need Varric.
Well, there you go, I didn’t even get to send it to print...
He has a special role in the game. Varric tells the true story of the defender Cassandra, a seeker of the Church who wished to know the truth about why the world is going to hell. Why Varric? Because he wrote the legend of the protector, because he was beside Hawke all these years and knew what really happened.
Varric's family was part of the merchant caste before moving to the surface, and Varric was born in Kirkwall. He is a prince of trade among surface dwarves.
Varric is from the Tethras house. He is the youngest son and thus lacks the privileges of the eldest son, Bartrand, who inherited the family business. To everyone, he is just the younger brother spinning tales in taverns for free drinks. But in reality, Varric is not so simple. He sees profit where no one else does.
His spy network is vast. He knows everything that happens in the city, and his real job is maintaining this network of spies and contacts, gradually expanding it as he remains in a family that is part of the dwarven trading guild.
The strange glowing thing on the altar in the forgotten teig... should have thought about it back then.
Varric is the first companion of Hawke in Chapter 1. He meets the future defender on the street when they and their brother(sister) try to get into an expedition with his brother, Bartrand. Bartrand, as is known, refuses, and Hawke ends up empty-handed, while a thief swipes the defender’s purse. Varric and his loyal Bianca stop the thief, and the dwarf returns the purse to Hawke, mentioning that he wouldn’t mind talking with him/her privately at the "Hanged Man" regarding the expedition.
Word for word...
Varric is quite a character. His charisma is striking, no less than Bianca's arrow. He is a witty conversationalist, can talk someone’s ear off, is sarcastic, and values humor and cleverness. Like any dwarf, he seeks profit in everything. He won’t pass up a job that could bring in a hefty payout. He has decent relationships with all companions. He constantly teases them in dialogues. Having him in your group is a pleasure.
Writes pretty well, but can’t draw.
Varric refers to most of Hawke's companions by nicknames he invented himself. For instance, Anders is "Blondie," Bethany is "Sunshine," Merrill is "Daisy," Isabella is "Rivaini," Fenris is "Elf" (originally "broody"), and Carver is "The Junior." Fortunately for Hawke and Aveline, he didn’t give them nicknames.
There is no romance with Varric. However, there are conversations "on the edge of joke flirting." But this is more of a friendly game than hints at anything else. Varric smugly claims that his charisma is in the hair on his chest. Women love a hairy chest.
If Hawke has a romance with any of the companions, Varric, as a friend, will bring it up. For instance, he asks Hawke, when romancing Anders, if he/she is sure about living with an obsessed mage. Though he is quite lenient towards Anders.
A gift for Varric.
Chapter 2: The Tethras Signet Ring - purchase at Trinkets Emporium in the Lower City.
Wow, believes every word! What else can I weave...
Varric likes stories and jokes. Therefore, if you want to befriend him - joke, tell tales, let him embellish events, but in moderation.
For example, in the first chapter, there will be a conversation about an ogre kill.
* Diplomacy + all questions + Diplomacy: Friendship (+10)
* Humor + all questions + Diplomacy: Friendship (+10)
* Diplomacy + all questions + Humor: Friendship (+15)
* Humor + Humor: Rivalry (-15)
* Humor + Aggression: Rivalry (-15)
Varric's quests are intertwined with his family, namely - the betrayal of his brother.
In Chapter 1, we simply gather finances for the expedition. Varric helps, giving advice on where to earn, who to contact. He shares rumors.
It’s fun to walk together along the Deep Paths...
In Chapter 2, Varric asks to accompany him to his brother, who has returned to the city.
Here, there are 2 options - either allow Varric to kill Bartrand, or leave him alive. Then, despite his brother's betrayal, Varric will care for him.
Note: If Anders is in the party, he can temporarily bring Bartrand, who has lost his mind, back to consciousness.
In Chapter 3, Varric asks for help dealing with the ghosts in Bartrand's old house, which the entrepreneurial dwarf sold. After destroying the ghostly golem, Hawke finds a shard of Lyrium. The very one that was in the Deep Paths and clouded the dwarf's mind.
If Varric is taken to the Shadows in the quest "Nightmares" to save Fenriel, Varric will succumb to his pride and go against Hawke. This is only possible if Merrill is not in the group. Otherwise, the demon seduces her. After the quest, Varric will apologize for his weakness.
Yes, women like a hairy chest.
Varric does not care whom you support in the end. He would actually prefer to remain neutral, but only out of respect for Hawke will he fight alongside. When it comes to choosing - to kill Anders, let him go, or take him with you (if supporting mages), Varric will not ask for the blond’s death.
Strengthening the defense!
In Dragon Age 2, you cannot change companions' outfits, you can only improve them. Varric's armor has 4 slots for improvements. Upgrades can be purchased in shops or found in various locations throughout the game. Improving armor unlocks the achievement "A Friend in Need."
Armor upgrades:
Chapter 2. Decorative leather straps (Clothing Shop, Lower City)
Chapter 2. Cloak-lining with hidden pockets (Questionable Goods, Port)
Chapter 2. Reinforced silverite buckles (quest "Family Matters")
Chapter 3. Dragon leather straps (quest "In Search of Nathaniel")
Special Weapon.
Anyone want to bet with me?
Varric has a special weapon, Bianca, which he treats like a mistress, a beloved woman. Bianca is a carved crossbow equipped with a retractable stake. Varric cannot carry any weapon other than Bianca, so all your efforts to give him a mega-round bow are in vain. If Hawke allows Varric to take the Lyrium shard found in his personal quest, Varric will use the shard to improve Bianca, adding 3 more slots to her. However, this will change Varric's armor and it will simply lose all upgrade slots.
On the other hand, if Varric is convinced to give the shard to Sándal, the dwarf, while passing the shard, will feel a slight dizziness, realizing that he cannot harness the shard's power. Sándal will reforge the shard, creating the Primal Lyrium Rune, which increases attack speed.
From the world, a thread.
And the circle of readers is widening.
- If Varric is an opponent, there is a 5% chance to go unnoticed if attacked.
If a friend, then 5% evasion and 5% attack speed.
- Varric's base is the tavern "Hanged Man"
- Due to his role in the game’s storyline, Varric cannot leave Hawke.
- Interparty chatter shows that Varric utilizes his connections to help his companions.
Author's text + translation
Thank you for your attention ^^