Littlefinger or Varys, by the end of AFFC

[dkohalloran]

I am trying to figure out how to make new paragraphs so people don't have to read walls of text. When I press enter in these forums nothing happens... Anyway, from the very beginning of the books, I loved Varys. I thought he was so cunning and was a little disappointed that he wasn't in AFFC but can understand why he wasn't. What I'm wondering is what you think of these two characters, Littlefinger and Varys. Who is more powerful? Who holds more political swing? Littlefinger has proven himself to me to be a really awesome, smart and cunning character, and his whole plan to take the North with Sansa is awesome. Some part of me wants to believe he's doing this for Catelyn. Him and Sansa are just great together. However the combo of Varys and Tyrion... those are two powerful characters. Who knows where they are now and what they're doing. I feel like Varys and Tyrion hold the most potential, yet Littlefinger's plan and his power are just awesome. I honestly can't choose who is my favourite. Varys ruled from behind Robert almost the entire time he was in court it has been said, and he played people to a tune. But I think I'd' have to give my vote to Varys as being able to accomplish more, especially with Tyrion at his side. What do you think? I guess we'll have to see what Varys is up to. I really hope he's in ADWD!

[ysTooCool]

Littlefinger for me. The man has both ambitions and opportunities, and just like he said, all his moves are unpredictable because no one views him as a true player yet and no one expects him. They all underestimated him, even including cunning and smart people like tywin and tyrion. Howver, him and varys have one weakness, they lack muscle strength, that is when "dont give a damn" type of character like jaime confronts them with a sword, (jaime v varys scene) they are useless. anyway I found littlefinger the most dangerous man in all westeros

[theriveryeti]

I think it's hard to gauge. Most of what Littlefinger is up to is now mostly evident in the books (or seems to be). I'm still at a loss to describe how much influence Varys has (even outside of Westeros) and what his true agenda is. My money's on Varys.

[vjott]

With Littlefinger, we know what he's up to: his ultimate aim is the Iron Throne and he's plotting relentlessly to make that happen. First by gaining the support of the Vale, getting Winterfell back through Sansa and getting rid of Joffrey and Cersei indirectly.

Varys is working in collusion with Illyrio to get Daenerys back to Westeros and help her regain the Iron Throne. In addition

Doran Martell is also seeking to restore the Targaryen bloodline to the throne

[Bad Hound!]

I am also more and more intrigued by the plotting of LF and Varys. So far they haven't really clashed (except when Varys had the Antler men executed, which would have annoyed LF), but surely there will be a point in the story when their plotting is gonna collide.

I think that Varys is not really worried about LF: LF's plan is to get the Vale, then the North. It will take a while. Varys probably knows this and is happy to let LF scheme his way to that goal, it doesn't bother him. But once LF has achieved that, and then moves on to his next target, then I am sure that Varys will take stock and work out what to do to ensure LF is not an obstacle to his own plans for the Iron Throne.

What I loved about GRRM's development of these characters is that in ACOK, he made us believe that Tyrion was the man, that he had the whole situation sussed and was the new strong man in Kings Landing, the most scheming, above LF. But in fact, no! Tyrion was but a pawn in LF's and Varys' games, and did not control anything at all, it's clear to see now. even Cersei is just a pawn in their hands. Brilliant!

[dkohalloran]

I actually haven't thought about how basically all of Littlefinger's plans are all revealed. I guess GRRM is saving Varys' for after Littlefinger's... maybe hinting that Varys actually does have the upper hand? Plus, the fact that Varys is supporting Danaerys is just awesome. He really must have great things in store for us.

[Paramount of the Riverland]

Honestly, Little finger is amazing, he plots his way through everything and I like to think that he is actually manipulation Varys. Which would be very funny. Also, there is an idea that he means to give the Vale and the North to the Targaryens, which in that case would almost guarantee the victory of Dany and Aegon. As Dorne would also help them. Little finger gets himself into a stronger postion then even now as a grateful Aegon rewards him. Lets be honest, Little finger rocks.

[alayne-stone-cold-fox]

These two characters are some of the most ambiguous and interesting characters imo. It's almost like their own personal war between the two of them is more interesting than any actual clash on the battlefield between houses.

Littlefingers plan at this point seems straightforward, but we also know that he changes his plans as he goes. If something were to hinder his current, seemingly simple plan atm, its a pretty safe bet to expect him to have a back up. I feel like he always has like 5 smaller back up plans behind his big one. A man that smart with money knows not to gamble all his money on one bet.

Vary's is more of a mystery though. He seems more good hearted than Littlefinger (even if that's not hard lmao) but i think he is just as ruthless in his own way.

You could almost see it as Vary's as a calm and steady player, and Petyr as the one ducking and weaving. Where Varys is more methodical, Petyr is chaotic. They have such differant style of playing the game but they always seem neck and neck with eachother. i made myself think of the old tortoise and the hare story as symbolic to them, and even though I like Littlefinger more than Vary's, we always heard that slow and steady won the race. Hmm...I've given myself something to think about haha.