Gaius Van Baelsar
Playing The Black Wolf
Legatus Legionis of the XIVth Legion of the Garlean Empire, Gaius is a powerful physical combatant with several magitek tricks up his sleeve. He is notably opposed to senseless devastation and indiscriminate methods of war, compared to his peers, but he is nonetheless a good soldier and countryman. He does not engage in battle casually and will attempt to seek other routes to his goals, although this does not mean he is reluctant to fight.
When combat starts, he takes the measure of his opponents with attacks from his gunblade, Heirsbane, while using Hand of the Empire as it is available. He is a wise fighter on the field, attempting to disrupt casters from afar with shots from the pistol while keeping enemy combatants in melee range on their toes. As the battle escalates, he will begin to use Terminus Est when it is available, using his movement or Acceleration ability to position the attack better. When he is reduced to half of his hit points, he may either strategically retreat or use Field Aflame to tip the battle in his favor. Should the flames drive enemy combatants away, he will rush to them with Acceleration and use Sentence to push them back into the zone.
Gaius Van Baelsar
Medium humanoid (Garlean/human), lawful neutral
- Armor Class 18 (plate)
- Hit Points 150 (20d8 + 60)
- Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 17 (+3) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 15 (+2)
- Saving Throws Str +7, Con +6, Int +4
- Skills History +4, Perception +4
- Senses passive Perception 14
- Languages Common
- Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
The Black Wolf (3/day). If Gaius fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Sure-Footed. Gaius has advantage on Strength and Dexterity saving throws made against effects that would knock him prone.
Relentless (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). If Gaius takes 10 nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage or less that would reduce him to 0 hit points, he is reduced to 1 hit point instead.
Field Aflame (1/day). Once he has been reduced to half of his hit points, Gaius can use a bonus action to set the ground around him ablaze with blue flame for 10 minutes. This area has a radius of 15 feet, centered on Gaius, but does not move with him. It sheds dim light for 10 ft. and is considered difficult terrain. A creature that starts its turn in the flames or passes through using its movement must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 5 (2d4) fire damage. Gaius himself is unaffected by the effects of this zone.
Actions
Multiattack. Gaius makes three attacks with Heirsbane (blade), or one attack with Heirsbane (pistol).
Heirsbane (blade). Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Heirsbane (pistol). Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 30/90 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage.
Hand of the Empire (Recharge 6). Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 40/120 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (3d6 + 2) fire damage. This attack uses the small cannon mounted on Gaius's left arm.
Terminus Est (Recharge 6). Gaius slashes in an X pattern, leaving a trail in midair, and sends the X forward in a line 5 ft. wide and 30 ft. long. Each creature in the line must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes takes 27 (6d8) damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Legendary Actions
Gaius can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. He regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
Sentence. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) bludgeoning damage. On a hit, the target must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw, and if they fail they are pushed 15 ft. away from Gaius.
Culpability. Gaius makes one attack with the Heirsbane (pistol) if he has not already made an attack with this weapon this round.
Innocence (Costs 2 actions). Gaius makes three attacks with the Heirsbane (blade).
Acceleration (Costs 2 actions). Gaius moves up to his speed toward a hostile creature that he can see. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity.