Gaius's Intentions

Didn't see a thread like/for this anywhere else, thought I'd take a crack at this. Don't think its too spoilerific, just drawing from existing lore and inferences.

Throughout the main storyline I wondered what Gaius's endgame was and his obsession with conquering Eorzea, something commented on by several characters throughout the game. Three attempts across fifteen years from several different angles, ultimately going it alone on the last attempt. What is it about this one region that demands his brand of leadership?

The situation in Garlemald seems to be tense at best, with the emperor rumored to be on his deathbed. Whether Gaius received his blessing to take another shot at Eorzea is never really established, though he was said to have become disillusioned with taking it after the fall of Dalamud. Along with the strategic value of the region, with its abundant aether, Gaius seems convinced that the only way forward for Eorzea and its people is under Garlean management.

But it seems their may be another motivation. References are made throughout the game to Gaius's abilities as a governor and commander, and he's seen to be a competent leader throughout 1.x and ARR. Add to this that he was once a favored general of the emperor and has conquered several other cities and regions as well. His sword is said to have spilled the blood of nine "aspirants" to the crown.

In addition, his insistence that "only a man of power can rightly steer the course of civilization", the cornerstone of his worldview, applies just as much to Garlemald as it does to regions like Eorzea; Rhitatyn sas Arvina attests to this in his monologue regarding Gaius's conquer of his homeland. And FINALLY, according to the known world we have to work with and the testimony of several major characters, including Cid, Eorzea is one of, if not the last, of the remaining lands that has eluded imperial domination.

Therefore, taking all of these factors into account, it seems to me that perhaps Gaius's ultimate goal was to establish a legitimate and indisputable claim to the Garlean throne. His quote near the end of the story, "Your defeat shall serve as proof of my readiness to rule", me apply to Garlemald as easily as it does to Eorzea. His comments after being defeated for the final time could be interpreted to reflect his opinions on the ongoing situation in the empire as well, which seems to be paralyzed with indecision and politics now that its first and to-date only leader is on the verge of death.

Well he kinda lost it in the 5 years between 1.o and 2.o. And the deal with the Ascians wasn't really helpful to his mind...

It seems he felt the empire might struggle at one point and only a strong person (like he thinks of himself) might be able to safe it from fall. And to show this he choose to finish what Nael failed on. (cause it always seemed like Nael van Darnus had a really good reputation in the empire)

So in the end he was just jealous :-)

well when Gaius was helping us in the Meteor quest line of 1.x his entire purpose for doing so was to prevent the complete destruction of Eorzea, so he could take it over. ("What point is there in ruling over ashes" I believe he said to Nael in an Echo hop)

Between the supplementary sources, my Version 1.0 records, and the Version 2.0 storyline, I have enough to write a piece on Gaius that's very similar to the Rise and Fall of the White Raven, but I'm very hesitant to do so at this time because no sources from Square Enix have been as quick to say, "Yeah, he's dead. We're moving on from him." as they were about Nael van Darnus. I don't want to jump the gunblade...

Isn't Gaius technically rogue from the Garlean empire? He desired conquest that Solus Zos Galvus wasn't giving due to sickness/want, and Gaius split from the Empire taking a large military force for his conquest. It was my understanding he was going to use the conquering of Eorzia as a springboard to put himself in the position of Emperor of the Garlean Empire and depose Solus Zos Galvus. I mean his weapon IS "Heirsbane—a gunblade said to have spilled the blood of nine aspirants to the crown."


http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Gaius_Van_Baelsar Take what you will from it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Anonymoose

Between the supplementary sources, my Version 1.0 records, and the Version 2.0 storyline, I have enough to write a piece on Gaius that's very similar to the Rise and Fall of the White Raven, but I'm very hesitant to do so at this time because no sources from Square Enix have been as quick to say, "Yeah, he's dead. We're moving on from him." as they were about Nael van Darnus. I don't want to jump the gunblade...

---

I actually think they are indeed moving on. They've put enough work into Nero to frame him as the next big bad, which is reinforced by his appearance in the A Realm Awoken trailer.

You... could always end the article with the words "As to whether he somehow survived the detonation of the castrum? None can be certain, for his body has not been found."


As for Gaius' intentions? I do not believe he sought the Throne. If he did, he'd be back in Garlemald right now, jostling with all the other contenders.
I believe what he wants is to see a world unified, and led by man, free from the influence of religions and deities. A world led by the power of its own people and rulers, not blind faith. And if he can steer the world to achieve that, he will do everything he can.

I believe nothing pisses him off more than finding out that the Weapon he uses contains an Ascian god's relic and that the ascians themselves worship a god. You can feel the fury in his voice.
He wants a world free of primal influence and he believes Garlemald is the optimal utility to achieve that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Catapult

I actually think they are indeed moving on. They've put enough work into Nero to frame him as the next big bad, which is reinforced by his appearance in the A Realm Awoken trailer.

---

Agreed. If there's no questionable nature of the matter in 2.1, I might just go ahead and get started.

Also, I agree with your assessment of his intent. Saves me some typing, lol.

I personally believe that Gaius was just preparing to take Garlemald for himself, but not in a malevolent way. His bio says that he slew several aspirants to the crown, meaning that he was greatly loyal to the current emperor. Since Garlemald does not appear to be a dynasty, things are going to go really south once the emperor dies as every Legatus is going to try and go for the throne. IF Gaius had succeeded, he could have gone back to Garlemald and the other Legati would have been forced to to either acknowledge him or be crushed.

I would suggest holding off on the Gaius article. After all, we thought Nael was long gone and look where he popped up. Though you could always leave it open-ended.

Well when I saw the "ascian" ending after the main story I assumed all the new ascians were Gaius and his Legati. They pretty much match up well (3 guys 1 female.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WellGramarye

Well when I saw the "ascian" ending after the main story I assumed all the new ascians were Gaius and his Legati. They pretty much match up well (4 guys 1 female.)

---

There's a whole legion of ascians at the end of the cutscene: http://youtu.be/Lva5s0F3wAk?t=16m38s

Or do you mean something else?

Also, Gaius' intentions can be put in this quaint manner: I'm here to civilize, my dear. ;-)

They named 4 new ascians. They happen to coincide withe Legati.

Pashatrot Male with light hair combed to the side -> Arvina
Igeyorhm Female -> Livia
Nabriales Male with short spikey white hair -> Nero (also seen new new trailer CS)

Lahabrea's new body is most likely Gaius himself.

Spoiler of 2.1 after this.

They also added a white robed ascian in the new main quest named Elidibus. You know the guy in Final Fantasy Tactics that could summon Zodiark?

SPOILER!





Ascian theory is good BUT

Nero not make sense because he is dead yet, he escaped.

and he have his own ambitious and someone he want to prove he is better (Garlond-kun) its show that he still have his own will (its not Ascian's nature to just target someone like Garlond, they have bigger goal than that)

While others such Livia, Arvina and Gaius are assumed dead or unconscious so that Lahabrea and others can take control of their bodies to their own use.

Still can't prove who is 3rd male (not Nero) they probably not Legatus, they may be.

btw I have better idea 3rd male is not Nero, He is White Raven we beaten him in 1.0 but perhaps not.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Altimis

SPOILER!

<SNIP>

btw I have better idea 3rd male is not Nero, He is White Raven we beaten him in 1.0 but perhaps not.

---

I doubt Nael is an Ascian, as his Aether was absorbed by Bahamut after the battle at Rivenroad.

After seeing the post Crystal Tower cutscenes I redact some of the theory I had for the Ascians, also while watching someone's youtube vid of the final scenes where the Ascians are all shown I noticed they had different haircuts that what the ones in mine did.

Is it randomized maybe? A glitch?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cont13

Throughout the main storyline I wondered what Gaius's endgame was and his obsession with conquering Eorzea, something commented on by several characters throughout the game. Three attempts across fifteen years from several different angles, ultimately going it alone on the last attempt. What is it about this one region that demands his brand of leadership?

---

The region is fragmented and divided by factionalism. Beastmen are summoning primals practically at will. Having a single unified direction for the continent would make Eorzea a lot stronger. And the only way for that unification to occur in the near future is for Gaius to conquer it all.

Further, the Emperor is probably approaching death. There's going to be a scramble for the throne when the Emperor dies. There always is in these sorts of situations. Having a secure powerbase would help to ensure that no matter who ends up on the throne, Gaius manages to ride it out.

The trouble is, no matter how lofty or noble his ideals or goals were at first, Gaius lost all credibility the moment he allied with Lahabrea - he zealously hated the Primals and wanted to conquer Eorzea to destroy the Primals. So, what did he then go and do? Team up with the very force responsible for giving the beast tribes the ability to summon the Primals in the first place.

Personally I felt this actually cheapened his character, in that his drive and goals were no longer his own, but simply the machinations of the Ascians. Which is a shame, as I actually liked him as a character, even though I hated him as well (as a result of role-playing my character and her back story involving Ala Mhigo).

Gaius had Alot of reasons for doing what he's did. While hating primals and deities is a major factor it always seemed like his endgame was not just taking but earning the throne. He was the leader behind the failed attempt at erozea and on sure that failure not only hurt his pride but damaged his reputation dispite how well he took ala mhingo. The emperor is a conqueror building garlemald as we know it just in his lifetime. Gaius conquering erozea would not only bring new power and resources to the empire but also inspire confidence along his peers when he makes his play for the throne when the emperor expires. Everything else just seemed like a means to an end.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Enkidoh

The trouble is, no matter how lofty or noble his ideals or goals were at first, Gaius lost all credibility the moment he allied with Lahabrea - he zealously hated the Primals and wanted to conquer Eorzea to destroy the Primals. So, what did he then go and do? Team up with the very force responsible for giving the beast tribes the ability to summon the Primals in the first place.

---

Gaius appears to have been ignorant of that little detail - and I don't exactly blame him for that (after all, the Ascians provided him with the solution to the primal problem as well).

But overall, I'm rather disappointed in the way that the Imperial foursome have been handled to date.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Enkidoh

So, what did he then go and do? Team up with the very force responsible for giving the beast tribes the ability to summon the Primals in the first place.

---

I actually don't think he knew about that until Lahabrea activated Ultima. Gaius did show shock at that revelation after all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PArcher

I actually don't think he knew about that until Lahabrea activated Ultima. Gaius did show shock at that revelation after all.

---

It was actually kind of ironic watching Judge Vader get the ol' "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further" treatment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Catapult

As for Gaius' intentions? I do not believe he sought the Throne. If he did, he'd be back in Garlemald right now, jostling with all the other contenders.
I believe what he wants is to see a world unified, and led by man, free from the influence of religions and deities. A world led by the power of its own people and rulers, not blind faith. And if he can steer the world to achieve that, he will do everything he can.

I believe nothing pisses him off more than finding out that the Weapon he uses contains an Ascian god's relic and that the ascians themselves worship a god. You can feel the fury in his voice.
He wants a world free of primal influence and he believes Garlemald is the optimal utility to achieve that.

---

Hmm, kinda reminds me of FFVI. All magic was basically snuffed out, and the empire relied heavily on technology (Magitek).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Anonymoose

It was actually kind of ironic watching Judge Vader get the ol' "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further" treatment.

---

Yet even after Ultima is fired, he keeps fighting =\.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magis

Yet even after Ultima is fired, he keeps fighting =\.

---

Truth to be told, if you were in his place and had the party trying to kill you in the meantime (I mean eight men on foot against goddamn tank, and they ARE handing you your ass, those guys ARE dangerous) I'm sure as hell you'd keep fighting.
He WAS given no choice there

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skies

Truth to be told, if you were in his place and had the party trying to kill you in the meantime (I mean eight men on foot against goddamn tank, and they ARE handing you your ass, those guys ARE dangerous) I'm sure as hell you'd keep fighting.
He WAS given no choice there

---

I'm guessing that's about it. Yeah, you've just found out you've been used by something to do something you absolutely HATE. You've just been beaten around by 8 people with seemingly nothing that should be able to defeat you. They're likely extremely angry at you, so very unlikely that they'll let you go...

He's probably fighting as much for his own life as revenge or a need to prove something; these 8 just survived Ultima...they're nothing to laugh at, and have a VERY real chance to beat him. He may even just be fighting to try to take down one or two before he goes.

One thing I just noticed when re-watching the Ultima scene. At the end, as Lahabrea is leaving Gaius to handle us, there's a green ball of aether just floating around. Any idea what that's supposed to be?

I just looked through the screenshots I took of that scene when I first ran the Praetorium, and you're right, there actually does seem to be a small green ball of aetheric energy that just floated around the party while Lahabrea does his big 'the reason you suck' speech before leaving Gaius to renew his assault on the party.

Considering when the dust clears after he unleashed Ultima, he directly mentions Hydaelyn as having exhausted Her energy to protect the player's party, and given the fact Hydaelyn clearly helps the player during the Ultima Weapon fight (by drawing out the Primals' essences each time Gaius tried using them)... could it be an aspect of Hydaelyn Herself? I'm not saying it is, as there's no evidence other than what I just mentioned, but it does seem very suspicious. ;)

Damnit, now I'm going to be thinking of this for days...

The Primals do speak of her as a leech.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Enkidoh

could it be an aspect of Hydaelyn Herself?

---

Doubtful. The particle effect is off to the side, clipping through our view of the landscape as the scene takes place. Think of it like the particle effect of a lamp appearing over the wire frame of the lamp, as if the light was outside of the lamp, rather than inside shining out.

From a game-design standpoint, it also doesn't make much sense to have it there. Sure, Hydaelyn talks to us during the fight and the following one, but if SE really didn't have a way for those text boxes to appear on screen without the use of some in-game model for it to come from, it's much easier to make said object some invisible and/or textureless ball off to the side or in the floor, rather than create something AND give it a particle effect, just so a few lines of dialog can come from it.

On top of that, the color of the orb itself looks like the same teal particle effects of the Ultima spell, so it could be glitched particle effects of that, too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Enkidoh

Considering when the dust clears after he unleashed Ultima, he directly mentions Hydaelyn as having exhausted Her energy to protect the player's party, and given the fact Hydaelyn clearly helps the player during the Ultima Weapon fight (by drawing out the Primals' essences each time Gaius tried using them)... could it be an aspect of Hydaelyn Herself? I'm not saying it is, as there's no evidence other than what I just mentioned, but it does seem very suspicious. ;)

---

I did consider that, but I reasoned that an Ascian standing right there would probably notice something amiss if Hydaelyn were floating around. And yet, everyone just ignores the floaty green ball of light. . .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nahara

On top of that, the color of the orb itself looks like the same teal particle effects of the Ultima spell, so it could be glitched particle effects of that, too.

---

I can't remember if its the same in the Praetorium fight, but I'm pretty sure in Ultima HM the green orbs (not purple tethered ones) and Defractive Laser are the same color as the green particle in the CS. So maybe its just aetherplasm floating around as a result of Ultima going off.