Varney was the innkeeper at the Dragon Defeated tavern of Halfknot in the mid-to-late 14th century DR.[1]
Personality[]
Varney was a clever entrepreneur,[1] who happened to chronically blame everyone else for his mishaps.[2]
Activities[]
He owned and worked at the Dragon Defeated tavern.[2]
Relationships[]
He was married.[2]
History[]
The owner and innkeeper at the Dragon Defeated tavern, he hosted the painter Petra in early 1362 DR; she offered to pay for her stay by painting a new sign for his tavern. He agreed, and asked that his sign feature three tavern regulars, Wyrmbait Nix, Silvenestri Silver, and Badger Bates, as dragonslayers over a green dragon. Then he established a weekly contest for guests at the inn and tavern, where they'd tell tales of dragons, and the most impressive tale every evening would have a coin from each listener. His three regulars would be the judges.[1]
By the end of winter, as Petra prepared to leave, she called out his three judges and showed she was an expert in painting dragons; she showed all the artworks she was carrying, and told of her extensive efforts to draw dragons correctly. Despite her showing more of dragons than anyone had all season, Badger wasn't willing to grant her the prize unless she proved she'd too seen Malaeragoth; Varney gave her permission to draw him on the wall. She stopped at the eyes, which Badger claimed as proof she hadn't seen them, still withholding the prize. Varney agreed with Badger, and offended, she drew the eyes, took the prize, and left without a word. Immediately, the picture turned into Malaeragoth, which leapt out and ate Badger, damaging much of the tavern. In the ensuing chaos, the sign was damaged, leaving only the princess in one piece.[3]
Varney later rebranded the tavern as the Royal Rescue, which led to an unexplained incident in time.[3]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Novels & Short Stories
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Rosemary Jones (May 2005). “The Woman Who Drew Dragons”. In Philip Athans ed. Realms of the Dragons II (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 25–27. ISBN 978-0-7869-3808-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rosemary Jones (May 2005). “The Woman Who Drew Dragons”. In Philip Athans ed. Realms of the Dragons II (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 21–22. ISBN 978-0-7869-3808-7.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rosemary Jones (May 2005). “The Woman Who Drew Dragons”. In Philip Athans ed. Realms of the Dragons II (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 33–39. ISBN 978-0-7869-3808-7.