Varis was born to a prostitute in a local brothel and was raised on the streets with the other urchins. He quickly realized that he could talk his way out of most situations, but his quick tongue got him into more trouble than out, at times. He also harbored some talent as a player of games of chance and earned a meager living on the streets hustling people as they passed.

Unfortunately, Varis found an off duty captain of the city watch as his last mark and was put to prison for a misunderstanding of the particular rules of the game they were playing…