Theories on Why Salem's Inner Circle Took So Long to Locate and Target the Maidens Until Cinder Fall's Involvement
Based on the provided canon details from the RWBY wiki on Salem's Inner Circle, I'll outline some reasoned theories for the delay in effectively finding and pursuing the Maidens. These are speculative but grounded in the timeline, group dynamics, and challenges described. Salem's conflict with Ozma spans millennia, yet her systematic hunt for the Maidens—whose powers unlock the Relic Vaults—only ramps up with her modern recruits, particularly Cinder. Here's why that might be:
1. The Secrecy and Random Nature of Maiden Power Transfers Made Early Detection Extremely Difficult
The Maidens' powers pass to a random young woman (typically under 30) upon the previous holder's death, often based on the dying Maiden's last thoughts. This unpredictability would make tracking them a logistical nightmare without insider knowledge or widespread surveillance.
Ozma (Ozpin's previous incarnations) designed the system this way to protect the Relics, hiding the Maidens' identities even from most allies. For example, the Spring Maiden had been missing for years before Tyrian's hunt, and the Fall Maiden (Amber) was kept secret and protected by Ozpin's group.
In earlier eras, Salem's subordinates like the unnamed female warrior or Tock were focused on direct assassinations (e.g., killing Ozma's incarnations or Silver-Eyed Warriors) rather than a broad search for elusive, hidden figures. Without a network of spies in the Kingdoms or academies, Salem couldn't pinpoint Maidens until she built her current circle, which includes infiltrators like Leonardo Lionheart (who provided intel on Huntsmen but could have helped with Maiden leads).
2. Salem's Earlier Subordinates Lacked the Skills, Loyalty, or Resources for a Sustained Maiden Hunt
Historical members, such as the female warrior (who targeted "The Infinite Man" and The Circle millennia ago) or Tock (who hunted Silver-Eyed Warriors decades prior), were more like lone operatives or raiders focused on elimination rather than intelligence-gathering or power theft. Tock ignored Salem's advice on her Semblance, leading to her death, suggesting early followers were unreliable or short-lived.
Salem's group has existed for millennia, but the "inner circle" as a coordinated faction seems relatively modern. Recent recruits like Cinder, Tyrian, Hazel, Watts, and Vermillion Raddock bring specialized skills: Cinder's ambition and Grimm-based power-stealing method (key for becoming a "vessel" for Maiden powers), Watts' tech expertise for infiltration (e.g., hacking in Atlas), and Tyrian's tracking prowess (he was assigned to hunt the Spring Maiden before being redirected).
Before this, Salem may have lacked a team capable of operating in human societies without drawing attention. Grimm are her natural allies, but they're mindless and can't infiltrate academies or Kingdoms effectively. Building a human inner circle took time, possibly because potential recruits needed personal motivations (e.g., Hazel's revenge for his sister, Watts' grudge against Ironwood) that only arose in recent decades.
3. Ozma's Evolving Defenses and the Establishment of Academies Delayed Salem's Progress
The Relics were hidden in Vaults beneath the Huntsman Academies, which Ozma founded relatively recently (post-Great War, about 80 years before the series). Before the academies existed, the Maidens might have been nomadic or less centralized, but Ozma's system made them guardians tied to specific locations—yet still hard to access without knowing their identities.
Salem's past efforts focused on disrupting Ozma's broader plans, like slaughtering The Circle or hunting Silver-Eyed Warriors (a threat to Grimm). The Maidens, being a later creation by Ozma, might not have been a priority until he fortified the Relics behind them. Even then, successful infiltration required waiting for vulnerabilities, like corrupting Lionheart or allying with groups like the White Fang.
Failures in early attempts could have set her back. For instance, if previous subordinates tried and failed (similar to Tock's demise), Salem might have shifted focus to weakening Ozma's influence first—destroying Beacon, then targeting Haven, Atlas, and now Vacuo—before fully committing to Maiden hunts.
4. Salem's Long-Term Strategy Prioritized Building Power Over Immediate Action
Salem warns her followers that their desires come second to hers, emphasizing patience: Relics first, personal goals later. This suggests a deliberate, methodical approach rather than rushed aggression, possibly to avoid alerting Ozma too early or wasting resources.
Her true goal (summoning the Gods to destroy Remnant and end her immortality) requires all four Relics, so partial Maiden successes wouldn't suffice. Until she had a reliable "vessel" like Cinder—who could absorb powers via Grimm methods (developed recently?)—killing Maidens might just scatter the powers randomly, making them harder to reclaim.
Recent events show acceleration: Tyrian hunted the Spring Maiden pre-Beacon, but only Cinder successfully stole powers (half from Amber). This implies Salem waited for the right tool (Cinder) and timing (e.g., after recruiting Watts for tech support or Vermillion for artifact hunts in Mistral).
In summary, the delay likely stems from a combination of the Maidens' inherent elusiveness, Ozma's protective measures, the need for a capable modern inner circle, and Salem's strategic patience. Earlier eras focused on direct confrontations with Ozma, while the current push aligns with her endgame as societies grew more structured around the academies. Tyrian's partial insight into her world-destroying intent hints that even her followers don't fully grasp her timeline, but it underscores why she builds slowly—rushing could lead to failures like those of her past subordinates. If more canon details emerge (e.g., from future volumes), this could refine these theories.
