SANTERROR - TIMELINE #231108478

(Timeline Tuesday #178)

While most understand the concept of infinite timelines in broad strokes, it’s difficult to comprehend just how many variations this implies. When thinking about other realities, many will consider large shifts in the natural elements—a frozen timeline, or a timeline covered in flames and heat—but in practice these other worlds can get very specific.

Santerrors hail from one such specific timeline, a universe where the Christmas holiday defines all of existence. In this world, gingerbread is used to build all houses, and there are few natural plants other than mistletoe, holly, and of course, pine trees covered in lights. It’s on this other reality that santerrors hunt their prey year-round.

These creatures are relentless carnivorous predators, always hungry for flesh. Despite the slightly awkward appearance of their forward hunch, they are incredibly fast and agile. While their skin is a pale green, their fur is brilliant red and white, growing in a very specific pattern that makes it appear as though this species is always wearing a traditional Santa Clause outfit. Their head grows to an unusual point, and the cranial fur makes it appear they are wearing a Santa hat.

Santerrors possess a powerful shapeshifting ability, allowing them to appear as a normal human. They use this power as a way of getting close to their prey, at which point they will shift back into their frightening, sharp-toothed self and attack. This power is not an illusion, but a biological ability similar to the color-changing aspect of a chameleon. It physically alters the santerror’s nose, eyes, mouth and fingers, along with the shade of their skin.

Fortunately, Santerrors who have found themselves on our timeline usually stick out like a sore thumb, at least ten or eleven months out of the year. However, during the holiday season it is important to stay on the lookout for any ferocious creatures who may have wandered into our existence.