History PlayingWith / KingmakerScenario

'''Basic Trope''': Two powerful entities are in a stalemate. A third entity can't hope to compete with either of them, but it ''can'' tip the balance towards the one it chooses to ally with.
* '''Straight''': Princess Alice and Archduke Bob both want to be ruler of Troperia, and each have equal claims on the throne. General Charlie has no claim whatsoever, but he ''can'' use his influence to place whichever candidate he chooses on the throne.

* '''Downplayed''': Charlie's influence won't ''ensure'' whoever he allies with a win, but it will significantly help their chances.
* '''Justified''': Charlie can't take the throne of Troperia himself because he doesn't have RoyalBlood, but he is still a rather prominent nobleman (or the head of Troperian military) and thus has a lot of influence.

** Charlie can't rule Troperia because he has no RoyalBlood, so he works his way into a position (such as the chancellor or the army commander) where he can control those who do.

* '''Conversed''': ???

Back to KingmakerScenario

* '''Zig Zagged''': Charlie throws in on Alice's side, but once she starts winning he realizes she's TheCaligula and [[DefectorFromDecadence switches sides to Bob]], but Bob [[ReformedButRejected doesn't trust him]] and doesn't accept his help. Bob ''does'', on the other hand, accept the help of [[AlmightyJanitor Joe the janitor]], who gives him crucial information for the fight against Alice.

* '''Invoked''': Charlie can't rule Troperia because he has no RoyalBlood, so he works his way into a position (such as the chancellor or the army commander) where he can control those who do.

* '''Subverted''': Charlie looks like he's taking an interest in one side... and then Dana convinces him to stay neutral.

* '''Played For Laughs''': All the kings of the world seek good relations with Charlie, a RidiculouslyAverageGuy

* '''Inverted''': Alice and Bob both want to give the throne of Troperia to Charlie.

* '''Zig Zagged''': Charlie throws in on Alice's side, but once she starts winning he realizes she's TheCaligula and switches sides to Bob, but Bob doesn't trust him and doesn't accept his help. Bob ''does'', on the other hand, accept the help of [[AlmightyJanitor the janitor]], who gives him crucial information for the fight against Alice.

%%* '''Reconstructed''': ???
%%* '''Played For Laughs''': ???
%%* '''Played For Drama''': ???

* '''Straight''': Alice and Bob both want to be ruler of Troperia, and each have equal claims on the throne. Charlie has no claim whatsoever, but he ''can'' use his influence to place whichever candidate he chooses on the throne.

* '''Justified''': Charlie can't take the throne of Troperia himself because he doesn't have RoyalBlood, but he is still a nobleman and thus has a lot of influence.

* '''Averted''': Charlie plays no part in Alice and Bob's power struggle.

* '''Invoked''': Charlie can't rule Troperia because he has no RoyalBlood, so he works his way into a position where he can control those who do.

* '''Defied''': Charlie is very careful to remain neutral.
* '''Discussed''': "We need to keep an eye on Charlie- he's in a very good position to help someone become king."

* '''Played Straight''': Alice and Bob both want to be ruler of Troperia, and each have equal claims on the throne. Charlie has no claim whatsoever, but he ''can'' use his influence to place whichever candidate he chooses on the throne.

* '''ZigZagged''': Charlie throws in on Alice's side, but once she starts winning he realizes she's TheCaligula and switches sides to Bob, but Bob doesn't trust him and doesn't accept his help. Bob ''does'', on the other hand, accept the help of [[AlmightyJanitor the janitor]], who gives him crucial information for the fight against Alice.

* '''Conversed''': ???

'''Played Straight''': Alice and Bob both want to be ruler of Troperia, and each have equal claims on the throne. Charlie has no claim whatsoever, but he ''can'' use his influence to place whichever candidate he chooses on the throne.
'''Exaggerated''': Alice and Bob are immortal, nigh-omnipotent beings competing for the title of God. Charlie is an ordinary human, but he was chosen to judge their claims. Whichever one he chooses gets the prize.
'''Downplayed''': Charlie's influence won't ''ensure'' whoever he allies with a win, but it will significantly help their chances.
'''Justified''': Charlie can't take the throne of Troperia himself because he doesn't have RoyalBlood, but he is still a nobleman and thus has a lot of influence.
'''Inverted''': Alice and Bob both want to give the throne of Troperia to Charlie.
'''Subverted''': Charlie looks like he's taking an interest in one side... and then Dana convinces him to stay neutral.
'''Double Subverted''': Publicly, he's neutral, but he's actually working behind the scenes to hand the throne to Alice.
'''Parodied''': Both Alice and Bob try desperately to bribe Charlie onto their side, only for Charlie to take Bob's side because he liked Bob's taste in cookies.
'''ZigZagged''': Charlie throws in on Alice's side, but once she starts winning he realizes she's TheCaligula and switches sides to Bob, but Bob doesn't trust him and doesn't accept his help. Bob ''does'', on the other hand, accept the help of [[AlmightyJanitor the janitor]], who gives him crucial information for the fight against Alice.
'''Averted''': Charlie plays no part in Alice and Bob's power struggle.
'''Enforced''': The writers need to put in some suspense about who will win Troperia's throne, so they make Alice and Bob's power equal and then throw in a WildCard in the form of Charlie, who has enough power to tip the balance.
'''Lampshaded''': "Alice and Bob may be the choices, but Charlie is the one making the choice."
'''Invoked''': Charlie can't rule Troperia because he has no RoyalBlood, so he works his way into a position where he can control those who do.
'''Exploited''': Dana doesn't attempt to directly influence Alice or Bob. She instead goes after Charlie, who is both a non-royal, and thus easier to approach, and has extreme influence over who will eventually win.
'''Defied''': Charlie is very careful to remain neutral.
'''Discussed''': "We need to keep an eye on Charlie- he's in a very good position to help someone become king."
'''Conversed''': ???