It is a common sentiment that there is a set order to the universe.
That this order is unchanging and immutable, held in place by gods older than our oldest civilization and beings older still.
Those gods are a sword of Damocles hanging over the head of humanity.
For the sake of our species-
And of innocents everywhere-
This order must be upended.
The Foundation has, until now, been a primarily defensive organization, only fighting when we or humanity were clearly threatened. We have never before been on the offensive against a threat that was not staring us in the face, much less a god. The other O5s would not agree to this.
They don't need to know. About any of this.
Resources will be need to be taken, from many places. People will need to be recruited from all different origins, certain things done that will not be pleasant to do.
To what end, you say?
The Demesnes will be opened to us, and all those inside shall fear.
That's ominous.
I don't blame them. I just need to get to my Throne.
A Queen needs a throne. We shall both be on them soon.
Welcome to On My Throne.
Get busy building, or get busy burning.
Jason Strave: The newest O5-13, the latest in a long line working to create a Throne in the Demesnes. The stress of growing up within the Foundation and essentially being forced into the O5 position in his twenties despite his preparedness messed him up badly. He's not underweight, but still on the skinnier side, anxious and twitchy all the time, bloodshot eyes, hair that's going gray while young, and addicted to several drugs that keep him functional. He's curt, doesn't really talk in a very casual manner unless he's being permitted to take a break for a short bit, and when a big step towards getting the Throne is close he loses his grip on reality a bit. He's doing this both to protect people and because it's what he's been prepared for his whole life to do, and Crosscut's assistance and essentially constant proximity to him leads to him slowly becoming a bit more sociable, and also what is essentially his first friendship.
Box Art: Sitting on his Throne, leaned forwards, elbows on his knees, head slightly tilted, staring forward with a look of desperation and intelligence in his eyes.
Alison Chao, Black Queen Crosscut: A younger Black Queen, a former negotiator who wanted to actually make a change in the world. She thought the best way to do that would be by trying to figure out O5-13's secrets, but accepted Jason's offer of partnership out of the belief she'd get a Throne too. She wants her Throne, but more than that, she wants to burn something. Anything. She's so desperate to make a change that she doesn't care what she changes. And once the Hanged King's Throne falls apart and Alagadda burns, she has a crisis concerning the fact she literally just burned Alagadda and how that's not the change she wanted. I might take a bit of inspiration from Makoto here in several ways, but after that, she gets a good quote: "You need to build before you can burn. So let's get busy with that, because now I know who to burn."
Box Art: Standing on her throne, leaning against the part where the back is supposed to be, hand up close to her face, holding a fire produced by the first spell she learned, with desire beginning to burn in her eyes.
Brothers Death: The eldritch beings that maintain the aforementioned order of the universe, the three are the standard three that show up. Once Jason
I'll bleed your magic out.