Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-94.8.59.184-20140809221526/@comment-4948848-20150810182514

The thing I see with Ironwood is that he looking for the decisive action that will end the problem. He is a hammer that treats every problem as if it was a nail that was sticking out. By his nature he is unable to wait and see what the other sides plan is.

Ozpin is a chess master. He knows that you sometimes have to let the other side have the initiative and commit them selves to a course of action before you can stop them.



The following illustrates my view.

The scene cuts back to Ozpin's office.

Ironwood: Well there we have it. We send as many troops as we can to the southeast, find out exactly what's going on, and eradicate any forces that stand in our way.

Glynda: (growls in frustration) Why must your answer to everything involve a triumphant display of military bravado!? You treat every situation like a contest of measuring di—!

Ozpin: Glynda!

Glynda: Well, he does.

Ozpin: She's right. As much as I too would love to end this situation once and for all, we must remember that this may go beyond Vale. Beyond Beacon. And if this truly is part of some master plan for which we know not the final move, we mustn't be so bold. Nor can we risk the spread of panic.

Ironwood: I have served you faithfully for years... but if you mean to tell me that your plan is to hold the defenses, and wait—!

Ozpin: (abruptly stands from his chair) It is not! You're a general, James. So tell me, when you prepare to go to war, which do you send in first? The flag bearers, or the scouts?