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Positive trait represent by snake, spider, lizard,... motif.

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Spottedleaf Fit check for my napalm era! (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Yes, I'm alone, but I'm alone and free
Fit check for my napalm era!
#26: Jun 22nd 2019 at 12:34:12 PM

We typically think of rats as being dirty, disease-ridden pests, but rats that live in places that aren't filthy are actually quite fastidious and clean, frequently washing themselves- in fact, this ties in nicely with the rat sign of the Chinese Zodiac being associated with perfectionism.

Rats are also highly intelligent, and pet ones love to be snuggled, so really, as long as your rat-like character isn't a sewer rat or covered in plague-carrying fleas, rats could easily be "good guys".

Dogs are almost universally cast as good guys unless the protagonists are cats, but there are some negative traits you could associate with them. Their trainability could easily be construed as blind obedience, much like the fable of the dog and the wolf, where the wolf would rather be free and starving than fed and enslaved.

In addition, many larger dogs have a high prey drive or strong territorial tendencies. It might be overlooked in Disney-esque settings, but some dog breeds like the Great Pyrenees will chase, attack, or kill smaller creatures like raccoons or foxes. In a story starring a fox, I could easily see foxhounds or guard dogs as antagonists.

Smaller dogs will also often turn aggressive if they're not trained firmly- but of course, they're cute enough to get away with it, much like a Roxie Hart-type character who avoids being punished for their crimes because of their good looks.

>^owo^<
Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#27: Jun 24th 2019 at 5:49:24 PM

[up] Feral dogs also attack in mindless disorganized mobs rather than the well coordinated and bonded packs of wolves due to the domestication process screwing with their instincts, so feral dogs could represent corrupted purpose.

Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#28: Jul 10th 2019 at 11:20:37 AM

A goose could be used to represent The Bully or a Boisterous Weakling. While they have a reputation for being very aggressive, they will actually retreat if whoever they bite or posture at stands their ground or hits back (unless they have goslings with them), so they could make a good symbol for someone who hides their cowardice behind bluster and intimidation.

Edited by Kaiseror on Jul 10th 2019 at 1:21:01 PM

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