Fordola and Gaius - Past/Future

[Rocl]

Gaius and Fordola use the same gunblade style. This could be passed off as standard training, except we see Regula van Hydrus use entirely different movesets in the Aetherochemical Research Facility, but uses the basics the same way, so this may be moot.

I feel like pointing out that Regula's style only differs when he wields The Bastard, his personal weapon. When we fight him in Azys Lla, he utilizes all of the same skills as Gaius (and even borrows his theme song, which is ultimately Nael's sans vocals but plus violin) In fact, in our first tussle with Regula, he uses all of Gaius' skills. Ceruleum fire patch, Terminus Est, Hand of the Empire, Innocence, etc.

There is, disappointingly, a bit of overlap when it comes to prominent gunblade users. I personally was really disappointed that Fordola picked up a gunblade from Zenos and immediately used Terminus Est when the first Lore Book mentions it's an exceedingly difficult technique to master. However, I do concede that it's possible Fordola had training beforehand... but it never struck me as such the first time I read 4.0.

Her lack of hesitation in taking the gunblade could also be read as a sort of ... happiness? She was fully glad to be recognized by the legatus. Furthermore, I think any trepidation or hesitation to accept a gift from someone as unhinged as Zenos would've been a severe misstep. I think her acceptance of it is less a comment on her familiarity with the weapon than what it symbolizes.

I think it'd be more unreasonable to think Gaius didn't know Fordola. I'm not entirely convinced he had a personal touch in her life, but without a doubt he signed off on the Crania Lupii. However, given the 4.1 dialogue you've posted I'm more given to think her family might've not known him personally in any way. If the father had previous direct contact with Gaius I'd feel it'd be "miss YOUR chance to meet him" rather than OUR. But that's me splitting hairs. Highlanders tending to choose surname/battle epithets to go by, her choosing LUPIS to fully throw her weight behind the Black Wolf is a definite thing.

I went back to try to find dates for the founding of the Crania Lupii again and got lost and forgot my train of thought, but:

How does Fordola's Resonant Eye interact with the Calling? I'm not sure it would? The people who've been called are prominent members of the Scions. Of those affected, that we know of, we're the only one with the Echo. It'd be nice to say that the Echo is what's preventing our soul from being stripped from our bodies wholly, but that doesn't explain Alisaie, who most definitely lacks the Echo and has resisted the Calling as often as we have, so far.