#branwen

Shared Similarities: The Foundation of Their Foil Dynamic

Both characters are former allies of Ozpin who turn traitor due to Salem's terrifying influence, creating a parallel arc of regretful betrayal:

Fear of Salem as the Core Motivator: Raven views Salem as an unstoppable force, calling the war against her a "lost cause only blind fools would fight." She abandons Ozpin after learning Salem's secrets and makes deals (e.g., with Cinder) to avoid her wrath. Similarly, Leo is a "Nervous Wreck" terrified of Salem, admitting he works for her because "he doesn't believe anyone can stop her" and fears what she could do to him. This fear leads both to sabotage Ozpin's side—Raven by pitting factions against each other and stealing the Relic of Knowledge (initially), Leo by feeding Salem information on huntsmen, enrolling Cinder's team in Haven, and setting up ambushes.

Regret and Self-Justification: They're both "Regretful Traitors" who hate their actions but feel trapped. Raven uses "Believing Their Own Lies" to justify survival (e.g., assuring Leo they did "what was necessary"), but Leo calls her out with "Who are you trying to convince?" Leo openly laments crossing lines Ozpin "will never forgive," feeling he's "I've Come Too Far" to redeem himself. This shared internal conflict humanizes them, showing they're not gleeful villains but broken people.

Betrayal of Trust and Legacy: As part of Ozpin's inner circle (Raven via Team STRQ, Leo as a headmaster), they exploit their positions. Raven demands Qrow's death in her deal with Cinder, leading him to disown her. Leo sells out huntsmen and contemplates capturing Oscar/Ozpin for Salem. Both contribute to the fall of Beacon and the chaos in Mistral, undermining the huntsmen system.

Cowardice as a Fatal Flaw: They're "Dirty Cowards" who prioritize survival over heroism. Raven's "Social Darwinist" philosophy ("the weak die, the strong live") masks her fear, while Leo's paranoia makes him a "Trapped in Villainy" pawn. This leads to "Treachery Is a Special Kind of Evil" in both cases, with their actions earning disdain from former allies.

These parallels set up a mirror: Both are "Fallen Heroes" who start as loyal (Raven as a huntsman trainee, Leo as a dedicated headmaster) but crumble under Salem's shadow, illustrating how fear corrupts even the well-intentioned.

How They Foil Each Other: Highlighting Contrasts Through the Mirror

Foils work by using similarities to throw differences into sharp relief, and here, Raven and Leo represent two sides of cowardice—Raven's active, aggressive, and self-deluded version vs. Leo's passive, submissive, and self-aware one. This contrast underscores RWBY's themes of strength vs. weakness, the illusion of power, and the personal cost of running from responsibility. Their Volume 5 interactions (e.g., in "True Colors") directly highlight this, with Raven trying to project strength onto Leo while he exposes her hypocrisy.

Strength and Combat Prowess (Power vs. Helplessness):

Raven is "Strong and Skilled," a "Superpower Lottery" winner with her Semblance (portals via "Kindred Link"), Maiden powers (e.g., "Weather Manipulation," lightning), and versatile weapon (Omen, a "BFS" with "Detachable Blades" and elemental effects). She embodies "Asskicking Leads to Leadership," ruling her bandit tribe through might and scheming actively (e.g., "Take a Third Option" by pitting Salem and Ozpin's forces against each other). Her fear manifests as bold, survivalist actions—she fights Cinder in a "Curb-Stomp Battle" and survives by fleeing with remorse.

Leo, in contrast, is weak and avoids direct confrontation, relying on "Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me" (Stalwart, a Dust-shooting buckler for ranged attacks). His "Weapon-Based Characterization" reflects a "cowardly and weak-willed man who wants to stay out of others' crosshairs." He's no fighter; when forced into battle, he's "hopeless in a straight fight" and dies "Impaled with Extreme Prejudice" by Salem's Seer Grimm while begging for mercy ("Face Death with Despair").

Foil Effect: Raven's physical power exposes Leo's fragility, showing how "strength" (Raven's illusion) doesn't equate to true courage. Leo's helplessness, in turn, highlights Raven's hypocrisy—she preaches "the strong live" but runs like a coward, as Yang points out in her "The Reason You Suck" Speech, reducing Raven to "Tears of Remorse."

Leadership and Moral Agency (Dominance vs. Subservience):

Raven is a "Byronic Heroine" and "Wild Card," leading her "Bandit Clan" with charisma and cunning. She rejects both Ozpin and Salem, trying to carve her own path (e.g., stealing the Relic to protect her tribe). Her fear drives proactive betrayal—she's a "Token Evil Teammate" who still shows "Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other" toward Yang (watching over her in bird form, trying to dissuade her from fighting Salem).

Leo is a "Mole in Charge," but passively—he sabotages from the shadows as Salem's unwilling pawn, a "Nervous Wreck" who stalls allies (e.g., as a "Bad Liar" to Qrow) and follows orders out of terror. He lacks agency, enrolling villains and dooming huntsmen without bold schemes, and dies as "You Have Outlived Your Usefulness."

Foil Effect: Raven's assertive leadership foils Leo's spineless compliance, emphasizing how fear can manifest as rebellion (Raven) or obedience (Leo). Leo's overt regret ("I've Come Too Far") mirrors Raven's hidden "Sour Outside, Sad Inside" turmoil, forcing her to confront her delusions when he questions her justifications.

Self-Perception and Emotional Breakdown (Delusion vs. Awareness):

Raven is "Small Name, Big Ego," a "Broken Bird" who "Can't Take Criticism" and uses "You Keep Telling Yourself That" to maintain her facade of strength (e.g., "Silly Rabbit, Idealism Is for Kids!"). She's "Believing Their Own Lies," projecting survival as wisdom, but cracks under Yang's speech, fleeing in shame ("Tears of Remorse").

Leo is more self-aware, admitting his flaws ("At Least I Admit It") and loathing his betrayal ("Regretful Traitor"). He's a "Corrupted Character Copy" of the Cowardly Lion, openly despairing without pretense, and begs for mercy in his end ("Villains Want Mercy").

Foil Effect: Leo's honesty about his cowardice exposes Raven's denial—she tries to convince him (and herself) they're "strong survivors," but his question ("Who are you trying to convince?") foreshadows her breakdown. This contrast shows how self-delusion prolongs suffering (Raven survives but isolated) vs. awareness leading to despair (Leo dies unredeemed).

Fate and Legacy (Survival vs. Destruction):

Raven embodies "Thicker Than Water" (subverted—she prioritizes tribe over blood family) and escapes consequences by fleeing, but at the cost of relationships (Qrow disowns her as a "Disowned Sibling"). She lives, but regretfully.

Leo's betrayal leads to a "Treachery Cover-Up" by Ozpin, who preserves his "Power of Legacy" as a hero despite the truth. He dies violently, "Rewarded as a Traitor Deserves."

Foil Effect: Raven's survival highlights Leo's disposability—her schemes buy freedom, while his passivity seals his doom. This underscores Salem's cruelty: She discards the submissive (Leo) but can't fully control the defiant (Raven evades her).

thanks lovely xo // d&d character class asks

barbarian: What makes your muse angry? How do they manage their anger? Has their rage ever led them to destroy something important?

SHEP — answered!

KOL — answered!

BRAN — her temper is a bit like the sea: quick to storm but also quick to pass. she’s fiercely protective and nothing gets her riled up like seeing her people mistreated; she’s got a strong moral compass and has little patience for cruelty and abuse. she can be a bit of a hothead about it, but I don’t think she’s ever destroyed something out of anger

druid: How does your muse interact with the natural world? Are they good with animals? Plants? Do they keep any pets?

SHEP — answered!

KOL — honestly she enjoys nature but doesn’t often get a chance to engage with it; or on the rare occasion she does go out in nature it’s kind of an impediment (trying to travel, sailing, etc.). I don’t think she’s great with animals or plants even though she’d really really like to be (classic kol L). she doesn’t want a pet because she doesn’t want to be responsible for anything else when she can barely mange herself but I want her to have a dog one day

BRAN — she admires and respects the natural world and also just plain loves the parts of it she’s claimed as her own (so, the ocean). she’s just as respectful of any other biome but maybe not quite as eager to visit a mountain or the desert. as for animals, small ones are okay but the big ones make her a wee bit nervous (she's not great with horses). I don’t think she’s ever kept a plant in her life? 50/50 on if she could keep it alive or not

thanks my dear!! // oc asks: roots edition

4. What was your OC's childhood dream? Is that still their dream? If it has changed, why did it change and what's their new dream?

MINAH — it was never anything particularly concrete, but it was very simple and obvious: she was going to get married and be a good wife and mother and advisor, and she and eilir were going to help guide starkhaven out of the lingering shadows of the tevinter occupation into a shining future. needless to say that didn’t happen. now mostly she wants to know the truth and see justice done

KOL — to be honest she didn’t really have one. from a very young age she understood that her life was going to be what someone else decided for her and she kind of never fought that? on the rare occasion she tried, she was shut down so hard and fast that it left scars, and she’s always been a quick study.

BRAN — her childhood dream was always to sail. she dreamed of commanding her family's flotilla of merchant ships from the prow of their flagship. when she realized she couldn’t do that under the empress’s banner—both in the sense that she wouldn’t be allowed to leave the house to run itself and in the sense that she couldn’t contribute to the empress’s tyranny—she set out to do so on her own terms. her dream these days is to map the world entire—to sail beyond the oceans and find what lies on the other side (here’s how the bran-daichi friendship can still win…)