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| “ | Because of your efforts, Beacon has fallen. And Haven will be next. | „ |
| ~ Salem. |
| “ | It's important not to lose sight of what drives us: Love, justice, reverence... but the moment you put your desires before my own... they will be lost to you. This isn't a threat, this is simply the truth. The path to your desires is only found... through me. | „ |
| ~ Salem, to her subordinates. |
Salem's Faction is a group of people aligned with Salem who are aiding her plans and serve as the main antagonistic faction of RWBY. While their objective is unclear, it involves the destruction and downfall of mankind. It is also revealed they have been hunting down and stealing the powers of the four Maidens, in order to unlock the four vaults that contain the Relics. The group is able to utilize the Grimm, as their headquarters is located at a desolate spawning ground for the Creatures of Grimm.
Members
Known members of the group include Cinder Fall, Doctor Watts, Tyrian Callows and Hazel Rainart. Some of the known associates of the group include Cinder's subordinates Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black, the criminals Roman Torchwick and Neopolitan, as well as some elements of the White Fang under Adam Taurus. Haven Academy's headmaster, Leonardo Lionheart, serves as an informant in Mistral, but Salem killed him for his cowardice during the Battle of Haven.
Ozpin's group which runs the Academies are the major enemies of Salem and her forces to prevent her goal from coming to fruition.
History
Origins of Salem's Faction are still unclear, though what is known is at some point, Salem recruited members into the fold to assist in her plans of changing the world. Hazel has mentioned that the group has dealt with many "silver-eyed warriors" in the past.
Cinder Fall and her group's actions, including stealing the Fall Maiden's powers, recruiting Adam Taurus and the White Fang and destroying Beacon Academy, were all orders given and directed by Salem. Cinder's position as the new Fall Maiden is also said to be the "key" to Salem's plans.
Actions of the other members are not completely known, though Tyrian was given a similar assignment from Salem to hunt down the Spring Maiden, but has currently been reassigned by Salem to capture and retrieve Ruby Rose for defeating and scarring Cinder. Watts is assigned to take Cinder's place in a meeting with their informant in Mistral. Hazel is also to attend an arranged meeting from Adam Taurus with the White Fang's leader, Sienna Khan, to convince her to join them. Salem also reveals that Haven will be their next target following the destruction of Beacon.
Trivia
- Watts, Tyrian, Cinder, and Hazel's first initials create WTCH (pronounced "witch") when put together. It is possible that this is related to the meaning of Salem's name.
- In a panel at RTX Sydney 2017, Miles referred to them by the same name.
- Although not an official name, composer Alex Abraham named the theme that plays when Salem walks into the meeting room in "The Next Step", "A Dark Cabal", most likely referring to Salem's faction.
