On Christmas Eve, children across the world stare out their windows hoping to catch a
glimpse of Santa Claus amidst the falling snow.
They long to hear the bells of his reindeer or the rustle of his bag of toys coming down
the chimney.
Almost all fall asleep disappointed, only to be rewarded with gifts and cheer when the
sun rises the next morning.
For some however, those who have given up on miracles and each other, noises are heard
on Christmas Eve.
Heavy footsteps on a rooftop or a mocking chittering that echos from a fireplace.
What has come is not St. Nicholas, but a far darker, more ancient spirit, not to reward,
but to punish, not to give, but to take; Krampus.
In every aspect, Krampus is a dark reflection of Santa Claus.
A patchwork of tattered red and white robes hang from its hunched figure, torn by bony
protrusions.
It is seemingly encased in dangling chains, bells, and jaunty collections of bone.
Beneath its hood is the face of a man, but stretched and distorted.
The second set of teeth that might be briefly seen behind this grotesque mask, together
with its hooved feet and misshapen fingers, only hint at its actual appearance.
Whatever its true form, it has chosen to hide behind the face of someone long dead.
The arrival of Krampus is almost always heralded by a howling blizzard which blackens the night
skies.
By morning, those it has come for awaken to their neighborhood encased in drifts of swirling
snow and every means of escape removed.
They exist in a frozen purgatory with every neighbor, passerby or sign of life either
missing, or perhaps taken by Krampus in the night.
With this, Krampus can begin its work.
Despite its bestial appearance, the behavior of Krampus exhibits an alarming degree of
intelligence.
It does not mindlessly hunt its victims, but instead taunts and toys with them.
It is assisted in this by its odd assortment of helpers.
Some of these resemble living toys, whose cartoonish exteriors conceal terrifying creatures
within.
Others, known as “dark elves”, wear a collection of ragged cloaks and sardonic masks.
All share in Krampus’s delight for perverting the ideals of Christmas and seem to take great
pleasure in their assigned chores.
Completing the façade is Krampus’s sleigh, pulled by monstrous creatures and adorned
with intricate carvings and trophies.
While the actions of Krampus and the order in which it seizes its victims might appear
random, there remains a purpose behind it all.
The ultimate goal of Krampus is to remind a single survivor of what happens when belief
is forgotten and the Christmas spirit dies.
It is invoked by a single wish and in fulfilling that wish teaches the value of family and
self sacrifice.
In some cases however, a type of reprieve is granted.
Those who had lost hope are forgiven, but a single reminder, an ornament of sorts, is
left behind.
But there can be no true escape.
Those placed on Krampus’s list are there forever, they are watched within Krampus’s
workshop, alongside thousands if not millions of others.
Perpetually observed to make sure that the lessons taught by Krampus… are never forgotten.
In Bestiary, the Templin Institute investigates the creatures and monsters of alternate worlds.
If you have a suggestion for a future investigation, let us know by leaving a comment.