Krampus, the guy who punishes the children Santa doesn't reward, was a dark side to the jolly guy from Alpine countries. Santa's coal-giving to naughty children is a much milder form of Krampus' kidnapping. Although Krampus has recently come into vogue, the truth is he's been with us for awhile in the form of a hairy green fellow who lives in the mountains and doesn't like Christmas. You know him, you love him…the Grinch!
Under the guise of "hating noise," the Grinch slithers down to Who-ville to steal Christmas from children. He does this by taking away toys and candy in the guise of Santa Claus, just like Krampus. Krampus is admittedly more vicious (he swats children and steals them away – or maybe just eats them), but Grinch's commonalities are too similar to ignore. Krampus never left, he's just been taking care of his dog Max all this time.
After watching Grinch specials every single day of December (my son LOVES watching the Grinch, including the execrable The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat), it's easy to understand the appeal of Krampus. The Grinch's real complaint about the Whos isn't Christmas at all, but the "noise, noise, NOISE!" His reaction is to all the crap the Whos are enamored with, and in taking them away, he's actually hoping to get some peace and quiet. Any parent can relate.
Accountability. What a concept for Christmas! As my Christmas gift to you, here's the Grinch-inspired Krampus for D20 Modern. You'll notice he's fond of disguises (but not very good at it), sneaking around (but not very good at that either), and has sensitive hearing because of all the noise, noise, NOISE!
Krampus (CR 20, HD 3d6+8d8+8d8+76)
Smart Talent: Savant 1st Smart Talent: Trick Weren Smart Hero3/Field Scientist8/Infiltrator8
N Large Giant
Init +3 Spd 30
Senses Low-light Vision (Ex), Listen +9, Spot +9AC 27 (FF 24, Touch 17)
hp 160 (Disabled -4/Dying -19/Injury 19)
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +13, Will +8
Improved Evasion;Atk +13/+8 base melee, +11/+6 base ranged; Grapple +18; Face 10'x10'; Reach 10'
+13 Melee (Claw 1d6+7/crit 20/x2)
SQ: Weapon Restrictions, Armor Restrictions, Natural Camouflage (Ex), Smart Talent (Special - One Research Talent)
Smart Hero Features: Defense Bonus (Class/Natural) (+10), Reputation Bonus +7, Action Points (Total): 145, Smart Talents (2), Bonus Feat; Field Scientist Features: Defense Bonus (Class/Natural) (+10), Smart Defense, Defense Bonus (Int) (Max: %d), Reputation Bonus +7, Action Points (Total): 145, Scientific Improvisation, Bonus Feat (2), Skill Mastery (3 + 5), Minor Breakthrough, Smart Survival, Smart Weapon; Infiltrator Features: Sweep, Defense Bonus (Class/Natural) (+10), Reputation Bonus +7, Action Points (Total): 145, Improvised Implements, Bonus Feat (2), Improved Evasion, Skill Mastery (3 + 5), Improvised Weapon Damage, Improved Sweep;Abilities: STR 20, DEX 16, CON 19, INT 21, WIS 15, CHA 10
Feats: Animal Affinity, Athletic, Attentive, Builder (Electronic and Mechanical), Cautious, Confident, Fight with Anything, Focused, Gearhead, Guide, Nimble, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Stealthy, Studious.
Skills: Balance +13, Climb +12, Computer Use +7, Concentration +6, Craft (Electronic) +22, Craft (Mechanical) +22, Craft (Structural) +17, Disable Device +22, Disguise +9, Drive +20, Escape Artist +11, Forgery +1, Gamble +4, Hide +13, Intimidate +2, Investigate +22, Jump +11, Knowledge (Arcane Lore) +11, Knowledge (History) +11, Knowledge (Technology) +11, Listen +9, Move Silently +11, Navigate +22,Repair +13, Research +22, Ride +5, Search +20, Sense Motive +4, Sleight of Hand +11, Spot +9, Survival +4, Swim +7, Tumble +9.
For even more Krampus fun, see Nevermet Press' Krampus Christmas Carnival! This is a blog carnival where they invite everyone in the gaming, fiction and publishing blogsphere to write about Krampus in one way or another during the week of December 19th – 24th. On Christmas Day they’ll post a Krampus Round-Up and highlight everyone who has contributed to the carnival and link back to their sites.
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