Variol

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 3:06 pm

What do we know about this guy? Well, he was probably most well-known as Mhoram's dad, but wasn't he also a High Lord? And then he retired, and became a Lord...hmmm

Post by **[Syl]** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 5:37 pm

We know that Atiaran says, "In my years at the Loresraat, the High Lord was Variol Tamarantha-mate son of Pentil. But he was old, even for a Lord"

Other than that, all Variol does is look old. He and Tamarantha walk around in that half stupor trance of theirs. Then he and Tamarantha die together (apparently by natural causes) at Soaring Woodhelvin to draw the brunt of the attack to them. Mhoram is then given his dad's staff as it was once the staff of a high lord. That's about it. The only time he even talks is to explain how they're going to leave Osondrea at Revelstone and go with the quest.

Post by **Sevothtarte** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 6:43 pm

Sylvanus wrote:Then he and Tamarantha die together (apparently by natural causes) at Soaring Woodhelvin to draw the brunt of the attack to them.

I've always been wondering about that Bloodguard who dies when he throws himself over them ... Did he know they were already dead? Would a Bloodguard give his life just to protect a Lord's corpse? Or would this be ... too unefficient for them?

Post by **Zahir** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 7:01 pm

I've always thought Variol one of those intriguing loose ends in TCTC. I mean, he comes across to me as a tired but dauntless and (in his own way) wise person, but we hardly get to know them. And keep in mind this couple created Mhoram, arguably the greatest High Lord since Kevin! With barely a fraction of the Old Lords' power he slew a Giant Raver, held the Land together when hope seemed lost, bested a Raver by simply being who he was, made a series of extremely tough choices. I mean--between the two I'd choose Mhoram over Gandalf or Merlin any day! (That looney Rand al-Thor doesn't even bear mentioning)

My own thought is that maybe Variol and his wife sensed their time was near, and that Mhoram needed to be there, lest the regret grow into something despite could use. And the symbol of Variol's staff going to Mhoram was a nice touch.

So too was one other detail. Drinny agreed to bear Mhoram, after bearing his father. This was unheard of.

We don't know the details, but I get the idea that Variol was a truly extraordinary man of great wisdom. I've also a notion he and his wife were among those to push for Prothall to succeed him--a choice that proved utterly correct.

KaosArcana · Post by **KaosArcana** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 7:25 pm

So too was one other detail. Drinny agreed to bear Mhoram, after bearing his father. This was unheard of.

Tamarantha was Drinny's mount, not Variol's.

Post by **fightingmyinstincts** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 7:27 pm

Drinny rode Tamarantha?! Turn it around, then it'll work....

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 8:01 pm

Hmm, he doesn't seem just like another 'normal' Lord. I think he did have his own Ranhyn though, he was after all a high lord.

And keep in mind this couple created Mhoram

Hmm, maybe this means that being a great High Lord is genetic!

{that was terrible..

}

Post by **Damelon** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 8:39 pm

I know it doesn't say out right, but I wonder if it was Variol's staff that Mhoram cracked over Satansfist's head?

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 10:56 pm

Good question! Too bad I have no answer!

Post by **Damelon** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 11:06 pm

If it was then, when I got to think of it, there was a forshadowing in LFB. Mhoram was given Variol's staff by Prothall. TC when given the offer of taking Tamarantha's refused, saying that it should be burnt. It exploded in a rain of splinters, like Mhorams staff when he struck Satansfist.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 11:49 pm

In one of the indexes in the back of the first three books Variol is called a seer or something like that. I think he might have shared his sons's powers of vision.

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:42 am

Ya, I think I saw that, too. Why are these things in the indexes, but not the text?

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 8:14 am

There's lots of little gems back in those indexes, I'm not really sure why some things are back in those, but not in the actual stories...

Post by **Sevothtarte** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 8:19 am

Question is, can the indexes be considered canon? Were they actually written by SRD or put together by someone at his publisher?

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 8:34 pm

Nah, I don't think Donaldson would let them do that.

Post by **[Syl]** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 10:28 pm

something that's always bugged me. i swear the first time i read the 1st chrons i had some weird kind of misprint. it listed Vain in the glossary. i kept waiting for this Vain character to appear.

Post by **caamora** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 3:06 am

Good discussion!

I always got the impression that Mhoram knew that he was destined for greatness - either greatness of power or greatness of sacrifice - and not knowing which frightened him. He was also aware of his own awesome power.

But, enough of that. I always wondered if Variol or Tamarantha and, thus Mhoram, was a direct decendent of Kevin and/or Berek.

SRD never went into the order of High Lords, did he?

Post by **Damelon** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 3:25 am

Not the High Lords of the New Lords.

The only mention of the High Lords that TC never met are when TC has defeated Foul and all the High Lords appear:

There were Prothall, Osondrea, a score of men and women Covenant had never met, never heard named.

KaosArcana · Post by **KaosArcana** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 3:57 am

But, enough of that. I always wondered if Variol or Tamarantha and, thus Mhoram, was a direct decendent of Kevin and/or Berek.

Well as far as we know Berek only had one son who had one son, etc ... so if Mhoram was a descendant of Kevin he would have been one of Berek as well.

Post by **Lord Mhoram** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 4:45 pm

I doubt that he was, I mean Kevin didn't have a child, did he?

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Variol

Variol

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