Fire Emblem fans are falling for the pure and wonderful gatekeeper

Fire Emblem: Three Houses has a robust cast of characters to befriend and recruit. From the very popular Edelgard and her right-hand man Hubert to your good ol’ dad Jeralt and the stern Seteth, Three Houses has a character tailored to all your needs. But the person stealing hearts isn’t one of the playable characters or even one of the important NPCs, like Lady Rhea.

Nope, it’s a nameless, nearly faceless NPC: the gatekeeper.

One of the many NPCs to talk to while exploring Garreg Mach Monastery, the gatekeeper greets you at the entrance, right near the marketplace. He updates you on the comings and goings of the knights, professors, and students. He’s always cheery, always enthusiastic, and always rooting for you.

From his very first interaction, the gatekeeper charmed players.

“My job is to stand here at this glorious entrance and leisurely watch the coming and goings of everyone,” he explains to the player. “Make folks smile, you know?”

Okay, maybe he’s not so great at his job considering horrible things keep happening at the monastery every month, but damn it, if he doesn’t boost morale. Plus he’s working on the whole “letting bad guys get past the gate” thing. Every month, the gatekeeper has something new to chime in on — and offers heartwarming console in times of need. Sometimes he leans on the fourth wall, gives bits of foreshadowing, and once he chimes in about how he doesn’t have anyone special in his life. We’d be someone special for you, gatekeeper!

His optimism and pluck (not to mention the fact that he’s voiced by Kyle McCarley, who voiced Alm in Fire Emblem: Shadows of Valentia) have endeared him quickly to fans, who really wish he could be recruited. At least let us invite him for some tea!

Cue the fanart. Cue the fan edits. Cue the best content for our best boy.

Heck, even in-game he has some enthusiasts.

Gatekeeper — despite helping the player character through some pretty tough times and always being a pillar of love and support — is not recruitable. But fingers crossed. There is still the possibility of the gatekeeper being included as a playable character in the DLC.