XIVth Imperial Legion

Gaius van Baelsar, the Legatus of the XIVth Legion

“

He who cannot preserve the sovereignty of his nation is unfit to rule it.

— Gaius van Baelsar

The XIVth Imperial Legion is the youngest legion in of the Garlean Empire's legions, and among the more infamous legions in Final Fantasy XIV due to its prevalence in A Realm Reborn.

It was led by Gaius van Baelsar until his defeat at The Praetorium. All Cohorts present in mainland Eorzea (2.0 zones) are from the XIVth Legion.

Under the command of Gaius van Baelsar, the Legion had several victories during the Empire's advance on cities and nations, and bring them under the Empire's banner. After the Seventh Umbral Calamity, the XIVth Legion built several Castrums all across the nation of Eorzea with the intent of capturing it. However, the Legion met with staunch opposition from the Eorzean Alliance and ultimately failed in its mission.

Notable Members

• Gaius van Baelsar: A pure-blooded Garlean, he is possessed of a natural flair for wartime command, equalled only by his sensibilities as a governing administrator. Known as the "Black Wolf", he is best known for his subjugation of several cities, and the nation of Ala Mhigo. Utilizing the Ultima Weapon, Gaius came very close to conquering Eorzea, but was stopped by the Warrior of Light.

• Nero tol Scaeva: A pure-blooded Garlean, Nero dreamed of leaving the squalor of his village. Through hard work and perseverance, he managed to enter into the "Magitek Academy" and displayed a great affinity for reverse-engineering ancient technology. Though he tried his best, he found himself always coming in second to his friend and rival Cid nan Garlond. Though invited to stay on at the Academy and become a researcher, Nero instead chose to join the military, and rose in rank thanks to his unique abilities.

• Livia sas Junius: Losing her parents as a young girl, she was taken in by Gaius. Though it was difficult, she left her sister, Lucia Junius behind. Recognizing him as a stern yet caring figure, she eventually came to view him as more than a parent, and would do anything he asked of her. She joined the military at a young age, and quickly gained a reputation for herself as his right hand. Due to her actions in Dalmasca, she came to be known as the "Ghost of Dalmasca."

• Rhitahtyn sas Arvina: Born to a remote area systematically subjugated by the Empire, Rhitahtyn joined the military for a single purpose: Earning his citizenship. Assigned to the XIVth Legion, Gaius recognized his exceptional martial prowess. Rhitahtyn also proved himself to be a master tactician through a series of victories. He came to hold the highest position a non-Garlean can hold: "Praefectus Castrorum." Despite being forty nine, he is an incredible fighter who can move surprisingly fast considering the weight and size of his Gunshield.

Images

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  Gaius van Baelsar

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  Nero tol Scaeva

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  Livia sas Junius

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  Rhitahtyn sas Arvina

History

Sixth Astral Era and Earlier

Under the command of Gaius van Baelsar, the Legion is credited with several victories during the Garlean Empire's advance on Eorzea. Notably, it was responsible for the subjugation and annexation of Ala Mhigo, following the death of King Theodoric in 1557.

In 1562, the XIVth Legion attempted to invade Eorzea via Mor Dhona, using its flagship dreadnaught, the Agrius. The Legion was forced to retreat after the Agrius was destroyed during the Battle of Silvertear Skies. This would lead the XIVth Legion to postpone its campaign against Eorzea, and proceed with construction of Baelsar's Wall on the border of the Black Shroud and Gyr Abania.

In 1569, a dreadnaught of the XIVth Legion would open fire and shoot down a Highwind Skyways airship transporting civilian passengers, resulting in the temporary suspension of airship travel for regular Eorzean citizens.

In 1572, Project Meteor would resume under the command of Legatus Nael van Darnus. The XIVth Legion was then instructed to help see this plan through, resulting in the Battle of Carteneau and the Seventh Umbral Calamity.

Seventh Umbral Era

Following the discovery of the Ultima Weapon, Gaius van Baelsar, receiving hidden guidance from the Ascian, Lahabrea, subjugated the Primals of the Beast Tribes, and offered an ultimatum to the leaders of Eorzea: Surrender or fall.

In response, the Eorzean Alliance launched an all-out offensive against the Legion, infiltrating Castrum Meridianum and destroying the Ultima Weapon before it could be utilized fully. Legatus Gaius van Baelsar vanished from what remained of the Castrum after his defeat by the Warrior of Light, and presumed dead by many.

Without a suitable leader to replace him, the remnants of the XIVth Legion were absorbed by either the XIIth Imperial Legion or the newly reformed VIIth Imperial Legion.

Lore

The youngest of the Empire’s legions, the XIVth formed under Gaius van Baelsar, who had loyally served as tribunus angusticlavius of the XIth. The XIVth legion was his prize for a series of stunning victories against a nation upon the fringes of Othard. Under Gaius’s command, the XIVth went on to conquer and convert several enemy cities. By the end of the Sixth Astral Era, the legion had turned towards Eorzea, and brought Ala Mhigo to kneel before its might.

Following the Seventh Umbral Calamity, the XIVth advanced further into Eorzea, and shored up its position with castrums in every area. From these footholds, it sought to bring every city-state under its power. However, the XIVth met with staunch resistance from the Eorzean Alliance, and ultimately failed in its aim. As the legion lost almost all officers—including Gaius—in a series of fearsome battles, the command structure is currently fractured, and the remaining troops have largely locked themselves away within imperial strongholds.