The cynical hero I love to call this archetype the cynical hero, although it is most widely known as the "anti-hero". Where the evil hero has some self-imposed limits or follows a certain code, the cynic hero could care less about the rules. He or she is a fuck all type of a person, has complete disregard for the law, abhors any and all rules. If they ever do something even remotely good, it is because they wanted to. To make these characters follow the straight and narrow is neigh but an impossible task. The easiest way to explain them coexisting with other, honorable, rule-abiding heroes is that all of them have a common enemy. Perhaps their leader is somebody that the cynical hero respects or maybe even fears? That might also be a factor to explain them following someone. That and the presence of the peasant hero, with whom the cynical hero has some form of a connection. I won't go into too much detail, but a competent author can easily find a myriad of reasons why this opportunistic character sticks with the group. Often, using the simplest of reasons is best. For example, aiding the peasant hero in their quest for vengeance, or facing off some obnoxious enemy, who ticked off the cynical hero the wrong way. The field where cynical heroes grow their fucks is empty and the author should make this painfully apparent to the reader, in any way and by any means available to them. Never forget that the "anti-hero" is still a hero - make sure to accentuate that while writing them into existence. They could be a vicious criminal, someone who has no scruples stealing from little old ladies even. Well... perhaps Evil, little old ladies are fine. Even if they are opportunistic, despise authority and sometimes commit unlawful, violent acts, they should be allowed to save the day in the end. #Heroes #writing #books #fiction