Spoiler warning: This post contains spoilers from Original Enchantment. If you haven’t read it, you can catch the first three chapters for free over on Royal Road.

Many of the reviews about Original Enchantment mention how Ike is a good guy, which is gratifying since it was by design. I write the sort of stories I like to read, and I find it difficult to relate to a main character who is greedy, cowardly, dishonest, or uncaring. That’s not to say protagonists with character flaws aren’t interesting; Ike’s got his fair share of those, too, and overcoming flaws can be fertile ground for memorable stories. What I mean is that I have an easier time putting myself in the shoes of a “good guy.”

I realize this is an amorphous term. Here are the five character traits I tried to emphasize to make Ike come across this way.

1. Be kind to children and animals.

It was Dave Chappelle who said, “No matter how old you are, if a little kid hands you a toy phone you answer it.” Conversely, it’s next to impossible to consider a character a good guy if he, say, kicks a dog. Being kind to children and animals is good guy 101. I solidified this early in the story when Ike freed Sunny from a bear trap and helped little Myra with her bullying problem. Which brings me to the second ingredient…

2. Stand up to bullies.

Imagine if Ike had watched Myra get picked on without interceding. Or if he had let London Carver walk all over him. Or if he had run when Morkenstradivix attacked. Good guys never back down from a bully. This isn’t the same as being strong or fearless in the face of bullies. After all, Ike would have had a hard time winning a straight fight against either of the last two, so his anxiety was well-justified. By extension, this rule for being a good guy means a good guy can never be a bully themselves.

3. Give generously.

Good guys aren’t greedy or stingy, particularly to those in need. Shortly after meeting Dusty, Ike gives her his Songbird Statuette. As an apology, he makes Ada the Whispering Earcuffs. And when he meets Hamish, he not only offers money and food but helps the beggar get a job (saving his life in the process). These are just the most obvious examples. When Dusty points out how much gold Ike could make sitting around town enchanting and repairing gear, he expresses disinterest, demonstrating how he’s not all about material gain. This is also true when he gives Adger gold to help rebuild Wei and when he turns down Warren’s offer of a share of the dragon hoard.

4. Deal in good faith.

In the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey says, “Think win / win.” A good guy isn’t just honest in his dealings; he insists on mutual benefit and honors the spirit of the agreement. This comes up when Ike offers to help Ada complete her quest for her help completing his, when he pays Maisy back the change she mistakenly gave him, and when he offers to teach Fu Identification if Fu teaches him Appraisal. It also comes up when Ike honors his word to let Ibril live even though the rest of the party wants to finish the goblin off.

5. Don’t be “that guy.”

I realize I’m defining an amorphous term with another amorphous term here, but I think we’ve all met “that guy” before. Being “that guy” means being disrespectful, inconsiderate, and/or irresponsible. London Carver, with his arrogance, condescension, and quick temper, is “that guy.” It would be hard to call Ike a good guy if he booed Milly’s performance, demanded outrageous fees from Giovanni, or creeped on Ada. Good guys can’t be jerks.

The secret sixth ingredient

Note how I’ve carefully avoided calling Ike a hero (and not just because he himself denies being one). That’s because good guys aren’t necessarily heroes, but they’re on the right track. Heroes are brave and self-sacrificing. Standing up to a bully may be brave, but it’s not exactly running-into-a-burning-building brave. Likewise, giving generously may be self-sacrificial, but it’s not the same as jumping in front of a bullet.

The distinction is often one of degree, and Ike crosses that threshold from time to time, such as when he risks his own life to save Ada from the cu sith. However, I didn’t want to make him seem outright heroic for two reasons. One because it’s difficult for most of us to relate; few readers consider themselves heroes in real life. Second because heroes rarely regard themselves that way. The secret sixth ingredient is: Stay humble. 😉