“We call her the Vigil. She's been around for a long spell.”
Varel is the seneschal of Vigil's Keep. He informs the Warden-Commander that his job is to take care of the day-to-day matters of the keep.
Background
Varel has spent his life defending Amaranthine. He briefly became seneschal when Rendon Howe was arl but the two did not see eye to eye and he was demoted for repeatedly objecting to the arl's orders. When Howe's acts became more sinister, Varel secretly sheltered those in need and did his best to counteract the arl's atrocities. When the Grey Wardens took over Amaranthine, they reinstated Varel as seneschal. He is privy to many secrets of the order, despite not being a Grey Warden himself. If he was conscripted, it was never revealed, otherwise, he is among the few who knows about the Joining Ritual.
Involvement
Varel is first encountered during the opening quest to regain Vigil's Keep. He is being held on the roof of the keep by The Withered and is rescued by the Warden. Following his rescue, he can be found in the throne room of the Vigil where he informs the Warden of the political events that are taking place in the arling. He is also in charge of the Joining of each of the Warden's companions.
If no action is taken during A Brewing Conspiracy, Varel will take a crossbow bolt aimed for the Warden Commander during the quest And You, Esmerelle?, highlighting his loyalty to the Wardens.
If the Warden chooses to defend Vigil's Keep, Varel is killed whilst valiantly defending Vigil's Keep against the Mother's darkspawn army.
However, if the Warden chooses to defend Amaranthine, it is unknown what became of him, but it is known that Captain Garevel becomes the new Seneschal of Vigil's Keep.[1]
Quests
The Assault on Vigil's Keep- Oaths of Fealty
- A Day In Court
- And You, Esmerelle? (conditional)
- The Siege of Vigil's Keep
Quotes
- "They say the castle is built on a mountain of bones. Much death here."
- "Oh, it only took three Wardens to end a civil war and kill an archdemon. A dozen is extravagant."
Codex entries
Bugs
- If the Warden-Commander takes care of the conspiracy prior to Bann Esmerelle confronting them, the dialogue option regarding the crossbow bolt will still appear in the conversation should the Warden choose to defend the Keep instead of Amaranthine.