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Watch Geek & Sundry's Foreververse play Puppetland
Watch Donogh & friends play Puppetland in "The Terrible Fire"
The skies are dim always since the Maker died
Perpetual winter. Perpetual night. We curse the name of Punch the Maker-Killer — but only when no one can hear.
One-hour games have never been filled with more humor and horror, courage and cowardice, childlike wonder and childlike terror than the experimental role-playing game Puppetland. In one golden hour, you and your friends shall weave a tale none will soon forget: a tale of good-hearted puppets in a bad-hearted world. You shall rise up against the savagery of Punch the Maker-Killer with his army of Nutcrackers and his terrible Boys, sewn from the flesh of the Maker of all puppets. You shall be steadfast and true. You shall likely die trying.
“It feels like you’re inside a child’s nightmare.” — Initiative: Tabletop
“Unique and rewarding.” — Games vs. Play
“Revolutionary.” — Reviews from R’lyeh
“Tremendously fun.” — Ron Edwards (www.indie-rpgs.net).
“A fascinating game.” — John Kim (www.darkshire.net).
“Not only an interesting, haunting and funny adventure game about puppets but a clever exploration of the relationship between RPGs and theatre.” — James Holloway (www.rpg.net).
“It makes you laugh, cry and shiver, it’s just so damn creepy.” — Derek Guder (www.rpg.net).
Puppetland is a storytelling game. You play a valiant puppet who speaks aloud every word you say. The game moderator — the Puppetmaster — narrates the unfolding events, speaking in the past tense like the voice of a storybook. You speak for your puppet and the Puppetmaster says the rest. You surprise each other at every turn, collaborating moment by inspired moment to unlock your own creativity and find the puppet within.
This deluxe, full-color edition of Puppetland is lavishly illustrated by Samuel Araya, Heather Hudson, Hollie Mengert, and Raven Mimura, with a stunning cover painting by Alejandro Teran.
This edition of Puppetland has been significantly revised and expanded. It includes a grim storybook fable about the Maker’s foul murder; author John Scott Tynes’ afterword about the history of Puppetland and the surprising turns it took since it first appeared in 1995; and 17 new tales ready to be played, written by a brilliant collection of authors.
- “Boys at Play” by John Scott Tynes
- “The Great Sage OF, the Mountain!” by Arnold Cassel
- “The Missing Peace” by Fred Hicks
- “Overtime in the Factory” by Ross Payton
- “Punch and the Beanstalk” by John Scott Tynes
- “Punch Dammed It!” by Arnold Cassel
- “Punch Village” by Jason Morningstar
- “Puppet Masters” by Matt Forbeck
- “The Rhyming Ritual” by Ross Payton
- “The Terrible Fire” by John Scott Tynes
- “Vada Wolley Rex” by Kenneth Hite
- “Visions of Sugar Plums” by James Wallis
- “The Lost Giant” by Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan
- “Pretty Polly” by Arinn Dembo
- “The Box” by Arinn Dembo
- “The Bottler” by Arinn Dembo
Your puppets are ready to take the stage. But speak softly, lest the Nutcrackers hear — and come to call with a sharp rap-rap-rapping at the door.
