Collaboration - Character & Storytelling - RWBY

The two characters I'll be looking at are Ozpin/Ozma and Salem from an internet show by Roosterteeth called RWBY.

Personal History

(Salem and Ozma, RWBY 6 Episode 3: The Lost Fable, 2018)

The personal history of Salem and Ozpin/Ozma is tied together closely. Ozma was a knight, striving for justice and all things good in the world. He heard tales of a girl locked away in a tower by her abusive father and sets out to rescue her. This girl is of course Salem. Ozma manages to save Salem and without meaning to they both fall in love. However, Ozma grows ill and dies. Distraught, Salem seeks the help of the gods, but when they refuse to bring Ozma back from the dead, Salem attacks them. The gods curse Salem with immortality for this, and no matter how much she tries to end her life to be with Ozma, she always comes back. At one point Salem jumps into a pool of black sludge, hoping it would finally kill her, but she emerges, bent on destruction.

Meanwhile, the Gods summon Ozma, granting him the ability to jump into another like minded males body when he dies. In each reincarnation, he has a different name. His most recent being Ozpin and Oscar. He's given the task to defeat Salem, and redeem mankind. However, over the years it becomes apparent that Salem is invincible, and his once precious love was a completely different woman. 

Salem now leads a secret group, aiming to destroy Ozpin. And Ozpin runs a school in beacon, training his students to protect mankind.

(Ozma Currently inside Oscar, RWBY Volume 5 Opening, 2017)

Personal World View

Salem is an insidious woman, she moves quietly with deliberation in order to destroy her enemies. She feels the minds of mankind are easily swayed, and wishes to become a living god, someone for mankind to worship. 

Ozpin however is the opposite. Believing in humanity and their ability for survival. Although Stoic, he cares deeply for his colleagues and students. He is however secretive, not wanting people to know about his past with Salem, and blaming himself immensely.

Inherited World

Ozpin and Salem came from a world where the Gods walked among men, and gifted them with magical powers. However when Salem attacked the gods, they destroyed the world, leaving mankind without magic. Mankind eventually rebuilt itself. Salem became a sort of witch among men, and still is. Whereas Ozpin was confused upon being bought back, Magic no longer being something just anyone could wield.

Wants (Goals)

Salem wants to destroy Ozpin, and become a god among humankind.

Ozpin wants to destroy Salem, and redeem mankind so that the Gods may fix Salems mistakes.

Needs

Salems one and only need includes her Goal. She needs to use and manipulate people in order to get what she wants, stating that 'The only way to get what you desire, is through me. This isn't a threat, it is simply the truth."

Ozpin needs help from allies in order to even have a chance at besting Salem, since she cannot die. He feels as if he's responsible for everything that has happened to mankind, and that he needs to fix it.

Internal vs External Traits

Salem

Internal: Insidious, Sadistic, Manipulative

External: Confident, Self-Assured, Tolerating

Ozpin:

Internal: Secretive, Caring, Respecting

External: Stoic, Humble, Blunt

(Salem Currently, RWBY Volume 6 Opening, 2018)

Flaws

Most of Salems traits are flaws, except one. Once in her life, after she became who she is today, she had children and was genuinely loving toward them.

Ozpins main flaw is his inability to trust. Having been through so many lives and in most of those lives having people (and Salem) lie to him and betray him, he keeps many secrets from people.

Story Arc and Conflicts

Since the story of RWBY, and by extension these two characters is still in progress, It's hard to say much about these two points as of now.

Bibliography:

Images: 

RWBY. (2013 - 2018). [Web Series] Directed by M. Oum. Texas: Roosterteeth.