Let's make a bet: Does Gaius van Baelsar survive the game's first main scenario?

[faris]

I like him for the same reason you do.

Very agreed. Baelsar is the Black Wolf that wields the Heirsbane - the gunblade that's completely destroyed nine aspirants to the Emperor's throne. I was waiting on Echo stuff depicting how exactly he became so loyal to an infirm, ancient Emperor that's permanently on his deathbed - since Baelsar, if anything, is proactive. Yes, the Emperor built the Empire in one lifetime. But now he can't even control his own court. That loyalty needs explaining.

Furthermore, I wanted to know about the assassinations Baelsar performed, and I wanted to know most of all the dealings (in intricacy) between him and Midas nan Garlond. It's mentioned in the Praetorium that Midas transformed before he died. Given how crystal and monsters in close proximity to Dalamud have seemed to have transformed, (Coblyns by Dalamud's Talons around Bluefog are Doblyns / Gigas around Dalamud's shards in Mor Dhona are Ogres as well as Mirrorknights around the Burning wall in general, which the game says in their FATEs come from Dalamud) Dalamud's purpose seems a little more than just holding a very angry Primal.

I suspected as well with the little teasers the devs gave at the end of 1.0 about people grafting Magitek to their bodies, that Baelsar might not fully be human any longer. Thinking about it, we have three points in time FFXIV gives us. The first is the conquering of Ala Mihgo / Silvertear falls and Midgardsormr incident, which iirc happened 15 years before 1.0 storyline. Assuming Baelsar was 25 at the start of that (A little young to be head of the XIVth legion, but you know SE and their unrealistic ages) at 1.0's storyline he was 40. Five years later in 2.0 storyline, he's 45, which in JRPG terms, is about to push up daisies - and that's the absolute youngest he actually could be. Potentially, he's way older. How is it he can fight so well? Magitek augment?

But we didn't find out. It wasn't mentioned.

There were times where I wondered what the hell the writers were even thinking with Baelsar (such as already mentioned, joining with the Ascians. I hope SE give out some kind of "Ascians bring out the worst in people" Thing with that, because Baelsar teaming up with a bunch of "touched" people trying to bring their Primal/"One True God" to Eorzea, when he himself understands what exactly these "gods" do? Really? Even with the How-To-Ultima-Weapon they no doubt provided through Thancred doesn't justify that) As well as the fact they slapped on plenty of "I must rule" comments at the pre-Baelsar fight which just didn't make sense for his motivations in general, I'll be pretty darn annoyed if that is the end of Baelsar, because he has such potential and was so very well-written in 1.0.

[Naria]

There were times where I wondered what the hell the writers were even thinking with Baelsar (such as already mentioned, joining with the Ascians. I hope SE give out some kind of "Ascians bring out the worst in people" Thing with that, because Baelsar teaming up with a bunch of "touched" people trying to bring their Primal/"One True God" to Eorzea, when he himself understands what exactly these "gods" do? Really? Even with the How-To-Ultima-Weapon they no doubt provided through Thancred doesn't justify that)

We don't really get to see Gaius and Lahabrea interact much, but given everything we know about the Ascians and Gauis' surprise at Ultima's actual power I doubt they were actually straight with him about what they were up to. Did the empire even know that they were the ones that taught the beastmen to summon the primals? I don't recall it ever being shown. Not much is known about the Ascians publicly so Gauis may not have known anything beyond that Erozeans considered them evil bogymen who could possess people. Considering the empire's stance on all primals, including the Twelve, its probably just an "enemy of my enemy" situation.

[faris]

stuff!

What you're saying stands to sense, though it conflicts tremendously with something else. All Garleans, true blood, have a third eye. Nero shows what exactly it does by knowing exactly what codename Hummingway was- an Eorzean spy. Baelsar is a Van - therefore nobility - therefore trueblood Garlean. He really, really should have seen Lahabrea's intent - the same way he saw Nael Van Darnus wasn't himself before anyone else did in 1.0.