History ReasonableAuthorityFigure / Literature

* ''LightNovel/AscendanceOfABookworm'': The setting's society is status-based to the point that nobles are known to get commoners executed just for talking back at them. Due to various circumstances, Myne, the main character, lands a job that is usually given only to people of noble blood. Being sickly 7-year-old with a constitution of five year old, she eventually ends up being guarded by knights who are technically nobles. After one of them reacts to the assignment by trying to physically harm Myne because of the disruption she brought to her workplace and the other fails to stop him, their superior realizes that what has happened is quite serious and accepts that the fault lies partly with his own choice of guards. He even accepts to provide the one piece of compensation Myne asks for: replacing the very expensive set of robes she was wearing when she was attacked, and which got ruined in the process.

** From what we see of her in Dumbledore's memory; Mrs. Cole, the matron of the orphanage where Tom Riddle originally lived, is this. She (rightly) suspects that Tom is behind several incidents involving other children, such as killing another boy's pet, but acknowledges that there is no proof that he did anything wrong and despite Tom's opinion of her, does not appear to treat him any differently to the other children in her care.

%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order.

* The governor from ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'' #51 is incredibly level-headed and good at rolling with the punches - see the main page quote.

* ''LightNovel/AscendanceOfABookworm'': The setting's society is status-based to the point that nobles are known to get commoners executed just for talking back at them. Due to various circumstances, Myne, the main character, lands a job that is usually given only to people of noble blood. Being sickly seven year-old with a constitution of five year old, she eventually ends up being guarded by knights who are technically nobles. After one of them reacts to the assignment by trying to physically harm Myne because of the disruption she brought to her workplace and the other fails to stop him, their superior realizes that what has happened is quite serious and accepts that the fault lies partly with his own choice of guards. He even accepts to provide the one piece of compensation Myne asks for: replacing the very expensive set of robes she was wearing when she was attacked, and which got ruined in the process.

* ''Literature/EnchantedForestChronicles'': In ''Dealing with Dragons'', [[spoiler:Kazul]] becomes one of these. [[spoiler:She knows that Cimorene is a level-headed person, so when Cimorene goes to Kazul - newly crowned as King of Dragons - saying that wizards tried to sabotage the coronation trials and the dragon Warog was behind it, Kazul is more than happy to listen. When Warog repeatedly tries to discredit Cimorene by insisting that her story is preposterous, Kazul calmly points out that he hasn't pointed out a single thing to back up that statement.]]

--> '''Captain Walker:''' That is particularly true of a man who has just made a fifty-thousand dollar donation to the Police Protective Association. The net result, Sergeant, is one murderer brought to justice [[LeaveBehindAPistol without the expense of a trial for the state to pay]]; one innocent woman removed from suspicion; one innocent chauffeur, ditto; credit to the police department for having solved a baffling case in record time--and fifty thousand dollars for the wives and orphaned kiddies of brave men who gave their services to the state. This Leith fellow may be a crook as you say. But, Sergeant, if we had about fifty more crooks like him we'd have a city free of crime, and a fund for orphaned kiddos and hungry widows that would make me sleep a lot better of nights. And that, Sergeant Ackley, closes the subject.

* ''Literature/TheMarvellousLandOfSnergs'': Despite being portrayed as a ruthless, bloodthirsty tyrant -by a jester and a witch, mind you-, King Kiul turns out to be an amicable, fair ruler who is willing to have his mind changed. After calmly listening to Joe and Sylvia's tale, he reconsiders his opinions on the Snergs, and orders the kids are taken care of while they figure out how to send them back home. His fair-mindedness is again demonstrated when Gorbo sneaks into his palace and hits him with a stick: Kiul gets very mad, but he arranges for a proper trial. Realizing Gorbo is a gullible fool who has been taken for a ride, the king decides to forgive him.

** Erak Starfollower is this in both ''Rangers Apprentice'' and the sister series, ''Literature/{{Brotherband}}''. He helps [[WorthyOpponent Will and Cassandra]] escape from slavery, works with Halt to put into place a strategy to defeat the [[spoiler: Temujai]] in Book 4 rather than relying on the Skandians' usual AttackAttackAttack, shortly after becoming [[spoiler: Oberjarl]] uses a bit of LoopholeAbuse to help Duncan and Halt out of a sticky situation, and in ''Brotherband'', he is shown to have a soft spot for Hal, the protagonist, stops bullying whenever he can, and though he's very harsh on the Herons for [[spoiler: allowing the Andomal to be stolen]], he also gives them a chance to bring it back, and shows no resentment or anger when they do — indeed, he chooses them for several missions afterwards.

* Bishop Peregrino in ''Literature/SpeakerForTheDead'' first seems like a Bible-thumping fanatic dead-set on kicking the "infidel" Speaker out of Lusitania as soon as possible, including declaring Ender to be TheDevil himself. He still has plenty of reservations, but the events of the book have Peregrino mellowing and developing a level of respect for Ender, even if he doesn't agree with his methods (such as revealing embarassing personal information to everyone instead of just to the bishop and God in confession). Additionally, Ender revealing that he was baptised as a child helps the bishop accept him into their Catholic community. He also agrees to [[spoiler:rebel against the Starways Congress]] in order to save [[spoiler:Miro]].

* In ''Literature/ThisImmortal'', Tatram Yshtigo, Cort Myshtigo's grandfather, is — according to Phil — 'an altruistic administrator of services to the public' and very much aware of the problems with Earth's dependency on the Vegan Combine. [[spoiler:He hatches the plan of sending Cort Myshtigo to Earth to survey whether it could possibly govern itself, then arranges things thus that Conrad Nomikos ends up in charge — reasoning that with someone as long-lived and honourable as Conrad there's a good chance that Earth will become habitable again in the long run.]]

** The Governor of Tarsis Ultra in the second ''Ultramarines'' book is also one of these - initially more concerned with pomp and ceremony than defences, he is immediately put in his place by the Astartes and Imperial Guard commanders. Rather than (some might say predictably) becoming a sulking villian, he swallows his pride and does what he can to help, becoming a vital administrator of the supply lines, and [[spoiler:dies, bravely fighting in a battle he wasn't trained for to set an example to the people.]]

** After Minister Cranston's attempts to control Riker fail, he puts forth a reasonable plan to help other survivors in exchange for special consideration--which is not so much special consideration as it is perfectly fair. It's implied that Homer suggested it, but either way it's a real turn around.

--> '''Captain Walker:''' That is particularly true of a man who has just made a fifty-thousand dollar donation to the Police Protective Association. The net result, Sergeant, is one murderer bough to justice [[LeaveBehindAPistol without the expense of a trial for the state to pay]]; one innocent woman removed from suspicion; one innocent chauffeur, ditto; credit to the police department for having solved a baffling case in record time--and fifty thousand dollars for the wives and orphaned kiddies of brave men who gave their services to the state. This Leith fellow may be a crook as you say. But, Sergeant, if we had about fifty more crooks like him we'd have a city free of crime, and a fund for orphaned kiddos and hungry widows that would make me sleep a lot better of nights. And that, Sergeant Ackley, closes the subject.

%%* KingArthur.

** Admiral [=LeBlanc=] isn't keen on listing to a strange detective saying treasonous and unlikely things, but, given to the strange circumstances and other things that Jacquie points out, she is willing to listen.
%%* Sam, Astrid and Edilio from ''Literature/{{Gone}}'' as the Mayors of Perdido Beach.

** Eithan is the highest ranking sacred artist around for quite a long time, but avoids exerting his authority as much as possible. He forgives slights to his honor, gives Lindon and Yerin plenty of instruction, and treats his subordinates well. He claims that his only goal is to [[IjustWantToHaveFriends have people who can walk his Path beside him]].

* DC Harold Mc Douglas in''Literature/TheMentalState'' is a surprisingly accommodating prison warden. He is much more willing to go along with Zack's plans to improve the prisoners' quality of life and even serves as the MoralityPet to his lesser officers.

* Faramir counts in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings.'' He provides assistance to Frodo and Sam once he learns of their quest (after making them sweat a bit) and shows mercy to Gollum when Frodo vouches for him (though Gollum doesn't realize it).

** Kingsley Shacklebolt, head of the Auror department at the Ministry ''and'' the de facto leader of the Order of the Phoenix [[spoiler:after Dumbledore and Mad-Eye Moody die]], is so reasonable he even gets along with the Dursleys. Too bad the less reasonable Ministers (Fudge, later Scrimgeour) outrank him until [[spoiler:he becomes the new Minister of Magic after the war ends]].

* ''Literature/RangersApprentice'' has several, but stand-out examples include King Duncan and Ranger [[AddedAlliterativeAppeal Corps Commandment Crowley]]. While Duncan can be rather rigid sometimes and stands on his dignity, he's also willing to listen to others and admits that he keeps the Rangers around partially because they can stop him from thinking that he always knows best.

** Councilors Gal-Eth and Or-Orm help lead the resistance against Zod, show concern about the path Tyr-Us and his allies are taking, and [[spoiler:join No-Ton's HomeworldEvacuation attempts.]]