In the beginning, a lonely, all-powerful Dragon arrives from another realm and proceeds to create the universe from nothing. After searching for beings like himself, he decides to split into two Brothers, who create the world of Remnant. (Mythology, RWBY: Fairy Tales of Remnant)
The Gods create Humanity together, beings capable of choosing between light and darkness, with gifts of knowledge, creation, destruction and choice. Humanity possesses control of magic. ("A Much Needed Talk", "The Lost Fable")
A young lord rescues a princess from a group of raiders, acquiring fame, fortune, and glory. The two marry and have a child named Salem. However, Salem's mother passes away during childbirth and the lord locks her in a tower. (RWBY: Fairy Tales of Remnant)
Approximately 16 years later, Salem attempts to trick the God of Darkness into reviving her dead love, Ozma, after being refused by the God of Light. As punishment, Salem is cursed with immortality. ("The Lost Fable")
Salem unifies an army to defeat the Gods, but the God of Darkness destroys all of Humanity except for Salem due to her immortality. The Brothers abandon the world and shatter the moon in the process. ("The Lost Fable")
Salem attempts suicide by submerging herself into the blackened pool in the Land of Darkness. The result is not death, but a transformation of her will into one bent on destruction. ("The Lost Fable")
The God of Animals brings mankind to Menagerie for the first time in history, transforming them into the first Faunus. (Mythology, RWBY: Fairy Tales of Remnant)
The God of Light returns a consenting Ozma into life and creates four Relics. Should someone bring each Relic together, the Brothers will return and judge Humanity on their ability to live in peace. ("A Much Needed Talk", "The Lost Fable")
Ozma and Salem become gods over Humanity and start a family. Ideological differences result in a battle Salem wins, killing the current Ozma and starting his cycle. ("Unforeseen Complications", "The Lost Fable")
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An incarnation of Ozma known as The Infinite Man forms a group called The Circle, which would travel the land assisting those in peril in order to unite Humanity. It is eventually destroyed by a group of warriors testing whether the Infinite Man was truly immortal. The only survivor is his most devoted follower, who turns her back on him. (RWBY: Fairy Tales of Remnant)
Approximately 1000 years before the start of the series, Malik the Sunderer rules as the first King of Vacuo. He has offspring who allegedly have a birthmark to signify their heritage. (RWBY: Before the Dawn)
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A brotherhood is founded in order to protect the Maidens and the people of the world. The Maidens are forced to go into hiding and over thousands of years fade into myth and legend. ("Fall")
After an incident, Mantle imposes laws against self-expression, believing that if people controlled their emotions, the Grimm would be less of a threat. Their ally, Mistral, quickly follows but still allows the center of the Kingdom to maintain its cultural identity. ("WoR: The Great War")
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Due to the pristine conditions of the islands and peninsulas of the east coast of Sanus, Mistral and Vale try to settle the location at the same time. Despite the best efforts of the King of Vale, the two groups of people clash at what would be the first battle of the Great War. ("WoR: The Great War")
Following the Great War, companies such as the Schnee Dust Company and Mistral Trading Company take interest in Vacuo's Dust supply, draining it and depleting its resources. (RWBY: Before the Dawn)
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The Kingdom of Mantle ceases to exist and is replaced with the Kingdom of Atlas. ("WoR: Huntsmen")
At least three years after the start of the conflict, the Faunus Rights Revolution concludes with victory for the Faunus. The White Fang is created in its aftermath as a symbol of peace and unity between Humans and Faunus, later to become a peaceful protest organization in the wake of continued discrimination. ("Black and White")
Jacques Schnee inherits the Schnee Dust Company. Under his leadership, the SDC begins to participate in morally questionable business and labor practices. ("Mountain Glenn")
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Legendary warrior and Grimm hunter, The Grimm Reaper, goes into hiding after being attacked by assassins and having her Silver Eyes cut out. After disappearing for so long, she is presumed dead by the public. ("The Grimm Reaper")
Mountain Glenn succumbs to the Grimm after a protracted siege caused by Merlot Industries attempting to gather specimens. ("Search and Destroy")
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Oniyuri is founded by wealthy elites that were fed up with how Mistral ran things. The settlement is attacked by the Nuckelavee before its completion. ("Tipping Point")
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Over 10 years before the episode "Welcome to Haven", The Spring Maiden is unable to cope with the burden of her responsibilities and flees. She eventually encounters Raven Branwen who attempts to train her. When little progress is made, Raven deems her unworthy to bear such power while being hunted for life and kills her, claiming the Spring Maiden powers herself. ("Welcome to Haven", "Haven's Fate")
Insane Anima serial killer Tyrian Callows is captured and arrested. His transport is attacked by Grimm commanded by Salem and Tyrian is freed. Tyrian devotes his life to Salem who he proclaims as his goddess and he is recruited into her inner circle. ("Worst Case Scenario")
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The White Fang changes leadership from Ghira Belladonna to Sienna Khan and its methods from non-violence to more violent and aggressive behavior. The change happens approximately 5 years before the episode "Black and White". ("Black and White")
The 38th biennial Vytal Festival Tournament occurs in the city of Vacuo, taking place approximately 76 years after the Great War. (RWBY: After the Fall)
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2 years before the events of RWBY, the Creatures of Grimm slowly descend upon the city of Kuchinashi from the mountain's northern pass, attacking in oddly specific patterns and locations. ("Where There's Smoke...")
The 39th biennial Vytal Festival Tournament occurs in the city of Mistral, taking place approximately 78 years after the Great War. ("Where There's Smoke...")
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Glynda Goodwitch delivers an audio log to the Headmaster of an Academy informing them about the events of RWBY: The Grimm Campaign, known as "the Kuchinashi Incident", after having gathered information from various sources, including the Huntsmen themselves. ("The Mission")
The morning after Cinder's attempt to recruit the White Fang, Blake leaves Adam Taurus and the White Fang, causing the train to leave behind Schnee Dust Company supplies, which are then deemed to be stolen. ("Black" Trailer, Manga #5–6)
As the Vytal Festival begins preparations, Blake inadvertently reveals her identity as a former member of the White Fang and a Faunus to the rest of her team. Roman attempts a major Dust robbery, and Blake, Ruby, Penny Polendina and Sun Wukongfoil him. Qrow contacts Ozpin to inform him that "Queen has pawns." ("Black and White")
Just before the start of Beacon's second semester, Emerald and Mercury killTukson. Cinder begins "Phase 2" and orders Torchwick to stop stealing Dust and relocate to the southeast. ("Best Day Ever")
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Soon after the start of the second semester, Team CFVY is sent on a mission to Lower Cairn which ends in disaster, returning after the Beacon Dance and soon before the Vytal Festival Tournament. ("Field Trip", RWBY: After the Fall)
James Ironwood arrives in Vale with a fleet of Atlesian airships. Cinder, Mercury, and Emerald infiltrate Beacon disguised as students from Haven Academy. Team RWBY begins an investigation of the White Fang. ("Welcome to Beacon")
A train from Mountain Glenn breaches inner-city Vale, releasing Grimm, which Beacon students, the Atlesian military and Beacon staff easily counter. Torchwick is put in Ironwood's custody. ("Breach")
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Team RWBY goes on a mission to investigate and foil the plans of Merlot Industries, a mysterious corporation experimenting with Grimm. Their mission takes them to the Emerald Forest, Mountain Glenn, Forever Fall, and Merlot's Island. (RWBY: Grimm Eclipse)
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The 40th Vytal Festival tournament begins in the autumn, approximately 80 years after the Great War. ("Round One")
Following the doubles rounds of the Vytal Festival tournament, Ozpin's brotherhood informs Pyrrha Nikos about the Maidens and asks her to obtain the remainder of the Fall Maiden's powers. ("Fall")
Emerald deceives Yang with a hallucination, leading her to wound Mercury's leg during her singles round match in the Vytal Festival tournament. The Grimm in the surrounding region sense the heavy negativity and attempt to invade Vale. ("Fall", "Beginning of the End")
Emerald deceives Pyrrha with a hallucination, leading her to accidentally destroy Penny. Cinder interrupts the live tournament broadcast to instill negativity and panic in the people watching, leading to a Grimm invasion in Vale and Mistral. ("PvP", "Welcome to Haven")
The Battle of Beacon occurs. White Fang forces attack the city. Roman commandeers an airship and reprograms Atlesian robots on the ground, causing them to go rogue. A Wyvern awakens under a mountain and heads toward the city. ("Battle of Beacon")
Students attempt to retake Beacon from the attacking forces. Torchwick is swallowed by a griffon. The rogue airship crashes, disabling the rogue robots. Adam cuts off Yang's right arm in combat. ("Battle of Beacon, "Heroes and Monsters")
The Wyvern destroys Vale's CCT tower, disabling worldwide communications. All forces withdraw from Beacon. ("End of the Beginning")
Cinder kills Pyrrha, inadvertently activating Ruby's powers, which freeze the Wyvern and greatly wound Cinder, forcing her to retreat. ("End of the Beginning")
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The Grimm are driven out of the city but retain control of Beacon. Ruby and Yang recover back at home on Patch. Weiss is brought back to Atlas by her father, Jacques Schnee. Blake is said to have run away and is seen in Vale. Qrow hints for Ruby to go to Haven Academy, acquires Ozpin's cane and assumes his duties. ("End of the Beginning")
Salem declares her intention to snuff out the hope of Humanity and says dividing them by creating doubt is merely her first move. ("End of the Beginning")
Salem's Faction meets to determine their next course of action following the Fall of Beacon. Their plans involve organizing a meeting with the leader of the White Fang, targeting Ruby Rose with the intention of capturing her and setting Haven Academy as the next to fall. ("The Next Step")
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1 month after the fall of Beacon, Team CFVY begins to travel to Vacuo, arriving at the city after 3 months' worth of traveling, and transfer to Shade Academy. (RWBY: After the Fall)
Ozma reincarnates into Oscar Pine and makes his presence known to the 14-year-old boy. They would soon travel to Mistral to meet up with Team RNJR. ("Family")
Ironwood closes the borders of Atlas to protect the Kingdom from the war brewing in Mistral. Weiss sneaks out of her home to get to Mistral first. ("Taking Control")
The Belladonna family learns of Adam's plans to overthrow the White Fang leadership and attack Haven Academy. They resolve to take back control of the White Fang. ("Taking Control")
Adam assassinates Sienna Khan in a coup to take over the White Fang. He lies about her death to make her a martyr and galvanize a war with Humans. ("Dread in the Air")
An assault on the Belladonna Family Home is made with the goal to kill the Belladonna family. However, it is unsuccessful, resulting in the arrests of the surviving assailants. Blake uses this attack to rally the Faunus to protect Haven Academy. ("Alone Together", "True Colors")
Adam's White Fang is defeated, and Salem's plan thwarted. Team RWBY is reunited once again, and Ozpin sets the course for Atlas to hide the Relic of Knowledge. ("Downfall", "Haven's Fate")
2 weeks after the Battle of Haven, Team SSSN and Team ABRN begin to transfer to Shade Academy, taking an unknown amount of time to reach their destination. Team ABRN arrives at the Academy before SSSN. (RWBY: Before the Dawn)
Salem orders that Cinder Fall be left in isolation to prove herself, allowing the Fall Maiden to go rogue. While tracking Ruby and her friends, she encounters Neopolitan and recruits her to help kill Ruby. ("So That's How It Is", "The Coming Storm")
Ruby and her friends summon Jinn with the Relic and use the second remaining question to learn the truth of Ozpin and Salem's past and her immortality. Ozpin locks himself deep inside Oscar's head afterwards. ("Uncovered", "So That's How It Is")
Several Grimm, including a Leviathan, attack Argus, causing damage to the city, but they are defeated by the combined efforts of the Atlesian military, Weiss, Maria Calavera, Qrow Branwen, Oscar Pine, and RNJR. ("Seeing Red", "Our Way")
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Team CFVY is sent on a mission to rescue settlers from Schist, Gossan, and Tuff from the Grimm, leaving them in Coquina. During this, they discover a mysterious group named The Crown and imprison Carmine and Bertilak through the help of Team SSSN. Despite this, Carmine and Bertilak escape their imprisonment soon after. (RWBY: After the Fall)
Teams RWBY and JNR are granted Huntsmen licenses by Ironwood and assist the Ace-Ops and Atlesian Military on several missions in the construction and launch of Amity Communications Tower. ("Pomp and Circumstance", "Sparks")
Months after its Re-Initiation, Shade Academy is attacked by The Crown, which is defeated by the Huntsmen defending their school, and a newly united Vacuo. (RWBY: Before the Dawn)
Arthur Watts and Jacques Schnee strike a deal to humiliate Ironwood and grant Jacques a council seat in the upcoming election. The next night, Jacques shuts down all non-essential SDC operations, stating that he will fix what Ironwood has broken, if elected. A riot begins in Mantle. ("Pomp and Circumstance", "Sparks")
A pre-victory event for councilwoman candidate Robyn Hill is held on the night of the election, but outside machinations cause a blackout, and carnage ensues. Penny Polendina is accused of being the attacker, and Jacques Schnee is elected as Councilman. The panic in Mantle causes a Grimm attack. ("A Night Off")
Robyn's group begins a series of vigilante raids on the transport trucks heading for Amity, stopping construction progress. The Ace-Ops and other Huntsmen are sent to capture them, but Blake and Yang decide to leak the tower plans to Robin to try and get her on their side. ("Worst Case Scenario")
Ironwood and his subordinates are invited to a council meeting by Jacques to defend his position. Jacques attempts to make out Ironwood as trustworthy but the meeting is interrupted by Weiss who shows the council footage of her father scheming with Arthur Watts, who was responsible for hacking the election. This leads Jacques under arrest for his crimes of rigging the election and framing Penny. ("Cordially Invited", "As Above, So Below")
Another riot in Mantle begins once more when the heating grids were suddenly shut down and caused a snowfall. The people blame Atlas, start a bonfire with stolen fire Dust and attack military personnel. The riot causes a mass Grimm Invasion. Ironwood and the Council receive news relating to these alarming situations. ("As Above, So Below")
All Atlas Huntsmen are deployed to evacuate Mantle civilians to Atlas and defend them from Grimm. During this process, Robyn and Ironwood release a broadcast revealing Salem's existence to both cities. Tyrian and Watts are lured out of hiding and arrested, but the skin of Ironwood's human arm is burned off during his battle with Watts. ("Out in the Open", "Gravity")
Ironwood discovers that Cinder is in Atlas and Salem releases a threat stating she herself is coming. Ironwood changes his plan to lift Atlas away from Mantle into the sky, abandoning Mantle before evacuations are anywhere near complete, leaving the remaining civilians to die. Ruby and her team oppose Ironwood, who then releases an arrest warrant for her friends. ("Gravity")
Oscar confronts Ironwood in the Vault, who shoots him off the platform. This results in Ozpin's reemergence and Oscar unlocking his Magic. ("The Enemy of Trust")
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