Varka

Biodata

Appearance

• Build: Immensely burly, with an imposing frame and heavy footsteps 4 21.
• Hair and facial hair: Has chin stubble and hair long enough for severed strands to fall during battle 4 25.
• Combat attire: Heavy armor and combat boots, with two enormous greatswords carried crossed on his back 21 22.

Personality

Varka is hearty, informal, and eager to fight. He frequently laughs loudly, calls Wei Zhenzu “brother Liangzi,” and welcomes impressive displays of combat power. Being kept at headquarters with paperwork while others face danger leaves him visibly restless; Diluc also catches him contemplating an escape to the Cat’s Tail for a drink 4 21 22.

Despite his battle-hungry disposition, Varka places civilian safety and the survival of his troops above their desire to fight. At Stormterror’s Lair, he recognizes that ordinary Vision holders cannot safely join the battle ahead and orders Jean and Eula to protect the wounded and retreat route. He openly leaves rear-line coordination to Jean, acknowledging that it is not his strength 22.

He also has a mischievous streak. When Wei Zhenzu asks for help against the transformed Timmie, Varka theatrically claims to have injured his back and retreats with Kaeya rather than joining the fight 34.

Abilities & Skills

Anemo Manipulation

Varka channels powerful cyan Anemo through his body and greatswords for movement, offense, and support 21 23.

• High-speed travel: Becomes a raging tornado to race from Mondstadt toward Stormterror’s Lair 21.
• Wind-infused strikes: Wraps his blades in cutting wind pressure capable of destroying elemental shields and heavily armored monsters 23.
• Ranged attacks: Releases two crossing sword beams, each more than ten meters long 27.
• Aerial support: Creates focused wind currents to accelerate Wei Zhenzu’s attacks and launch him onto Dvalin’s back 25 26.
• Tornado formation: Disperses poisonous mist and drills through hostile storms with concentrated wind 29 30.

Dual-Greatsword Combat

Varka wields two door-sized greatswords simultaneously, combining sweeping attacks with powerful thrusts and aerial maneuvers 23 30.

• Carves a path more than ten meters long through a dense monster horde in seconds, breaking Mitachurl and Abyss Mage shields 23.
• Slashes open Dvalin’s storm barrier while following Wei Zhenzu’s tactical instructions 25.
• Deflects a barrage of bony projectiles before breaking the Heavenly Demon’s balance-beam horn and stabbing the violet hollow in its mask 30.
• His unenhanced sword beams leave only a faint mark on the Heavenly Demon’s wing; its Final Judgment Storm tears through his protective gale and armor 27.

Command and Battlefield Judgment

• Organizes the preliminary investigation of Stormterror’s Lair, appointing Kaeya to lead and Wei Zhenzu to accompany the party as a special consultant 4.
• Separates the rescue force from the evacuation force when the tower becomes too dangerous for ordinary knights 22.
• Directs the Knights’ regrouping and return to Mondstadt after the battle 34.

External Combat Enhancements

These effects come from Wei Zhenzu’s abilities rather than a documented permanent advancement for Varka.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Twin greatswords: Enormous dark-silver blades carried crossed on his back and used as conduits for Anemo 21 23.
• Heavy armor: Provides protection in close combat, but is penetrated by the Heavenly Demon’s wind blades 22 27.

History

Investigation of Stormterror’s Lair

Varka is present in Mondstadt when Wei Zhenzu arrives, contrary to Wei’s expectation that the Grand Master should already be away on an expedition. At a headquarters meeting, Varka corrects Wei’s confusion between Durin and Dvalin and identifies the latter as Mondstadt’s current threat. After Wei agrees to assist the Knights, Varka orders preparations for Kaeya’s scouting mission 4.

Jean subsequently insists that Varka remain at headquarters as a top fighter capable of defending the city from an Abyss Order surprise attack. Reports that the scouting party is trapped in a Mirror Dungeon make him increasingly impatient. Diluc offers to guard Mondstadt, allowing Varka to take his weapons and leave for the front 21.

On his way out, Varka encounters Timmie describing pigeons that flip coins and win clashes. He dismisses the account as distress-driven delusions, gives the boy Mora for food, and continues toward Stormterror’s Lair without noticing the red tint developing in Timmie’s eyes 21.

Rescue of Kaeya

Upon reaching the ruins, Varka learns that Kaeya drew monsters away from the retreating scouts and was swept to the tower’s summit. He orders Jean and Eula to evacuate the wounded and Klee, secure the retreat route, and guard against further Abyss activity. Wei Zhenzu volunteers to accompany him to rescue Kaeya 22.

At the summit, Varka tears through the monsters surrounding Kaeya’s failing ice prison and frees the badly wounded captain. Wei interrupts Dvalin’s charged breath attack and weakens the dragon’s Abyssal defenses, enabling the group to counterattack 23.

Working under the Oracle Terminal’s collaboration protocol, Varka opens gaps in Dvalin’s barrier and supplies wind propulsion for Wei’s strikes. He then launches Wei onto the dragon’s back to remove the Golden Bough. Its extraction instead releases an emotion hidden within the poisonous blood, triggering Dvalin’s transformation into the Final Judgment Heavenly Demon 25 26.

Battle Against the Heavenly Demon

The transformed Dvalin overwhelms Varka’s defenses, severely wounds him, and later pins him under crushing pressure. Vergilius arrives before the demon’s judgment attack can annihilate the battlefield 27 28.

Wei’s invocation of MOROSITAS restores Varka’s strength and suppresses the demon’s mental pollution. Varka resumes the assault, breaking part of its judgment mask, but a mental shock throws him backward. Vergilius intercepts the bone noose pursuing him and clears the falling fragments that threaten him 29 30.

After Dvalin’s defeat, Varka helps Kaeya forward as Venti sends the dragon’s remnant soul into Mondstadt’s winds. Venti heals the group and supplies wind currents for their descent from the ruined tower 32 33.

Return to Mondstadt

Varka leads the regrouped Knights home, where they encounter Timmie’s mechanical pigeon Distortion at the bridge. Rather than assist Wei directly, he feigns a back injury and withdraws with Kaeya, later watching Wei’s fight from a distance 34 36.

At the subsequent headquarters briefing, Varka recognizes Wei’s contribution to ending the Stormterror crisis and proposes formally granting him the title of Honorary Knight 37 38.

When Wei later requests travel funds for Liyue, the Knights’ finances are strained by infrastructure damage, Timmie’s distress, and the care of mutated pigeons. Varka gives him a gold-trimmed silk banner reading “Mondstadt’s Savior, Honorary Knight” instead of money 44.

Relationships

• Wei Zhenzu — Special consultant, battle partner, and eventual Honorary Knight. Varka admires his unusual abilities and willingly entrusts him with decisive actions against Dvalin 4 25 26 38.
• Jean — Acting Grand Master and trusted organizer. She keeps Varka in Mondstadt to defend the rear; he later entrusts her with evacuation and defensive coordination 21 22.
• Kaeya — Cavalry captain under his command. Varka personally rescues him from the tower and supports him after the battle 23 32.
• Diluc — Trusted defender of Mondstadt. His offer to guard the city frees Varka to join the rescue operation 21.
• Eula — Knight entrusted with escorting the wounded and Klee while protecting the retreat route 22.
• Vergilius — Ally against the Heavenly Demon who saves Varka from its pursuing execution noose 30.
• Venti / Barbatos — Varka recognizes him as Lord Barbatos and pointedly remarks on his late arrival after Dvalin’s defeat 32.
• Timmie — Mondstadt child whom Varka tries to comfort, initially failing to recognize his account as a warning of an emerging threat 21.

Notable Quotes

“The wind fears neither tomorrow nor chains. Prisons and high walls cannot confine the wind, nor can they confine those who sing for freedom!” 21

“Remember, the safety of ordinary people is the bottom line.” 22

“You did protect Mondstadt once, Dvalin. But if that protection has become a shackle crushing you... then I'll cut it apart!” 30