I can't say in a reasonable amount of words how much I love this concept.

Jouste, you're MY hero man.

This is so uniquely strange, like something out of a fairy tale. Sort of like Damocles put up the sword himself to show he's got more mettle than Dionysus ever had. I really like it!

I really like this as just the image and the little story, but this might have the chops to be expanded upon. It could be fun to see other stories where Shear handles situations so well that nobody pulls the cords even if there's a legitimate reason. Or more cynically, maybe the cords just snap when pulled, easily pointing out any traitors.

The only thing I don't really like is that guillotine doesn't look really sharp. I'd trust him more as a hero if he had like a more serious-looking blade over his head. It looks like it could get stopped by his crowns or gauntlets. Then again, that adds to those ambiguous fable layers, so that's good too!

The color scheme is very cool, the design for the King and the throne use simple shapes and colors to make something awesome, and the story you made is a good short read.

I think that this chair and its cabling system installation is extremely irresponsible and cocky. I mean, I think he's a pretty good leader too.....but representatives from the neighboring Turkish states visited the royal palace over the week's end. I saw them eyeing the cables and trading furtive glances.

Also, I heard that our norther borders are being tested........rumors of night raids and curved swords. I wonder if now is the best time to be so bold? Perhaps a blunting of the shear is in order...