The Gravediggers

Overview
The Gravediggers are a trio of renegade Hunters, who after betraying their former leader have turned their backs on the people they swore to protect, and instead make a living as professional mercenaries renowned for the ability to accept any mission, regardless of difficulty, danger or criminality - for the right price.

History
The Gravediggers began with the creation of the Vacuo-based Team ZOMB at Shade Academy, fifteen years before the events of RWBY. The team's leader, Zobet, was renowned for his Dust-casting abilities, but immediately after his position as leader was determined his partner, Orpheus, became jealous. Believing himself to be more suitable for the role, the giant challenged his former friend for the role - a matter they decided to resolve in a duel. In his overconfidence, Orpheus underestimated Zobet and was quickly handed an embarrassing defeat, cementing Zobet's authority as Team ZOMB's undisputed leader.

Humiliated and bitter, Orpheus spent his four years at Shade Academy stewing over his defeat and soon grew to despise the idea of working as a Huntsman whilst working beneath Zobet. After graduating, the pair joined two fellow graduates, the twins Rio and Rosa, to form a new team. After two years of working together, it became clear that while Zobet's enthusiasm and talent for hunting Grimm remained unshakable, his ability to manage a team effectively was lackluster. His willingness to accept any job without adequate compensation caused the team to gradually spiral into severe debt, until eventually Orpheus snapped. After convincing the twins that he would lead them to a life of luxury, the jealous teammate plotted Zobet's removal.

During a Grimm-hunting mission, Orpheus tricked Zobet into entering a Grimm lair alone, before sealing the cave entrance with explosives - burying his former leader and leaving him at the mercy of the awakened monsters. After informing his remaining teammates of their leaders untimely death, Orpheus took over command of the team, introducing a rigid system of uniformity unlike anything seen in other teams. Under Orpheus' strict and ambitious command, the trio slowly began to make a name for themselves and began turning a profit on their missions. Overthe next nine years Orpheus slowly corrupted the twins into becoming his willing soldiers, accepting more and more morally dubious - if not outright criminal - contracts in his pursuit of greater fame and wealth.

However, having never recovered Zobet's body, Orpheus is ever paranoid of his old enemy's survival, and so carries around a weaponised coffin at all times, just in case he ever needs to bury his former friend once and for all.

Orpheus
Orpheus is undisputed leader of the Gravediggers, and is solely responsible for their corruption and acceptance of questionable practices. A brute the size of a giant, Orpheus is as physically powerful as he is sinful. His jealousy, greed and pride are only his most prevailant traits, though behind the selfishness lies a low cunning and intelligence that refutes any stereotype associated with a man of his size. He carries around a large bladed coffin, which he uses as a weapon akin to a giant battering ram for squashing his opponents. He is also responsible for capturing or finishing off weakened opponents.

Rosa
Rosa is the older of the twins, and is the more enthusiastic of the two to engage in criminal activities in the pursuit of wealth. Her ability to track down and weaken her targets is unmatched within the team, and is often responsible for studying their victim's behaviours prior to an ambush. However, her uncanny affinity for stealth makes her the least seen member of the trio. In combat, she works with her brother with flawless teamwork.

Rio
Rio is the younger of the twins, and is the closest the team has to a true Hunter. He often needs to be manipulated, coerced or lied to during the more questionable missions, but will fight just as hard against an opponent in combat. Of the twins, Rio is more likely to disobey Orpheus' orders and behave as a normal person, while his sister remains ever focussed on the next assignment.