The Varia are an elite crime fighting force within the Vongola Familigia. They are ranked as the most eite assassins within the mafia world. While Squalo Superbia is the tactical field leader of the Varia they are controlled by Xanxus. His desires are their desires and each member has this weird obsessive attachment to him. Xanxus considers them pawns above all else, and feels no sympathy or remorse for their injuries, slights, or their inevitable demise. They are a means to an end, just as most people would feel nothing over the death of ants. Interestingly enough, each Varia member is designated to one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Squalo Superbia, Pride
Squalo is the leader of Varia on paper. He had the Varia before he decided to follow Xanxus. He is a rain element, fights with a sword, and has a shark box weapon. He is perhaps Xanxus' most loyal henchman. He knows all of Xanxus' secrets, makes stupid promises, and takes the brunt of his boss' frustration and temper tantrums. He is usually very careful in his planning to avoid said tantrums, and often finds himself frustrated by the stupidity that he chooses to follow. There's a lot more to say about Squalo and Xanxus' relationship, in which I have a whole section to it. He is otherwise known as shark bait or stupid shark.
Lussuria, Lust
Lussuria is the Muy Thai fighting sun guardian. His box weapon is a Peacock, known as Pea-chan. His ideal body type is glistening male skin (sometimes he also says dead bodies are perfect). He refers to himself as the mother of the Varia. He tends to be a doting person and also likes to be addressed as "nee-chan" (older sister). He is usually very careful around Xanxus (whom he considers the dad of the varia) and seems to avoid most of the boss' wrath. He does venture too close now and again and gets a boot to the face. He supports Xanxus fully, I wonder if that has something to do with his love of strong half dressed men.
Levi A Than, Envy
Levi a Than is the most annoying member of the Varia (as stated by Squalo and Lussuria). He serves as the Thunder element, and has a manta ray box weapon. He is apparently the only member of the Varia that has held an actual conversation with Xanxus and it is something he holds in the highest of regards. He obsessively follows Xanxus around and tries to do anything that he perceives will make his boss happy. In his mind theater, he views Xanxus as a genuinely happy person and that when he's mad it's because he has done something to mess it up. Rather than the more reasonable and true reason of Xanxus being an unhappy, stubborn child.
Mammon, Greed
Mammon is the mist guardian of the Varia. He is obsessed with money. His joining of the Varia leads me to believe that the job pays very well. He is also an Arcobaleno (mist element). During the Representative battle, he asks the Varia to assist him in breaking his curse. He trusts Xanxus explicitly and will do any job for money. He is often surprised by how much Xanxus actually knows, and considers Xanxus to be more than "normal". He seems to fear Xanxus in some regard too, probably because of Xanxus' temper, but does not seem to ever be the actual victim of any of the abuse.
Belphegor, Sloth
Belphegor is known as Prince the Ripper (and Bel for short), he is a mentally unstable child that serves as the Varia Storm guardian. He has a mink as a box weapon and tends to enter a euphoric state when blood is shed. He is considered a tactical genius and believes that he is a real prince. He follows Xanxus because Xanxus is extremely strong and he provides a challenge. He believes there'd be no point in serving Xanxus if Xanxus could die easily. With that in mind, he also understands that Xanxus is an extremely powerful fighter that doesn't care about anything around him. Despite Bel wanting to see Xanxus fight at his full power, Bel doesn't want to be collateral damage.