Puppetry in Moru Kel

Puppetry is a highly popular form of entertainment in Moru Kel, but it’s much more than a way for the Marghoz to entertain the people of the city. Puppet shows also serve as a way to distribute important informaiton, with a run-down of recent news, warning of major weather events, or other informational message often being played before the main show begins. The shows are put on by the Puppeteer’s Guild on the landings around the staircases of Moru Kel, with shows happening daily at 6 bells, noon, and 6 bells. Free for all, thanks to the generosity of the Marghoz!

The shows themselves feature marionette puppets in show-boxes, and there are a number of popular recurring sketches and characters:

I can hear you sniffing from here, old man. And Orin is the best:

Daros and Galadin shows feature the beautiful Cassia being wooed by the noble Galadin and the tempestuous Daros. Cassia debates which of the two to choose, often switching allegiances from her choice the prior day. Though largely a prurient romance, those with a keen theological eye will note similarities with the love affairs between Dawa, Ptomir, and Purnoz that barely redeem these masques.
Marga and the Maelstrom shows take several forms. All of them focus on Marga, a clever sailor, who is trapped in the currents near the Maestrom. Some involve her battling a sea serpent or other monster, others involve a pirate ship or rival merchant vessel, and some are simply Marga against the brutal forces of nature. Marga generally manages to escape her predicament, though often not without learning an important lesson.
Orin and Tristan tales are children’s fables about a monkey named Orin and his unflappable bird-sidekick Tristan. Orin’s inquisitive nature generally gets the pair into trouble, leaving Tristan’s common sense and quick thinking to save the day.
Whiro’s Tale is always popular, recounting the tale of our city’s founding hero.
The Battle of Saffa is also another staple, with the dazzling displays of Saffan pair-fighting forming a visual spectacle to entertain all ages.

Puppeteer’s Guild

My friend is an aspiring musician. He’s in the guild. Says it’s a good way to make a living in entertainment, and they’re pretty reluctant to discipline people who aren’t overtly talking out of turn. So you can criticize via sarcasm and innuendo if you’re careful about it.

The Puppeteer’s Guild is led by the Puppetmaster, Kintiro, and is in charge of running the daily puppet shows smoothly. It’s quite an operation: the news and information to be distributed must be coordinated across the city. Puppeteers gather atop their staircases an hour before the shows are to begin, with Runners dispatched to give them messages about the informational intros. They then descend to their landings and distribute the messages to the people.

While individual puppeteers are allowed to perform whatever entertainment shows they want (many venturing far afield from puppetry in their shows), they are reminded that they are representatives of the city. As such they should conduct themselves with decorum and refrain from criticism of the city and its governors.

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