Gaius van Baelsar is a prominent character from the video game series Final Fantasy XIV. He serves as the leader of the Garlean Empire, a powerful nation known for its advanced technology and militaristic approach. Gaius is recognized for his strategic mind and strong leadership, often portrayed as a complex antagonist in the game's storyline. In the lore of Final Fantasy XIV, Gaius is also known as the "Black Wolf" and is characterized by his ambition to unify the world under the Garlean banner. His actions and motivations are central to the conflict between the Garlean Empire and the game's protagonists, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.