Each player is one of the European companions of St. Nicholas, who go out sometime between the night before St. Nicholas day and the feast of the epiphany.
First of course, is Krampus, from the Austrian Alpine regions, known for collecting naughty children in his sack or basket, and whipping them with his birch sticks before bringing them home to eat, or to hell for their punishment.
From the Rhineland, Frau Perchta is a beguiling ancient goddess. She can appear young and beautiful, or hideous and bent. She is known to cut open little miscreants, and stuff them with straw after disemboweling them. If you’ve been nice, though, she may leave a silver coin, instead.
Another Germanic legend, Belsnickel made his way to Pennsylvania in the US, where he is known as a darker alternative to St. Nicholas. He may whip the evil brats with a hickory switch and leave them coal, or reward them with sweets if they stayed off the naughty list.
Italy brings us Befana, a generous witch who carries on the tradition of gift giving started by the Magi in Bethlehem. She flies about on her broom, bringing candy and toys to nice kids. She will use her magic to make the naughty ones pay,
In France, the horrible hooligans fear Pere Fouettard. He was once a butcher, who slaughtered all the children of the village because he was in a particularly foul mood. As punishment, St Nicholas forced him to become his assistant, and restrained his rage to merely punishing the naughty children.
On the frosty shores of Iceland, the little ones know that Gryla is the one they must appease come Yuletide season. She has been a force in the region since the time of the Vikings. Now, with her 3rd husband, her 13 mischievous yule lads, and her giant evil cat, she makes sure that all the wee ones know their place when St. Nick shows up.
As St. Nicholas’s companions, players compete to see who can capture (or sacrifice) the most, and the naughtiest children. Characters use their strengths, upgrades, and action cards to help them capture the worst kids in town. The worse their behavior, the more points they are worth. Whoever has the most points when either the town is filled with nice kids, or when a Kid would need to be replaced, but there are none left in the deck, is the winner!
