Archetype:Krampus

"Santa Claus, my dear old friend, you are a thief, a traitor, a slanderer, a murderer, a liar, but worst of all you are a mockery of everything for which I stood. You have sung your last ho, ho, ho, for I am coming to take your head. I am coming to take back what is mine, to take back Yuletide..."

― Krampus (Krampus: The Yule Lord)

"It started with the wind, on a cold Winter night, much like this. It was almost Christmas, but this Christmas was darker, less cheerful. But I still believed in Santa, in magic and miracles, and the hope that we could find joy again. But our village had given up on miracles, and on each other. They had forgotten the spirit of Christmas, the sacrifice of giving, and my family was no different. I tried to help them to believe again, but we were no longer the loving family I remembered. They too had given up. And eventually, so did I. And for the first time, I didn't wish for a miracle. I wished for them to go away. A wish I would come to regret. And that night, in the darkness of a howling blizzard... I got my wish. I knew Saint Nicholas was not coming this year. Instead, it was a much darker, more ancient spirit. The Shadow of Saint Nicholas. It was...Krampus. And as he had for thousands of years, Krampus came not to reward, but to punish, not to give, but to take. He and his helpers. I could only listen as they dragged my family into the underworld, knowing that I would be next. But Krampus didn't take me that night. He left me as a reminder of what happens when hope is lost, when belief is forgotten, and the Christmas spirit...dies."

― Omi Engel (Krampus)

"Who you talkin' too? I'm Krampus, bitch! I'll do whatever I please! This is my expertise!"

― Krampus (American Dad!)

The archetype for characters who are or are based on the dark Christmas character, Krampus. Variation of Christmas Entity and Tormentor.

Also Called[]

Anti-Claus
Christmas Devil
Krampus Archetype
The Krampus

Properties[]

The character is or can be Krampus, a beast-like creature from the folklore of Alpine countries thought to punish children during the Christmas season who had misbehaved. Although Krampus appears in many variations, most are hairy beast-like creature of demonic appearance, usually brown or black, have cloven hooves and horns of a goat, with a long tongue. They carry a basket or a bag on their back and with rusty chains and bells.

He is often presented as either as an enemy or partner to St. Nicholas, representing the darker aspects of Christmas and what waits for those who have been bad during the holiday season; kidnapping and frightening children as punishment for being naughty.

Krampus often targets children, either to simply scare them, whip them, eat them, or some other nefarious purpose.

Associated Powers[]

Rarer Powers[]

Associations[]

Known/Example Characters[]

See Also: The Krampus.

Cartoons

Krampus (American Dad)
Jack Smith (American Dad)
The Bleaken (Bob's Burgers)
The Grinch (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
Krampus (Regular Show)
Krampus (Robot Chicken)
The Nerd (Robot Chicken)
Krampus (Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated)
The Stump (Star Vs the Forces of Evil)
Krampus (Teen Titans Go!)
Krampus (The Venture Bros.)

Comics

Krampus (Evil Dead 2: Revenge of the Krampus)
Krampus (Hellboy)
Krampus (How the Krampus Saved Christmas)
Krampus (Marvel Comics)
Krampus (Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose)

Movies

Krampus (Krampus 2015)
Krampus (Krampus Unleashed)
Krampus (Night of the Krampus)
Krampus (Red One)
Krampus (Krampus: The Christmas Devil)

Folklore/Mythology

Krampus (Alpine Folklore)
Belsnickel (German Folklore)
Namahage (Japanese Folklore)

Literature

Belsnickels (Krampus: the Yule Lord)
- Isabel
- Jesse
- Mikwa
- Nipi
- Vernon
- Wipi
Krampus (Krampus: The Yule Lord)
Krampus (Monster Girl Encyclopedia)