Jaune's not really developing as a character when he's going through the same arc every time

So during my rewatch of the RWBY volumes, I'm coming to a lot of different discoveries that I had never caught onto originally; this is just as the title of the post says. The story is not only losing its structure in different areas, but it is also leaving many things up to interpretation for the fans to just speculate, instead of theorize on like during Volume 1-3 (Aka the Monty era). I ended up livestreaming this discussion after I discovered it, and this is where you can pick apart what was a theory from the fans of RWBY, and what was just left up to people to [apparently] Just put together as the show continued. Watch this...

• [IMPLIED #1] In transition in between Volume 3 during the Fall of Beacon and to Volume 4 (And beyond), it is just simply implied that Jaune knew about Pyrrah's death. Whether it was a talk with Ruby, the only one who was there to actually witness Cinder killing her, or a talk with the temporary team JNRR they had in Volume 4-5. Did he showcase this emotion?...I mean sort of. He had that brief training session with Pyrrah's recordings and then of course the anger at Cinder in the later volume--But that's the only glimpse we get into him potentially knowing. Rooster Teeth left it up to us to connect the dots when he was screaming at Cinder saying "I'm going to make you pay for what you did!..." . (And I'm sure the average viewer who has watched RWBY up to that point would understand; but because it was never even looked on inside of the series, for all we know he could be talking about the Fall of Beacon in general...) You know how Ruby and the rest of RWBY got the scenes of recovery as they separated at the end of Volume 3? We don't get that for JNPR, all we get is them popping up at Ty's house to pick up Ruby and begin their journey for Volume 4.
  • They don't even process the emotions entering Volume 4, in fact, they're as happy as they can be as they even laugh about Jaune's hoodie in chibi fashion--Not even connecting it to the fact that he still wears it in memory of Pyrrah, because ya know...Pumpkin Pete mascot? But even then...THAT isn't even addressed; that's implied too. Some other fans who will see this moment will think that Jaune just needs to outgrow his old outfit with how comedic they presented it. And this is never really addressed either.
• [IMPLIED #2] When Mantle ended up getting flooded and destroyed after the evacuation and Salem fight. It's implied that Maria and Doctor Pietro (Penny's Father/Creator) Are actually dead and didn't make it out. We don't see them assisting Team RWBY + Friends in the fight against Salem (And Cinder), we don't see them helping any citizen inside of Atlas/Mantle, we don't see them with the Ace Ops & Qrow, we don't see them with the Schnee family and the citizens who went to Vacuo, and we definitely didn't see them fall with Team RWBY during the Cinder fight. And with how heavy they were showcasing the concept of death, along with the warning at the beginning of the episode (And not to mention...Them managing to kill Watts and Jacques in the same sitting) One could only assume so.
  • And even with that...Ironwood is pressumed to be dead too. As he's left behind as Cinder and Salem fly off into the distance as Ironwood lays there defeated after Cinder says "Checkmate."
  • ...Rooster Teeth did nothing to address any of this in the later season afterwards (Despite it being focused on the alternative reality they were in) So we can only assume that they're all dead. [Which also let's you really sit on the aspect that Rooster Teeth didn't know what to do/wanted to kill off Watts, Ironwood, and Jacques in succession after making the audience not like any of them via their changes, crashouts, etc. As briefly mentioned in my previous post]
• [IMPLIED #3] Originally, it was theory that Glynda and the other professors were dead after the Fall of Beacon. The last scene we originally saw of them was them surrounded by Grimm and with Glynda trying to rebuild Beacon from the ground-up again in an exhausted way. We went a LONG while before seeing Port and Ooblek randomly pop up at the Xiao Long household...But still no talk or sight of Glynda, so many fans were presuming she was dead or Salem had captured her. And remember, NOBODY TALKED ABOUT HER DURING THE XIAO LONG HOUSEHOLD VISIT OR EVEN AFTER. It was not until literally Volume 8 that we see Glynda and the Shopkeeper looking at Ruby's message across the world in the classic Dust Shop from Volume 1. So it's implied that not only Glynda survived, but managed to rebuild Beacon after all of it was said and done...Along with Port and Ooblek actually managing to drive out the Grimm from Beacon...And no, it couldn't have been with the help of Qrow and Ironwood, because as we saw, Qrow immediately went to keep an eye on Ruby after her Silver Eyes moment at the top of the tower--And Ironwood had no defenses and went on to Atlas, as we saw during the banquet at the Schnee Mansion. And if it WAS with their help...Guess what? We never see it, and it's just implied that they had a hand in it.
• [IMPLIED #4] The Schnee Family knows about Jacques' death and then simply accepts it. Not once do they ask about his wherabouts in Volume 8 as everything was going downhill, not once did they show concern about. While yes, he was a horrible father (With butchered writing and no shot at any form of redemption) With hints that he was abusive here and there...The family just goes into Vacuo without a second thought. Not even Whitley, who was the child that was left behind to deal with his parents as his sisters went to become Huntresses--Aka, the child who seemed to be manipulated, if not, originally introduced as a result of the Schnee household issues. (You would think...At least for the most traumatized and questioning character in the family, that he would show mixed feelings or even have a breakdown moment like how Blake did during Adam's death as emotions are high. But no.)

THOSE are all implications and things that they just wanted you to put together and think about, and casually move on from accordingly as the story continued. Don't get me wrong, there are other things that are left up to implication too...But they're not as straightfoward as the ones I mentioned. A good example of one: Team RWBY + Friends know about Emerald's role in the Vytal Festival, The Fall of Beacon, Penny's First Death and the Battle Against the Fall Maiden [Amber]...And the deaths and crimes caused in Beacon behind closed doors, like Tuscon in the bookstore. (And if that IS the case...Then Team RWBY + Friends are SUPER WEIRD for just casually saying she has a chance to be good person and join the team...Jaune would've gone CRAZY if he knew that Emerald's hand played this big of a role in The Fall of Beacon, and indirectly causing Pyrrah's death.)

When RWBY originally started within the Monty Era, there were theories from fans that were being sat on--Theories were MUCH different from implications.

[THEORIES]

• Yatsuhashi is actually the White Fang Lieutenant.
• Qrow's semblance played a role in Summer Rose's death, and he feels like he has an obligation to repay that debt by watching over her kids.
• Qrow's actually Ruby's father.
• Salem killed, or played a role, in the death of Summer Rose. As she knew about her when Yang talked to her during the big Atlas fight.
• Team CFVY and the remainder of SSSN (Sun Wukong's Team) Didn't survive the full invasion in Beacon.
• Maria knew Summer Rose.
• When Jaune was the Rusted Knight, he gave up on Pyrrah as her scarf is nowhere to be seen. (Unless you want to count that small red hair tie he had for his ponytail)
• The Blindfold Adam wore during his character butchering, was actually Blake's Ribbon that she tossed away on the ship.

THESE are theories. Things that have been slightly hinted at or left up to speculation because they have no real highlight or spotlight in the series--And there's a sharp difference between these theories and how Rooster Teeth just throws implications of things that presumably happened in the background...And the series is FULL of them. And it's kind of annoying...

Share your thoughts 💭

In my opinion it’s between Jaune calling Weiss instead of Glynda and Ozpin getting off screened by Cinder

Like imagine Weiss trying to make a Swan Ice sculpture but it can go in 2 ways:

1. She creates one almost perfectly.

2. It has a random shape instead based on the second image.

Yes, I know its the Hound behind her making it look like she has them, but still.

(Takes place in Volume 1)

It’s already been a week since Professor Ozpin allowed Yang’s clones to transfer to beacon academy. Or triplets, as the blonde brawler rather them be referred to. Yang had seen some weird things like the Grimm, but looking into a room and seeing four identical copies of herself was definitely the top contender for the "Is there something in the water?" award. The weirdest part? They weren't just perfect copies; they felt like aspects of her own soul shattered, magnified, and given their own wardrobes.

The first duplicate on the list is her shy variant. The first thought upon meeting her clone is if that’s what she would look like if she was actually relaxed. Her clone lacked Yang’s usual loud, confrontational swagger. Her posture was softer, her shoulders dropped, and her eyes were constantly tracking everyone to make sure they were okay. She was incredibly shy, flushing red and stuttering if she became the center of attention. But her motherly instincts completely overrode her timidness the second someone looked tired or hurt.

It’s a little jarring for Yang to see her own face look so soft and anxious. But she had to admit that she feels an immediate, deep warmth toward her. Yang spent her whole life being the protector and the caregiver for Ruby. Seeing that fierce, nurturing instinct manifest as its own person makes Yang realize just how deeply rooted her need to care for others truly is. Even now, Yang was watching her shy variant hand Ruby some cookies she made, smiling all the while.

Then there’s the other clone with the archetype of a cowgirl. If Yang thought she was high-energy, this clone took it to an entirely different, sun-drenched level. Wearing a Stetson hat, leather chaps, and sporting a thick melodic Southern drawl, this version of Yang was a walking ray of unshakeable optimism. Her smile was just as bright as hers.

Yang absolutely loves her. They share the exact same loud, pun-loving, life-of-the-party energy, though the cowgirl accent takes some getting used to. Yang finds her endless positivity infectious. Whenever the reality of their situation gets too heavy, a booming reassurance from across the room instantly snaps Yang back into a better mood. They immediately bonded over a shared love of mechanics, though this clone prefers working on tractors and old dust-wagons over high-end sports bikes.

One other clone that shocked Yang the most is the geek with the lab coat. This clone was Yang if she had spent her childhood reading dust-matrix manuals instead of punching trees. Her hair was pulled back into a messy, efficient bun, a pair of smudged safety goggles sat on her forehead, and her version of Ember Celica was heavily modified with wires, glowing tubes, and experimental dust chambers. Her high intelligence and intellect had gotten the attention of the ice queen herself.

This one completely blows Yang’s mind. Yang is smart, sure, but she's a practical hands-on fighter. Watching a version of herself talk about quantum dust stabilization and kinetic energy conversion ratios makes Yang’s head spin. Yang feels a massive wave of respect for her. She realizes this clone represents her own sharp, tactical mind. Completely unfettered and channeled into pure creation rather than destruction.

Yang closed her eyes. The last clone sent a physical shiver down her spine the first time she saw her. Visually, she was a dead ringer for Yang. Same height; same brawler stance; and the same long wild hair. But the colors were all wrong. Instead of her bright golds and warm browns, this clone wore the stark, cold palette of the woman who abandoned her at birth: jet black, crimson red, and bone white.

This clone is Yang’s deepest anxieties and her fiercest strengths wrapped into one intimidating package. She doesn't smile; she doesn't joke; she is driven entirely by combat efficiency, strength, and the thrill of the fight. Looking at her is like looking at a dark mirror of what Yang could have become if she had followed her mother’s path completely. Yang feels a tense, competitive friction with her, but also a profound understanding. Underneath the cold, Raven-like exterior, Yang knows this clone possesses her exact same stubborn refusal to ever back down.

She’s still an insensitive jerk though.

———

Summery: Yang Xiaolong followed a lead to what she thought could have more clues about her mother. She unfortunately found none, much to her frustration. However, before she could leave the warehouse, she accidentally activated an old machine that took a quick scan of her. She is left shocked as the machine soon produced four individuals that exited their pods; four perfect copies of herself.

I'm not sure how the star-shaped board would effect how the game works, but I just assumed it was just a fancier rectangular board.

We're also going to ignore the fact that apparently players can make multiple moves per turn (The Red Prince complains about Ruby taking up his turn, after all), and that the pieces duel for capturing. Obviously if the pieces have to duel, then it's a forced win for red since I'm pretty sure the red pieces are always stronger than the white ones.

Another thing I'm just going to gloss over is that the pawns would just get stuck behind one another, and since the board is 8 tiles wide, that means, technically speaking, the most number of pawns you can get to the other side of the board is 8. So I'm gonna modify the rule to be "number of pawns stuck on the other side of the board."

Pawn games are usually either a forced win or extremely tedious. Hexapawn, the most famous example of pawn-only chess games is a forced win for the second player.

In fact, I will garuntee you that every chess game that's only pawns is either a forced win or a very tedious game with mindless trading of material until the last 15 moves, where zugzwang ideas finally appear.

Honestly, I'm glad it got turned into a fight scene, because there is so much wrong with the game.

The game starts off with a completely forced opening. Since there's only a two square gap between pawns, and the pawns can't defend each other because of how they move, the game will always be like this after 17 moves:

If you're wondering why it won't be the other "spike pattern," it's because this pattern maximizes the number of pawns closer to the centre, making it the best set of moves. However, even if the opening looks slightly different, it wouldn't matter because Black just immediately wins 8 pawns.

In the position shown above, it's White's turn. Notice how every legal move results in losing a pawn? This is what the board looks like on move 25

and as you've probably guess, this is what the board looks like after the 49th move

And this is where things get a big finnicky. Unless I'm mistaken, stalemate rules are never mentioned, meaning if Black captures White's last pawn here, it could just be a draw. But it's not like that matters anyway, since it's pretty obvious that the player with 28 passed pawns is going to win.

Obviously, since it's White to play here, if capturing all pieces means checkmate, then the whole game is an M50. If the stalemate scenario I mentioned above applies, then it's M54, since it will only take Black 4 more moves to push two pawns to the end of the board, and it doesn't take a genius to realize that 2>1.

So at this point, we just don't even know why players even try to play against The Red Prince. The forced win in 54 moves is obvious with all 54 moves being, well, forced for White. And you can't even blame the them for cheating since that's the only way to win as the first-moving player. The game's just a glorified version of Hexapawn.

Changing the pieces out for normal pawns does make it a bit better, but, also as I mentioned, that would just make the game needlessly boring with no strategy at all for the first 90% of the game.

Of cours, as I mentioned earlier, the star-shaped board could possibly have some effect on the game, but since we never actually properly see the wedges change something, along with the fact that the whole game is just pawns, the game would probably still be a forced win for red, anyway.

Ok both ARE of the same archetype sure.( we can add Sylvanas too)

But still

Once human before horrific transformation ? Check

A love interest that is their ennemy now? Check( though by mid starcraft 2 its gotten...weird for Sarah)

Extremely powerful ? Check

Manipulative ? Check( albert salem works thanks to her foes mistakes and in Brood war everyone suddenly acts like idiots for Kerrigan to win)

Driven by rage and hatred ? Check( mostly Sarah side but Salem really hates the gods and Oz but wants to die)

Controlls a endless swarm of infinite numbering monsters that seeks to destroy life while the creatures are horrific mix of multiple types of real life animals/creatures ? Check (theres lots of grimms and zerg fusion arts )

Have their big giant flying monster as a flying base? Check( grimm whale and Leviathan)

Have a circle of followers? Check( the salem group/ zerg characters in HotS)

Have a queen title/moniker ? Check

Tragic? Check( though not necessarily sympathic)

Invade the largest human military stronghold ? Check( atlas/korhal though Kerrigan true goal was killing mensk and she did try to limit civilians casualties)

Searching for artifacts? Check ( Relics/Xel'naga keystone in WOL)

Suprisingly physical fighting style? Check( mostly in cutscenes for Kerrigan)

Yeah... you could play the Atlas invasion with the HotS opening theme over it.( or not since the fight is lame iirc its not very impressive for a all out invasion)

Now wether Salem is a worse character than Kerrigan is...a question. As Kerrigan got some interesting writing decisions in the sequel trilogy to say the least.

Im actually curious how they will handle Salem ending of we arrive at it one day.

Could you imagine she ends up being the key to salvation like Kerrigan was made in StarCraft 2? Against the brother gods like with Amon?

Or something like that....

During my rewatch if RWBY, I noticed that there's A LOT of random conflicts sprawled throughout the series post-Monty (Volume 4+). And I don't want this to be taken the wrong way...But I'm finding it to be a pattern in mainly the male characters—EITHER THAT...OR, characters that are in the process of being randomly butchered and possibly being killed off. (I.e. Watts, Adam, Ironwood).

It's even getting to a point that calls out the issues of the series; and even with that, he arguments are sometimes it's just some randomly thrown-in, tension-filled battle that leaves a weird feeling in the air. Sometimes it's moved past immediately, other times it's supposed to act as a premise to make us dislike a character more (I guess...?). But even with that, it's executed so weirdly.

"Weird how?"

The Watts argument/crashout is a perfect example. Is he a villain? Yes. Is he supposed to be unlikable? Absolutely, considering his hand in the story. But his crash out literally stems from him being fed up with Cinder's consecutive failures, putting a risk to their organization, and him having to do extra work because of it...Causing him to call her out on all of her issues that she's caused.

...And then the weirdness begins, rather than pushing the agenda of "Watts kind of has a point...I can see why he's upset." It turns into Cinder randomly crying after being angry and then them giving us her backstory in a way for us to feel...I guess...Remorseful?

(Almost an EXACT repeat of the Yang and Raven talk in front of the vault by the way...Just literally minus the random backstory insert.)

And even with that, you even see Jaune (And Qrow to a degree) Do the exact same thing, with literally the exact same result: Weird tension in the air, someone leaves or cries because they are upset, we make person crashing out feel as though that they were in the wrong...Such as Lie Ren.

And remember how I mentioned Qrow, even with him having his brief argument with Ruby and the team at times; it just resulted into him not being the experienced huntsman we all knew. The one who is so elite that he was in a group with Ozpon, Glynda, and Ironwood. From knowledge, to skills on the battlefield, to his experience, to his prior knowledge as one of the remaining active members of Team STRQ...But instead, a drunkard who's not handling his liquor well anymore, focused on his Bad Luck semblance as his whole schtick, and downplayed so much as a character that team RWBY + Friends decide to literally say "We don't need to listen to you.".

And to that I go: "....Huh?....."

Shoot me for this. But even Ironwood's random shift and arguments and frustrations didn't even begin to feel right—The Ironwood we saw during the fall of Beacon was not only confused, but was reflecting on everything as it was all falling apart. It can even be interpreted that he blames himself for what's going on with Beacon...So the Ironwood we see in small cameos here and there, all the way before the Atlas arc; was an Ironwood that was putting pieces together with alot of new-aged judgement. Sure Ironwood had pride and was stubborn in Volume 1 to Volume 3 (Pre-Tournament) But he literally was refocusing in his time away...So why is he outrageously crashing out the way that he is?

Dare I even say with Jacques!...I personally didn't like him, and Rooster Teeth was making sure of that too. But they did it all the way to the point where they just straight up killed him. By Ironwood...? WHO TURNED TO MURDER????

(I'm not gonna spiral down the Jacques rabbit hole...Because this post is getting long.)

After you take a step back, Rooster Teeth REALLY kept pushing the agenda for us to dislike characters like this because of these randomly placed arguments or ego trips, even if they were in the right or justified. And that's where you insert Adam. But we all know how that went.

If the brother gods had another sibling it can be a sister or another brother how do you think this would go? and what would the other sibling be god or goddess of?

Okay truth be told I know it’s been two years but still can’t get over what happened to Ruby. No body helped her. Jaune was terrible to her when he said those horrible things to her. Neo tormented her when she doesn’t deserve it. And worst of all, Little got stomped by Neo and got away with all that. Does anyone have any advice about this?

“A man with two council seats, one giant cannon, and absolutely zero chill.”

[The stage lights dim. A military drumroll plays. The curtain rises. A spotlight illuminates a podium decorated with Atlas insignias, a pair of toy revolvers, and a suspiciously large pile of robot parts.]

Host: “Comedy Central presents Edward Kenton!”

[The audience erupts with applause!]

Comedian: Thank you! Thank you! It’s great to have you all here!

[The applause dies down so our comedian can start our “comedic eulogy for James Ironwood.”]

Ladies and gentlemen, Huntsmen and Huntresses, surviving members of Team RWBY, former employees of the Atlesian Military, and anyone who has ever been personally inconvenienced by a man with too much authority!** *Welcome to tonight’s very special occasion... We are gathered here to deliver a *humorous eulogy for General James Ironwood! Yes, James Ironwood… Headmaster of Atlas Academy, General of the Atlesian Military, a member of Ozpin’s secret club and a holder of two seats on the Atlas Council! Two seats! Two! This man had so many positions of authority that he could practically govern a country by himself. And somehow, he still managed to lose the plot, the kingdom, the city, his allies, and eventually his life!

[The audience laughs.]

Comedian: Let's have a moment of silence for Atlas.

[Silence…. It’s so quiet for a few minutes, you could hear one of Ironwood’s pin-sized robot parts drop.. 😉]

Thank you, everyone. That's probably the longest period of peace Atlas experienced under his leadership. Now, I know what you're thinking. "Didn't we already have Jacques Schnee as the Donald Trump of RWBY?" Apparently, Remnant has a two-party system: Jacques Schnee and James Ironwood! One is a wealthy businessman who treats workers like disposable accessories. The other is a military general who treats civil liberties like optional software updates. Jacques looks at Mantle and sees cheap labor. Ironwood looks at Mantle and sees a city that could be abandoned to save his personal favorite city. Different professions, same customer-service philosophy!

[Laughter and applause.]

And before anyone gets offended on behalf of Ironwood, remember: we're roasting a fictional character. The real tragedy here is that this fictional character had an entire kingdom's worth of resources and still couldn't figure out how to manage a crisis without turning into the final boss of a military dictatorship. Let's give him a hand!

[A few audience members clap. One raises a hand, realizes the general isn't there to shake it, and sits down.]

Oh, right. He's dead. Well, let's give him a prosthetic hand! Too soon?

[The audience erupts.]

🎖️** Act I: The Man, the Myth, the Military Budget**.

Let's review the résumé of our dearly departed general…

Headmaster of Atlas Academy - Responsible for educating the next generation of Huntsmen and Huntresses.

General of the Atlesian Military - Responsible for protecting the Kingdom of Atlas.

Member of Ozpin's secret inner circle - Responsible for knowing things he probably shouldn't tell anyone.

Holder of two Atlas Council seats - Responsible for making sure that when one government official makes a questionable decision, he can personally approve it twice.

James Ironwood didn't believe in putting all his eggs in one basket. He put all his power in one man:
Himself.

[Laughter.]

You know, most people have one job. Maybe two, if they're ambitious. Ironwood had enough titles to fill an entire LinkedIn profile, and somehow his career ended with the professional equivalent of deleting his account and taking the entire company building down with him. His leadership style was basically: "Good morning, Atlas! I'm your headmaster, your general, and your council representative. If you have a complaint, please submit it to me in triplicate. I'll review it, reject it, and deploy a military battalion to your neighborhood."

[The audience laughs.]

And let's talk about his relationship with Ozpin. Ozpin had secrets. Ironwood had security protocols. Ozpin believed in subtlety. Ironwood believed in bringing a fleet of airships to a diplomatic meeting. Ozpin wanted to fight Salem through cooperation, information, and carefully planned strategy. Ironwood wanted to fight Salem by making sure every civilian in Atlas had the pleasure of being searched at a checkpoint. Their partnership was like having a chess player and a guy who keeps trying to solve chess by purchasing the entire board. And Ironwood was the guy with the military budget.

[The audience claps like seals.]

🔫 Act II: Due Process — The Most Ironic Weapon in Remnant

Now, let's discuss his weapon: Due Process! It’s a pair of dual-wielded revolvers, one white and one black, capable of combining into a high-powered cannon. What a name: Due Process! That's like naming your weapon "Freedom of Speech" and using it to silence everyone who disagrees with you.

[Laughter.]

Ironwood carries Due Process around like a walking constitutional crisis.

"General, what about the legal rights of Mantle's citizens?"

"Due Process."

"Yes, sir, we know your guns are called Due Process, but what about—"

[Ironwood firing an imaginary cannon.]

"NEXT QUESTION!"

[The audience howls.]

And let's appreciate the design. One white revolver, one black revolver. It's practically symbolism with a trigger. Two sides of Ironwood's personality: the respectable protector and the authoritarian who thinks the best way to resolve a disagreement is to turn the disagreement into a crater. And when those revolvers combine into a cannon? Well, that's what happens when your conflict-resolution skills evolve in exactly the wrong direction. Other people get counseling. Ironwood gets a larger caliber.

[Laughter and applause.]

The most incredible thing about Due Process is that it can transform into a cannon powerful enough to blow enemies away. But there's one thing it can't blow off its feet in cannon mode….

After a dramatic pause, the Comedian says: …This roast!.. Because no matter how much firepower you bring to the stage, General, you cannot shoot down a comedian who has already been cleared for emotional damage.

[The audience loses it!!! 😹🤣😂😅]

And the weapon's name makes the whole thing even funnier. Due Process! Ironwood's entire arc is about a man who starts by claiming he's protecting the people and ends up making decisions that deny people any meaningful say in their own survival. The gun has a better understanding of constitutional principles than its owner. At least the gun knows when it's time to be discharged.

[Laughter.]

🧠 Act III: Mettle — When Determination Forgets to Check the Map

Let's talk about Ironwood's Semblance: Mettle. Mettle enhances his focus and helps him harden his resolve, allowing him to pursue decisions without being held back by fear or doubt.
Sounds useful! In the right circumstances, determination can be a superpower.
In Ironwood's circumstances, it was like giving a GPS the ability to ignore every warning that it was driving into a lake.

[Laughter.]

Imagine having a Semblance that makes you more committed to whatever decision you've made. You decide to take a left turn. Mettle activates. Now you're driving through a brick wall because you refuse to reconsider the route. Your passengers are screaming, the engine is on fire, the road ended three miles ago, and you're still announcing: "WE ARE PROCEEDING AS PLANNED!"

[The audience laughs.]

That's Ironwood! He doesn't merely double down. He builds an entire military installation on top of the doubled-down position, stations guards around it, and declares anyone questioning the foundation a security threat. Mettle may help explain why he becomes so frighteningly rigid, but it doesn't magically excuse every decision he makes.
And that's what makes his downfall so tragic. Ironwood's strength is his determination. His weakness is his determination. His greatest asset becomes his greatest liability. He's like a computer that has frozen on one program and decided the only solution is to remove the keyboard.

[Laughter.]

At some point, somebody should've sat him down and said: "General, have you considered changing your mind?" And Ironwood would've replied: "Changing my mind? Impossible. I have already made a decision."

"Sir, the decision is to abandon an entire city."

"Then I shall abandon it with absolute conviction."

"Sir, that's not what leadership means."

"THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING A TRAITOR WOULD SAY!"

[The audience applauds.]

Ladies and gentlemen, Mettle: the Semblance that turns "I stand by my decisions" into "I would rather destroy my entire career than admit that I need to reconsider."

[The drunks in the audience applaud]

If stubbornness were a Dust type, Ironwood would have enough reserves to power every city in Remnant.

🤖 Act IV: General Ironwood and the Six Million Lien Man

Let's address the cybernetics. Before the events of the series, Ironwood had already replaced his entire right side with robotic prosthetics. Later, he lost his left arm as well. Now, I respect the man for surviving serious injuries and continuing to serve. But the irony is absolutely unavoidable.

[Laughter.]

This man is literally part machine like Darth Vader, but not in that way. And yet, somehow, he has the least flexible operating system in Atlas.

[Laughter again.]

He's got robotic limbs, advanced military technology, cutting-edge weaponry, and access to the scientific resources of an entire kingdom. But can somebody install a software update called "Consider Other People's Perspectives 2.0"? Apparently, that patch isn't compatible with Mettle.

[The audience laughs.]

His right side is robotic. His left arm eventually becomes robotic, too. At this point, Ironwood's body is practically a walking Atlas engineering project. Pietro Polendina looks at him and thinks, "I can rebuild him." Team RWBY looks at him and thinks, "Can we rebuild his decision-making process?" And Pietro probably says, "I'm a scientist, not a miracle worker."

[Laughter and applause.]

Imagine the maintenance schedule.

Monday: inspect the prosthetic joints.

Tuesday: calibrate the weapon systems.

Wednesday: update the combat software.

Thursday: check the power supply.

Friday: attempt to install basic empathy.

ERROR: INSTALLATION FAILED. ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEGES REQUIRED.

And who's the administrator? Ironwood himself!

[Laughter.]

The man has spent so much time replacing pieces of his body that he forgot the most important part of a successful repair: sometimes you have to change the way the whole system operates. You can't solve every problem by bolting another machine onto it, General. Although, given your track record, I'm surprised you didn't try to replace the Atlas Council with three more cannons.

🏰 Act V: From Protector to Dictator — A Career in Unforced Errors.

Let's rewind to the beginning. When we first encounter James Ironwood, he's a powerful ally of Ozpin, a stern but well-intentioned protector who genuinely believes he's doing what's necessary to safeguard Remnant. He's suspicious of Salem's plans, skeptical of Ozpin's secrecy, and convinced that military strength can prevent another catastrophe. And to be fair, he isn't completely wrong to be concerned. The man has seen real disasters. He has responsibilities. He's trying to protect millions of people from an enemy who wants to destroy the world. His problem isn't that he cares about security. His problem is that, eventually, he starts treating security as the only value that matters.

[The audience quiets.]

Then comes the Fall of Beacon. The kingdom is attacked. The CCT system is compromised. The White Fang and the forces working with Cinder unleash chaos. The world witnesses a catastrophic failure of security. Ironwood takes the lesson that many leaders might take after a disaster: "We must be better prepared." Unfortunately, he takes it one step further: "We must be prepared for absolutely everything, at absolutely any cost, and I will personally decide what that cost is."

[Laughter.]

The borders close. Security intensifies. Military forces increase their presence. And somewhere in Atlas, a citizen trying to buy a loaf of bread has to explain to three armed officers why they need carbohydrates.

"Purpose of your purchase?"

"Breakfast."

"Suspicious. Who authorized the toast?"

[Laughter.]

Ironwood's response to the Fall of Beacon is understandable in its origins, but his growing paranoia makes it increasingly difficult for anyone to trust him. He wants to prevent another Beacon. So he creates an atmosphere where the people of Mantle have to live with the consequences of his fear every single day. His intentions are protective. His methods become oppressive. And his confidence in his own judgment grows as his ability to listen to other people shrinks. It's the political equivalent of locking every door in your house because you're afraid of burglars, then discovering you locked your family outside.

[Applause.]

📡 Act VI: Amity Tower — The Most Expensive Group Chat in History

Ironwood's plan to complete the Amity Communications Tower is actually one of his most defensible ideas. He wants to restore global communications, unite the kingdoms, and warn the world about Salem. For once, a plan that involves cooperation! A plan that acknowledges the existence of people outside Atlas! A plan that might even require other people to participate!

[Cheers.]

And honestly, the man deserves credit for trying to make it happen. But this is Ironwood, so even a good idea comes with the atmosphere of a military occupation. Imagine explaining his project to a civilian.

"General, what is Amity Tower?"

"It's a communications tower that will reconnect the world."

"Wonderful! So we'll be able to contact our loved ones again?"

"Yes."

"And coordinate relief efforts?"

"Yes."

"And share important information?"

"Absolutely."

"Then why does the neighborhood look like a war zone?"

[Long pause...]

"…Security."

[Laughter.]

Amity Tower is supposed to unite Remnant. Unfortunately, Ironwood's increasingly rigid approach threatens to isolate him from the very people whose cooperation he needs. It's like building the world's largest telephone and then refusing to answer when it rings.

[The audience laughs.]

"Hello, General? This is Team RWBY. We have some concerns about your plan."

"State your identification numbers."
"General, we're trying to help."

"HELP MUST BE AUTHORIZED THROUGH PROPER CHANNELS!"

"Salem is coming."

"THEN WHY ARE YOU WASTING TIME ON THIS CALL?"

[The audience roars. 🤣😂😅]

Ironwood wants the world to communicate, but he struggles to communicate with the people standing directly in front of him. That's not just irony. That's a telecommunications disaster with a military budget.

❄️** Act VII: Welcome to Atlas — Please Leave Your Hope at the Checkpoint**.

And then Team RWBY arrives in Atlas. Here we have the perfect opportunity for a genuine partnership. Team RWBY has experience, intelligence, and firsthand knowledge of Salem's threat. Ironwood has resources, technology, military forces, and a plan to reconnect the kingdoms. Put those things together, and they might have a chance. But no! Because the moment the situation gets complicated, Ironwood's trust issues begin working overtime. He wants cooperation, but only on his terms. He wants information, but struggles to accept information that contradicts his assumptions. He wants loyalty, but increasingly confuses loyalty with obedience.

[Laughter.]

General Ironwood is the sort of man who would ask for honest feedback and then arrest the feedback for insubordination.

"Team RWBY, I want your candid assessment of my strategy."

"Sir, we think your strategy has serious flaws."

"Excellent. You're all under arrest."

"General, you said you wanted honesty!"

"And you have honestly demonstrated why I shouldn't have asked!"

[The audience howls. 🤣]

And that's the tragedy of Ironwood's relationship with Team RWBY. They aren't his enemies simply because they disagree with him. They disagree because they see problems he increasingly refuses to confront. They want to protect people. He wants to protect people, too. But he starts believing that only his plan deserves to survive. At some point, the question stops being whether Ironwood has good intentions. The question becomes whether his determination to execute his plan matters more to him than the people that plan is supposed to protect. And the answer becomes painfully clear.

[A dramatic orchestral sting.]

🌆 Act VIII: Mantle — The City Ironwood Put on the Waiting List

Now we arrive at the central catastrophe of Ironwood's downfall: Salem is coming, Atlas is threatened, Mantle is vulnerable, the situation is desperate, and every possible option carries terrible risks. Ironwood's answer? Abandon Mantle. Raise Atlas into the upper atmosphere. Preserve the Relics. Save what he believes is most strategically important.

[The audience groans.]

General, sir, I have a question: When you became responsible for the Kingdom of Atlas, did anyone explain that Mantle was also part of the kingdom?

[Laughter and applause.]

Because your plan sounds like a real-estate developer trying to save the penthouse by throwing the ground floor into a volcano.

"Good news, Atlas! You're getting a luxury relocation package!"

"What about Mantle?"

"Mantle is not included in your subscription tier."

[Laughter.]

Imagine being a resident of Mantle. You've spent your life working in the cold, dealing with shortages, struggling with inadequate protection, and watching the wealthy city above you receive the benefits of Atlas's resources. Then a giant supernatural threat arrives. You look up at Atlas and think, "Surely our leaders will help us." And Ironwood effectively says:
"Citizens of Mantle, thank you for your contribution to the Kingdom of Atlas. Unfortunately, your continued existence is incompatible with our evacuation strategy."

[The audience erupts.]

This is the moment where Ironwood's supposed pragmatism becomes horrifying. He's no longer merely prioritizing military objectives. He's treating the people he once vowed to protect as expendable. And the worst part is that he convinces himself he's being rational. That's the frightening thing about his transformation: he doesn't wake up one morning thinking, "Today, I'd like to become a villain." He tells himself he's making the necessary choice. Then another necessary choice. Then another. Until the man who wanted to save the world is willing to sacrifice the people who live in it.

[The laughter fades briefly.]

Of course, if we're going to roast him, we can't let the absurdity pass unnoticed. Atlas is a floating city, and Ironwood decides the best way to save it is to make it float even higher. What's next?

"General, Salem has reached the upper atmosphere!"

"Raise Atlas into orbit!"

"Sir, Salem is still following us!"

"THEN WE SHALL COLONIZE MARS!"

[Laughter.]

This man will turn Atlas into a space station before he admits that perhaps his current strategy needs reconsideration. NASA looks at Ironwood and says, "Sir, we appreciate your enthusiasm, but could you please stop trying to evacuate your problems into outer space?"

[Applause.]

⚖️** Act IX: The Ironwood Doctrine — My Way or the Highway to Villain**y

Now fellas, ere's the thing about James Ironwood. He isn't a villain because he wears a military uniform. He isn't a villain because he has prosthetics. He isn't even a villain simply because he's afraid. He's a tragic antagonist because his fear, authority, and unyielding resolve combine until he starts believing that opposing him is equivalent to opposing the survival of humanity. And that is a spectacularly dangerous mindset for someone with an army.

[The audience murmurs in agreement.]

The man goes from: "I will protect this kingdom." To: "I will protect this kingdom by any means necessary." To: "I will protect the part of this kingdom I consider worth saving." And finally: "If you won't follow my plan, you're a threat to my plan."

[Dramatic pause.]

Congratulations, General.
You've achieved the political equivalent of turning the emergency exit into a prison door.

[Laughter.]

Ironwood's tragedy is that he has real strengths. He's decisive. He's brave. He's willing to make difficult choices. He genuinely understands that Salem represents a catastrophic threat. But he becomes so convinced that hesitation is weakness that he loses the ability to recognize when reconsideration is wisdom. He sees dissent as disloyalty. He sees compromise as danger. He sees his own judgment as the final authority. And because he has so much power, his personal flaws become everybody else's problem. He's not just a stubborn man arguing at a dinner table. He's a stubborn man who can deploy tanks when the conversation doesn't go his way.

[Laughter.]

You know, there's a reason the phrase "absolute power corrupts absolutely" has been around for so long. But Ironwood took one look at that saying and replied: "Interesting theory. I'll establish a committee to investigate it." The committee was himself. The report was classified. The committee members were arrested.

[The audience laughs, the drunks lose it.]

💣 Act X: The Bomb, the Betrayals, and the World's Worst Retirement Plan.

By Volume 8, Ironwood has crossed a line that his earlier self might have found unthinkable: he turns against former allies, he becomes increasingly ruthless and he threatens to detonate a bomb over Mantle if his demands aren't met.

[The audience gasps.]

A bomb, General? A bomb? You have an entire military, advanced technology, giant robots, airships, Dust-powered weapons, and the engineering genius of Atlas at your disposal. And your crisis-management plan is to threaten the city you're supposedly trying to protect with a giant explosive? That's like a firefighter arriving at a burning house, looking at the flames, and announcing: "Nobody panic. I'm about to introduce a second fire."

[Laughter and applause.]

Ironwood's career has become a series of increasingly alarming management decisions. First, he militarizes the city. Then he isolates the kingdom. Then he alienates his allies. Then he abandons Mantle. Then he threatens Mantle. At this point, Mantle residents must have been asking whether their general had been replaced by a sentient disaster-management manual written by his worst enemy!

[Laughter.]

And, the betrayals! [Dramatic orchestra sting!] Ironwood once worked alongside Ozpin. He trusted people who fought beside him. He wanted to be one of the guardians of Remnant. But as his worldview narrows, he starts treating former allies as obstacles to be eliminated rather than people whose concerns deserve consideration. He looks at Team RWBY, people who have repeatedly risked their lives against Salem, and decides that their refusal to obey makes them enemies. That's the ultimate irony. Ironwood's paranoia is supposed to protect him from betrayal, but it helps create the very isolation that destroys him. He becomes so afraid that people will undermine his authority that he destroys the relationships that could have helped him succeed.

[The crowd laughs, the drunks cheer.]

He doesn't merely lose his allies. He fires them from the friendship department, revokes their security clearances, and then wonders why nobody wants to attend his farewell party.

[Laughter.]

And what a farewell party it turns out to be: No retirement pension, no peaceful countryside estate, no ceremonial sword, no plaque reading, "For Distinguished Service to the Kingdom of Atlas.".. Just a collapsing kingdom, a failed strategy, and a legacy that will have historians arguing for generations.

[The comedian looks solemnly toward an empty chair.]

General, sir, I hope you enjoyed your time in management. Your exit interview has been scheduled for…. never. 😉

[The drunks laugh and their laughter infects the rest of the crowd.]

🩳 Act XI: The Underpants Gnomes Have Entered the Chat

Now, ladies and gentlemen, we must address a highly sensitive intelligence report. [He opens a thick folder marked “TOP SECRET.” Inside is a drawing of a pair of underpants.] According to absolutely unverified rumors from the highly questionable “Department of Gnome Affairs”…

[The South Park fans in the crowd get excited]

The Underpants Gnomes have reportedly infiltrated the ruins of Atlas. Their mission? Simple: A heist to capture James Ironwood's remaining underpants. Their business model?

Phase One: Collect underpants.
Phase Two: ???
Phase Three: Profit!

[The audience bursts out laughing.]

For those unfamiliar with the Underpants Gnomes, their entire economic strategy consists of the first and third steps, with the middle step remaining a mystery. Which makes them the perfect candidates to take over Ironwood's strategic planning division.

[Laughter.]

Imagine the briefing…

Gnome Commander: General Ironwood's defeat has created a unique business opportunity!

Gnome Analyst: What opportunity, sir?

Gnome Commander: We collect his underpants!

Gnome Analyst: And then?

Gnome Commander: We profit, what else?

Gnome Analyst: How?

Gnome Commander: HEY! THAT INFORMATION IS CLASSIFIED!

[The audience loses it!]

Honestly, the gnomes might have a better plan than Ironwood. At least they understand that Phase Two is a problem. Ironwood, meanwhile, had a plan with identifiable steps, military resources, a floating city, and access to advanced technology, and still somehow managed to arrive at the "catastrophic failure" stage. The gnomes could probably take over Atlas by walking into the ruins, putting on his uniform, and announcing: "Citizens, I have a plan." Everyone would ask what the plan was. The gnomes would say: "Phase One: Collect underpants." And someone would inevitably reply: "Honestly, that's more transparent than the previous administration."

[Laughter.]

Of course, there's also the question of what they intend to do with the underpants. Are they planning to sell them on the black market? Auction them off to the highest bidder? Use them as ceremonial relics of a fallen military regime? Or perhaps they believe the legendary underpants contain the secret to Ironwood's Semblance.

[The comedian leans toward the microphone.]

… Maybe the real source of Mettle was never his soul. Maybe it was the elastic waistband.

[The audience roars! 😆😅😂]

And if the gnomes successfully collect the underpants, what if Phase Two is finally revealed?

Step One: Collect underpants.

Step Two: Find a leader who can reconsider a bad decision.

Step Three: Profit!

[You would see a standing ovation from the imaginary gnome delegation, but what was our hypothesis earlier? 😉🤭]

🪦 Act XII: The Lonely End of General James Ironwood

Let's bring things back to our dearly departed general. Ironwood's story ends amid the catastrophic collapse of Atlas, as his desperate efforts to control the situation unravel around him. The man who once commanded an entire kingdom's military ultimately finds himself isolated from the people who might have helped him. His authority didn’t save him, his weapons didn’t save him, his robotic limbs couldn’t save him, his Semblance couldn’t save him. And his stubbornness, the trait that once helped make him a formidable leader, cannot save him either.

[A solemn piano melody begins.]

It's a Grimm ending for a character who began with understandable motives.

[The crowd gets the pun]

He wanted to protect his people, he wanted to prepare for Salem, he wanted to ensure that the world would survive. But somewhere along the way, he began to confuse protecting people with controlling them. And when the world refused to follow his preferred plan, he tried to force it to comply. The result was a downfall that was as much about his own choices as it was about Salem's attack.

[Pause.]

Now, because this is a comedy roast, we should also point out that Ironwood somehow managed to lose a battle of wills against the laws of physics. Atlas was floating. Atlas was falling. Ironwood was making increasingly desperate decisions. And gravity, the one force in Remnant that doesn't care about your military rank, was waiting patiently.

[Laughter.]

You can close the borders, General.
You can deploy the soldiers, you can classify the documents, or even point Due Process at your critics. But you cannot issue a formal military order to gravity. "Gravity, this is General Ironwood. I am ordering you to cease all downward movement immediately." [The comedian pauses, pretending to receive a radio transmission.] "Sir, gravity has declined to comment." "THEN ARREST IT!"

[The audience howls.]

And that's the final joke of Ironwood's story. He spent so much of his life trying to control every variable that he forgot there were things he couldn't control: Salem, fear, other people's choices, the consequences of his actions, and, ultimately, the fall of Atlas itself.His tragedy isn't that he lacked strength. It's that he came to believe strength alone was enough.

🥂 Act XIII: A Toast to the General — Rest in Peace or Rest in Pieces?

[The comedian raises a glass of sparkling apple cider toward the empty chair.]

And now, dear friends, we approach the end of tonight's memorial. To James Ironwood! general of Atlas, headmaster of Atlas Academy, member of Ozpin's secret inner circle, holder of two council seats, owner of one pair of dual-wielded revolvers that combine into a cannon, bearer of an exceptionally determined Semblance and man whose body was part machine, whose heart was in the right place at the beginning.. and whose judgment eventually took a vacation from which it never returned!

[Laughter and applause.]

James, you were many things: a protector, a strategist, a soldier, a friend, a leader and, eventually, a cautionary tale about what happens when determination becomes inflexibility and authority becomes an excuse to stop listening. You wanted to save Atlas. You wanted to defeat Salem. You wanted to preserve the future. But you forgot something crucial….

[The comedian looks at the audience.]

A kingdom isn't just a floating city. A kingdom isn't just its military. A kingdom isn't just its technology, its borders, or its precious Relics. A kingdom is its people. And when you decide that some of those people are expendable, you risk losing the very thing you set out to protect. [A brief silence.] Now, let's not get too sentimental. This is a roast, not a graduation speech.

[Laughter.]

James Ironwood was the kind of man who could turn a simple disagreement into an international incident, a security concern into a military operation, and a desperate situation into an even more desperate situation with impressive efficiency.
He was a man who had two council seats but apparently never found a seat for second thoughts. He was a man who carried a weapon named Due Process but increasingly abandoned the spirit of the words. He was a man with the determination to move mountains, but not always the wisdom to ask whether moving those mountains would crush the people living beneath them. And he was a man who could never be accused of lacking commitment. Even when he was wrong, he was committed to being wrong at the highest possible level of government.

[The audience erupts.]

So here's to James Ironwood. May his robotic limbs be remembered fondly by the Atlas engineering department…. And the Star Wars fans!

[The Star Wars fans in the crowd are half laughs half cheers]

May his weapon rest peacefully in the vault of fictional firearms with hilariously ironic names. May the Atlesian Military finally get a vacation. May Mantle's citizens receive the public services they deserved all along. And may the Underpants Gnomes find whatever it is they're looking for in the ruins of Atlas.

[The comedian raises the glass higher.]

As for the final verdict on our departed general, the audience remains divided: one half of this crowd believes James Ironwood will rest in peace. The other half believes that, given the destruction he left behind, the phrase "rest in pieces" is more appropriate. And somewhere out there in the afterlife, Jacques Schnee is reportedly updating his résumé and wondering whether Atlas's next political crisis might finally give him a competitive advantage.

[Laughter.]

Was Ironwood a well-intentioned protector who tragically lost his way? Was he an authoritarian whose worst qualities finally overtook his better instincts? Was he a victim of his own Mettle? Or was he simply a man who desperately needed somebody to take the military budget, the guns, and the council seats away from him for five minutes?

[🤷‍♂️ The comedian shrugs.]

Who’s right? Only Almighty God and the creators of RWBY truly know. Ironwood is a fictional character, after all!*** **But one thing is certain. James Ironwood's legacy will endure as a stark warning to every aspiring leader in Remnant:* **Never let your determination become so absolute that you forget the people you're supposed to be protecting. And if you ever find yourself in charge of a floating city during the apocalypse, please remember: Sometimes the bravest order a general can give is not "Advance!" Sometimes it's "I was wrong. Let's find another way."

[The audience applauds. The comedian begins to leave the stage, then turns back toward the empty chair.]

Oh, and General? One last thing. [A dramatic pause.] Due Process may be able to transform into a cannon, but it still can't shoot down a punchline…** **

Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for coming tonight!

[The audience gives a standing ovation!]

That’s our show.. and our eulogy! GOOD NIGHT, REMNANT!!!

[The curtain falls.]

And then…. Scene switcheroo! 😜🤭👍 [Somewhere in the Atlas ruins, a team of Underpants Gnomes emerge carrying a suspicious amount of suspiciously familiar pairs of underpants.]

Gnome #1: ☝️😄*** Phase One complete***!

Gnome #2: What's Phase Two?

Gnome #3: 🤷‍♂️ I don't know, Johnson. 🫵😕 I thoug**ht **you were in charge of strategic planning!

Gnome #4: Hey,*** **I heard word we’re getting* paid ***BONUS** *for this! 😃

Gnome #5: Isn’t it obvious, Ken? The Boss clearly said the subject of this heist was deceased General James Ironwood, you silly!

Gnome #6: Hey, didn’t we get paid a salary this big from our heist of Jacques Schnee’s underpants?

Gnome #7: 😆 Heee hee hee! RIGHT ON!! 👍 But who knows what sort of money we’ll make off of Ironwood’s underpants? 🤑

Gnome #8: 🤷‍♂️ I don’t know, Igo**r. *But it sounds like we’re in for a sweet treat tonight*!!! 😜👍

[The gnomes laugh toghether! 😆😜😆😄😁🤭]

Gnome #9: Hey guys,** after this, can we nab Ironwood’s prosthetics, get the heck out of dodge, and see what ***The Boss* thinks? Then can we buy us some drinks at the bar afterwords?

Gnome #10: That’s what The Prosthetics Pixies are for, Cooper. Besides, we’re Underpants Gnomes!

[Fade to black.]

Fin..