The Wild Hunt is the incarnation of storms, a phenomenon said to be led by a malevolent spirit, and is comprised of ghostly warriors or demonic beasts. Its leader varies by tradition, but how could it have manifested here? Nowhere is it said that the figure known as Santa Claus leads the Wild Hunt.
It is exactly that which allows it to appear in this Class. Because Stranger is the manifestation of ‘garbage and junk data’, connections have been made to fill in the space necessary for a Noble Phantasm to form. In other words, the Wild Hunt led by Santa Claus is merely the aggregate result of appearing as ‘relevant data’ for other manifestations.
Jolly Wild Hunt is, in truth, not a storm which Santa Claus brings, but the very season of Winter that follows his path. Within his entourage is a gathering of Nature Spirits associated with Winter, each of them come together to trail behind Stranger. And as its leader he can call upon those Spirits to aid him, granting him various abilities such as flying through the air or summoning magical steeds. He can even manipulate concepts of ‘snow’, ‘night’, ‘the moon’, and even ‘Winter itself.’
With such versatility, it’s no wonder that Stranger’s Wild Hunt usually takes the form of a massive sleigh.
Declaring the Jolly Wild Hunt’s True Name, Stranger utilizes his association with the Spirits to pull a curtain of ‘winter night’ over an area. This phenomenon is essentially that of a Marble Phantasm, activated with the Wild Hunt as a proxy to shift nature itself. Winter falls onto those beneath the veil, and within it forms a snowstorm that Stranger controls at a whim.
From the kindest snowflake to the longest night, the Jolly Wild Hunt encompasses it all. Or rather, the figure known as Santa Claus is connected to those pieces by proxy.
You’d be pleased by just how exactly-you-imagined-him-as Santa Claus is. A joyful old man that sees the wonder and magic in everything, he is fantastic with just about everyone he meets. It’s hard to imagine Santa as being at odds with anyone really, his very presence lightens up the room, his every guffaw infectious enough for the most dour person to chuckle along. It wouldn’t be wrong to consider him a bottomless barrel of personality. There exists exactly zero people who could ever drain or tire him, his sheer enthusiasm overwhelms anyone that tries.
But on what is his enthusiasm actually based?
What is the wonder he actually sees?
He is so jolly, so heartwarming, but from what hearth does his fire burn?
At its essence is a reflection of Santa Claus itself. What he loves is possibility.
In one’s life, there are sometimes multiple paths. Decisions stack up against each other. Circumstances inform wrong and right answers. Whatever one decides to do, all other options are left behind for the sake of moving forward. Those moving forward don’t need any incentive, but what about the discarded? For those who can move through neither Heaven nor Hell, who stands to guide them and give them purpose? Who is there to love what has been forgotten?
Because of his existence is as “junk data”, Santa Claus is the embodiment of discarded possibility itself.
Santa Claus is the one who sees those moving forward, and tends to those left behind. A shepherd of lost souls, whose role has itself been discarded until it formed the mantle of ‘Santa Claus.’ Less a person, Santa Claus can be likened to a function formed by humanity’s desire for love and care.
It is through this existence that Stranger fiercely stands for those who still have decisions to make. Those who still have possibilities left for them. An ancient, grandfatherly wisdom is the bedrock of Stranger’s attitude. There is never a bone of hate in him, only understanding, only kindness. For the discarded, that is what they need the most.
Santa Claus works year-round in the North Pole, where he and his elves create gifts for every child in the world. Then, on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus soars through the night on his massive sleigh and rewards the nice kids with gifts, while punishing the naughty ones with lumps of coal. Then once the night has passed he returns to the North Pole, returning to work until next Christmas Eve.
It goes without saying that it’s impossible for such a story to be true, much less be recorded within the Throne of Heroes.
There are many theories as to Santa Claus’ origins. Odin. Saint Nicholas. Ded Moroz. The Wild Hunt. The Three Kings. Multiple trajectories overlap that end up at the story of Santa Claus, but each of them are too significant on their own to ever give space to something so superfluous as ‘Santa Claus.’ All that remains of Santa Claus’ existence is recognized even today as something false and only worthy of children to believe. Even the holiday attached to Santa Claus has stronger associations to the Messiah.
Therefore, this is a Class container that suits Santa Claus perfectly. For those discarded as junk data, all that wasted information has been compiled into something approximated as ‘Santa Claus.’ Both everything and none of his predecessors, Stranger exists in spite of itself.
“But isn’t that just it?” Stranger would muse. “In the end, it’s just faith and magic. That was enough to bring me around.”
Relationships
Mononobe-no-Moriya
"For you, I bring a camera. They are mighty good at capturing memories! And anyways, it is always good to have a hobby, no?"
Demetrius of Thessaloniki
"For you, I bring the finest book of imagination. Seriously, imagine anything! Whatever story you wish to read, it will appear here. Everyone deserves a little bit of imaginative fun."
The Sun...?
"For you, I have nothing. Sorry! But it seems like you don't need anything else, do you?"
Hermes Trismegistus
"For you, I have, ah, here it is! The newest equipment that suits your needs! Quite the busybody, huh?"
Loki=Rod
"For you, I have... Oh my. This is quite a lot of board games. Perfect for staying indoors with your family. For you, there is nothing more ideal I think. Between you and me, I'll come back later tonight for a round."
Sukunabikona
"For you, I have a new towel. Look, cute little bull patterns! I think it suits you."
Matarisvan
"For you I have-- what are you looking at me like that for, huh? Oh don't worry about it, a gift is a gift! Even the givers must receive, don't you know? Enjoy your new socks!"
Originally Posted by DelRey
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