Varen

Lady Varen arrives atop Matten's Helm as part of the first official Alka Alon embassy to Sevendor, alongside Ladies Fallawen and Ithalia. Formally introduces herself in human-height transgenically enchanted form:

I am Varen. This is Fallawen, and I believe you know . . . Ithalia.

Establishes the embassy's purpose:

The common threat of the Abomination and his minions is a danger to us all.

Gifts Sevendor a magical tree, "A rare tree from our homeland," symbol of a great Alkan house. Asks permission for a snowstone hostel.

Later introduces Master Guri the Karshak Stonesinger to Minalan. Teaches Minalan the Thoughtful Knife, coaches Dara in her giant-hawk training, and agrees to transport Minalan's army via the Alka Alon Ways. Gives Sarakeem a shining Alkan bow as a gift before his risky transport. Voice: deep, compelling; formal and solemn in this first diplomatic appearance. (Note: an unrelated character, Mother Varen the Tryggite midwife, also appears briefly in Book 3 overseeing Alya's birthing of Minalyan.)

Accompanies Minalan to Carneduin for his first audience with the Alka Alon Council, and escorts him through the Alka Alon Ways to Alshar. "A band of sympathizers wishes to undertake transgenic transformation into humani forms and fight by your side" is her proposal to Minalan. She spearheads the transgenically-enchanted giant hawks that become Dara's mounts, and examines a captured maragorku corpse to explain transgenic enchantment history:

This savage species once stormed citadels millennia old.

Transports armies through the Ways at scale: coordinates three separate Waypoints ("she can handle them better in smaller groups") for Minalan's Anthatiel invasion, and runs the songspell that begins the army transport to Gavard, moving Astyral's Tudry warmagi and every available spark into the theater. At the great Alkan council: "Lady Varen was her normal self and naked" (Alka Alon unselfconsciousness), contrasting with Pentandra arriving in Alkan formal dress.

Lady Varen is one of the three Alka Alon Emissaries to the humani, alongside Lady Fallawen and Lady Ithalia. She is described as the most aloof and enigmatic of the three. She introduced herself to Minalan in her first appearance, explaining that the Alka Alon adopted human-scale bodies to facilitate communication. She taught Minalan how to travel the Ways, including "a lot of unnecessary but fascinating minutia" that did not directly aid the learning process. She is in a relationship with Lord Taren, though she attempts to remain publicly aloof about it. She participates in major diplomatic and Council events, and is consulted on thaumaturgical and Alka Alon lore questions. She plants kirsieth shrubs at her keep to assist with irionite cultivation.

Lady Varen is one of the three Alka Alon Emissaries assigned to work alongside Minalan and the human magi of Sevendor. She is described as the most aloof and enigmatic of the three Emissaries — a bearing she maintains even compared to other impressive Alka Alon — yet one whose reserve holds up under scrutiny rather than dissolving into mere affectation.

Varen takes on a teaching role among the magi, instructing students in Waypoint travel, though she is noted for including much unnecessary but fascinating minutia alongside the practical instruction. She is also a practical collaborator: Minalan invites her to plant kirsieth shrubs around her keep in support of his irionite cultivation plans, and she is consulted on matters of thaumaturgy and Alka Alon council politics.

Socially, Varen is present at key gatherings of the magi and nobility, conferring with Pentandra on matters such as the upcoming Beryen Council meeting in Carneduin, and serving as one of the confidants named by Falawen during the latter's Maiden's Vigil. She is introduced formally alongside Fallawen and Ithalia, presenting herself to Minalan in a human body gifted originally by her ancestors to facilitate communication with humani.

Lady Belsi, formerly Maid Belsi — the servant-girl who impersonated Lady Arsella at Maramor during Rondal's covert-base stint in Book 4. Revealed in Book 15's Losara truthtell trial; Rondal testifies that she slept with both him and Tyndal during the war. Tyndal defends her:

It was wartime. We were young, in danger of a horrific death, and terrified. I don't blame her one bit. A few hours of pleasure was good for all of our morale.

Astyral and Minalan ennoble her as Lady of Ketral Manor — a baby-splitting resolution that restores Arsella as true Lady of Maramor while rewarding Belsi's service.

Principal technical collaborator on the renewed snowstone research and, crucially, the romantic partner of Taren. "The most adept at Alka Alon sorcery" of available consultants. Suggests that "the time element may have something to do with the revelation about masa and its effects on magic." Astonishingly, "announced that she would volunteer to be the subject of the spell, and calmly invited Taren to impregnate her," scandalizing Alka Alon conservatives. During the Darkfaller operation she supports Taren while he mans Tanno Amberil, projecting portal after portal; sings songspells of endurance, feeds him teas, rubs his shoulders. Questions strategy: "Is it wise to spend our forces so lavishly?" Mourns Anthatiel:

Anthatiel was one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Taren's view of her:

a stunningly beautiful human with slightly pointed ears and a taste for revealing clothing. Her voice, while more human, was still enchanting. Those eyes, a man could get lost in them. Or go to war for them.

Marshal Ormane — Tavard's military officer who attempts to commandeer the Sky Riders during the Darkfaller preparations. Dara refuses him bluntly: "We follow Terleman's orders, not Tavard's." A Castali marshal representing the prince's expanding military ambitions.

Confirmed as Taren's established romantic partner "of the last several months." Reacts with alarm to news of the High Kings' emissary:

The High Kings are sending an emissary from over the sea?

She worries about Lilastien's attitude toward the Council's possible disgrace ("You don't sound particularly upset by that") and is troubled about preparation:

So what do you propose we do in preparation for this, Count Minalan? There are serious troubles still at hand, with the emissary from the High Kings coming.

Anxious advocate for her people, wary of Lilastien's schadenfreude.