On a dark December night, Krampus haunts the snowy wilderness. A large horror, half goat, half man. He stands seven feet tall and has thick, goat like fur covering his lanky body. His wrists bear chains that rattle in the dead of night. Upon his hunched back is ornamented with bells that ring. His fingers, long and bony. He has a long scrawny face with a hideous fang toothed smile that stretches from ear to pointed hairy ear. His nose is long, but nowhere near the length of his prehensile snake like tongue. Upon his brow rests two twisting horns that curl and curl bitterly. His eyes, those hideous eyes, glow an eerie yellow. One bony hand clutches a club made of switches. The other carries a sack.
Long ago, Krampus was a mere satyr, a goat like spirit of the woods. He lived up in the alpine mountains, living peacefully as he played beautiful music from his pipe. Then one day, he was approached by a mystic of the name of St. Nicholas. He came dressed in the robes of a bishop. The saint ridiculed Krampus for being a Pagan spirit. He then chanted a magical spell that would bind the joyous satyr’s Will. Krampus tried to resist, but couldn’t as Nicholas rebuked him. From then on, Krampus was made to serve the mystic.
Every year, around the Winter Solstice, St. Nicholas would go to the homes of children. Those who obeyed the biblical doctrine would be rewarded with toys and goodies. Those who didn’t would be given coal. It was Krampus’s job to visit the children who were given coal. He’s creak through their homes, jingling his bells and rattling his chains. He’s chuckle sadistically as he’d search for them. When found, Krampus would beat them time and time again with his club of birch switches. Some, he’d stuff in his sack and take with him. Who knows what he’d do.
Still, the satyr yearns one day to return to his peaceful living. He mourns the deeds he’s forced to perform, the pain he’s forced to inflict. All for the will of the saint. However, he’s not the only one who is forced to serve the Nicholas. There are others, some human, some not. All are forced to punish children so that the saint may look good and spread his cruel religion. The satyr hates the saint with a passion. One day, he’ll plot his freedom. One day, he shall break the curse. One day, the only person he’ll punish will be Nicholas himself.
Though, no one has been visited by Krampus for years. No sight of him, no word or rumor. Could this mean he’s succeeded? Could he be free? Has St. Nicholas paid for his cruelty? No one knows.
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"Krampus’ roots have nothing to do with Christmas. Instead, they date back to pre-Germanic paganism in the region. His name originates with the German krampen , which means “claw,” and tradition has it that he is the son of the Norse god of the underworld, Hel.
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