A really great man is known by three signs... generosity in the design, humanity in the execution, moderation in success. - O V Bismarck

The subject of today is anthroporphism. I'd like to go over a few details that has been on my mind recently during my research.

We like to create animals or fantasy creatures who have some human traits. By doing so, we create sub-humans in a way which offers great design opportunities. We also create creatures who mix properties and aliens who often generally act in a human way. I am sure most who have seen Star Wars know that there is a level of anticipation during a scene which has a alien in it. If it is a trooper, it will shoot, if it is a civilian, it will run if fired upon, if it is inside a pub, it will probably be up to no good.

Here comes the thing that is bothering me. I see very few examples of aliens who act strangely or in non-human fashions. I think that any alien who is well made would make for a great antagonist/sub antagonist under the cover of sub-protagonism/follower of the hero. This does not mean that they have to discard their nature fully. I am sure all of you have seen films which features a questionable protagonist of some level. Take the parrot in the Aladdin series, who is more attracted to wealth than other things. However, wealth at most times is an excuse. I like more psychotic villans who can plan, wait and then strike at the best moment. So, if this has been confusing, I will construct a scenario since this is part of the betrayal factor which can be a vital factor if someone wants to create a show which portrays true detective values.

Character - Slanesh the Lizard.

Placement in story - Sub antagonist/most of the time following the hero.

Background - Family tribe got viped out by what is not known at start, but reveals itself later in the show to be the main antagonist.

Character - Kind of weak personality wise, acts like he is shaken. It is later revealed in the show that he saw his tribe got viped out earlier. Which gives him more reason to go under the cover of his personality, although he already well in advance knew what had happened, thus fooling the audience to believe in his innocence.

Character traits - Always guiles the team of protagonists towards a clue, but a clue that will make their perception of the situation point in the wrong direction. Always acting on par with the development of the situation, very rarely saying something that would divert any suspicion towards himself. However he is not without flaw, so he is bound to give away some 'small' clues which point towards himself. Never the main developer of the story, until his betrayal comes in effect.

Character scenario and trigger point - Found wandering aimlessly around in the wilds. The hero picks him up and treats it as one of his own. The hero picks up several other characters later on and thus the group moves towards the explanation of the story which involved a series of creatures being killed. The lizard is newer in the highlight of main involvement and acts mainly as a sidekick. However, him as many others are never near the hero when the next killing occur, but is quick to come when summoned. After diverting suspicion to wrong suspects, which are figured out as innocent despite the major doubt surrounding them. He plants a trap when they are heading towards the main antagonist who would have given his 'true' identity up. The real protagonists fall into it and ask him for help, which is when he reveals his true nature and his true agenda. Which is that he intends to repay every other race he knows of with the same fate that his own kind had to go through. His personality has now grown into something much darker, much more potent and much more able than its cover was. The protagonists mediate upon a few clues that would have lead to his suspicion. Then in an act which fails at the last moment he tries to kill all of them off, however, it does not work, he withdraws to the main antagonist and await the continuation of the story from there.

They need to have an agenda, it could be of morals such as this. It could be of alliance, it could be of events well laid before the scenario and it could even be of pure psychological reasons. However, if not premeditated, well developed and well executed with a few flaws that the audience would ignore, however which they will find once all comes to a full circle. This scenario is constructed on the point, and thus is not a very good example, but it shows how an agenda/act can mix into something that one really does not expect. The audience does not expect to be fooled like this, particularly when the suspect is right in front of their nose. They can encounter much more vile characters with more obvious involvement which will divert their suspicion.

So, how does this connect with anthropomorphism? Well, firstly it is a pointer that some characters may have their own way of acting, a non human way of acting. Yet something that can be associated with some of the worst examples of humanity. The main antagonist often is the highlight of a show, but it does not make things worse to have someone who surpasses even that in cunning. Someone without any real power, but with some real brainpower. Fool the audience, leave them more questions than answers, but have a few subtle pointers towards the unanswered answers, give them something to think about after the show has ended.