How to write evil (Getting inside the mind of your villain. Also home of the villain's database.)

give your villain and your hero a moment for some casual conversation. Think the Spider-man Movie, but less over the top. Maybe more like Goldfinger. It's one thing to give us your villain's philosophy as the villain sees it in his own little bubble of a world. It's a totally other, more different thing give us your villain's philosophy in an arena where it can be shot down by someone who's on a level playing field.

Good point Yod. I think a better example is the movie Heat, with the scene in the coffee shop between DeNiro and Pacino. It became a blurred line on who was the villian, and who was the hero. DeNiro explained the philosophy of his life regarding being a "bank robber", in a scense became a very sympathetic character, to the point where you hoped he would out-smart Pacino.

 

Thanks everyone this has been really helpful. I'm going to try to impliment some of your suggestions.

 

I've been reading along for quite some time, but Kissa's hilarious post has made me want to delurk. Kissa, you're said it right in so many ways- The Do's and Don't's on Being a Most Cunning Villian. The part about monologues made me think back to the movie The Incredibles. When the villian gets caught monologuing before trying to destroy his enemy.

"Oh, ho ho! You sly dog! You got me monologuing!"

Villians can sometimes be their own worst enemy.

 

I just have to say that the revenge idea of making someone evil is pretty cliche'; no offense to anyone, but I have seen enough of those fics and wish for something more for the silly villian! *lol*

On the other hand; a good person can go evil just because of a reason that is good. You don't have to have a bad reason for someone to go bad, the reason can be either good or bad just so long as you have a plausible reason.

let us take Anakin Skywalker for example -- he wasn't planning on turning to the dark side when he decided that he needed to find a way to protect Padme'. I don't think he really much thought about it, all he wanted was Padme' to be safe, not to mention his kids. And look at where that got him!

and ultimate power is another reason villians do what they do. *lol*

 

A real life example of that, Dreamless, is Castro. He started out as an activist trying to make the world a better place, and ended up a dictator. We can't really call him 'evil' per se, but then, the best villains aren't. Like Ale said, with the right (or wrong) words, we should be totally at a loss who the villain even is.

And I agree about revenge. In fact, I tend to root for the vengeful in movies, rather than boo. Hell, they're not real, why can't they kill the guy who destroy their life and everyone associated with him? If I wasn't real, I'd do that too

 

So I just picked up this thread and am enjoying it immensly. At the moment I'm writing a Vader centered story sort of from Piett's POV (3rd person limited) that shows Vader in some of his weakest moments. It's difficult because I'm trying to keep a balance of retaining Vader's evilness and showing weak, sympathy-inspriring moments that don't take him out of character at the same time.

 

I have a new evil OC to add.

Name: Dr. Crimdo Crempst
Sex: Male
Weapon(s) of choice: Formula GD560 (Bio-Chemical Weapon) A glowing blue liquid that clouds the mind with angry thoughts. When used on a Force Sensitive, it causes them to temporarily fall to the Dark Side. Victim lashes out at others and preexisting conflicts are brought to the forefront. The effects can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the size of the dose.
Vehicle(s) of choice: Republic Shuttle
Species: Human
Home world: Unknown (Based on Muunilinst)
Hair: Red-Brown
Eyes: Green
Age: 50
Rank: IGBC Chemical Weapons Specialist
Distinguishing features:
1. Crempst suffers from Cerebral Palsy (chronic disorder impairing control of movement). As such, he has great difficulty walking and balancing. He also has some difficulty controlling fine motor functions. Thankfully, it is a relatively mild case and he is without severe mental handicap (Though, he has some trouble understanding numbers and mathematics.)

Despite being an accomplished doctor himself,Crempst refuses to have his disability corrected by modern medical technologies. He claims that the handicap ?adds character.? The only aid he accepts is that of a cane and heavy Duranium Leg Braces.

2. Wears several different breathing masks and vocabulators while using his chemicals. Many of the masks are styled in the likeness of the savage Tusken Raiders. The vocabulators do not aid in speech but in voice distortion and disguise. In effect, Crempst becomes a ?Human-Tusken? in the mind of his enemies.

Bio: He is one of the brightest stars in the Galaxy. A great speaker and a fancy dresser. Crimdo Crempst is a great humanitarian. He is very good at maintaining a public face and an impression of innocence. No one in his vast circle of friends would believe for one second that he is actually a sadistic murderer.

Crempst is secretly obsessed with the acquisition of wealth and power. He acts as Chemical Weapons Specialist for the IGBC and Separatist Council. The man responsible for the creation of many toxins and plagues used during the Clone Wars. He carries a small blue case, which contains his various poisons, serums and formulas.

It is believed that Crempst shut himself into his evil occupation after his wife became ill. As a respected medical mind at the time, Crempst worked with his team of droids to develop a cure. They were unsuccessful and his wife fell into madness. Devastated by his own failure, Crempst turned away from respected medicine and immersed himself in the Galactic Underworld.

Spending a considerable amount of time in the court of Jabba the Hutt, Crempst met a Tusken chief and learned of their culture and rituals. This perhaps explains his fascination with the look of the ?Sand People.?

Soft-spoken and physically frail, Crempst is still a very dangerous enemy. Those who cross his path tend to regret it. Though he favors weapons of his own design, Crempst does carry the other known chemical weapons.
Story(ies) appeared in: The Corruption of Ilum

 

Extremely detailed and very intruiging entry there Palpy.

Expect me to stalk your story sometime in the forseeable future

 

OK, I didn't stalk the story

But I will bump this up for anyone who needs it.

 

Well, I'm back again.

Here's a more comedic approach to villainy. I find that there is something charming about a bad guy who can be both funny and menacing. They can also be dangerous as the audience sometimes ignores their more sinister qualities. But even the most dangerous villains can make a joke. The Star Wars universe is so big that both sinister and humorous villains can co-exist.

So here is my latest OC. Well, technically, this was my first OC. But I'm giving him some evil undertones. He?ll be more of a villain in my latest story, so I will post his bio here. A slight change from my usual mastermind type.

Name: Gookso C. Zindeg III
Sex: Male
Weapon(s) of choice: Mini-Scythe (Small, steel dagger)
Vehicle(s) of choice: The Garbage Goon (Name of his Luxury Sail Barge)
Species: Trash Monster (Original Species)
Homeworld: Unknown
Hair: None
Eyes: Black
Rank: Criminal Genius
Most related quotes: ?Wonderful time, the famine. All the disease, the death, and the trash. Oh the trash! Mounds of garbage to nest in! Not to mention the great fun of frightening Kaleesh. Very funny indeed!?
? Gookso remembering the great famine on Kalee.
Distinguishing features: Trash Monsters are very small aliens (About 1 ft. tall) with skeletal, reptilian bodies and oversized heads. They typically have green skin and two large, black eyes. The character?s head looks very much like this icon
().
Bio: Although aliens, Trash Monsters have long been considered demons because of their sly and slimy nature. Many traveled from the Unknown Regions of space into the Outer-rim and so became the enemy of the Kaleesh. A few have theorized that the Trash Monsters acted as spies for the Huk during the long war that engulfed that system. Because they were unknown to the Warlords, they might have been mistaken for Gods of Decay and Spoils.

Gookso Zindeg became the enemy of General Grievous, specifically. He eventually developed a strange obsession with the much taller Kaleesh Warlord. Gookso even followed the General when he left Kalee, stowing away on the General?s spacecrafts. When he became bored of Grievous?s Trash Compactors, Gookso used his impressive vocabulary and sharp wit to impress key members of the Galactic Underworld. He even went as far as establishing a spice smuggling ring called the ?Trash Monster Trade.? It was a small-time affair, and soon Gookso invested his time in more ambitious schemes.

Based on a luxurious Sail Barge, the Trash Monster remains connected to every major crime syndicate in the Galaxy. His latest endeavor stands to be his greatest achievement. A plot that will give him an incredible amount of power as well as an opportunity for revenge.
Story(ies) appeared in: "The Wrath of Justice"

 

Name: Marcus Tarkin

Sex: Male

Weapon(s) of choice: Standard issue Blaster Pistol

Vehicle(s) of choice: the Imperial II-Class Star Destroyer Hydra, Lambda-Class Shuttle

Species: Human

Homeworld: Eriadu

Hair: Black

Eyes: Grey

Rank: Captain

Most related quotes: Do you actually think that I give a kriff about freedom of thought? Such a notion only leads to the birth of anarchy. Good, well-bred citizens should let the Empire do the thinking for them.

Distinguishing features: Bears a good resemblance to his late Father, the Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin - the same gaunt, hawk-like features.

Bio: Born as the second child to the influential Tarkin family, Marcus had a very stiff, formal upbringing, conformed by the rigors of military discipline and groomed to follow in his father's footsteps. He began attending the courses of the Carida Military Academy at the age of fourteen and gratuated at twenty-two, with very high scores and good recommandations. He joined the Imperial Navy, serving on the Star Destroyer Chimaera, under Gilad Pellaeon, before he received command of his own warship, the ISD Hydra, at the age of twenty-eight standard years old.

Known through the Fleet as a very exigent and demanding Commander, Marcus nonetheless maintained a soft spot for his younger sister Moran, who also served in the Navy. However, relations between the two siblings became strained when Moran began to subtly deviate from the Tarkin Doctrine and to secretly symphatize with the Rebel Alliance's efforts. Seeing this as almost a betrayal, Marcus managed to get his sister temporarily transferred to the Hydra from the Executor and to start teaching her the true way to command. Wether his efforts will lead to anything is still open to debate.

Marcus Tarkin has also become quite infamous for the brutality and swiftness with which he ordered that any kind of protest of contradictory opinion be silenced. He was never a man that liked to be questioned.

Story(ies) appeared in: The Irony of Life

 

The best rule of villainy is the Rule of the Three Evil Types.

1. The Villains who think they're doing right.

2. The Villains who are doing exactly what you would want to do in their place if you didn't have to worry about conscience.

3. The Villains whom really ENJOY the feeling of screwing over others.


One rule I love to disregard is the villains must not think they're evil. While theoretically a good idea, I also enjoy villains who just don't CARE what you or society thinks of them.

 

Or how about the villian who thinks he's evil, and hates himself for it? Self-loathing is a wonderfully tragic way to spiral into badness, plus it has the added benefit of making us sympathize with him. Hell, I'd hate myself to if I felt forced to do evil too.

Had to add to this. Just finished The Watchmen the other day. Exquisite graphic novel. In the final chapter, the 'villain' does, in fact, do a classic Monologue.

But the thing is, by the time he's started his 'splainin, it's too late. The heroes discover that the entire monologue was actually just a courtesy. His plans had been set in motion 30 minutes before the heroes even arrived. He was just such a pollite-yet-narcisistic guy, he couldn't help but talk about all thing things they eventually discovered they'd never be able to stop.

Was kinda depressing, actually.


Which, I guess, was the whole point.

 

Name: Darth Riktus

Sex: Male (at one time)

Weapon(s) of choice: Force Lightning

Vehicle(s) of choice: TBD

Species: Human (at one time)

Homeworld: TBD

Hair: none

Eyes: none / red & blue electrical auras

Rank: Former Sith Lord

Most related quotes: I am beyond the Sith and their foolish dreams of conquest and power. I seek to murder all of Creation itself!

Distinguishing features: animated skeleton wrapped in red and blue Force lightning

Bio: Darth Riktus was the Sith Master roughly 500 years BBY. Desperate to find the key to immortality, and knowing that any day his apprentice could murder him, Riktus faked his death and sequestered himself away on an unknown world deep in Wild Space. There, combining Sith Alchemy with the advanced technology of an unknown alien race (possibly related to the original inhabitants of Arbra) he managed to bind his soul to his skeleton.

Riktus has but one goal - the total extermination of all life. Essentially, he seeks to un-make the Universe and then re-create it, with himself as its Dark God.

Story(ies) appeared in: when its done you'll be the first to know

 

I was wondering if I could get some help here with writing Lumiya or Nom Anor for my fic? I've been writing the same chapter for 2 weeks now and I haven't gotten anywhere.

Thanks!

 

Ooh, great thread Spike, bit slow on the uptake here, but here goes...

I think one of the key things to bear in mind when writing many (but not all) villains, is that someone rarely does anything believing that they are wrong - especially when you are right in the thick of that wrong doing.

It could be a simple case as the 'sympathetic vilain' that someone mentioned - evil doing due to beliefs, the way you have been brought up and what is considered normal for reasons such as culture, way of life etc. Or it could also be that something has occured to make them evil - the villain themselves could be wallowing in self pity which provokes them to do evil. I also think it can be a case of POV. True villains will rarely stop and think what damage they are doing whilst trying to achieve ther goals, or do they? There is the pensive villain as well, usually their coniving schemes will pack the most punch because your 'heroe's might not see the blow coming before it's too late. These villains are expert at playing all different sides of an equation against eachother to their own gain - Nom Anor is a good example of that, despite his failings, he survived for quite some time living by those rules, long enough that he managed to get back what he had AND more.


I hope some of this helps, it's early here so i'm not at my most coherrant
Oh and you know what supporters list you can add me to

 

Ooh, great thread Spike, bit slow on the uptake here, but here goes...



Only four years +

 

I'm fashionably late
Was any of that helpful? I can blurb a whole lot more if it wasn't