Years before the start of RWBY, Taiyang was part of Team STRQ, along with Summer Rose, Raven Branwen, and Qrow Branwen. Over time, Taiyang began a relationship with Raven, who would later become Yang Xiao Long's mother. Not long after Yang's birth, Raven disappeared. Some time later, Taiyang began a relationship with Summer, who would later become Ruby Rose's mother.