Gaius van Baelsar

Lore & Background

Gaius van Baelsar was the legatus leading the Garlean invasion of Ala Mhigo twenty years before Stormblood. He intended to conquer all of Eorzea but stalled in the face of Eorzean and dragon resistance. Instead, he built Baelsar's Wall at the Ala Mhigan border, waiting for an opportunity. He also established the Crania Lupi, a native Ala Mhigan irregular unit offering citizenship for service. His policies were egalitarian and meritocratic, contrasting with the harsh and sadistic tyranny of his successor, Zenos yae Galvus. After Gaius' defeat in A Realm Reborn, the new Emperor Varis zos Galvus made his son Zenos imperial viceroy.

In Their Own Story

Gaius van Baelsar's actions set the stage for Stormblood's conflict. He conquered Ala Mhigo twenty years prior, ruling through the Crania Lupi and building Baelsar's Wall. His defeat in A Realm Reborn led to Zenos yae Galvus becoming viceroy, whose brutal oppression impelled the player to act. Immediately prior to Stormblood, an Ala Mhigan Resistance faction made a false flag attack on Baelsar's Wall in Eorzean Alliance uniforms, hoping to restart the war. The player character and the Scions of the Seventh Dawn arrived to restore order, ultimately capturing the Wall and fortifying it, expecting imperial retaliation.

Reader's Guide

Gaius van Baelsar is encountered as the legatus of the Garlean Empire who conquered Ala Mhigo. He built Baelsar's Wall and established the Crania Lupi. His defeat in A Realm Reborn is a key event leading to Zenos yae Galvus becoming viceroy. Players interact with the consequences of his rule throughout Stormblood, including the false flag attack on Baelsar's Wall and the subsequent capture of the Wall by the Eorzean Alliance.

Did You Know?

• Gaius van Baelsar led the invasion of Ala Mhigo twenty years before Stormblood.
• He built Baelsar's Wall at the Ala Mhigan border after stalling in the face of Eorzean and dragon resistance.
• He established the Crania Lupi, a native Ala Mhigan irregular unit offering citizenship for service.
• His policies were egalitarian and meritocratic, contrasting with Zenos yae Galvus' harsh and sadistic tyranny.
• After his defeat in A Realm Reborn, Emperor Varis zos Galvus made his son Zenos imperial viceroy.