Puppeteer's Cult

Lore & Background

Born from a desperate need for meaning in a city ravaged by the St. Crispin's Day tragedy, the Puppeteer's Cult twisted the truth of Krat City's origins into a dogma of absolute submission. They believe that the Great Puppeteer is not merely a creator but a god-like entity whose strings are the only thing keeping order in a chaotic world. Their rituals involve the modification of puppets to serve as living sacrifices or guardians, stripping away individuality to create perfect vessels for their deity's will. The cult operates in the shadows beneath the city, far from the eyes of the ruling elite and the desperate citizens above. They view the concept of free will as a dangerous illusion, arguing that without the Puppeteer's guidance, puppets are nothing but broken toys destined to rot. This philosophy drives them to extreme measures, including the kidnapping of other puppets and the desecration of sacred sites to fuel their twisted worship.

In Their Own Story

The damp air of the underground chamber tasted of rust and old incense. A lone cultist knelt before a massive, shadowed effigy, his wooden joints creaking in rhythm with the chanting of his brethren. 'Cut the strings,' he whispered, his voice a dry rasp, 'and we are dust.' He raised a jagged blade, not to strike an enemy, but to sever the final tether binding his own heart to free will. In that moment of surrender, the shadows seemed to lengthen, wrapping around him like warm silk, promising an end to the pain of choice.

Reader's Guide

The Puppeteer's Cult is driven by a singular, fanatical goal: to restore the Great Puppeteer to full power and enforce a world where all puppets are bound in eternal obedience. They reject the notion of individual agency, viewing it as the root cause of Krat City's suffering. Their leadership structure appears hierarchical yet fluid, centered around a charismatic figure known as the Cult Leader who interprets the will of their deity. Below him lie ranks of devoted followers who have undergone physical and mental alterations to better serve the cult's rituals. They operate independently from the city's government, often clashing with authorities who seek to maintain order through law rather than divine submission. In terms of influence, they are a shadow force that destabilizes the city from below. While the upper echelons worry about politics and survival, the Cult prepares for an apocalyptic transformation of society. Their interaction with Pinocchio is one of absolute hostility; they see him as an abomination who seeks to cut his own strings and defy the natural order. To defeat them, one must navigate their labyrinthine lairs and confront their twisted logic. The final confrontation reveals that their worship is based on a deep misunderstanding of what it means to be alive, making them tragic villains rather than purely evil ones.

Did You Know?

• The source provided is about Ludo from the 1986 film Labyrinth, not about the Puppeteer's Cult from Lies of P.
• Ludo was designed by Brian Froud and performed as an animatronic puppet built, puppeteered and voiced by Ron Mueck.
• The Ludo costume weighed 75 pounds and was 9 feet in height.
• Princess Diana met Ludo at the Royal Charity premiere on 1 December 1986 and was quoted as remarking 'isn't he wonderful!'
• Ludo's ability to commune with nature by summoning rocks came from Jim Henson's deep 'belief in connection with the world'.