Runo Stromkirk // Krothuss, Lord of the Deep

Runo Stromkirk, a legendary creature from the Magic: The Gathering set Innistrad: Crimson Vow, was released in 2021 as part of a series centered on the gothic horror themes of the plane of Innistrad. The character design leans heavily into the aquatic, eldritch aesthetic, reflecting his role as an ancient Stromkirk vampire who has turned his worship toward deep-sea leviathans. His transformation into Krothuss, Lord of the Deep, serves as a thematic centerpiece for the set's focus on double-faced cards, which bridge the gap between human vampire lore and the Lovecraftian horror elements present in the game's evolving narrative.

The card's artistic direction was handled by illustrator Aleksi Briclot, who sought to capture a sense of murky, oceanic scale. The dual-sided design was intended to offer players a unique tactical experience, requiring them to manage a specific deck-building constraint to achieve the transformation. Upon its debut, the card was received with notable enthusiasm by the commander format community, who appreciated the technical challenge and the strong atmospheric connection between the card's mechanics and its role in the overarching Innistrad story.