Kilter is an elf and one of the characters in the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.
Background[]
Kilter used to assist Ak until the Master Woodsman gave him to Santa Claus to assist the jolly toymaker on his journey in bringing happiness to children. Kilter is small, but he is certainly a big help and is the perfect size for fitting into any small space.
Kilter is a brunette, bearded elf with light blue eyes. Like Santa's other little helpers, he is dressed in green with a silver bell on his hat and he wears brown shoes.
Appearance[]
In the movie, Kilter is seen riding with Santa Claus, Peter, Wisk, and Nuter in the sleigh for the toy deliveries on Christmas Eve as they wave goodbye to everyone before Herb begins telling the story.
In the story, Kilter is with Ak and Nelko as the Master Woodsman drinks nectar and tells about his adventures. When Necile is allowed to keep baby Claus, Kilter and the other Immortals help raise him.
As soon as it's time for Claus to find a home of his own and the Immortals promise to help him whenever he needs them, they give him one of their own kind to assist him as Ak gives him Kilter. In the Laughing Valley of Hohaho, having found a good spot to build a house, Kilter and the other little Helpers, along with Herb, assist Claus in bringing fallen logs.
Then they settle in for the night while the other Immortals finish the house for them. As soon as Claus and his helpers move in, they agree to watch over the house while the kind man is off meet his fellow mortals in person. In the wintertime, Claus is inside the house with his helpers trying to think of what he could give the children as a reminder that he'll return, so he carves a wooden cat like Blinkie. When Claus brings Weekum inside to nurse him back to health, the little helpers stay out of sight since Immortals aren't allowed make physical contact with humans.
Soon, Kilter, Peter, Wisk, and Nuter (along with the other Immortals) help Claus with his toymaking. The helpers even stay out of sight when Claus has more human visitors. As soon they inform Claus about the Awgwas who begin causing trouble, the little helpers and Herb are surprised to see that their toymaking friend is returned home unharmed. Kilter stays behind with Claus while the other helpers are assisting the Immortals in battle with the Awgwas.
Before long, Santa begins his toy deliveries on Christmas Eve, but soon after fifteen mortal years, he becomes old and tired as everyone fears that he'll die. Kilter, Peter, Wisk, and Nuter watch over Claus as he sleeps that night while Herb informs Ak what is happening. When the Spirit of Death comes to take Santa, the Immortals arrive just in time to prevent it from happening as Ak bestows the Mantle of Immortality upon the toymaker.
When Santa soon discovers that stove had been invented replacing chimneys, Kilter, Peter, Nuter, and Wisk inform him that they can fit through any small space; so he agrees to take them with him every year (though he has to keep an eye on Wisk). In the end, Santa and his little helpers return to the valley to be welcomed back.
Video Game[]
Kilter appears in the video game as a playable character. His abilities are to run, pass through obstacles, and throw things at enemies. Along with Ak and Necile, only he can defeat the Awgwas.
Trivia[]
- Kilter did not appear in the 1985 Rankin/Bass TV special, but he will appear in the live-action Disney film.
- It doesn't mention in the book about Kilter being an elf.
- He looks much younger than Nelko.
- In the book, Santa was given Kilter after becoming immortal. But in the movie, he will be given to Santa before leaving Burzee.