😈 Krampus

The horned Christmas demon who punishes naughty children

Also known as The Krampus, Krampusz

📺 "It's never too early for Christmas! Tonight's guest is on a naughty list of his own, and he's checking yours twice."

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Origin: Alpine folklore
First appeared: Alpine folk tradition (centuries-old customs of Austria, Bavaria and nearby regions)
Pack: World Folklore

terminal-of-terror monster krampus

💀 Facts

Krampus is a horned, hairy creature from Alpine folklore
He accompanies St. Nicholas, who rewards the good while Krampus punishes the naughty
His night is 5 December, Krampusnacht, the eve of St. Nicholas Day
He carries chains, bells and bundles of birch switches
Naughty children might be stuffed into his sack and carried away
In Krampuslauf parades, costumed Krampuses charge through town streets
People sent each other Krampus greeting cards in the 1800s

📜 Legend

In the Alps, St. Nicholas doesn't travel alone. On the night of 5 December, Krampusnacht, the eve of St. Nicholas Day, he's joined by Krampus: shaggy, horned, long-tongued and rattling chains and bells. While the saint rewards good children, Krampus swats the naughty with birch switches and, in the scarier tellings, carries them off in a sack. In the 1800s people sent each other Krampus greeting cards, and today towns hold Krampuslauf parades where costumed Krampuses charge through the streets.

🎭 Myth vs Movie

True or false? Make your guess, then click a card (or press r) for the verdict.

Krampus visits on Christmas Eve.

✘ FALSE

His night is 5 December, Krampusnacht, the eve of St. Nicholas Day.
Krampus is St. Nicholas's enemy.

✘ FALSE

They work as a team: the saint rewards the good while Krampus deals with the naughty.
Krampus parades are still held today.

✔ TRUE

Krampuslauf runs take place every December in Austria, Germany and increasingly around the world.

🃏 Stat Card

Strength: 8
Speed: 7
Cunning: 6
Dread: 9

⚡ Powers

Stinging birch switches
Rattling chains and bells
A sack big enough for a child
A long, lolling tongue

🧄 Weaknesses

Genuinely good children
St. Nicholas's authority
Only one night a year

Stats power the Monster Mash: terminal-of-terror mash krampus

🎞️ Legacy

Krampus (2015), a horror comedy by Michael Dougherty
Krampus festivals now held far beyond the Alps

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