Religion Reference
The faith of chains, judgment, and sacred fear
The Winter Tribunal is the Jerichan faith tradition devoted to Krampus, the Frost Warden. It combines punishment, fear, harsh justice, moral absolutism, and the belief that mercy becomes corruption when it protects the guilty.
Power
Punishment, fear, harsh justice, chains, and consequence.
Krampus is the force that comes when restraint fails, kindness is exploited, and the guilty believe no one is coming. His presence arrives as the silence before punishment.
Doctrine
The Tribunal teaches that guilt is universal and punishment is sacred correction. Chains represent restraint, and mercy without payment is treated as betrayal of the harmed and the law.
Practice
Rites include Cold Vigils, Iron Gifts, Trial Feasts, Chain Parades, and the Red Ledger where devotees record sins, punishments, failures, and debts still owed.
Sects
Major branches include the True Tribunal, Snowbinders, Red Hood Order, Iron Bell Conclave, Children of Coal, Frozen Mercy, and secret Clausians who hope Saint Claus returns.
Modern
The Winter Tribunal is expanding in lawless places because fear is easy to organize. It can restore order, but often replaces uncertainty with cruelty.