In 2002, I headed up and hosted an event called the 12 Games of Christmas. Every day, from December 13th to the 24th, I put up a short game-related bit done by myself or a game industry buddy for free. The offerings included a new magic school for John Tynes‘ and Greg Stolze‘s Unknown Armies, a riff on Clinton R. Nixon’s game Paladin, and even an original game, Amazing Monkey Adventures, by Jared A. Sorensen.
One of the things I cooked up was a take on the gift-giving fat man for use with the original Little Fears. As a present to Little Fears fans (old and new), I’ve decided to bring him back this holiday season. Enjoy this peek into Little Fears’ past and maybe give the Kringle-creature a home in your own tales.
Santa Claws
a merry old soul for Little Fears
He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice…
Pray you’re not on it.
The Truth (Story #1)
He knows when you are sleeping; he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, and he can get into your house without arousing suspicion. Do you really believe he’s just a jolly old elf who wants to spread holiday cheer? I don’t think so.
Santa Claws uses his global chimney route to kidnap children to work in his toy shop. Oh yes, he really is the one who gives toys to all the girls and boys but smart kids know better than to trust him farther than they can throw him. Santa can get into any house that has a chimney—and can temporarily install chimneys in homes that don’t. Thankfully, he can only do this at one time of the year: exactly one minute after midnight on December 25th.
The portion of children that Santa Claws can get is narrow because Santa can only grab those who believe in him. Parents unwittingly perpetuate the elf’s agenda by instilling belief of the fat man into every generation. However, other kids can still see the old elf—but they cannot be kidnapped. The longer the children stay there, the longer their ears get and the slighter their eyes get. After a few years, they’re indistinguishable from the native elves Santa has in his “employ.” Each year, Santa nabs about twenty brand new kids—enough to keep production going, but not enough to create a big stir around the rest of world.
The Truth (Story #2)
You see, the real Saint Nick has been stuffed away at the back of his toy factory and his whole production has been taken over by an evil doppelganger masquerading as Santa Claus. No one knows how long this has been going on (it’s up the GM to determine if this is a one-time deal a la The Nightmare Before Christmas or whether Claws has been perverting the holiday for years). But the North Pole has become a sad, dark place since Santa Claws took over. There’s no whistling and no singing, just the constant droning
hum of the Cookie Machine.
What the kids will need to do is get to the North Pole (through Santa Claws’ bag), find the real Santa, and free him. Once there, they’ll see that all the happy elves who used to spend their time making toys are working the Great Cookie Machine. Of course, the wicked Santa is bound to find out that some children are meddling with his plan to keep his cookie craving fed, and he’s not about to take it lying down. Once free, Santa will turn Claws into a harmless puppy and give it to one of the children as a Christmas
gift. Then, after a quick ride in his sleigh, Santa will return the children home and right all the wrongs that Claws has left in his wake.
Being Santa Claws
You’re happy, you’re jolly, and you have a great big belly that shakes like a bowlful of jelly. You have a beguiling twinkle in your eye and your cheerful “Ho-ho-ho’s” can make anyone your friend, but you need kids to keep the Great Cookie Machine going and your sugar-craving satisfied.
Santa Claws looks like a mix between a werewolf and Kris Kringle. He wears a tattered Santa suit and has long hairy forearms that end in glistening talons. He has the eye of a falcon, and a low rumbling voice that sounds like a cat screeching at a train wreck.
Santa Claws cannot resist milk and cookies. In fact, he goes absolutely berserk around them; stuffing the cookies into his maw—crumbs be damned!—and glugging down whole glasses full of milk in a single swallow. Santa always has his bag strapped to his back. While at first look, it will appear to be a simple red sack chock full of brightly wrapped packages, it holds a more devious secret. If a child can manage to get into Santa’s bag they’ll realize it leads directly into his workshop.
Santa Claws can pretend to look just like the real Saint Nick for a short period of time. Under this guise, all kids attempting to hurt him are at -1 die. Thankfully, this doesn’t last long.
Using Santa Claws
Santa Claws is best suited for the Dark Faery Tale vein of storytelling. He swaps toys for children then sweeps back to his icebrick
castle atop the North Pole. Once there, he puts his captives to work at the Great Cookie Machine. Every hour of every day, the Great Cookie Machine keeps pumping out a wide variety of cookies: chocolate chip, gingerbread, frosted sugar. Without children to work this machine, Santa Claws’ wicked craving for cookies won’t be satisfied.
Text is Copyright 2002 Jason L Blair. All rights reserved.
What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and
it has helped me out loads. I’m hoping to contribute & help different users like its aided me.
Good job.
Generally I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced
me to check out and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me.
Thank you, very nice article.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
forum lendir pekanbaru
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker
who has been conducting a little homework on this.
And he actually bought me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him…
lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this
issue here on your internet site.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire
out a designer to create your theme? Exceptional work!
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to
say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
You’re so cool! I don’t think I have read through a single thing like that before.
So nice to find another person with a few genuine thoughts
on this subject matter. Really.. thanks for starting this up.
This website is one thing that’s needed on the
internet, someone with a little originality!
I am curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be working with?
I’m having some small security problems with my latest site and I’d like to find
something more secure. Do you have any recommendations?
Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice even as you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog web site?
The account helped me a applicable deal. I have been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast offered vivid transparent concept
Nice weblog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!
What host are you the use of? Can I am getting your associate hyperlink for your host?
I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
Right away I am ready to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast coming again to read further
news.
Very energetic post, I loved that bit. Will there be
a part 2?
My brother suggested I might like this website. He used to be totally right.
This submit truly made my day. You cann’t consider just how much
time I had spent for this info! Thank you!
I always used to study article in news papers
but now as I am a user of internet thus from now I am using net
for content, thanks to web.
Hi, i feel that i saw you visited my blog so i
came to return the favor?.I’m trying to find issues to enhance my web
site!I suppose its adequate to use some of your ideas!!
Outstanding story there. What happened after?
Thanks!
Someone essentially help to make severely posts
I would state. That is the first time I frequented your web page and
thus far? I amazed with the analysis you made to make this actual publish amazing.
Great process!
Everyone loves it whenever people get together and share thoughts.
Great site, continue the good work!
There’s certainly a great deal to know about this subject.
I like all the points you made.
Hey there, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog site in Safari, it looks
fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, fantastic blog!
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post
was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re
going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
What’s up, I desire to subscribe for this blog to get latest updates, so where can i do it please help out.
Amazing issues here. I’m very glad to look your post.
Thanks a lot and I’m looking forward to contact you.
Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
I just could not depart your website before suggesting that I actually
enjoyed the standard info a person provide in your visitors?
Is gonna be back steadily to check up on new posts
It’s awesome in support of me to have a web page, which
is good for my know-how. thanks admin
I constantly emailed this weblog post page to all my contacts,
because if like to read it then my contacts will too.
I am curious to find out what blog system you are using?
I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest website and I would like to find something more risk-free.
Do you have any suggestions?
Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog website?
The account aided me a applicable deal. I were a little bit familiar of
this your broadcast provided vibrant transparent idea
I’m really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout
on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did
you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare
to see a nice blog like this one these days.
We stumbled over here different page and thought I might check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to checking
out your web page again.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Thanks for supplying this information.
I was curious if you ever considered changing the layout of your site?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people
could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one
or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
Hello there! This post could not be written any better!
Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate!
He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him.
Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! In the end I got a website from where I can truly take valuable facts regarding
my study and knowledge.
Greetings I am so delighted I found your blog, I really found you by accident, while I was researching on Google for something else,
Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thank you
for a incredible post and a all round thrilling
blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time
to read through it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
to read much more, Please do keep up the excellent
work.
What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it
has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist other users like its helped me.
Good job.
I’m really loving the theme/design of your web
site. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
A handful of my blog readers have complained about my site
not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around
your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing
to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
I want to to thank you for this great read!! I certainly enjoyed every bit of it.
I have got you book marked to look at new
things you post…
Hey there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
Ahaa, its good discussion concerning this piece of writing here at this blog, I have read
all that, so now me also commenting here.
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your web site offered us with useful info to work on. You
have performed a formidable process and our entire group will likely be thankful to you.
Hi friends, how is the whole thing, and what you desire to say regarding this article, in my view its truly amazing designed for
me.
First of all I would like to say terrific blog!
I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts prior to writing.
I’ve had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my
ideas out. I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems
like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally wasted
simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips?
Thank you!
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your
host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Hello, just wanted to mention, I liked this blog post.
It was practical. Keep on posting!
Having read this I believed it was very enlightening.
I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this
information together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and posting comments.
But so what, it was still worth it!
Hello there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
Thanks a lot!
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem
to get there! Thanks