Building the Bad Guy

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Is that 'messing with your head' bit an essential?

I actually discussed this subject not too long ago at a terrorism lecture. It amounts to being the difference between biological and 'traditional' physical warfare. If somebody bombs you, shoots you, stabs you, you die. If somebody slips a strain of something into a couple reservoirs... It's more of a paranoia thing. You never have to throw a punch as long as the world is enough intimidated by you that they aren't willing to pick a fight. People who risk being shot by 'the enemy' aren't nearly as defeated as people who are afraid to drink water or leave the house.

Think about Tolkien's evil forces catapulting the heads of the fallen soldiers over the walls of Gondor. It was unnecessary on a level of brute force. What, are you going to give your enemies concussions? But think of seeing your brother or your best friend or your father, staring at you through lifeless eyes that still hold the traces of terror that were burned into them in their last second of life. It's a far more effective weapon than a boulder. The hesitation alone caused by the psychological impact can turn the battle in favor of the bad guys.

Messing with heads isn't essential, exactly, but it's effective as hell.