Sinterklass
From Changeling Venue
OOC This is a very serious attempt at a Keeper concept, please treat it as such
you better not cry
you better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
Contents |
A Not So Christmas Wonderland
How easily humanity forgets the horrors of yesteryear. When the monsters under the bed go from ravenous beasts to simple shadows. When the tragedy and sadness of the Black Death became a child's nursery rhyme. So to have many other things. So many children in the West learn the story of the jolly old man with a flowing white beard. Bright blue twinkling eyes. Rosy cheeks. A bright red hat and cloths. The story of Santa Claus has been told and retold a number of different ways, but if you dig deep enough you find the origins of the story. The story that predate the Saint Nicolas. The story of a Fae who would reward good children and would punish bad children. Sometimes even spiriting the naughty children away never to truly be seen again, but the next day the child who awakens has turned a new leaf, becomes a blessed child.
Today, despite the many stories, the Fae sometimes know in the Vulgate as Santa Claus still works. Driven by his nature to seek out the bad children in the world and take them to be punished for their misdeeds and acts. He sometimes still wears the traditional clothing of Christmas tales, but has during the later parts and in his home kingdom goes by his other myriad of forms. The stories of Saint Nicolas often come with the story of a dark figure that would beat or punish naughty children. Often giving this form a separate name. Doing so as a means of separating the aspects of Santa from these darker legends. The Fae, knows and sometimes claims that he is both the giver and the condemner. That in this age, the Santa as a figure of giving has been overspread. That there are many, many naughty children in this world. All of them need to be punished.
Naughty or Nice
In ages past and still today, this Keeper works his deeds and wonders on a single night. The magic of Arcadia and the Hedge work for his nightly trials. During his visits, he will check the dreams of the boys and girls homes he visits. Learning all about the deeds the boys and girls had done. Judging them to be good or naughty according to what he sees. No door can keep him out. No amount of lying or fibbing can prevent him from finding the truth about the homes he visits. It is said certain treats can placate him, make him happy and thus judge all the children as good. Thus the origins of leaving out Milk and Cookies became popular. Even as powerful as the Gentry are, Santa is still bound to certain pacts as well.
Even with the bribes and treats. Santa could only be persuaded so far in one direction or the other. For those children he found good, a gift. A treat of wonder was left behind for them. Something to reward the good deeds they had done year round. For the not nice nor naughty children, a condemnation. Sometimes he would leave behind useless items, which lead to the belief of coal. But in ages past, coal while not valuable as a toy was something incredibly useful. A sign to work harder if they wish for a reward. For the naughty children, he carried a sack, not for toys, but to contain bad little girls and boys. Once he had done his rounds, he would carry all the boys and girls back to Arcadia and there, they would learn. Learn the lesson that for every misdeed they had done. They would be rewarded in kind.
Santa's Workshop
Carol's describe Santa's domain as stationed at the top of the world. In a wintry wonderland of ice, and twilight. Where the sky was clear and the stars twinkled in the midnight sky. Of a nice large house warmed by a roaring fire. Elves and reindeer play merrily in a winter snows. Before returning to their nice workshop to continue making toys for all the good little children. All the trees are evergreen and decorated with tinsel and ornaments. If they only knew the truth they would be more horrified to find out that this place of winter magic is in fact a prison for countless centuries of bad children. Who's under the direct will of the Lord of the domain changed them for his own purpose.
His domain of ice and cold is crafted from the essences of many people. Into each evergreen tree, a maiden or youth was crafted. Forced to plant his roots deep in dark and cold frozen earth. The night wind hides the elements forced to dance to cause the night wind to blow. Each of the winter land animals were in fact a child or teen which he brought to his domain and changed to fit his vision of his domain. The fire burns hot because of many youths who burn at the command of their patron. Constant songs fill the air, as he crafted many children to remain as maidens. To sing for all eternity out in the cold. This wonderland is a land of torment. Each year more children come, replaced with good children back home. Many soon forget the home they once hand. Learning the lessons of punishment and retribution.
They should have heeded the words. They should have been nice. They were naughty and now they much pay. And they will pay... pay until the end of days.
The Others
When it comes to other Gentries, Santa is pretty much out of business. He interacts with other Ice Lords, Queens and Witches, but most have learned to leave this Lord of Christmas be. He is tied to the most powerful time of the year and while his domain maybe of Ice and Snow, he is not bound by the same element as they are. That is not to say he is an isolationist or rebukes the Others. His way is not the way of many others. This only changes the day of the New Years. When he opens his domain to a feast for the others. To show off those new children who have earned their punishment. It is often during this time that some Changeling escape from this wintery domain. But those that do risk being found out if not by Santa but by one of the other Lords and Ladies of Arcadia.
Servitors
Many different Seemings and Kiths can be made appropriate with this Gentry. Elementals of each and every type can be found in his domain. Wood Elementals outside of Evergreens are rare and most Water Elementals originate from within Santa's home where the roaring fire never stops. Fairest, Darkling and Wizened are common. From book keepers to singer to servants who keep the house in shape and craft the toys which Santa randomly gifts to those rarely exceptionally good children. Beasts are also common of those animals found in the cold climates. Reindeer are not as common as some would believe and of the animals present only a coupe are of this supposed magical breed. Snow monster serve as the guardians of the domain, preventing escape and sometimes are alone for so long they simply attack anything warm for even the temporary warmth and comfort of a dead body.
