Foundation is the best word that could be used. Without the pole and pegs the tent won't stay up. You got this! Build!
Here's the poem from The Life of Muhammad I got that from;
A folk that hath no chiefs must soon decay,
And chiefs it hath not when the vulgar sway.
Only with poles the tent is reared at last,
And poles it hath not save the pegs hold fast.
But when the pegs and poles are once combined
Then stands accomplished that which was designed.