[quote=@Tergonaut]
My main question about weapon tech has already been answered - I was actually almost looking forward to figuring out a more primitive but interesting combination weapon.  Good to know there is more flexibility there, though.[/quote]
Whatever works for you. You do have a Semblance as well and characters like Blake simply have a blade and rope so not everyone has to be technical.

[quote=@Tergonaut]This brings up the matter of character age: The Academies start training at age 17 and go for four years, so none of our characters would theoretically be older than 21, right?[/quote]
I had 16-20, but I just bumped that up to 21. A bit relative to when they started the course, but also because the academies are new you may have a few first years who are 20. Much like a college course that caters to a broader audience. 21 will be the max cause I don't wanna have too much in the way of adult/parent like characters at all.

[quote=@Tergonaut]So, what about names?  The Great War was fought over the right to self-expression, but if the characters are children of the rising generation, they would have already had their names given to them prior to the color naming convention that pervaded the world.  I'm fine either way, I think the color naming convention is one of the distinctive setting points of RWBY - just curious how we should approach that for this, given the approximate timing.[/quote]
I'm still rolling with the colour naming as for the reason you stated, it helps with the overall theme.
[url=http://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/rwby-names.php#.WRwm-OJ_VA0]RWBY Names[/url]
I used this link for my main character and tweaked it a bit as I felt the original was a bit short. Lorral, based on Floral White.

[quote=@Tergonaut]One idea I've had already has been some type of bard or musician type of character who uses a "lute-saber."  I'm not entirely sure how serious I am about this idea, just kind of tossing it out there to see what people think.
[/quote]
Flynt Coal does use a trumpet... just saying. :sun