Interaction with other players in this would be great, but probably require a serverside mod. Would be worth it, however.
Sometimes, you just can't trust people to know what they actually like, or what's best for them.
Having an "Ephigo" is far better than being an irrelevant nobody.
I wouldn't like it on the play gui, but it'd be nice to have it wander around on the loading gui...Also, are you going to make it were it develops personalities and habits over time? (like sleeps alot, wanders around alot, likes to just stand there)