Derelor

Derelor was released in November 1994 as part of Fallen Empires, the fourth expansion set for the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. The set focused on a thematic narrative of a crumbling subterranean civilization, characterized by its dark, gritty tone and complex political factions. Within this lore, the Derelor represented the corrupted, thrall-like creatures subservient to the order of the Ebon Hand, reflecting the set's overall preoccupation with themes of decay, sacrifice, and dark magic.

The card’s illustration was created by artist Christopher Rush, one of the most iconic figures in the early history of the game. Rush utilized his signature style to convey the menacing, unsettling nature of the creature, intentionally crafting a design that felt both alien and physically imposing. Upon its debut, the card was noted for its aggressive power-to-cost ratio, though it was simultaneously hampered by a persistent drawback mechanic that required the player to pay mana during each upkeep, a design choice meant to balance its mechanical strength within the environment of the mid-90s meta.