Varonos Sandrake

Born to the dragonseed Aelor Sand and the daughter of Moreo Sadaris in 410 A.C., Varonos Sandrake spent his entire childhood under the thumb of the Archon of Tyrosh. The scheming of this patron provided him with a thorough education, a promise of political power, and, in the year 432 A.C., a dragon to tame..

After years of grooming Varonos, Moreo finally gave his grandson the opportunity to prove himself when he died in 436 AC. The city of Tyrosh had grown weary under the reign and did not wish to see the grandson of the Great Despot to continue his grandsire's legacy. Varonos was driven out of Tyrosh and traveled to the east. Where some say he made sacrifices to dark gods and drank shade-of-the-evening.

As of 438 AC the young man has returned from exile and claimed his seat as Archon using money from the Rogare bank to line the pockets of the Tyroshi Magisters. He has also cemented his position among the nobles of Tyrosh by taking to wife Meshella of the Ryndoon family, one of the most powerful in Tyrosh.

He rides the dragon Sunburst, once the mount of Balerion Otherys, and Rhaella Targaryen before him.

Appearance & Personality
The young despot being of Dornish, Tyroshi, and Targaryen blood is tall, around six foot, and lean. He keeps his black hair cut short and dyed purple. His eyes are a golden honey with small flecks of violet suspended within. His eyes turn dark as amber and his violet flakes into little purple flames when in the grips of anger, or a particularly dark mood. He has a very strong jaw, pronounced cheek bones, and full lips.

As custom among the Tyroshi the young despot dresses flamboyantly, but as a visiting Volantene merchant described, "more poisonous frog than peacock." His color palette consists of blues, greens, purple, black, with smatterings of orange and yellow. Varonos is also famed for his set of shimmering copper and bronze armor that matches the color of his dragon Sunburst. In contrast to his fabulous armor he caries a very plain arahk on his hip.

The young despot is quite reserved and confides only in his sister and wife. During meetings he spends most of his time listening to the different opinions of the those around him, before making a decision. He never lets anyone make a decision for him which extends to nearly every facet of life. This streak of independence developed during his years of tutelage under his grandsire who had planned out nearly every facet of Varonos' life and looked forward to using him as a political pawn. His independence has served him well and allowed himself to stay off the influences of the other prominent families of Tyrosh. Varonos is also know to become enraged when prevented from obtaining objects of his desire.

The Archon is lustful and given to the passion of the flesh. He is fond of the company of women (and men if the rumors can be trusted) and keeps many concubines. Varonos often travels to Lys to visit its many pleasure houses. Instead of abstaining from her husband's lifestyle Meshella will often join him in his passion. Rumors also abound as to whether Varonos' sister, Noarasha, and him are secretly lovers as well, especially given the despot's imitation and idolization of Aegon the Conqueror.

The Schemes of Sadaris (418-420)
Before the body of Varonos' father could grow cold, Archon Moreo Sadaris had found his replacement: Balerion Otherys, rider of Sunburst, was to be given a luxurious manse in the city and Aelor's former seat on the council.

Varonos, then ten, came directly under the watch and care of his grandsire. Quickly the young boy came to despise Moreo, who never cared to treat his grandson as a person and more a pet. Moreo had always fantasized about raising the boy to become a political tool, his own personal dragon rider.

Tutelage (420 - 428)
For eight years Varonos was kept secluded in the personal manse of his grandfather, Moreo, and was tutored day in and day out. His tutors were the greatest scholars and philosophers from across Essos and even a banished Maester of the Citadel. The young boy was trained in a variety of topics and to the delight of his grandfather he excelled in the study of economics. Varonos preferred though to study history especially the history of Aegon the Conqueror and the his bloodline.

At the end of the boy's tutelage, after his eighteenth name day, Moreo moved Varonos into the Palace of the Archon. There Varonos was expected to observe his grandfather work and make connections at court, but he ended up spending most of his time secluded in the palace's library and in consorting with courtesans. Varonos though surrounded by people was extremely lonely and missed his sister and mother, his resentment for his grandfather growing each day he didn't see them.

The Flight of Otherys (431)
Following Balerion Otherys' death at the hand of three assassins, set upon him during his visit to Lys, Sunburst sat captive within the same amphitheater that his previous rider had left him in.

Over time, however, the dragon grew restless, refusing what food it was given in favor of devouring the man that had brought it to him instead. Fearing that Sunburst might soon break free of his chains, the Archon dared to present the beast with his grandson. Many had advised him to wait, but Moreo doubted that the opportunity would last for long - and at the risk of his own death, Varonos Sandrake approached Sunburst in the emptied amphitheater. To his grandfather’s delight, Varonos received no hostility from the dragon; Sunburst yielded to the courageous boy, and accepted him as his new rider.

Death of Moreo & Aftermath (436-438)
Long before Moreo Sadaris had passed away the ruling families of Tyrosh had begun to grumble, jealous of the power and wealth the despot possessed. When opportunity came for them to claim it for themselves they acted swiftly.

Varonos returned swiftly to Tyrosh from an excursion to the pleasure houses of Lys when word of his grandfather's death reached him. No soon had he arrived the families of Tyrosh began to put pressure on Varonos, threatening his life and the live of his family unless he left the city. His right to claim Moreo's titles was questioned being the son of a common bastard regardless if his father was a Targaryen bastard. Conflict came to ahead when Varonos was harassed by nobles of the Adarys Family during his grandfather's funeral. The young Sandrake wanting to avoid bloodshed packed up his family and fled on the city on the back of Sunburst in the dead of night

Varonos with his sister traveled as far as Qarth. Throughout his self imposed exile the future despot sated his thirst for knowledge and planned his eventual return to Tyrosh. His return came two years after his grandfather's death. The lower citizens of the the city welcomed the return of Moreo's grandson with open arms. The city had been floundering as the rival families vied for power with two Archons rising to power before being unceremoniously deposed. Varonos was able to garner support by lining the pockets of the Tyroshi magisters that would take the money he loaned from the Rogare Bank. Those who refused the gold would see that same gold spent to dispose of them. The young Archon further cemented his position among the Tyroshi nobility by marrying Meshella Ryndoon a member of one of the most powerful families in the city.

Family Members

 * Aelor Sand, father, born 381 A.C., died in 418 A.C.
 * Sahana Sadaris, mother, born 383 A.C., died from pox in 434 A.C.
 * Noarasha Sandrake, sister, born 408 A.C.

Household Members/NPCs

 * Meshella Sandrake nee Ryndoon, wife, born 418 A.C.
 * Noarasha Sandrake, sister, born 408 A.C.
 * Brachos Ahrelion, Caption of Household Guard, born 392 A.C.
 * A swath of concubines