Gaius's Intentions

[PArcher]

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.

[WellGramarye]

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.

[Skyhound]

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.

[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 (3 guys 1 female.)

[Toranja]

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. ;-)

[WellGramarye]

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?

[Altimis]

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.

[Kayokane]

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.

[WellGramarye]

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?

[Melinia]

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.