Raych Seldon, a character in Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, is murdered. He is killed by his adopted daughter, Wanda Seldon, who is unaware of her actions due to being mentally controlled by an unknown party.
In the Foundation series, Raych is introduced as the adopted son of Hari Seldon, the creator of psychohistory. Raych plays a significant role in the early Foundation books, particularly in “Prelude to Foundation” and “Forward the Foundation.” His character is complex, as he often finds himself torn between his loyalty to his father and his own moral compass.
The circumstances of Raych’s death are tragic and serve as a pivotal moment in the series. In “Forward the Foundation,” during a period of political instability and upheaval on Trantor, Raych becomes a victim of the machinations of those seeking to disrupt Hari Seldon’s work. Wanda, who possesses psychic abilities, is manipulated into killing Raych without her knowledge or intent. This event deeply affects Hari Seldon and has significant repercussions for the development of the Second Foundation, as it leads to the discovery of Wanda’s mental powers and the eventual formation of a group of mentalics, which becomes the core of the Second Foundation.
Raych’s death is a catalyst for change within the series, highlighting the dangers that the Seldon Plan faces from both external and internal threats. It also underscores the theme of sacrifice that runs throughout Asimov’s Foundation novels, as characters often face personal loss for the greater good of humanity’s future.
