Telepathic Animal Companions
The telepathic animal companion is a relatively common thing in fantasy. Some would call it a cliché, myself among them. However, as I’ve said before, there’s nothing wrong with that. Almost any cliché can work if done well.
Unfortunately, this one is almost never done well. Fortunately, it can be, with the following of a few simple rules.
Now, I've already talked about talking animals, and some of the tips there also apply here. However, this article focuses on a specific type of animal character, the (usually) magically-bound critter that follows the hero around and talks like this into his head.
First, decide what kind of bond the human and animal share and what sorts of benefits and limitations it provides. How can they communicate? With full sentences and complex thoughts, or simple images and emotions? Do the emotions of one affect the other? If one were to die, what would happen to the other? These will likely affect their relationship.
The animal should have personality like that of its species, and not too much like that of a human. I’ve gone more into detail on this in my other article on talking animals, so you can check it out there.
Now, onto the meat of the matter. The hot tip you clicked on this link for.
Make it a character, not an accessory to a character. This is the most important rule, breaking of which is the cause of 99% of bad telepathic companions. Don’t make it just a hunting aid or transport vehicle. Make it a character, not a means to an end. It should have its own personality, its own quirks and habits, and its own desires and goals. It shouldn’t obey the human’s commands without question. It should sometimes do things that the human might consider gross (like a cat marking its territory by peeing everywhere). It should sometimes place its own needs above those of the human.
Back to the topic of the type of bond, that will inevitably affect the actions of both human and animal. If their lives are connected to a point that if one dies, so does the other, then both of them should be willing to sacrifice much for each other.
Just because it can talk doesn’t mean it will have a personality, and that’s something that many seem to forget.
First, decide what kind of bond the human and animal share and what sorts of benefits and limitations it provides. How can they communicate? With full sentences and complex thoughts, or simple images and emotions? Do the emotions of one affect the other? If one were to die, what would happen to the other? These will likely affect their relationship.
The animal should have personality like that of its species, and not too much like that of a human. I’ve gone more into detail on this in my other article on talking animals, so you can check it out there.
Now, onto the meat of the matter. The hot tip you clicked on this link for.
Make it a character, not an accessory to a character. This is the most important rule, breaking of which is the cause of 99% of bad telepathic companions. Don’t make it just a hunting aid or transport vehicle. Make it a character, not a means to an end. It should have its own personality, its own quirks and habits, and its own desires and goals. It shouldn’t obey the human’s commands without question. It should sometimes do things that the human might consider gross (like a cat marking its territory by peeing everywhere). It should sometimes place its own needs above those of the human.
Back to the topic of the type of bond, that will inevitably affect the actions of both human and animal. If their lives are connected to a point that if one dies, so does the other, then both of them should be willing to sacrifice much for each other.
Just because it can talk doesn’t mean it will have a personality, and that’s something that many seem to forget.