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This Article Contains Spoilers -
WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you do not wish to know vital information on plot / character elements in a story, you may not wish to read beyond this warning: We hold no responsibility for any negative effects these facts may have on your enjoyment of said media should you continue. That is all. |
| “ | My heart and body belong only to our goddess! | „ |
| ~ Tyrian proclaiming his devotion to Salem. |
| “ | Oh, the rose has thorns! My little flower, I'm here to whisk you away with me! | „ |
| ~ Tyrian, to Ruby Rose. |
| “ | Salem is destruction incarnate! Our mistress wishes to see the end of it all! There is no ideal more beautiful. If you couldn’t see that from the start, you must be out of your mind... | „ |
| ~ Tyrian, to Mercury and Emerald. |
Tyrian Callows is a major antagonist of the American animated webseries RWBY. He is a serial killer and a member of Salem's Faction.
He is voiced by Josh Grelle, who also voices Demigra and Yukiteru Amano.
Appearance
Tyrian is a pale man with a brown braided ponytail and gold eyes. He wears a white sleeveless jacket with leather belts strapped to it, along with white pants. His jacket is left open, exposing his bare chest, which is criss-crossed with prominent scars. His arms are covered with purple bandages and leather vambraces. He also wears leather boots covering his entire shin with knee guards. On each earlobe is a silver earring shaped like a ring, and near the top of his left ear is another matching earring. In the episode "Menagerie", he appears in a dark brown jacket which he wears open the same way he does his white.
In "Tipping Point", it is revealed that his animal trait as a Faunus is a scorpion stinger which protrudes from his back. When not in use, he disguises it by wrapping it around his belt. His eyes can also change color from gold to purple. The stinger is separated from the tail after Ruby cut it off with Crescent Rose and later replaced with a spike and finally a mechanical tail courtesy of Arthur Watts.
Biography
Past
In the past, Tyrian was a known serial killer who killed people across Remnant. He was eventually arrested, but his transport to prison was attacked by Grimm and he escaped. Likely as thanks to the Grimm's leader Salem, Tyrian swore allegiance to her and regarded her as his queen.
Volume 4
In "The Next Step", Tyrian attends a meeting at Salem's Domain along with Watts, Cinder and Hazel. Tyrian encourages Cinder to seek revenge on Ruby Rose for the loss of her left eye. Salem later orders Tyrian to continue his search for the Spring Maiden. However, upon hearing Cinder's concern about Ruby, she reassigns him to track Ruby down and bring her back alive. Tyrian promises to take one of Ruby's eyes for Cinder before bursting into maniacal laughter.
In "Menagerie", Tyrian arrives at Higanbana and asks a waitress for information on Ruby's whereabouts.
In "Tipping Point", Tyrian intercepts Team RNJR at Oniyuri and attacks them. When questioned about who he is, Tyrian tells them that his name doesn't matter and he's only interested in Ruby, whom he declares will be coming with him. During their fight, Tyrian reveals he is a scorpion Faunus, which makes Ruby question if this is about the White Fang or Roman Torchwick. Tyrian calls them nothing but pawns and states that he only serves his "goddess". Despite Team RNJR's efforts, Tyrian easily defeats them and incapacitates Ruby. However, before he can strike her with his stinger, Qrow Branwen intervenes and blocks the attack.
In "Punished", Tyrian has a quick talk with Qrow before engaging him in battle. Ruby attempts to rejoin the fight despite Qrow's warnings and Tyrian knocks her into an unstable building; causing Qrow to come save her from falling debris. Tyrian takes the opportunity to strike Qrow across the abdomen with his stinger; poisoning him. However, Ruby severs Tyrian's stinger from his extended tail with Crescent Rose, causing him to scream in pain. Surrounded and too injured to continue fighting, Tyrian flees the area, hoping Salem will forgive him for his failure.
In "Taking Control", Tyrian returns to Salem's Domain and grovels before Salem. He tells Salem that though he failed to retrieve Ruby like she asked, he managed to poison Qrow and remove him as a threat; asking if he's still pleased her with this action. Salem nonetheless expresses disappointment in Tyrian, causing him to break down into tears and bawl. When a nearby Beowolf attempts to attack him, Tyrian viciously kills it before taking his grief out on its corpse; stabbing it repeatedly as his cries turn into maniacal laughter.
Volume 5
In "Dread in the Air", when Salem hears that Qrow is alive and well, she orders Cinder to summon Tyrian to her conference room so that she can "have a word with him".
Volume 6
In "So That's How it Is", Tyrian returns with a new mechanical tail made by Dr. Watts. He mocks Hazel, Mercury Black, and Emerald Sustrai on their defeat at Haven Academy, enraging Emerald when he mocks the supposed death of Cinder. She threatens him and cuts his face, but he only laughs manically. He later attends a meeting called by Salem, where he offers to stop the Beacon students from delivering the Relic of Knowledge to Atlas. However, Hazel reveals that Ozpin is still alive, prompting Salem to dismiss Tyrian and the others before unleashing her rage.
In "Lost", Tyrian gives Emerald and Mercury some advice about how far they want to go, before telling them that he and Watts have been assigned to a special mission to go to Atlas.
Volume 7
In "A New Approach”, Tyrian and Watts have a brief argument via earpieces. Tyrian expresses worriment that he and Watts will be recognized by the Atlas security. Watts reassures him by telling him the security code in Mantle is outdated, allowing the scientist to hack the security cameras, and allowing both men to walk freely.
In "Ace Operatives”, Tyrian corners Forest in an alleyway. Forest asks who the scorpion Faunus is. Tyrian responds to the question that he's someone like him, someone who wants to mix things up around Mantle. Afterwards he proceeds to kill Forest.
In "A Night Off”, Tyrian and Watts sabotaged Robyn Hill's victory party. With Watts cutting the power and altering the security camera footage, Tyrian was free to kill as many of Robyn's supporters. He attacked Fiona, Robyn's right-hand woman, and then made his escape. With Tyrian gone, Watts switched the lights back on. The survivors of the ordeal seeing Penny on the stage with Robyn, they quickly placed the blame on her.
In "As Above, So Below”, Tyrian drops down from the rooftops. He and Watts watch as the citizen of Mantle riot and loot the stores as well as destroy the paladins.
In "Out in the Open”, Tyrian and Watts watch Ironwood and Robyn Hill expose the truth about the recent murders and their plans to divide the people of Mantle. Watts looks at the schematics in making Amity Colosseum a communications tower, and is dumbfounded how those plans had gotten past him. Tyrian becomes enraged that their plans failed. Watts goes to sabotage the colosseum, Tyrian is sent to create more tension and chaos in Mantle. Later, Tyrian corners Robyn in an alleyway, dodging, and catching her crossbow bolts. Tyrian charges at Robyn, but is interrupted by Qrow and Clover.
In "Gravity”, after Clover tell Tyrian he is under arrest, he begins to cackle insanely. In response, Qrow charges at him. Tyrian blocks and counters their attacks. With Qrow fighting on the offensive, while Clover, and Robyn providing support. They quickly overwhelm Tyrian, which causes him to burst out into maniacal laughter. Robyn shoots a crossbow bolt at him, he catches it in his teeth. Suddenly, the bolt explodes, dazing him, and depleting his aura. While on the ground he chuckles at Robyn as she approaches, she then kicks him in the head, knocking him out. Much later during the time Ruby is exposing Ironwood's plan to her companions, Tyrian is seen on the bullhead airship, tied up, and sitting next to Clover, Robyn, and Qrow.
In “With Friends Like These”, after hearing Ruby exposing Ironwood’s plan to abandon Mantle. On everyone’s scrolls a warrant is out for team RWBY’s arrest, including Qrow. Robyn becomes enraged at Clover for following Ironwood’s orders. As tensions between Clover, Qrow, and Robyn rise. Tyrian bides his time and waits for them to attack each other. Qrow tries to de-escalate the hostility, but his pleas fall on dead ears. Robyn fires a bolt at Clover, but the latter blocks it. Tyrian is accidentally freed by Clover’s fishing hook, he sneaks off, kills the pilots, and sabotages the controls of the manta.
As Qrow and Clover begin to fight one another, Tyrian “regains” consciousness. He removes the bolas from his wrists by dislocating his thumb, then popping it back into place. The two stop for a brief moment, but Tyrian interjects and tells them not to stop on his account. Qrow angrily responds to his second opponent and charges at him. Tyrian, Qrow, and Clover fight one another. Qrow angrily claims he and Tyrian have a score to settle, Tyrian calmly agrees. Tyrian then suggests they “put the kid to bed before they finish it.” Qrow agrees to the serial killer’s suggestion and the two go after Clover.
During the fight between the three, Tyrian and Qrow gain the upperhand, Qrow loses his sword, but goes in and punches Clover in the stomach. His punch causes Clover’s aura shatters. Qrow demands why he’s following Ironwood, Clover responds he owes the general his life. His life his cut short when Tyrian runs Qrow’s sword through the leader of the Ace-Ops’ back. In mock sympathy, Tyrian tells Qrow it doesn’t look like Clover is going to make it. Enraged, Qrow screams he is going to kill Tyrian. The scorpion Faunus sadistically responds just like the way he killed Clover. Tyrian tells Qrow their score will have to wait and leaves Qrow and Robyn to the authorities.
Volume 8
In “Divide”, Cinder returns to Salem with Neo and with the Relic of Knowledge in their possession. Cinder takes all the credit for stealing the Lamp from Ironwood, Tyrian steps out from the shadows, insulting the Fall Maiden, telling her she isn’t cunning, but that General Ironwood is an idiot. Cinder retorts, telling him that he and Watts were both outsmarted by the General. She sarcastically tell him it’s a shame that Watts never made it back. Tyrian states the doctor was a necessary sacrifice and hopes that Neopolitan isn’t another. Salem asks Cinder who her new partner is, upon which Cinder answers her master, stating that Neo is a valuable asset. Moments later, Hazel, Emerald, and Mercury arrive. Emerald sees Cinder and starts to run towards her, expressing relief she’s ok, but Cinder chastises her subordinate. Tyrian proceeds to insult Emerald, saying she shouldn’t put her faith into someone so incompetent. The Faunus proudly exclaims while he and Watts were causing strife and chaos amongst the citizens of Atlas, Cinder was merely atoning for her past failures. Cinder states Penny had gotten in her way during her personal mission in stealing the Winter Maiden powers, and says she will take what is hers. Salem then demands Cinder to know her place, and while she is more valuable to her than a pawn, she is not a player in this game. Salem waves her hand, and her subordinates immediately leave.
In "Midnight" Tyrian shows Salem (via scroll) texts that state that Arthur Watts has managed to hack Penny while kneeling before Salem (along with the rest of her subordinates). He gleefully watches Salem briefly torture Cinder via her Grimm arm and then watches Hazel slam Oscar into the ground of the Monstra, after Oscar declares that aiding Salem in her plans will "bring about the end for all of them".
In "War", Tyrian happily debunks Mercury Black's argument that "Salem is not ending the world" after overhearing Emerald and Mercury's conversation, and states that her destructive intentions were obvious, before leaving with Mercury to go to Vacuo under Salem's orders.
RWBY: Amity Arena
Tyrian appears as a unit in RWBY: Amity Arena. He is a melee fighter whose attacks do lingering poison damage to targets. Upon death, he releases a large AOE poison that damages all enemies in the radius.
Personality
Tyrian was described to his voice actor Josh Grelle, as psychotic incarnate, and someone who wants to see the world burn. He is also a highly kooky, unstable and maladjusted individual. He frequently bursts into fits of uncontrollable and maniacal laughter, and relishes in gruesome thoughts, such as removing one of Ruby Rose's eyes in revenge for her taking one of Cinder Fall's. He is also extremely effervescent, vivacious and gleeful when instructed to find Ruby, though is disappointed when told he must capture her alive. Another one of his eccentricities is sitting in a crouching position in his chair.
He finds amusement in taunting his opponents while he fights and shows joy when Team RNJR will not allow him to take Ruby without a fight, indicating a level of bloodlust. When he appears to have the upper hand in a fight, he becomes overconfident and careless, letting himself take hits as long as he can continue to press the advantage. He also has a flair for the dramatic, wildly posturing and gesturing with deliberate dramatic pauses as if he were giving a stage performance.
His instability is evident when he suffers from a mental breakdown after hearing he disappointed Salem. Tyrian proceeds to cry in despair before viciously retaliating against a Beowolf which lunges at him and regaining a sense of his sadistic joy as he does so.
Powers and Abilities
Fighting
Tyrian is shown to have incredible speed, able to dash behind an opponent and strike before they can even blink. He is also strong enough to block an attack from a fully charged Nora Valkyrie with ease and is able to overpower Team RNJR without much effort; while the latter couldn't even touch him. While he displays traits that may suggest otherwise, he is incredibly combat efficient, is smart enough to know which targets to prioritize, and had the forethought to hide his Faunus trait in order to get an advantage against Team RNJR. His fighting style makes effective use of all five of his limbs, allowing him to engage multiple opponents with minimal difficulty. However, his style is not flawless, and his chaotic mindset does leave him open to attacks from superior strategists, which resulted in the loss of his stinger, albeit after delivering a near-fatal dose of venom to Qrow Branwen.
According to Cinder, Tyrian is strong enough to kill fully trained Huntsmen.
Weapons
Tyrians's weapon of choice is a set of wrist blades attached to his vambraces equipped with firearms.
He also uses his stinger in combat, which he can contract and extend at will. The stinger happens to be remarkably durable as it blocks Nora's attack, even when Nora was powered up by an electric shot from Crescent Rose. Much like how scorpion stingers are usually a conduit for venom, Tyrian's stinger can inject venom when used as a barb, as seen when he grazed Qrow Branwen with it. When he intends to sting someone, his eyes turn dark purple. After the battle against Qrow and Team RNJR, he lost his stinger along with a portion of his tail. His venom was potent enough to corrode stone and incapacitate someone who was simply grazed by his stinger within less than a day.
Quotes
| “ | If I were you, I'd hunt her down. Find her and, well, she took your eye, didn't she? | „ |
| ~ Tyrian talking to Cinder about Ruby Rose. |
| “ | Eye for an eye. | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Cinder, after the meeting. |
| “ | Excuse me. I was hoping you could … help me find someone. | „ |
| ~ Tyrian, to Higanbana Waitress. |
| “ | Who I am matters not to you(Points at Ren),or you(Points at Nora),or(Points at Jaune) well you do interest me (Jaune gasps)No I only matter to you (Points at Ruby)(Ruby:Me?)(Laughs hysterically)You,you haven't the slightest clue do you? Oh how exciting this must be! | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to team RNJR. |
| “ | (Nora:Well what if she doesn't want to go with you?)Well,I'll take her.(Jaune:We're not going to let you do that.)(Takes deep breath)Good. | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to team RNJR before resuming their battle. |
| “ | Why, friend, my name is Tyrian. And I'm afraid that is not possible. My assignment from Her Grace was to retrieve this young girl. So, that is what I must do. One does not upset the Queen. | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Qrow Branwen. |
| “ | You bitch! | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Ruby Rose after his tail is cut off. |
| “ | She'll forgive you. | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to himself about Salem. |
| “ | But-but hope is not lost! My tail, my stinger … I-I poisoned him, Qrow! He would not be a nuisance to you any longer, no … no longer! Have I done well? Have I pleased you? | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Salem. |
| “ | Careful, little girl. Cinder isn't here to protect you anymore. | „ |
| ~ Tyrian threatening Emerald. |
| “ | Me? I'm someone just like you. Someone who wants to mix things up around here. | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Forest after the latter asks who he is, right before killing him. |
| “ | The Grimm were supposed to destroy our enemies, not make them friends! | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Watts enraged that Ironwood and Robyn Hill exposed their crimes. |
| “ | You want more chaos in a Grimm invasion? | „ |
| ~ Tyrian questioning Watts' plan. |
| “ | Robyn Hill! For such a little bird you have quite the impact around here. Bringing hope and a smile wherever you go! I find it, upsetting. | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Robyn Hill. |
| “ | A free ride and a show. | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Qrow, Clover, and Robyn. |
| “ | The will of our goddess! | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Qrow. |
| “ | Oh I agree. So why don't we put the kid to bed then finish it! | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Qrow. |
| “ | Doesn’t look like your friend's gonna make it. | „ |
| ~ Tyrian, to Qrow after fatally stabbing Clover. |
| “ | Looks like our score will have to wait. You know my track record with the authorities! | „ |
| ~ Tyrian to Qrow. |
Gallery
Images
Videos
Trivia
- Tyrian is a shade of purple, similar to the color of the venom from his tail, and that of his eyes when he is prepared to use it. It is also the color of his aura and semblance.
- Callows can mean lacking in color or firmness, typically referring to when insects or other arthropods, such as spiders, shed their exoskeleton, and something that is unfledged and immature.
- For an unknown reason, Tyrian has an interest in Jaune Arc after meeting him; possibly a hunting instinct for potential prey who put up good fights
- Tyrian is the only member of Salem's followers to truly understand her plan to literally destroy the world; being a murdering lunatic, Tyrian finds her goal to be beautiful and Salem herself to be the Goddess of Destruction. It's for this very reason he is so loyal to her and why she tolerates his insanity and minor failures.
- Tyrian's wrist blades resemble the pedipalp pincers of a scorpion, which is consistent with the fact that he is a scorpion Faunus.
- In the Japanese dub, Tyrian is voiced by Yoku Shioya.
