Variks, yes?
Ever since Variks, the Loyal arrived in Destiny during the House of Wolves expansion, he quickly became a beloved character. From his unique commentary in the Prison of Elder and his broken sentences to his mysterious demeanor, it was all charm. He is one of those characters that players are in awe of, especially since Fallen aren't usually buddy-buddy with Humanity. Not only that, he is an influential person within the Fallen Houses.
After the prison break in Destiny 2 Forsaken, players wondered where Variks had ventured off to and most Guardians wondered whether he can be trusted. Variks is a complex character that is often misunderstood but information from the game and the lore clarify who Variks really is.
10 He Witnessed The Whirlwind
He was alive before the Whirlwind, the collapse of the Eliksni, took place. He saw the Great Machine, what the Eliksni call the Traveler, leave their side. In “The Whirlwind” cutscene, Variks explains that his people lived in peace and were prosperous, just like humanity's Golden Age, until the Darkness arrived. He also detailed Eramis's backstory on why she hates the Traveler and her intentions with the Darkness.
9 House Of Judgement
On Europa, Variks mentions that “House of Judgment is dead, but Variks still stands.” House of Judgement is a Fallen House that believes in the traditional Eliksni way of life. It is one of the oldest Houses since it existed before the collapse of the Fallen. Variks explains, "House Judgment closest thing to peace the Fallen ever know" in the Kell of Kells grimoire card. Variks belongs to the House of Judgement and believes that it is the path the Eliksni must walk on.
8 The Kell Of Kells
The Outliers lore piece from the Stolen Intelligence lore book reveals that Variks “styles himself the Kell of Kells.” Variks spoke with Fikrul before the prison break in Forsaken, where Variks was asked about his loyalty.
Variks then left the Prison of Elders to rally up the Fallen and to become the Kell of Kells representing the House of Judgement. His plan was foiled after he joined Eramis on Europa and was forced to stop her. An in-game quote said by Variks clarifies that he is no longer attempting to be the Kell of Kells.
7 Lost Arms Because Of Skolas
Unlike other Vandals, Variks has two lower arms and two mechanical upper arms. Variks is not ranked as a Dreg since they have two upper arms and their lower arms are docked. In an idle quote in Destiny, Variks asks, "Are you staring at my arms, Guardian? Where Skolas cut me? Look away." Although Eramis considers him a Dreg and says that Variks is pretending to be a Vandal as told in III. The Traitor lore. Also, Eramis removed one of his mechanical arms at the beginning of Beyond Light.
6 Wants Eliksni To Come Together
Variks has mentioned that he does not like Guardians referring to Eliksni people as Fallen. He describes his feelings by saying, “ It may seem that my people have “fallen,” but it is not true. The word insults us.” He also spoke about saving the Eliksni people from SIVA in Ghost Fragment: Fallen 5. He commented, “Must be a way to stop the Fall.” He no longer wanted to see his people as “Fallen.” Variks wants to see the Eliksni thrive again as they did before the Whirlwind.
5 Manager Of The Prison Of Elders
Variks contacted Mara Sov to tell her about an attack Skolas was planning. It turned out that Variks was correct and Skolas was then captured. Since Variks showed the Queen his loyalty, she gave him keys to the Prison of Elders on the Reef. According to the Prison of Elders, The Reef grimoire lore, Variks soon invited Guardians to battle prisoners in the Prison of Elders arena. For those who don't know about Prison of Elders, it was a PvE event where a Fireteam of three would enter the arena and battle the prisoners for a valuable loot chest.
4 Became The Crow Leader
Petra Venj gave Variks the duty of watching over the Crows after the Taken War since Uldren Sov went missing. The Crows are an Awoken intelligence network on the Reef.
Variks used the Crows as a means to find the Kell of Kells. Although that was his main goal, he also guided the Crows to defeat the remaining Fallen of the House of Wolves and tried to stop the Devil Splicers from doing more harm with SIVA.
3 Caused The Prison Break
On Europa, Variks tells the Guardian that “The prison break. Yes, I regret it. I was misled by power, by the draw of legend. Kell of Kells." Where Loyalty Lies is a lore piece that reveals his intentions for causing the prison break as well. It reveals the when Fikrul asked Variks where his loyalty lies, Variks didn’t think of Mara Sov. He saw the Kell of Kells prophecy which made him end his Prison of Elders duty.
2 Dream Of The Nine
A lore piece called Unknown Space details a strange interaction between Variks and the Nine. Variks had a dream where a voice spoke to him about his true intentions and his destiny. After waking up, he felt his dream had strengthened his desire to see the House of Judgement rise again. Variks had this dream right before Cayde returned with Fikrul and Uldren which means that this dream was what pushed Variks to fall for Fikrul's brainwashing.
1 Not Trusted By Both Fallen And Guardians
Mithrax, the Kell of House of Light, claims in the Queensbreaker lore tab, “No spider-tricks. No loyal-lies.” He is referring to the traits of Spider and Variks, the Loyal. In a cutscene from Beyond Light, Eramis said Variks is “always playing pretend” after she ripped his mechanical arm off. She said that because she lost trust in him when he went against her. Also, Variks had betrayed Skolas because of his harmful actions. Additionally, the prison break which resulted in Cayde-6’s death left Guardians suspicious of Variks. Both the Fallen and Guardians do not have complete faith in him.