User blog comment:BenRG/The Shattered Moon/@comment-10390252-20130806094546

Am I the only one who heard the capitals in Jaune's description of his weapon? "My great-great grandfather used it to fight in The War."

I wonder what War that was? I think it will turn out to be very significant to the overall plot. I'm wondering if there is a Cycle of some kind in the RWBY universe, maybe related somehow to the Shattered Moon. Monty said it was something about 'lunar cycles' but we're making the assumption that this was referring to cycles of orbital phases, what if it is a far longer cycle of the moon that is associtated with ascention of the power of the Grim? Every five generations, the moon's rotation abruptly goes out of phase with its' orbit, revealing a dark side over a period of months (it looks like the moon is shattering); when it is fully dark, the Grim return in all their horrible power.

During the light phases, the Grim creatures look more-or-less natural (the Beowolves in the Red Trailer). However, as the Moon gets darker, they become more and more intelligent and maelevolant, developing the white bony 'mask' as well as the wit and will to plan the downfall of humanity.

Humans, being what they are, generally refuse to acknowledge the cycle's existance. Apart from a few wise men like Ozpin, any suggestion of the Dark rising again is a laughable myth told by old grandmothers to frighten disobedient children.

Cycles of catastrophes are used in a lot of fiction (my favorite is the Asimov book 'Nightfall' and most of my readers will be familiar with the Cycle in the 'Mass Effect' trilogy). When I think about it, Monty's comments about the moon's state seem to be talking about this.