Summary: What if Salem Died in RWBY
Salem’s permanent death creates a power vacuum, shattering the unity of her Inner Circle and allowing its members to pursue their own ambitions. Two primary factions emerge: one led by Cinder Fall, who seeks to become a tyrannical queen by acquiring all Maiden powers, and another led by Arthur Watts, who aims to reshape Remnant through technological dominance. Other characters and groups either align with these factions or form independent alliances, leading to a complex power struggle.
Cinder’s Faction:
Core Members: Cinder Fall (leader), Mercury Black (enforcer), Emerald Sustrai (spy), Roman Torchwick (crime lord), Neopolitan (Neo, assassin).
Goals: Cinder pursues Maiden powers to rule Remnant, focusing on consolidating power in Vale and Mistral. Her leadership is manipulative and ruthless but volatile, relying on intimidation.
Recruits: Likely includes Lil’ Miss Malachite (Spider Syndicate), Junior Xiong (Xiong Family), Vermillion Raddock (artifact seeker), Team SMMK (rogue Huntsmen), and possibly Sienna Khan (White Fang).
Strengths: Strong combat power (Maiden abilities, skilled fighters) and criminal networks in Vale/Mistral.
Weaknesses: Cinder’s betrayals (e.g., Neo, Watts) risk defections, and her focus on Maidens may neglect broader strategy.
Watts’ Faction:
Core Members: Arthur Watts (leader), Tyrian Callows (assassin), Hazel Rainart (tank).
Goals: Watts seeks to control Atlas’s technological infrastructure, creating a technocratic regime. His leadership is pragmatic and strategic but arrogant.
Recruits: Likely includes Fort Lee (tech CEO), Dr. Merlot (Grimm/AI scientist), the Atlas conspiracy (Bram Thormmane, Amoncio Glass, Hanlon Fifestone, Olive Harper), and possibly Gillian and Jax Asturias (The Crown).
Strengths: Technological superiority (hacking, robotics, Grimm experiments) and strategic planning.
Weaknesses: Limited combat power compared to Cinder’s Maiden abilities; Watts’ arrogance may alienate allies like Tyrian or Hazel.
Independent Factions:
White Fang (Adam Taurus, Sienna Khan, others): Likely operates as a militant Faunus rights group, clashing with both factions. Adam’s obsession with Blake may disrupt Cinder’s plans.
Branwen Tribe (Raven Branwen, Vernal, Shay D. Mann): Raven’s independent raids and Maiden powers make her a wildcard, avoiding allegiance to either side.
Hana Guild (Abigail Pyre): Could reform as a rogue criminal group, stealing artifacts and playing both sides.
Lady Beat (Beatrix Browning): Manipulates factions for personal gain, potentially staying neutral or aligning with Spider.
The Crown (Argento Pocoron, Carmine Esclados): May pursue Vacuan monarchy independently if the Asturias twins join Watts, engaging in guerrilla attacks.
Conflicts and Outcomes:
Cinder vs. Watts: Cinder’s pursuit of Maidens clashes with Watts’ control of Atlas (Winter Maiden’s location). Watts uses hacking and tech (Merlot, Fort Lee) to counter Cinder’s magic, while Cinder deploys Neo and Emerald for infiltration. The conflict is a war of attrition: brute force vs. strategy.
Independent Factions’ Impact: The White Fang and Branwen Tribe create chaos, weakening both sides. Smaller groups like the Hana Guild or The Crown act as spoilers, aligning or betraying based on self-interest.
Possible Outcomes:
Cinder’s Victory: Securing all Maiden powers could overwhelm Watts, but defections may undermine her rule.
Watts’ Victory: Controlling Atlas and developing advanced weapons could outmaneuver Cinder, but his combat weakness leaves him vulnerable.
Stalemate/Fragmentation: Independent factions prevent total victory, fracturing Remnant into competing groups.
Conclusion: Salem’s death unleashes a chaotic struggle between Cinder’s power-hungry faction and Watts’ technocratic vision, with independent groups like the White Fang and Branwen Tribe complicating the conflict. The outcome hinges on each leader’s ability to maintain alliances and navigate Remnant’s turmoil.
