LogFAQs > #928693011

79. SCP-4666 (The Yule Man) (13 points)
Nominated by: Raka_Putra (3/5 remaining)
http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-4666

Importance: 1
Fear: 6
Snake: 6

SCPs are always great since they leave a lot to the imagination, and are a great medium for short-form horror storytelling. Take the Yule Man for example. Its sightings and behavior could easily be perceived as realistic, sounding like a strange-but-true unsolved mystery you would fine in a true crime doc or paranormal investigation show. There's a horror to this that is very subdued and reigned in, that is until you get to the vivid description of what the Yule Man exactly does to its victims. That's another advantage of the SCP format; it's very clinical and scientific in its approach to these horrific monsters, and reading the Yule Man's full report feels like you're delving into a police report never meant for civilian eyes, as the description of the Yule Man's activities slowly gives way to the real deal.

This didn't click with me upon first pass through, but subsequent readings made me realize the Yule Man is very similar to folkloric figures like Krampus and the Sack Man. I know the "Yule" part should've made it more obvious, but it truly feels distinct because of that strong focus on mystery and realism. The Yule Man is a strong addition to the SCP canon, with just enough information there to really get under your skin and make you just that extra bit more paranoid around Christmas time.
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