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Subverted Contrived Coincidence, probably combined with something from the Gambit Index. Sounds like it may also involve a Hidden Villain.
EDIT: Or, actually, maybe a Justified Contrived Coincidence would be more appropriate.
Edited by SolipSchism
Sound like a Gambit Roulette without a Lampshade Hanging which is probably YMMV material. Making something look outright contrived is dangerous as it threatens to break the Willing Suspension of Disbelief. Or maybe you just missed the lampshade?
Thanks for the help, several seem to fit.
Edited by Lyner
Is there a term for a plot or plot element that appears to be contrived and actually turns out to be just that, carefully planned out with a specific purpose? For instance, a long series of events seem almost too coincidental, to the point that it almost seems staged when one thinks of it, like someone had set it all up as a scenario for the hero to experience, and it turns out that this is exactly the case: someone is setting up a series of more or less contrived crises for the hero to deal with.