Character Design Discussion: Gaius Van Baelsar

Greetings all! I have taken the time and effort to put together a character reference sheet from the 3D resources available in the game - this is Gaius Van Baelsar, complete with face close-ups.

This gives you an opportunity to closely scrutinize his character design and spot some interesting quirks about the Garlean Empire! Some of his features are shared with the Imperial Centurion, too. (Of whom I will be assembling a character sheet for sooner or later!)

Gaius Van Baelsar - Character Reference Sheet

Discuss! :3

Oh, wow. The visible part of his face isn't part of his face at all, it looks like part of the mask. He could look like anything under there, then.

Which program did you use to capture these, if you don't mind my asking?

I have plenty of theories about Gaius' appearance, but I think I'll keep them to myself for now. Draw your own conclusions. :3

I know he is a bonafide badass thats for sure.

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Originally Posted by Anonymoose

Oh, wow. The visible part of his face isn't part of his face at all, it looks like part of the mask. He could look like anything under there, then.

Which program did you use to capture these, if you don't mind my asking?

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You'll have to do some digging on your own to find the "program" - Square Enix is notoriously strict about discussing third party programs on the official forums. Let's leave it at that, alright?

Spoiler alert?

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Originally Posted by DoctorMog

Spoiler alert?

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Not a spoiler anymore since he's featured in the Grand Companies page.

Going by his proportions... could he possibly be an elezen? Sorry, I'm not high level enough to witness him in-game quite yet and I'm trying to avoid cutscenes.

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Originally Posted by redmage

Going by his proportions... could he possibly be an elezen? Sorry, I'm not high level enough to witness him in-game quite yet and I'm trying to avoid cutscenes.

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It's a possibility. Tradition holds in Final Fantasy that great antagonist forces are exclusively hume/hyur, but this game has broken with tradition more than a few times. Even in FFXII, Gabranth said "The Emperor is willing to overlook race for his more talented subjects."

Still, though, I'm willing to bet that he's hyur.

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Originally Posted by Shikaree

Seriously why do all the bad guys get the cool stuff?

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It makes them formidable and memorable. What use is our victory if we're not the underdogs to start? I don't know about you, but when I go out into the field to face the invading forces and it's mostly just plain old hyurs with weapons and clothes we have access to, I almost feel bad mowing them down... but then I remember Ala Mhigo and keep on letting the AoEs fly.

It's Like Grahf and Darth Vader did the fusion dance.

Anyway Spoiler: If this guy is from Limsa Lomina, then he's probably doing horribly bad things to gain the trust of the Empire to learn it's secrets for the good of everyone.

That's my thought on it, of course I know I am wrong.

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Originally Posted by Anonymoose

It's a possibility. Tradition holds in Final Fantasy that great antagonist forces are exclusively hume/hyur, but this game has broken with tradition more than a few times. Even in FFXII, Gabranth said "The Emperor is willing to overlook race for his more talented subjects."

Still, though, I'm willing to bet that he's hyur.

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I'm tempted to say he's A Highlander Hyur, possibly one of the those kids. I mean, he's pretty buff, and I doubt it's because of his armor alone.

I think there a race by them self why would any of the 5 race would go off and live by them self and become 10x smart then anyone in the world. So far we know there 6 Race in the game and i thinking that the empire is the 7 Race. They may not even be from this world who knows lol.

That what i think too SE say something else about them.

He's definitely a Hyur. Van Darnus is an Elezen, so it's farily easy to pick the two body-types apart when they're seen in-game. Secondly, "certain" channels may or may not have found out that he has the animations of a Highlander in-game. Just sayin'

If I had to place a bet, I'd go with Van Baelsar being a Hyur "highlander". It does seem like the Hyur have a low standing in the imperial military, however. All the centurions are exclusively Elezen, where as the bulk of their standing army is comprised of Hyur (mainly), as well as Miqo'te, Roegadyn, and Lalafellin. I've yet to see an Elezen legionnaire. Plus Van Darnus is noted to be of a noble lineage, and he's Elezen. Tie that together with the fact that all the centurions thus far have been Elezen, and I think it's safe to assume that the Elezen are dominant in the empire. However, it's highly possible this is just a coincidence, and that race does not matter within the empire.

As far as Van Baelsar's armor goes, it seems safe to assume all the Legatus have custom-built, but similar-in-design suits of Garlean armor. If you remember back near launch, it was stated that the Garleans have incredibly strong armor, capable of deflecting bullets with ease and heavily resisting magical attacks. Chances are most of the footsoldiers have the bare minimum, with centurions having slightly better armor, and the Legatus' naturally having top tier equipment - hence the underlying similarities between Baelsar and Darnus.

Each seems to fit their "duties", in my opinion. Darnus' armor is fierce, and seems fitting for the head of one of the empire's most valuable legions. They're a powerful force, and his persona radiates that power.

Baelsar on the other hand definitely has more of a scholarly-vibe in his attire. Even the brief glimpse we had into his mannerisms seemed to speak heavily on his duties as a viceroy. He seems to be more of a political mastermind than a die-hard warrior, albeit a politician who can kick some serious ass when the situation calls for it. He most likely spends a majority of his time managing Ala Mhigo and making certain there are no uprisings within the city - as a small scale rebellion could easily grow out of control.

Isn't "Gaius Balter" in the Bible.. and Battle Star Galactica ^^.. running out of names are we?

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Originally Posted by Endemerrin

He's definitely a Hyur. Van Darnus is an Elezen, so it's farily easy to pick the two body-types apart when they're seen in-game. Secondly, "certain" channels may or may not have found out that he has the animations of a Highlander in-game. Just sayin'

If I had to place a bet, I'd go with Van Baelsar being a Hyur "highlander". It does seem like the Hyur have a low standing in the imperial military, however. All the centurions are exclusively Elezen, where as the bulk of their standing army is comprised of Hyur (mainly), as well as Miqo'te, Roegadyn, and Lalafellin. I've yet to see an Elezen legionnaire. Plus Van Darnus is noted to be of a noble lineage, and he's Elezen. Tie that together with the fact that all the centurions thus far have been Elezen, and I think it's safe to assume that the Elezen are dominant in the empire. However, it's highly possible this is just a coincidence, and that race does not matter within the empire.

As far as Van Baelsar's armor goes, it seems safe to assume all the Legatus have custom-built, but similar-in-design suits of Garlean armor. If you remember back near launch, it was stated that the Garleans have incredibly strong armor, capable of deflecting bullets with ease and heavily resisting magical attacks. Chances are most of the footsoldiers have the bare minimum, with centurions having slightly better armor, and the Legatus' naturally having top tier equipment - hence the underlying similarities between Baelsar and Darnus.

Each seems to fit their "duties", in my opinion. Darnus' armor is fierce, and seems fitting for the head of one of the empire's most valuable legions. They're a powerful force, and his persona radiates that power.

Baelsar on the other hand definitely has more of a scholarly-vibe in his attire. Even the brief glimpse we had into his mannerisms seemed to speak heavily on his duties as a viceroy. He seems to be more of a political mastermind than a die-hard warrior, albeit a politician who can kick some serious ass when the situation calls for it. He most likely spends a majority of his time managing Ala Mhigo and making certain there are no uprisings within the city - as a small scale rebellion could easily grow out of control.

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If the Garlean Empire has mainly Elezen nobility, then do you think that could explain the fact that Ishgard withdrew from the alliance early on? Ishgard IS dominated by Elezen as well. So the two may have connections to each other.

He is actually Grahf xD

I'd wear his frock.

UGH why can't the story be continued sooner.

Why do we suddenly have 6 different things going on at once?
1. Garlean Empire
2. Beast Tribes
3. The Flood on Gridania
4.The Moons
5. Primals
6. The Acsians

How are all these connecting?

Like The Garlean Empire is trying to use the primals power by using the beastmen to destroy the moon that might hit us causing Gridania to be flooded and the zone remapped that way.

Who is the serious threat? Who are we supposed to be focusing on?

You know I don't trust anything the reporters say in the letters, you can't trust reporters. Limsa Lomin can be viewed as evil, I would, nothing but cutthroats and pirates that sound like morons with the "Ya dun goofed" language. (Seriously annoying)

I am so lost with the story because I can't tell what is what. I wish I could rewatch old cutscenes.

DOST THOU DESIRE THE POWER?

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Originally Posted by Jinrya-Geki

UGH why can't the story be continued sooner.

Why do we suddenly have 6 different things going on at once?
1. Garlean Empire
2. Beast Tribes
3. The Flood on Gridania
4.The Moons
5. Primals
6. The Acsians

How are all these connecting?

Like The Garlean Empire is trying to use the primals power by using the beastmen to destroy the moon that might hit us causing Gridania to be flooded and the zone remapped that way.

Who is the serious threat? Who are we supposed to be focusing on?

You know I don't trust anything the reporters say in the letters, you can't trust reporters. Limsa Lomin can be viewed as evil, I would, nothing but cutthroats and pirates that sound like morons with the "Ya dun goofed" language. (Seriously annoying)

I am so lost with the story because I can't tell what is what. I wish I could rewatch old cutscenes.

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Garlean Empire: From what they say, they want to prevent a catastrophe.

Beast Tribes, Primals: Also according to the Garleans, they are related to said event and play a large role on it

The Flood on Gridania, The Moons: Signs of the incoming catastrophe

Ascians: Scare the hell out the the BT, reasons unknown.


That's sort of how it goes, but yeah...a follow up the the main quest is long overdue

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Originally Posted by Jinrya-Geki

UGH why can't the story be continued sooner.

Why do we suddenly have 6 different things going on at once?
1. Garlean Empire
2. Beast Tribes
3. The Flood on Gridania
4.The Moons
5. Primals
6. The Acsians

How are all these connecting?

Like The Garlean Empire is trying to use the primals power by using the beastmen to destroy the moon that might hit us causing Gridania to be flooded and the zone remapped that way.

Who is the serious threat? Who are we supposed to be focusing on?

You know I don't trust anything the reporters say in the letters, you can't trust reporters. Limsa Lomin can be viewed as evil, I would, nothing but cutthroats and pirates that sound like morons with the "Ya dun goofed" language. (Seriously annoying)

I am so lost with the story because I can't tell what is what. I wish I could rewatch old cutscenes.

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1. The Garlean Empire is taking over the world.
2. The remaining unconquered world seems to be at constant war. You and your companion are attempting to bring this part of the world to peace so that they can unite and fight the Garlean Empire.
3. No idea.
4. Something to do with the primals. also no idea.
5. I always assumed that the Garlean conquest screws up the balance of the primals or some crazy thing like that.
6. As always, there's a deeper evil than what can be perceived on the surface. Maybe they are a force controlling all of the bad vibes.

As for the on topic: Although I see resemblance to Darth Vader, the fact that there is an opposite white version running around somewhere makes me to believe there is more to it than that.
I can kind of relate it to the Halo storyline (a good storyline if anyone has played it) where the Prophet Truth jumps the gun on attacking a planet. Not everything goes according to plan because of some rogue/power-hungry man in command acting too competitive.

I can kind of feel a vibe of that going on here with the back story of the black and white commanders. They are on the same side, but they are very much rivals. Both waiting for the chance to become the one ruler of the Garlean empire and subsequently the world.

I know this has little to do with the outfit, but it does in a sense that he does have a counter part dressed similarly to him.

Here's my theory: the player is unable to unite the tribes. Instead, they realize that there is a major disconnect between the 2 garlean forces attacking what's left of Eorzea. This is the ultimate key to defeating the empire. Make them fight each other. (crazy unlikely theory ftw)

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Originally Posted by AdvancedWind

DOST THOU DESIRE THE POWER?

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I'm so glad that there are others who see this and I'm not the only one xD!!

Xenogears is my fav rpg <3

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Originally Posted by Jinrya-Geki

UGH why can't the story be continued sooner.

Why do we suddenly have 6 different things going on at once?
1. Garlean Empire
2. Beast Tribes
3. The Flood on Gridania
4.The Moons
5. Primals
6. The Acsians

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7. Seal Rock and the Elezen that stole the key.
8. Y'shtola who is Sharlayan, what's her deal?
9. When Sthalman is giving me my gun back. Seriously, I want that shit back.

As far as Gaius goes (spoilers):

He's essentially what would happen if the Predator became a judge. I want to rip off his arm and steal his magitek cannon.

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Originally Posted by Arcell

7. Seal Rock and the Elezen that stole the key.
8. Y'shtola who is Sharlayan, what's her deal?
9. When Sthalman is giving me my gun back. Seriously, I want that shit back.

As far as Gaius goes (spoilers):

He's essentially what would happen if the Predator became a judge. I want to rip off his arm and steal his magitek cannon.

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There's a new theory going around regarding Y'sthola, Yda, Papalymo and Thancred. They may also be Archons, while Urianger is a "Mad Archon". Supporting this statement are Y'sthola, Papalymo and Thancred's appearances in the Urianger storyline cutscenes. Y'sthola's encounter was the most striking of all, with duplicates of herself surrounding the player during dialogue.

Setting aside the fact that Papalymo says "Oh, Rhalgr take you and your beyond!" in the Gridania opening cutscene, their personalities fall in line with certain members of the Twelve. Some people have told me that Urianger's personality seems to most match Rhalgr.

If true, that would make so much sense - an Archon driven to action because his "home territory", Ala Mhigo, is under threat, and provoking the Empire to act.