Koopman's department store is in trouble. Christmas is 12 days away, and they've lost their Santa. In desperation, they hire Ruprecht. Is he a kindly old man in seal furs? A deathless shaman? A demon? Or pagan god? The real Father Winter with an empty eye behind a patch that makes coal of sinners? The city is about to find out the hard way. Their only hopes for salvation: a brainwashed orphan, homicidal detective, and an inept revolutionary.