Quote Originally Posted by SicariusSeven View Post
That one theory that Gaius Van Baelsar might not be dead might have a sliver of possibility. Those who managed to do the SB DRK campaign might notice a certain someone missing from the the final DRK quest. Why is Gaius missing when his two lieutenants are there, the Heavensward, and even the Warriors of Darkness? Yes the Ascians are absent from this quest but I'm assuming that is because their connection to the WOL transcends this particular encounter. What I'm getting at is there is that minuscule possibility that MAYBE he's out there and more hints or even an appearance might take place in this patch. I did find it very odd that they had a side quest that mentioned Gaius with its own little flashback in Stormblood. It's as if they were 'reminding' players that this particular character existed.
Gaius is also absent from the lower levels of the Palace of the Dead, lending further credence to this hypothesis. However...

The Palace of the Dead is, supposedly, only able to manifest spirits of the restless dead. While he didn't get what he wanted, Gaius seemed pretty accepting of his defeat and death.

As for Stormblood's DRK campaign, the thing to remember about it is that the phantoms summoned during the story are not the actual spirits of the dead. They're copies made out of memories, which is why Ser Ignasse is kind and amiable when made from Millie's memories but a vicious enemy when made from the Warrior of Light's. The phantoms summoned by Myste were all of people the Warrior of Light presumably regrets having to kill; by extension, that would mean they just don't feel much guilt over killing Gaius. (The Warrior of Light isn't even technically responsible for his now-supposed death; they did defeat him, but he was killed by the exploding Praetorium, which only happened due to his use of the Ultima Weapon and Lahabrea's machinations.)

Gaius is repeatedly brought up during the Ala Mhigo portions of Stormblood because he is heavily woven into the background of the region's recent history. He's also something of a fan favorite, and as Haurchefant showed this can elevate a character beyond their initial seeming scope of importance. I'm still not sold on the idea that he's still alive just because we don't have his head on a pike, but that 4.3 trailer stinger has me wondering...