As we understand it this is how it goes:

In countries that are dark in the winter and full of snow in the mountain peaks, St. Nicholas keeps a list throughout the year of the good children... and the bad children. On his feast day, December 6th, he brings gifts to the children on the good list. But, what of the children on the bad list? What's to become of them? 

Unlike North American children getting away with mere coal in their stocking and a lack of toys, St. Nickolas has a helper to deal with the bad children...Krampus. 

What does Krampus look like? Well, picture this: He's as tall as S. Nick, with dark fur covering his almost human-shaped body. He had twisted horns coming from his head and carries a switch of straw to beat the naughty with. He has a tail and two legs, one human foot and one goat hoof. 

And he wears a bag made of wicker on his back to carry away the bad kids to his evil layer and boil them in oil.

That's right, he's coming for the kids. On the night of December 5th. Mark your calendars. 
(I don't know who should be more scared, the naughty kids or the naughty parents who raised them? He doesn't seem like a dude who's letting those adults skate either, you know?)

But, if they survive the night they get gifts from St. Nick! 
Wow, guess that poorly wrapped cold lump of cheese and bit of bitter chocolate is looking rather decent now that you have realized you narrowly escaped being dipped in the pot of boiling oil like a piece of chicken in a fondue pot, right?

Whew! 

But where did all this start?

As 'Smithsonian Magazine' writer Jennifer Billock reported in her article on December 4th, 2015-

"In fact, Krampus’ roots have nothing to do with Christmas. Instead, they date back to pre-Germanic paganism in the region. His name originates with the German krampen, which means “claw,” and tradition has it that he is the son of the Norse god of the underworld, Hel. During the 12th century, the Catholic Church attempted to banish Krampus celebrations because of his resemblance to the devil. More eradication attempts followed in 1934 at the hands of Austria’s conservative Christian Social Party. But none of it held, and Krampus emerged as a much-feared and beloved holiday force."
( http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/krampus-could-come-you-holiday-season-180957438/)

 

Beloved? Why yes! There are festivals and fetes, parties and costumes! Everyone gets in on the fun! What could be better than a one footed, one hooved, horned and hair covered bringer of torcher roaming your streets and terrorizing your kids?

Well, clearly a Krampus card game to play at home, that's what!