Ozpin's Group

Despite what the world thinks, we're not just teachers or generals or headmasters. The people in this room, the leaders of the other two academies, we're the ones that keep the world safe from the evils no one even knows about.

Ozpin's Group (unofficial) consists of several individuals whose stated goals are keeping the people of Remnant safe from both the Grimm and other unseen threats to peace. Known members include Professor Ozpin, Glynda Goodwitch, Qrow Branwen, General James Ironwood and Oscar Pine. A prominent former member was Leonardo Lionheart.

The group is called several names in the show. Whether it possesses an official name is still unknown. It is referred to as an "Inner Circle" by Qrow and as a "Brotherhood" by Ironwood. Please note that the title of this article is not official.

Key enemies of the inner circle include terrorists like the White Fang, the Creatures of Grimm, and Salem and her group.

Background


The group traces its origins back to the Maidens, wielders of enormous natural powers that have been passed down from one host to another for thousands of years. The Maidens, once common knowledge, became the target of power-hungry individuals who hoped to inherit their powers by killing them.

Because of the danger of the Maidens' powers falling into the wrong hands, the group was formed in order to protect both them and Remnant. The group decided to keep the existence of the Maidens a secret from the world at large, allowing them to fade into legend and myth.

Present Day
Many years later, the duties of the group and the secrecy of the Maidens continue to be upheld by Ozpin and his allies, who aim to protect the people of Remnant from all threats. Ozpin, Ironwood and Lionheart are headmasters of Beacon, Atlas, and Haven, respectively, and the headmaster of Shade is also mentioned in sharing their objective of protecting the world.

Prior to the start of the series, Qrow was also sent on a reconnaissance mission into the wilderness outside the Kingdoms, taking him as far as the swamps of Mistral. On his mission, he sends the cryptic message "Queen has pawns", which gets the attention of both Ozpin and Ironwood. After returning from his reconnaissance mission, Qrow reports that things are getting "a lot scarier out there", with Grimm becoming more prevalent and tensions rising. He states that he was on the trail of someone who he believes was responsible for "Autumn's condition".

Although the group shares a common goal, it is not without some discord. When Ironwood comes to Vale before the 40th Vytal Festival with a huge fleet of ships, this display is criticized by his brethren, who believe that such an act is indiscreet and would incite fear and worry within the populace, which would in turn attract the Grimm. While the general attempts to defend his actions, the other three members decide to move away from military strength and focus instead on finding their "guardian".

Fall Maiden


One of the current key threats the group is attempting to resolve is the theft of the Fall Maiden's powers, the first time a Maiden's powers have been forcibly extracted. Amber, the former Fall Maiden, was attacked by Cinder Fall, Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black, who managed to steal a fraction of her powers and leave her in a comatose state. Qrow was able to rescue Amber at the last second, but was not able to catch her assailants or identify them. Amber was being kept alive through medical equipment provided by Atlas, preventing her full powers from passing to her assailant, but it is feared that she may die soon.

The group decides to have a student at Beacon, Pyrrha Nikos, receive the powers of the Fall Maiden using experimental Atlesian technology to transfer Amber's Aura to Pyrrha. However, they are aware there is no guarantee of success, and the procedure might have unforeseen consequences on her identity. They bring her to the vault beneath Beacon, where Amber is kept, and ask her to decide whether she wishes to receive the Fall Maiden's powers before the end of the Festival.

In "Heroes and Monsters", Vale comes under siege by Grimm and the White Fang in an attack orchestrated by Cinder and her allies. Pyrrha decides to undergo the transfer, heading to the vault beneath the school with Ozpin. Unfortunately, the procedure is interrupted when Cinder shoots an arrow into Amber's chest, which kills her and transfers the rest of her power to Cinder, establishing her as the new Fall Maiden.

In "End of the Beginning", Ozpin battles the newly ascended Cinder in the vault beneath the school in a dazzling display of power. However, during the battle, Ozpin mysteriously vanishes and Cinder leaves the vault alone. However, Cinder's plans are abruptly halted when Ruby Rose unleashes an unexplained power that was lying within her.

With Ozpin's whereabouts unknown, Qrow Branwen vows to continue his work, evidenced by his possession of the missing headmaster's cane. Glynda assists in the rebuilding of Vale, which is devastated from the Grimm attack. Ironwood, whose fleet is destroyed during the Battle of Beacon, returns to Atlas.

In "The More the Merrier", Leonardo betrays the group by luring Qrow and the latest reincarnation of Ozpin to Cinder, Mercury, Emerald, Raven Branwen, and Vernal, who are in Haven Academy to obtain the Relic of Knowledge. He states his betrayal by sending all of the kingdom's huntsmen to their deaths on missions on the behalf of Salem, who also realizes that the war against her is unstoppable.

Trivia

 * All known members of the group are based on characters from The Wizard of Oz.