Shadowhunter:

I have my doubts that the developers would bring back Gaius just to kill him off again. He's almost certainly going to play a major part in the story moving forward, no doubt as an 'Estinien' type ally of the Warrior of Light. Ascians are the ultimate threat as they manipulate whatever they can and sow the seeds of strife and discord in the protest. It begs the question, then, as to how many Ascians exist in Garlemald. The MSQ's seemed to make a point to imply that Elidibus would likely not be alone.

On the other hand, didn't Yoshi-P state that the force behind Garlemald wasn't Ascians? Or could it simply be a case of him specifically referring to the fact that Garlemald's origins and rise to power was not due to Ascian meddling but a mere consequence of being naturally inclined to technology due to their implied origins and natural aptitude?