fate of emperor varis at the end

[Edax]

so why would anyone attempt to recreate it?

Because it worked and has greater potential than an atom bomb. Immortality. Invincibility. The power to manipulate Aether, the very thing that has confounded the Imperials. If one man could get a 1% success rate, then of course they'd want every piece of data to continue the research. The success with Fordola alone would warrant this becoming a national priority.