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The Dire Straits of Remnant

Vale: Vale is in ruins following Salem and Cinder’s pursuit of the Relic of Choice, as depicted in the RWBY Volume 9 Bonus Ending Animatic. The kingdom, once a beacon of hope with Beacon Academy at its heart, was devastated after the Fall of Beacon in Volume 3 and further destroyed by Salem’s subsequent attack. Many characters from Vale are either dead, missing, or scattered, with no clear indication of survivors like Glynda Goodwitch or others who might still be organizing resistance. The loss of Beacon Academy and the city’s infrastructure has left Vale defenseless against the Grimm, making recovery unlikely without significant external aid.

Atlas: Atlas was destroyed due to a combination of factors: Team RWBY’s idealism, Ironwood’s paranoia and authoritarian decisions, and Salem’s strategic manipulation. In Volume 8, Cinder’s attack, enabled by Salem, led to Atlas crashing into Mantle, obliterating the kingdom. While many citizens were evacuated to Vacuo using the Relic of Creation, the loss of Atlas Academy, the Schnee Dust Company, and the kingdom’s military infrastructure has left Remnant without its most technologically advanced stronghold. Salem secured the Relics of Creation and Knowledge, further tipping the scales in her favor. Ironwood and Watts perished in the fall, leaving Atlas a symbol of hubris and failure.

Mantle: Mantle, already neglected and economically disadvantaged compared to Atlas, was crushed when Atlas fell onto it in Volume 8’s “The Final Word.” The city, located on the continent of Solitas, was decimated, with thousands evacuated to Vacuo beforehand via the Relic of Creation’s pathway. However, those who remained faced certain destruction. Mantle’s downfall underscores the social and economic disparities that fueled unrest, with figures like Robyn Hill unable to prevent the catastrophe. The loss of Mantle further weakens Remnant’s defenses, as it was a key industrial hub.

Mistral: Mistral is in disarray following the events of Volume 5 and beyond. The betrayal of Headmaster Leonardo Lionheart, who facilitated the deaths of most of Mistral’s Huntsmen at the hands of Hazel and Tyrian, has left the kingdom critically underprotected. Haven Academy, meant to be a safe haven, was compromised, and the kingdom’s vast territory, riddled with a black market and criminal underworld, lacks the centralized strength to resist Grimm incursions. While Mistral’s standard military remains, it’s insufficient against Salem’s forces, and the kingdom teeters on the brink of collapse, with no significant recovery efforts noted post-Volume 9.

Menagerie: Menagerie’s status remains ambiguous, as it has been largely sidelined in the narrative since Volumes 4-5. As a Faunus homeland, it lacks the military or economic power of the main kingdoms and relies on militias rather than trained Huntsmen. There’s no evidence Salem prioritizes Menagerie, likely viewing it as insignificant due to its limited resources and lack of a Relic. However, its isolation might offer temporary safety, as seen in RWBY Volume 9: Beyond, which focuses on Vacuo without mentioning Menagerie’s involvement. The Faunus population, led by figures like Ghira Belladonna, may be organizing, but their plans and capacity to contribute to Remnant’s defense remain unclear.

Tyrian’s Implication of Jaune’s Importance

In RWBY’s “Tipping Point,” Tyrian, a loyal follower of Salem, singles out Jaune Arc among Team RNJR (Ruby, Nora, Ren, Jaune) with the cryptic remark, “Well... you do interest me,” after dismissing Ren and Nora as unimportant. This suggests that Tyrian perceives something unique or significant about Jaune that aligns with Salem’s plans or interests, potentially tied to his connection to her schemes. The lack of elaboration leaves the implication ambiguous, but it hints at a deeper, possibly hidden relevance Jaune holds in the broader conflict involving Salem.

Theorized Reasons for Tyrian’s Interest in Jaune and the Arc Family

Based on the provided details about Jaune, his weapon Crocea Mors, and the Arc family, several theories can be constructed to explain Tyrian’s fascination and its potential connection to Salem:

Jaune’s Ancestry and the Arc Family Legacy

Evidence: Jaune is a direct descendant of a long line of warriors and heroes, with Crocea Mors being a family heirloom passed down from his great-great-grandfather. The Arc family’s storied history suggests they may have played significant roles in past conflicts, potentially even those involving Salem or her forces.

Theory: Tyrian’s interest could stem from the Arc family’s historical opposition to Salem or their involvement in events tied to her past. Salem, as an ancient figure, might have encountered or been opposed by Arc ancestors, making Jaune a modern representative of a bloodline she considers a threat or a curiosity. Alternatively, the Arcs might possess knowledge, artifacts, or abilities (perhaps latent in Jaune) that Salem seeks to exploit or eliminate.

Connection to Salem: If the Arcs were historically significant in resisting Salem or her allies, Tyrian’s recognition of Jaune could indicate Salem’s awareness of this lineage, marking Jaune as a potential obstacle or asset.

Crocea Mors as a Symbolic or Powerful Artifact

Evidence: Crocea Mors, Jaune’s heirloom weapon, is a simple but enduring blade, upgraded with Pyrrha Nikos’ metal and later with hard-light and gravity Dust. Despite Jaune’s initial lack of confidence in it compared to modern weapons like Crescent Rose, its longevity and upgrades suggest it holds unique value. Its destruction by Cinder Fall in “The Final Word” underscores its importance, as it withstood significant challenges before breaking.

Theory: Tyrian’s interest might be tied to Crocea Mors itself, which could be more than a mere heirloom. The weapon might carry historical or mystical significance, perhaps forged with techniques or materials linked to Salem’s era or her enemies. For example, it could be imbued with properties that once opposed Salem’s forces or are capable of harming her, making Jaune’s possession of it noteworthy to Tyrian.

Connection to Salem: Salem might seek to destroy or claim Crocea Mors to neutralize a potential threat or to prevent its use against her. Tyrian’s fixation on Jaune could reflect his mission to assess or retrieve the weapon.

Jaune’s Potential or Untapped Abilities

Evidence: Jaune’s enrollment at Beacon Academy via fake transcripts and his parents’ lack of faith in him highlight his underdog status. However, his growth as a leader and fighter, combined with Tyrian’s interest, suggests he may possess latent qualities or a destiny that Salem’s followers recognize. His ability to inspire others (e.g., Team RNJR’s defense of Ruby) and his persistence despite setbacks further hint at untapped potential.

Theory: Tyrian might sense an aura, semblance, or destiny in Jaune that aligns with Salem’s goals or threatens them. For instance, Jaune’s semblance, which amplifies others’ auras, could be seen as a strategic asset Salem wants to corrupt or a danger she needs to eliminate. Alternatively, Tyrian’s interest could reflect Salem’s foresight of Jaune’s future role in opposing her, prompting early attention to neutralize him.

Connection to Salem: Salem’s interest in manipulating or destroying key figures (e.g., Ruby as a Silver-Eyed Warrior) could extend to Jaune if he possesses a unique ability or is fated to play a pivotal role in her defeat.

The Arc Family’s Connection to Ozpin or the Maidens

Evidence: Jaune’s connection to Pyrrha Nikos, whose weapons/circlet were integrated into Crocea Mors, and his training in Atlas suggest he’s been shaped by events and people tied to Ozpin’s inner circle. The Arc family’s heroic legacy might also intersect with Ozpin’s millennia-long war against Salem.

Theory: The Arcs could have a historical alliance with Ozpin or his predecessors, perhaps as guardians of knowledge, relics, or even Maiden-related secrets. Tyrian’s interest might reflect Salem’s suspicion that Jaune, as an Arc, carries forward this legacy, making him a target for disruption or interrogation.

Connection to Salem: Salem’s vendetta against Ozpin includes targeting his allies. If the Arcs were once Ozpin’s supporters, Jaune could be seen as a loose end or a potential inheritor of Ozpin’s plans, drawing Tyrian’s scrutiny.

Tyrian’s Personal Fascination or Sadistic Curiosity

Evidence: Tyrian’s erratic and sadistic personality is evident in his gleeful combat style and taunting demeanor. His interest in Jaune is marked by a pause and a pointed remark, suggesting a mix of genuine curiosity and menace.

Theory: Tyrian’s interest might not solely stem from Salem’s orders but also from his own twisted fascination with Jaune’s apparent weakness or potential. As an underdog who cheated his way into Beacon, Jaune might intrigue Tyrian as a target to torment or corrupt, especially if Salem has flagged him as significant. Tyrian could see Jaune’s earnestness and growth as an amusing challenge to break.

Connection to Salem: While this theory emphasizes Tyrian’s personal motives, it aligns with Salem’s strategy of using her followers’ unique traits to unsettle her enemies. Tyrian’s fixation could be a tool to psychologically destabilize Jaune or his team.

Why the Arc Family as a Whole?

Tyrian’s interest likely extends beyond Jaune to the Arc family due to their historical significance:

Long Line of Warriors: The Arcs’ legacy as heroes suggests they’ve been involved in major conflicts, possibly against Salem or her precursors. This history could make the family a recurring thorn in her side or a source of valuable knowledge.

Seven Sisters and Family Dynamics: Jaune’s large family, including seven sisters, implies a broad network that might hold additional secrets or roles in Remnant’s history. Salem could view the Arcs as a collective threat or resource.

Cultural Presence: The Arcs’ outings to places like Shion and Jaune’s inherited weapon indicate they’re a notable family in Remnant, potentially with ties to influential figures or events Salem seeks to control.

Conclusion

The Dragon-Shaped Continent in RWBY, often speculated to be the Land of Darkness (also called Evernight), is a mysterious location that has not been explicitly shown in the show, books, or other official media in its full geographical context. However, based on the provided information and fan speculation, we can analyze and theorize how it connects to the other two major continents in RWBY—Sanus and Anima—and its significance as Salem’s base of operations. Since the Dragon-Shaped Continent is not directly detailed in the source material beyond references to the Land of Darkness, this response will focus on its implied connections to Sanus (home to Vale and Vacuo) and Anima (home to Mistral and Atlas), drawing on the lore and speculative context.

Analysis of the Dragon-Shaped Continent’s Connections

Geographical Context and Isolation:

The RWBY world map, as seen in the show (e.g., World of Remnant segments), depicts Remnant with several continents, including Sanus, Anima, and a dragon-shaped landmass in the northwest, which fans associate with the Land of Darkness. This continent’s distinct dragon-like shape sets it apart from the more familiar Sanus and Anima, suggesting it is a remote, inhospitable region.

The Land of Darkness is described as a barren wasteland with rocky terrain, Gravity Dust crystals, and a dark red sky, contrasting sharply with the more habitable environments of Sanus (diverse with forests, deserts, and cities like Vale) and Anima (mountainous and forested, home to Mistral and the industrial Atlas). This isolation likely makes it an ideal stronghold for Salem, as it is difficult for outsiders to access or invade, with no known human settlements or Huntsmen academies nearby.

The lack of direct depiction in the show or books reinforces its mystique. Unlike Sanus and Anima, which are frequently visited in the narrative (e.g., Vale in Volumes 1–3, Mistral in Volumes 4–5, Atlas in Volumes 7–8), the Dragon-Shaped Continent is only referenced through glimpses of Evernight Castle and the Grimm Pools, emphasizing its role as a hidden, antagonistic hub.

Strategic Connections via Salem’s Operations:

Evernight Castle as a Command Center: The Land of Darkness, with Evernight Castle at its core, serves as Salem’s base for orchestrating attacks across Remnant. The show depicts Salem coordinating with her Inner Circle (Cinder, Tyrian, Watts, Hazel, Emerald, Mercury) from the castle’s conference hall, as seen in “The Next Step” (Volume 4, Episode 1). Her plans target key locations on Sanus (e.g., Vale’s Beacon Academy in Volume 3) and Anima (e.g., Haven Academy in Volume 5, Atlas in Volumes 7–8), indicating that the Dragon-Shaped Continent is a central node from which she projects power globally.

Grimm as a Bridge: The Grimm Pools in the Land of Darkness spawn creatures like Beowolves, Beringels, and Monstra, which Salem deploys to other continents. For example, in “Our Way” (Volume 6, Episode 13), she creates an army of winged Beringels and Monstra to attack Atlas (on Anima). This suggests that the Dragon-Shaped Continent is a source of Grimm that directly impacts Sanus and Anima, serving as a logistical hub for her forces. The Wyvern’s ability to exude Grimm-spawning liquid in “Battle of Beacon” (Volume 3, Episode 11) further implies that the Land of Darkness’s influence can extend to other continents through mobile Grimm.

Travel and Communication: Salem’s forces travel between the Dragon-Shaped Continent and other locations using airships (e.g., Hazel, Emerald, and Mercury return from Haven in Anima via a Mistral airship in “So That’s How It Is,” Volume 5, Episode 14) and Seer Grimm for communication (e.g., Watts and Lionheart contacting Salem from Haven in “Dread in the Air,” Volume 5, Episode 2). This indicates that while the continent is physically remote, Salem maintains operational connectivity with Sanus and Anima through advanced technology and Grimm-based methods.

Historical and Mythological Ties:

The Land of Darkness was the domain of the God of Darkness, created alongside Remnant, as noted in “The Lost Fable” (Volume 6, Episode 3). Its Pools of Grimm, tied to the God’s shrine, contrast with the Fountain of Life in the Domain of Light (location unspecified but implied to be elsewhere, possibly on Sanus or Anima). This dichotomy suggests that the Dragon-Shaped Continent is a primordial counterpoint to the other continents, which house remnants of the God of Light’s influence (e.g., the Relics hidden in academies on Sanus and Anima).

Salem’s transformation in the Grimm Pools after Humanity’s destruction ties her intrinsically to the Dragon-Shaped Continent. Her immortality and control over Grimm make it a natural choice for her base, as opposed to Sanus or Anima, where Ozma’s academies (Beacon, Haven, Atlas, Shade) are located. The continent’s history as a place shunned by humans (“none dared to venture close”) ensures it remains outside Ozma’s influence, reinforcing its role as Salem’s sanctuary.

Theorized Connections and Speculation

Geopolitical Isolation and Strategic Advantage:

The Dragon-Shaped Continent’s remoteness likely protects Salem from direct retaliation by Ozma’s forces. Sanus and Anima host the Huntsmen academies and human kingdoms, which are constantly under Grimm threat, partly orchestrated from the Land of Darkness. The continent’s inaccessibility (no known human settlements, treacherous terrain) makes it a fortress, allowing Salem to plan attacks without immediate threat, unlike the vulnerable cities of Vale or Atlas.

Speculatively, the Dragon-Shaped Continent may be reachable only by air or sea, given its implied distance from Sanus and Anima on the world map. The use of airships by Salem’s subordinates suggests that the continent is not easily accessible by conventional means, further isolating it from Remnant’s geopolitical struggles.

Grimm Ecosystem as a Global Threat:

The Grimm Pools’ ability to spawn limitless Grimm suggests that the Dragon-Shaped Continent is the epicenter of the Grimm threat across Remnant. While Grimm appear naturally on Sanus and Anima, the concentrated spawning in the Land of Darkness implies it is their origin point. For instance, Monstra’s deployment to Atlas indicates that Salem can mobilize massive Grimm forces from the continent to target specific locations, linking it directly to conflicts on Anima.

The Wyvern’s Grimm-spawning liquid in Vale (Sanus) during Volume 3 suggests that the Land of Darkness’s influence can be “exported” to other continents, either through specific Grimm or Salem’s magic. This creates a dynamic where the Dragon-Shaped Continent indirectly shapes events on Sanus and Anima by supplying the Grimm that destabilize their societies.

Narrative and Symbolic Role:

The Dragon-Shaped Continent’s dragon-like shape may symbolize its connection to the God of Darkness, often depicted with draconic features (e.g., his emergence from the Grimm Pool in “The Lost Fable”). This contrasts with Sanus and Anima, which are more anthropocentric, hosting human civilizations. The shape could foreshadow a climactic confrontation, as dragons in mythology often represent ultimate challenges, aligning with Salem’s role as the series’ primary antagonist.

The continent’s absence from detailed depiction in the show or books may be intentional, preserving its mystique as Salem’s hidden stronghold. It serves as a narrative “shadow” over Sanus and Anima, where the protagonists operate, with its influence felt through Salem’s schemes (e.g., the fall of Beacon, the attack on Haven, the siege of Atlas).

Speculative Connections to Relics and Endgame:

The Relics of Knowledge, Creation, Choice, and Destruction are housed in academies on Sanus (Beacon, Shade) and Anima (Haven, Atlas). The Dragon-Shaped Continent, as Salem’s base, may play a role in her quest to collect these Relics, as seen in her pursuit of the Relic of Knowledge after Haven’s failure. It’s plausible that the continent could become a final battleground if Salem gathers the Relics, given its significance as her domain.

The Land of Darkness’s Pools of Grimm, tied to the God of Darkness, might hold secrets about the Gods’ departure or the creation of Remnant, potentially linking it to the Relics’ ultimate purpose (summoning the Gods for judgment). This speculative connection suggests the continent could be central to RWBY’s endgame, bridging Salem’s actions with the broader cosmology of Sanus and Anima.

Conclusion