The Madness of the Puppeteers

Puppeteers judge others of their race in terms of sanity. Sane Puppeteers, have no need for variety or adventure, and never need to explore new territories of any sort on their own. They find no need for independence and, almost without exception, will only socialize with other Puppeteers.


An interpretation of Puppeteer psychology regarding the insane.

It's Hindmost did this
And Nessus that
So chuck them'em out
The nuts
But when dirty work's afoot
And the flocks in trouble
We sure need'em
To save our butts.


Wishful thinking, superstition, and other predominately human traits are completely alien to sane Puppeteers. They view humanity's discovery of scientific laws and alien world through trial-and-error, risk, and serendipity to be the height of imprudent thinking. The Puppeteers employ nothing but careful observation, investigation, and nearly unending experiments to ensure that no personal or social risk is taken by any portion of the race. Their powers of deductive reasoning and logic are unmatched.

The Puppeteers have a practical attitude toward problem solving which is a reflection of their survival instinct; any act they perform (even on a personal level) is undoubtedly geared toward the safety of the race. Any act that conflicts with this basic instinct is considered insane. It is for this reason that the few Puppeteers who have had contact with other races are judged mad by their civilization, who see direct association with anything as dangerous and unpredictable as an alien an unreasonable risk.

Puppeteers see no line between pragmatism and their safety. They are quite willing to go to any lengths to protect themselves and provide a safer environment, even if it means destroying another race. Their lack of moral sense could easily be construed as a ruthlessness matched only by warrior races like the Kzinti(cat people) and Pak. The Puppeteers can be egotistical, manipulative, and arrogant to the point where they are blind to their own mistakes.

Puppeteers always assure themselves the advantage in interstellar affairs. To maintain their safety, they do not hesitate to resort to blackmail, bribery, or any other form of influence including carefully applied violence, though they would always hire an outside agency to perform such a task.

In human terms, Puppeteers are egotistical, arrogant, and have no moral sense whatsoever. Puppeteers do not see this behaviour as negative since the only thing that matters to them is their safety. A human sees a Puppeteer's behaviour as deviant, but the only deviant behaviour acknowledged by the Puppeteers themselves is their manic-depressive cycle.

All Puppeteers display this behaviour. The manic-depressive cycle is triggered by shock or threat, either of mission failure or physical trauma. A depressed Puppeteer tucks both necks beneath its forelegs, folding itself into a cationic, misshapen ball. The Puppeteer often remains folded for hours or possibly days, quivering with fear, withdrawn from a hostile universe. However, the presence of preventable danger often brings the Puppeteer out from hiding, giving way to unusual bouts of daring and heroism when the insanity of others makes no risk seem insane.