Oh yes, the sense of completion is very relaxing! Especially on session 4 of a 1 session scenario... (New player, who is overly cautious, and apparently is contagious.)

Himmelveil? *TWITCH!*

The Auld Grump

AuldGrump: I too have players who have a need to analyze everything from every concievable perspective. I often treat such musings as if in character and make so the NPC's/monsters/baddies hear them sqwabbling (sp?). Then, thankfully, one of them that is willing to take some risks does his thing and the plot moves along (you know kicks in the door says a clever or dumb thing or whatever).

Rugerre's Puppet Show is a small area screened off with curtains, and a small booth that serves as the puppet's theater. Each week Rugerre carries his booth to several markets, performances showing five times a day at each market in turn.

The shows revel in wife beating, child abuse, and murder. Of late Rugerre has heard the voice of the puppet Punchinalla whisper to him that he would be happier if he were to serve his wife as Punch served his own.

This will end in a few years when neighbors will respond to screams from Rugerre's home. Investigating, they will find Rugerre's wife in his arms, very much alive; the puppet Punchinella cast into the fireplace, screaming imprecations as it burns...

The Devil does not always win...

The Auld Grump - That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
Why keep a wife 'you 'ate, when you can kill 'er.

Mostly it is something that occured to me when I heard a song about the Punch and Judy song while camping (along with about thirty folksingers) this weekend past.

I am the showman and on me back
I carry's me actors, in me pack.
A puppet showman, that is yours truly
And the stars of me show are Punch and Judy
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
Oh, backin' up those symbolical fellas.

The first one up is ole Punch, 'iself.
``Ladies and gents,'' 'e says, `` 'ere's your good health.''
'e carries a big stick whereever 'e goes.
It's thick and strong and as long as 'is nose.
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
Big nose and long stick, 'e's a comical fella.

Now up comes Judy, Punch's old lady.
``Sae I'm off now, so mind the baby.''
``No, I won't,'' says Punch. ``Yes you will,'' says Judy.
``Come 'old your kid, me lad, none of your old moody.''
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
Cock sure by 'en pecked, poor comical fella.

The kid keeps 'owling, old Punch, 'e thumps it.
It bawls, 'e calms it down. Into bed 'e dumps it.
It bawls, 'e belts it. It bites 'is finger.
Punch up and throws it, through the bloomin' winder.
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
Lie there ya bleedin' brat, to bawl and bella.

Now back comes Judy. She's back 'ome again,
Not knowin' Punch 'as done the nipper in.
``Where's the baby, Punch?'' ``Gone got to sleep,'' 'e says.
``Don't you know where your own son is? You make me weep,''
she says.
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
``Oh, I bound it out the window,'' 'e 'as to tell 'er.

She cries 'er 'eart out, ``Where 'as my lit'l son gone?''
Says Punch, ``There's plenty more, where than one came from.''
She grabs a stick and clubs him something lovely.
He grabs it, kicks 'er, kills 'er. Ugly.
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
Why keep a wife 'you 'ate, when you can kill 'er.

Up comes a copper, all dressed in blue.
``Say Mr. Punch, I'm arrestin' you.
I've got a warrant 'ere, to arrest you for what you've done.''
``And I've got a warrant,'' says Punch, ``to knock you down.''
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
Knockin 'im arse over 'ead, right down to the cellar.

Well, the law soon catches 'im, and in a while
Before judge Blackcap, 'e's standin' trial.
``Killed wife and child,'' 'e says, ``you guilty wretch.
Go out and 'ang 'im, Mr. Ketch.''
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
`` 'ang 'em up but don't hang me,'' 'e cries in terror.

``See this 'ere rope,'' says Ketch. ``Poke your 'ead through.''
Old Punch lets on 'e don't know what to do.
``In 'ere, Mr. Ketch, or perhaps in 'ere?''
`` 'ang on,'' the 'angman says. ``I'll show you where.''
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
Swingin' up the 'angman, 'e's a swinging old fella.

``Jack Ketch is dead,'' cries Punch. `` 'oorah, 'oorah, I'm free.
Don't care if a devil from 'ell should call on me.
Jack Ketch is dead,'' cries Punch. `` 'oorah, I'll do 'em all.''
Up pops the devil, tail, 'orns, 'ooves and all.
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
``Leave off! I'm your best friend. We're birds of a feather.''

Well, the devil darts at Punch, 'cause 'e ain't 'aven it.
'e grabs a stick but Punch, 'e keeps grabbin' it.
'e lands a mi'y swipe on Satan's nut and
The devil's out for the punch, as dead as mutton.
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
'e's killed the devil, heroic old fella.

Now the show is ending and the dolls need mending.
The Punch and Judy show is never ending.
Inside each one of us is a Punch and Judy.
In you, Sir, and in you, Mam, and in me, yours truly.
``That's the way to do it,'' says Punchinella.
The Punch and Judy show goes on forever.

The Auld Grump