Line #40 Literature/Eminence


1	[[quoteright:1000:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ebook_cover_3.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:1000:First Edition Cover]]
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4	'Eminence'' is a thriller web serial and novel by Creator/DSBarrie. It was originally released as a web serial before being published in 2024 as a novel.
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6	Eminence is a serialized collection of short stories following the adventures of teen genius and vigilante mastermind Thomas Maxwell as he organizes a superhero/vigilante movement known as Redemption to destroy America's internal and external enemies.
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8	After a vicious turf war that consolidated the power of the criminal East-Coast Syndicate over New Valley City, the desperate residents of the inner city, inspired by superhero media, adopted aliases, masked up, and armed themselves to defend their neighborhoods, creating a delicate power balance between them and the Syndicate-dominated establishment.
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10	Above all the poverty and misery stands the QuanTower: headquarters of QuanTec Industries, the world’s most advanced scientific research corporation and the reason behind the steady recovery of New Valley’s economy. However, rumors abound of its shady connections to the Syndicate and the U.S. national security apparatus.
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12	Thomas Maxwell is an introverted but brilliant seventeen-year-old. A perfect student and unrivaled genius, he has the respect of his teachers, numerous academic awards, and plenty of scholarships. However, Thomas finds his life unchallenging so he occasionally assists his uncle Toby, a police detective for the NVPD, in solving crimes.
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14	While involved in an investigation, Thomas accidentally stumbles upon a conspiracy involving the police, QuanTec, and the Syndicate, and becomes the Architect, a vigilante mastermind aiming to expose the conspiracy and destroy the Syndicate. Along the way, Thomas recruits other vigilantes to his cause, starting a movement that accidentally sets off a chain of events that threatens to plunge the city into chaos.
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16	* AccidentalKidnapping: Thomas accidentally gets trapped in the van of the vigilante biker gang, the Angels of Justice, while investigating their activities.
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18	* ActionSurvivor: Thomas, a high school student, becomes actively involved in investigating and confronting criminal activities despite lacking traditional action-hero qualities.
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20	* TheAtoner: Thomas feels guilt-ridden after the explosion at the police department jail, where the jailed members of the Angels of Justice are killed, leading him to vow to destroy the Syndicate.
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22	* BatmanGambit: One of Thomas's favorite tactics. He studies his opponent's actions and behavior, and organizes his plans to rely on them acting predictably.
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24	* BenevolentConspiracy: The Redemption movement organized by Thomas operates as a group aiming to take down the Syndicate and corrupt elements within the city. At least at first
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26	* TheBigGuy: Shadow, a vigilante street fighter, plays the role of the physically powerful member of the team, stopping an arms shipment and beating up Syndicate-affiliated criminals.
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28	* TheCaper: The heist at Lucius Martell's mansion orchestrated by Case and Azure, stealing millions of dollars, fits the classic caper trope.
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30	* TheChainsofCommanding: As the Architect, Thomas faces the challenges and responsibilities of leading Redemption and making tough decisions to take down the Syndicate.
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32	* TheChessmaster: Thomas, as the Architect, strategically plans and orchestrates events to expose and take down the criminal elements in the city.
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35	* TheConspiracy: The overarching plot involves a conspiracy involving the Syndicate, corrupt police officers, and illegal experiments at the Geneform Kinetics Laboratory.
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37	* TheDeterminator: Thomas is determined to uncover the truth, expose the Syndicate, and bring justice to the city despite facing numerous challenges and dangers.
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41	* FakeKillScare: Thomas stages a fake bomb threat to coerce information from Allen Burr.
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43	* GambitPileup: The plot involves multiple characters executing their strategic plans, creating a complex web of interwoven schemes and counter-schemes.
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45	* TheGoodtheBadandtheEvil: The story explores a moral landscape where characters, including vigilantes and criminals, exhibit varying degrees of morality.
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47
48	* HeelFaceTurn: Redemption, including members like Shadow, undergo moral transformations, turning from potential antagonists to allies.
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50	* HerowithanFinGood: Despite good intentions, Thomas's actions often produces collateral damage
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52	* HeroicBSoD: Thomas experiences moments of moral crisis and emotional turmoil, reflecting the toll of his actions on his psyche.
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54	* HeroicSacrifice: Characters, including members of Redemption, are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good.
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56	* HiddenVillain: The true mastermind behind certain events remains hidden until later in the story.
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58	* IJustShotMarvinintheFace: A scuffle between Toby and Shadow leads to an accidental shooting, adding an unexpected twist to the plot.
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60	* IndyPloy: Thomas often relies on quick, on-the-fly decision-making in response to changing circumstances.
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62	* InternalReveal: The audience gains insights into characters' thoughts and motivations through internal monologues and reflections.
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64	* TheJailer: Characters face imprisonment and escape situations, contributing to the suspense and tension.
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66	* KidnappedScientist: What happens to Dr. Mikkanen at the end of Resurrection.
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68	* KnightTemplar: Case, Shadow, and to a lesser extent Thomas. At least at first.
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70	* TheLancer: Shadow serves as the Lancer within Redemption, providing a contrast to Thomas's leadership style and contributing his own skills to the team.
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72
73	* TheMole: Sky/Stefanie Kyle is a cop who passes information to the Angels of Justice. After their destruction, she continues her role for Redemption.
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76	* NebulousEvilOrganization: The Syndicate operates as a mysterious and powerful criminal organization that the protagonists aim to dismantle.
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78	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Thomas accidentally destabilizes the power structure of New Valley, kickstarting a chain of events with destructive consequences.
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80
81	* NoNonsenseNemesis: Thomas's enemies are ruthless, and have no hesitations or scruples.
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83	* NonActionGuy: Thomas as the Architect generally prefers to orchestrate events from behind the scenes, however in extreme situations, he will enter the field.
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86	* OmniscientDatabase: Subverted, as Thomas runs into trouble accessing the court records for Erik Gunther's trial.
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88	* ParentalSubstitute: Toby Maxwell acts as a parental figure for his nephew Thomas after the death of his parents.
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90	* ThePlan: Many events are orchestrated through elaborate plans, showcasing Thomas' strategic thinking.
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92	* PragmaticHero: Thomas, as the Architect, takes pragmatic and sometimes morally ambiguous actions to achieve his goals.
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94	* PrivateDetective: Toby's role as a detective contributes to the investigative aspects of the story.
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96	* TheProfiler: Thomas demonstrates profiling skills as he deduces information about the Angels of Justice and the Syndicate.
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99	* TheReveal: Key plot twists and revelations keep the audience engaged and invested in the unfolding story.
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102	* TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized: Redemption's actions lead to chaotic mass protests.
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104	* RippedfromtheHeadlines: The story incorporates elements inspired by real-world issues, adding relevance and depth.
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107	* SecretIdentity: Thomas and most other vigilantes maintain a secret identity to protect themselves and those close to him from the Syndicate.
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109	* TheSpymaster: Thomas becomes this through his surveillance and investigative skills as his organization grows.
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111
112	* TheStoic: Thomas is good at remaining calm and rational in stressful situations.
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114	* StunnedSilence: The reaction of the gala audience towards Shadow's emergence. Also, Donnelson experiences this momentarily after being accused of supporting communism.
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116
117	* TokenGoodTeammate: Azure during her brief membership in Redemption acts as the moral conscience within the vigilante group, providing a contrast to the more ruthless members Case and Shadow.
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119	* TomatoSurprise: Unexpected revelations or twists keep the audience guessing about the true nature of certain characters or events.
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121
122	* VigilanteMan: Thomas Maxwell along with numerous other characters embraces vigilantism.
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124	* VillainwithGoodPublicity: Lucius Martell is known publically as a philanthropist, but is secretly leader of the East-Coast Syndicate.
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126	* TheWatson: Case serves as this after learning Thomas' identity, asking questions and receiving explanations to understand the unfolding events.
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128	* WellIntentionedExtremist: The Angels of Justice, and arguably Thomas once he forms Redemption. The members of the Crimson Path movement are also this, aiming to organize an anti-capitalist workers' revolution.
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130	* WhamEpisode: Many of the short stories have a significant impact on the plot's trajectory.
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132	* WoundedGazelleGambit: Thomas pretends to be unconscious in the middle of the road to bait a driver into stopping so he can carjack them.
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134	* XanatosGambit: Thomas, as the Architect, often employs plans with multiple potential outcomes, ensuring that whatever happens, he can use it to his advantage. For instance, while he preferred to capture Shadow to unmask his identity, the outcome of the fight between Shadow and Case was engineered such that Thomas would find out regardless of who won.
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136
137	* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: The Syndicate often kills assets that have become more of a risk than a reward.
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139	* YouKilledMyFather: Shadow's vow for vengeance against the Syndicate and its leaders stems from the murder of his best friend.
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142	* TheAlcoholic: Case, who is traumatized both from his experiences in the military and the death of his vigilante group, is almost always pounding beers when not on a mission.
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144	* DoesThisRemindYouofAnything?: In a destabilizing liberal democracy, the political center collapses and society increasingly polarizes into two violent and uncompromising camps: a radical labor movement aiming to destroy the capitalist state and a paramilitary movement of disillusioned veterans, supported by the wealthy, aiming to 'regenerate' society and destroy the 'degenerates'.
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147	* EasilyForgiven: Despite being terrorized by Redemption at the gala, Donnelson decides to support them anyway.
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Context Literature / Eminence