Crom Cruach (Secret of Kells)

Crom Cruach is the secondary antagonist of The Secret of Kells. It is an animated reimagining of a old Irish pagan deity linked with sacrifice.

History
An unspecified time before the plot, Crom Cruach was responsible for the deaths of Aisling's race, including her mother and leaving her as the sole survivor. Later, Brendan, an Irish boy, begins a quest to complete the Book of Iona and meets Aisling on his journey. To complete the book, Brendan required the Eye of Crom, one of God's eyes and a jewel embedded in the monster's forehead. Aisling recognizes the symbol of the Eye on his hand, and warns him not to go, tearfully relating her past to him. Yet, Brendan persuades her to open the way to Crom's lair. Though it costs Aisling's human form, Brendan is allowed entrance to Crom's cave, and is drawn into a glowing crack in the floor.

Now trapped in the cave and floating in an unearthly realm, Crom reveals itself and attempts to devour the intruder. Though at first he flees, Brendan eventually confronts the beast and traps it in a circle of chalk. Seizing its head, Brendan rips off its Eye and retreats. Blinded, sealed, and unable to lunge at anything but itself, Crom flies into a blind fury and devours itself.

Appearance
Crom has a distinct art style in comparison to the rest of the movie. Its jointed appearance is based off of old Celtic artwork, with depicted dragons much the same way. It appears as a large, blue, watery serpent, the Eye of Crom in its forehead, with a layer of teeth stretching from out of its mouth and multiple serpentine tongues. Crom's appearance reflects that of undersea animals.

Crom lives in a hidden cave in a forest outside Kells. The realm it lives inside appears similar to a vast space of water, further owing to its marine appearance.