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alittlepieceofwarcraft · 6 years

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Loa: A Complete Lore Guide

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Summary list followed by an individual deep dive.

*Loas are roughly categorised for simplicity and may not 100% fit their section (eg Hakkar the Soulflayer appears serpent-like but may not be one, Jani can be argued to be both dinosaur and reptile).

What is a loa?

A loa is the name trolls give to the beings they worship, such as the Wild Gods. While beings such as the Celestials and Ancient Guardians are Wild Gods, trolls specifically worship what they consider to be loa.

Loa can live on to be reborn if their physical form is destroyed but not their spirit.

Summary list of loa

Aquatic loa

Gral the shark loa (Zandalari).

Krag’wa the frog loa (Darkspear, Zandalari).

Torga the turtle loa (Zandalari, Tortollans).

Bird loa

Akil’zon the eagle loa (Amani, Zandalari).

Jan’alai the dragonhawk loa (Amani, Zandalari).

Bear loa

Nalorakk the bear loa (Amani, Zandalari).

Rhunok the arctic bear loa (Drakkari).

Cat loa

Bethekk the panther loa (Gurubashi, Zandalari).

Eraka no Kimbul (or “Kimbul”, Farraki, Zandalari, Tortollans).

Halazzi the lynx loa (Amani, Zandalari).

Har'koa the snow leopard loa (Drakkari, Zandalari).

Shirvallah the loa of tigers (Darkspear, Gurubashi, Zandalari).

Dinosaur loa

Gonk the raptor loa (Darkspear, Zandalari).

Pa’ku the pterrordax loa (Zandalari).

Rezan the devilsaur loa (Zandalari).

Torcali the direhorn loa (Zandalari).

Insect loa

Elortha no Shadra (or “Shadra”), the spider loa (Vilebranch, Witherbark, Gurubashi, Farraki, Zandalari).

Kith'ix the C'Thraxxi loa (Zan'do's followers).

Reptile loa

Akunda the thunder lizard loa (Zandalari).

Hakkar the Soulflayer (Gurubashi, Vilebranch).

Hethiss the snake loa (Gurubashi, Zandalari).

Jani the saurid loa (Zandalari).

Quetz'lun the wind serpent loa (Drakkari).

Sethraliss the snake loa (Zandalari, Sethrak).

Sseratus the loa of serpents and snakes (Drakkari).

Tharon'ja the wind serpent loa (Drakkari).

Troll loa

Dambala (Darkspear, Zandalari).

Grimath (Zandalari).

Lukou (Darkspear, Zandalari).

Samedi loa of the grave (Darkspear).

Zanza (Zandalari).

Other loa

Akali the rhino loa (Drakkari).

Bwonsamdi the loa of death (Darkspear, Zandalari).

G’huun an Old God of blood (Blood trolls).

Hir’eek the bat loa (Blood trolls, Darkspear, Gurubashi, Zandalari).

Mam’toth the mammoth loa (Drakkari).

Ueetay no Mueh'zala (or “Mueh'zala”), the loa of death (Farraki).

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Deep Dive into the loa

Gral

Gral is a shark loa of the sea that is worshipped by the Zandalari tribe. It is said that he knows even the deepest and darkest parts of the ocean and watches over every voyage. He is known to be wise and powerful.

Five years before the war in Zandalar, the naga tore down Gral's temple Atal'Gral and killed every last one of his followers. Gral was weak from the attack and remained missing for many years. When the naga returned, he did too, hoping to defeat the force’s leader Summoner Siavass and he has sworn revenge upon Queen Azshara should she come up from where he knew she currently could not leave.

Krag’wa

Krag’wa is a frog loa honoured by both the Darkspear tribe and the Zandalari. He is known to be powerful, but also impulsive and demanding.

His followers used to bring him offerings from all around the Frogmarsh in Nazmir. The trolls began listening to the whispering darkness and in response Krag'wa stored some of his power in the totems that surround his lair. He refused to bend to the will of G’huun and so the blood trolls began attacking. Every one of his worshippers were slain and he was made weak, having to restore himself. Once strong again, he enacted revenge upon them.

He later participated in the final charge against the blood trolls in Year 33, led by Princess Talanji. He opened the way to their leader Grand Ma'da Ateena and also participated in the defence of Zuldazar when Zul sought to destroy the Great Seal. He held off blood trolls coming from the Blood Gate.

Crawgs are former tadpoles of Krag’wa that have been corrupted by the blood trolls' blood magic.

Torga

Torga is known as a wise and benevolent loa with the tortollan people making pilgrimages to him to hear his stories. He is worshipped by both the Zandalari and the Tortollans.

Torga was killed by the blood trolls in Nazmir. They consumed his flesh and used his blood to raise undead and to summon Jungo, Herald of the Blood God. The location of his body is known as Torga's Rest. Bwonsamdi later summoned the Spirit of Torga to the turtle loa. He later was reincarnated as a young turtle and now sits at the head of the tortollan Lashk.

Akil’zon

Akil’zon is the loa of eagles, worshipped by the Amani and Zandalari.

In Year 26, Hex Lord Malacrass stole his essence, placing it into one of the Amani's most talented shamans. He also appears in Zul'Aman where his spirit is chained by Zul'jin. His is freed when the chieftain troll is killed. In Year 27, Akil'zon appears again in Zul'Aman where his spirit is chained by Daakara. He is freed when Daakara is killed.

Jan’alai

Jan’alai is the dragonhawk loa, honoured by both the Amani and Zandalari.

Alike Akil’zon, Malacrass stole his essence, imbuing it into one of the Amani's deadliest rogues. His spirit is chained by Zul'jin and similarly is freed when the chieftain troll is killed. He again is also chained in Zul’Aman and freed when Draakara is killed.

Nalorakk

Nalorakk is the bear loa worshipped by the Amani and Zandalari.

He, alongside Akil’zon and Jan’alai, also has his essence stolen and chained to Zul’jin as well as in Zul’Aman and is freed alike the former two loas.

The Amani decorate their Amani Battle Bears with magic amulets and ceremonial masks to honour him.

Rhunok

Rhunok is known as the Bear of the North, loa of arctic bears and is worshipped by the Drakkari.

In Year 27, his prophet first tried to absorb the loa's power but absorbed too much and subsequently killed himself. Priests of Rhunok quickly resurrected the prophet and he returned to making attemps to steal the loa’s power. To stop his prophet and end his suffering, Rhunok asked an adventurer to revive him and then slay him. It is said he will one day return as his spirit lives forever.

Bethekk

Bethekk is a panther loa recognised by the Gurubashi and the Zandalari,

She was held in Zul'Gurub against her will when the Hakkari were attempting to resurrect Hakkar in Year 25.

She is represented on Azeroth through a champion of her choosing. High Priestess Kilnara holds this position. Kilnara is the sister of the previous champion, High Priestess Arlokk, who was killed a few years ago, meaning Bethekk was forced to choose another and chose her sister.

Kimbul

Also known as “Eraka no Kimbul”, is a tiger loa worshipped by the Farraki and Zandalari.

Centuries ago, Kimbul's temple in Vol'dun was attacked by a naga army led by Summoner Mepjila. Unfortunately, Kimbul arrived too late to save his followers from death. He hunted the remaining naga down to the last and none escaped, however as he killed the naga leader she cast a spell that cursed the souls of Kimbul's followers into unending torment. Until their souls were freed, Kimbul could not accept new followers. He took a powerful artifact known as the Ring of Tides as his trophy from the battle with Mepjila.

In Year 30, Kimbul was summoned by the Sandfury tribe at Zul'Farrak so they could sacrifice their prisoners - Aramar Thorne, Makasa Flintwill, Taryndrella, Hackle, and Murky - to him. Kimbul showed respect to Makasa and Hackle for they were predators and not prey, and he was the Prey's Doom. Kimbul told them that they had nothing to fear from him and vanished.

In Year 33, Kimbul can be found at the Temple of Kimbul in Vol'dun. The naga attacked Kimbul's territory looking for the Ring of Tides. Seeking his help against the naga threat, the tortollan Tortaka tribe spoke to Kimbul at his temple. Kimbul tasked an adventurer with entering the Shadowlands where his cursed followers continued to fight for eternity and slaying Mepjila's spirit to break her spell. With his followers at peace, Kimbul moved to protect the Tortaka tribe from the naga with the adventurer as his avatar. Afterward he accepted the Tortaka as his followers. Kimbul also participated in the defence of Zuldazar when Zul and his forces sought to destroy the Great Seal.

Halazzi

Halazzi is a lynx loa honoured by the Amani and Zandalari.

He suffered the same incidences in Zul’Drak.

Har'koa

Har’koa is a snow leopard loa honoured by the Drakkari and the Zandalari. Her mate is Loque'nahak.

After the Drakkari turned on their gods in Year 27, Har'koa was the last of the gods to be subdued and the trolls used her power in order to curse her children. Witch Doctor Khufu is able to contact other gods, adventurers are sent to aid Har'koa. After freeing her children Har'koa sends adventurers to help other loa: Rhunok, Quetz'lun, and Akali. She is saddened that she couldn't aid other loa such as Mam'toth.

While able to aid the other loa, Akali is ultimately slain by his prophet, which causes Har'koa and Witch Doctor Khufu to work together. Har'koa helps adventurers in fighting against the prophet to ensure his death.She sends adventurers to meet with Tol'mar, who directs them to destroy the Gundrak leadership.

Shirvallah

Shirvallah is a tiger loa worshipped by the Darkspear, Gurubashi and Zandalari.

Their last champion was High Priest Thekal. Thekal had another high priest, who wielded The Warmace of Shirvallah. Long ago, it was lost to the sea with the high priest who wielded it.

Shirvallah was also held in Zul'Gurub against their will alongside the previously mentioned loa.

By the time of the war against the Iron Horde in Year 31, troll druids had created a way for all druids to take on a half-tiger form like those of Shirvallah's champions, called the Claws of Shirvallah.

Gonk

Gonk is the loa of raptors honoured by the Darkspear and Zandalari. Gonk's high priest is Wardruid Loti. He is the loa of shapes and master of the hunt. The followers of Pa'ku and Gonk do not get along.

Gonk taught the Darkspear tribe how to contact the loa in a different way, allowing them to serve all the nature spirits at the same time instead of only one at a time. The other loa, such as Shirvallah, were against this but Gonk forced their hands in order to defeat Zalazane, who had trapped several loa inside the Emerald Dream. Through this, the Darkspear became druids, although the other loa are not happy about it and want the trolls to continue worshipping them one at a time.

Gonk did not just speak to the Zandalari. For his Raptari, his followers, Gonk is not just a fragment or piece of him, but physically there, a real voice they can listen to in person.

In Year 33, he aided Loti and Hexlord Raal against the Crimson Cultist within of Zanchul, the Speaker of the Horde became imbued with the powers of Gonk and Pa'ku. The Speaker was informed that they had to choose between the loa. Those who chose Gonk went out to find him Garden of the Loa, where in exchange for them raising a shrine for him he accepted them into his pack.

When the Atal'zul began their uprising against Rastakhan, Loti hurried to save Gonk to find Gonk had already slain the attackers who sought to kill him and drain his power. Gonk was among the army that King Rastakhan gathered to kill Zul. He was tasked to lead his followers to the Temple of the Prophet. Following the death of Rezan, Gonk ordered for a full retreat from Atal'Dazar. Noting that only Rezan's power could keep Bwonsamdi from claiming King Rastakhan, who was sorely wounded and ageing fast due to Rezan's death, Gonk revealed that he would offer Rastakhan his own power if not for the fact that it was not Gonk's domain to challenge the loa of death.

Gonk participated in the defense of Zuldazar when Zul and his forces sought to destroy the Great Seal.

During the assault on Zuldazar Gonk discovered that the void elves sought to corrupt his children with their dark magics.

Pa’ku

Pa’ku is a pterrordax loa worshipped by the Zandalari. Pa'ku is the master of the Zandalari's navy and her high priest is Raal. The followers of Pa'ku and Gonk do not get along.

In Year 33, Loti and Raal against the Crimson Cultist within Zanchul, the Speaker of the Horde became imbued with the powers of Gonk and Pa'ku. Following the death of Dregada, the Speaker was informed that they had to choose between the two loa. Those who chose Pa'ku were delivered to the loa by Raal by flying on the back of Ata the Winglord. After the Speaker earned Pa'ku's admiration, the loa instructed them to raise a statue to him so that all the trolls of the land knew they had bargained.[5]

When Zul betrayed Rastakhan and stabbed him, Pa'ku took the king away to Zeb'ahari.

Pa'ku participated in the defence of Zuldazar when Zul and his forces sought to destroy the Great Seal.

Rezan

Rezan is was a devilsaur known as the “Loa of Kings” worshipped by the Zandalari.

Rezan is first encountered in Year 33 when his follower, King Rastakhan, was near death after being betrayed by Zul. Rastakhan was unable to be revived because his soul was in the grip of Bwonsamdi, loa of death. The Zandalari appealed to Rezan to confront Bwonsamdi and claim back Rastakhan's soul. He was successful.

At Rezan's temple, Zul's followers sought to drain Rezan of his power in the same way the Drakkari once did to their loa. Rastakhan and an adventurer killed Vilnak'dor, the troll performing the ritual, and once he was freed Rezan unleashed his fury upon the Atal'zul and their Kao-Tien allies.

Rezan was among the army that Rastakhan gathered and led the charge into Atal'Dazar atop Mount Mugamba. During the confrontation with Zul, Rezan was slain. Without his power keeping Bwonsamdi at bay, Rastakhan began aging fast. Rezan's essence was used by Zul to revive Dazar, first king of the Zandalari.

Torcali

Torcali is a direhorn loa revered by the Zandalari trolls. She is a loa of the harvest.

Shadra

Also known as “Elortha no Shadra”, Shadra is the spider loa honoured by the Witherbark, Gurubashi, Farrak and Zandalari.

The Witherbark one time collected her most potent venom from her. The Forsaken, wanting her venom, wished to summon her and to do so summon her, it was required to know her true name (Elortha no Shadra). After Shadra was summoned and killed, her venom was sent to the Undercity.

Shadra was also held in Zul'Gurub against her will during the time when the Hakkari were attempting to resurrect Hakkar the Soulflayer in Year 25.

At Jintha'alor after the Cataclysm in Year 28, the Vilebranch tribe drank Shadra's blood and performed mass sacrifices for her. The Wildhammer wanted to kill her in advance before she could be directed to them, while the Forsaken once more wanted Shadra's venom for their apothecaries. At Shadra'Alor, she was once more summoned and killed.

In Year 30, Shadra communicated with Vol'jin through visions.

Shadra, alike Kimbul, was summoned by the Sandfury tribe at Zul'Farrak so they could sacrifice their prisoners - Aramar Thorne, Makasa Flintwill, Taryndrella, Hackle, and Murky- to her. But Taryndrella, dryad daughter of Cenarius, stopped her from doing so. Shadra backed away,

In Year 33, her own high priestess Yazma trapped Shadra in the Shrine of Shadra in Zuldazar. Yazma thus consumed Shadra's might in the name of Zul, killing Shadra in the process, and transforming herself into a spider-like troll. Yazma told Shadra to "die forever", suggesting that she is deceased for good.

Kith'ix

Kith’ix was a C'Thraxxi generals and worshipped as a loa by Zan’do’s followers.

Trying to find the Discs of Norgannon keeper Loken unearthed the tombs of Kith'ix and his fellow C'Thraxxi general Zakajz and sent them to slay Tyr and reclaim the discs. Kith'ix and Zakazj overtook Tyr and his allies in the lands that would become the Tirisfal Glades. Tyr chose to hold off the C'Thraxxi alone so his companions could escape. In the end, Tyr sacrificed all of his remaining power and life force in a blinding explosion of arcane energy that killed Zakajz and nearly killed Kith'ix. Kith'ix survived and blindly fled southwest. The ancient loa inhabiting the area buried Kith'ix beneath the earth so that no other creature would disturb it.

Eventually the sentient dagger Xal'atath led the troll Zan'do and his followers to the forbidden mound, where they discovered that it was not rock but the hide of some monstrous creature. Believing it to be an undiscovered loa they performed rituals—offering blood sacrifices and plunging Xal'atath into its hide—to awaken him. Kith'ix brutally slaughtered the trolls.

Kith'ix reached out with his mind and found the aqir, having hidden deep underground since the fall of the Black Empire. The C'Thrax rallied the insectoid swarms to reclaim the surface of Azeroth once more. As both Kith'ix and the aqir expanded their power, they constructed a vast subterranean empire known as Azj'Aqir. The Zandalari rallied the tribes against this new foe and summoned the loa to fight by their side, tearing through the aqiri ranks and even wounding Kith'ix. The aqir were forced to retreat and Kith'ix, gravely wounded by the loa, fled to the northeast with a contingent of its closest aqiri followers.

The Amani tracked the C'Thrax's trail far to the northeastern woodlands. In a final savage battle, the entire tribe flung itself in a suicidal attack against Kith'ix and its remaining insectoid minions. Only a tiny fraction of the troll army survived. Even so, the C'Thrax succumbed to its tireless hunters.

On the site where they had killed Kith'ix, the trolls established a new settlement. It would one day grow into a sprawling temple city known as Zul'Aman.

Akunda

Akunda is thunder lizard loa worshipped by the Zandalari. He represents storms and new beginnings.

Akunda was poisoned by his follower Akunda the Exalted, who took his memories from him. Using Akunda's power, Akunda the Exalted wiped the trolls at the temple of all of their memories. After Meijani and an adventurer from the Horde discovered this, they used Akunda's powers of the storm to slay Akunda the Exalted. Akunda restored the memories of his followers. Akunda offered his gift to the adventurer, allowing them to call upon the Boon of Akunda whenever they commune at an Altar of Akunda.

Akunda later participated in the defence of Zuldazar when Zul and his forces sought to destroy the Great Seal.

Hakkar

Hakkar, also known by his title “The Soulflayer”, is a blood loa honoured by the Gurucashi and Vilebranch. He is known to be destructive and malevolent.

A troll attempted to summon Hakkar on Zandalar many millennia ago. While he was stopped, it led to the breakout of a plague of corrupted blood which tore through the Zandalari Empire killing thousands of trolls.

Around Year -1,500, the Gurubashi trolls sought aid from ancient, mystical forces to aid them in their terro and famine. Hakkar heard the trolls' call and decided to aid them. Hakkar gave his secrets of blood to the Gurubashi and helped them extend their civilization across most of Stranglethorn Vale. Though he brought them great power, Hakkar wanted more and more for his efforts.[4] He filled his adherents with murderous rage and reveled in their dark emotions and fed off the blood they spilled. The Gurubashi realized what kind of creature they had allied with and turned against him. The strongest tribes rose up against Hakkar and his loyal priests known as the Atal'ai.

As Zul'Gurub continued to expand, the Zandalari's pleased surprise turned to disquiet. When they discovered the nature of Hakkar, they were horrified. The jungle trolls banded together with the Zandalari and rose up in open revolt. The budding empire was shattered by the magic unleashed between the angry god and his rebel children. The trolls succeeded in destroying Hakkar's avatar and banishing him from the world. Even his Atal'ai priests were eventually driven from the capital of Zul'Gurub. After his defeat, the various troll tribes of the jungle began battling each other and the Darkspear tribe left the continent.

The exiled priests fled far to the north, into the Swamp of Sorrows. There they erected the temple to Hakkar. The great dragon Aspect, Ysera, learned of the Atal'ai's plans and smashed the temple beneath the marshes.

Around Year -18-19, some of the Gurubashi would continue to use Hakkar's blood magic, especially in their war against the humans of Stormwind. Green dragons that had been left by Ysera to guard the Temple of Atal'Hakkar had succumbed to another force, the Emerald Nightmare. The descendants of the Atal'ai returne to find that its guardians were disoriented and vulnerable. Both the Nightmare and the trolls dragged the dragons down into the depths of madness and corruption. The Atal'ai began their gruesome rituals to summon Hakkar into the world. Jammal'an believed the summoning of Hakkar will bring the Atal'ai immortality. A green dragon named Itharius called for help from the Cenarion Circle, who in turn sent an Alliance force to cleanse the temple and put an end to the Atal'ai's efforts.

In Year 25, Yeh'kinya tricked adventurers into taking an Ancient Egg from Jintha'Alor and infusing it with the essence of the defeated Avatar of Hakkar into a Filled Egg of Hakkar. Prospector Ironboot revealed that Yeh'kinya wasn't about to keep the world safe, but to bring the god Hakkar back. However, it was too late as Hakkar had already reborn in Zul'Gurub. The Atal'ai priests discovered that Hakkar's physical form could only be summoned within the ancient capital of the Gurubashi Empire, Zul'Gurub. In order to quell the blood god, the trolls of the land banded together and sent a contingent of High Priests into the ancient city. Each priest was a powerful champion of the Primal Gods but despite their best efforts, they fell under the sway of Hakkar. The Zandalari knew that they did not have the resources to scour the Atal'ai and their leader, Jin'do the Hexxer, from Zul'Gurub. They sent word through the Darkspear tribe. A large Horde strike force was sent to Zul'Gurub in turn. The Horde charged into the temple city, and though they the killed the priests and Jin'do, they were too late to stop Hakkar's summoning. Manifesting as a force of death and insanity, Hakkar poisoned the blood of the Horde's champions but he was unaware of the poison entering his veins as he fed on them and was consumed by his own magic.

The still burning kernel of Hakkar's power, was brought to Molthor and the heart was banished.

In Year 28, the Atal'ai in the Sanctum of the Fallen God have recovered a significant portion of his skeleton and seek to restore Hakkar back to life. The Atal'ai transported most of the blood they produced to Zul'Gurub. Meanwhile, Vilebranch tribe of the Hinterlands left Hakkar in favour of Shadra. Jin'do recovered the body of two high priests, High Priest Venoxis and High Priestess Jeklik, and then enlisted the aid of Zanzil the Outcast to resurrect them to serve Hakkar. Though adventurers working for the Zandalari trolls Maywiki and Chabal only succeeded in destroying Jeklik's body. Some time later, the Zandalari trolls under Zul united most of the tribes and aided in restoring Zul'Gurub to its former glory for the purpose of rebuilding the old troll empire. They hoped to use Hakkar in order to wage war on the other races of Azeroth. Adventurers in Zul'Gurub saw Jin'do, now going by name "the Godbreaker," holding Hakkar in submission and stripping out his power to infuse into himself. Upon destroying the spiritual chains holding the Soulflayer in place, Hakkar turns on Jin'do, and utterly destroys him, leaving only the corpse of Jin'do the Broken. He then vanishes, promising to return.

Hethiss

Hethiss is snake loa worshipped by the Gurubashi and Zandalari.

Like the other Gurubashi loa, Hethiss was held in Zul'Gurub against his will during the time when the Hakkari were attempting to resurrect Hakkar the Soulflayer in Year 25.

Jani

Jani is the saurid loa worshipped by the Zandalari. He is known as Patron of Scavengers, the Lord of Thieves, the God of Garbage, Master of Minions, the Keeper of Secrets and the loa of discarded things. Jani looks out for people such as the orphans and the poor and appears to be very protective of his children, as well as being quite the trickster, polymorphing those that hurt his children to humble them.

In Year 33, while killing some thieving saurid harassing a merchant, Jani appears as "The Big One" and attacks an adventurer. When they go to investigate a pile they are captured in the Big One's jaws, who reveals himself to be Jani. Jani is furious that the adventurer would kill his children and to teach them a lesson, he changes them into a saurid and forces them to go bite the one who originally sent them, Nokano.

Quetz’lun

Quetz'lun is the loa of wind serpents worshipped by the Drakkari.

In Year 27, she was betrayed by her prophet and slain to drain her power. Right before her physical manifestation was destroyed, Quetz'lun created her own private underworld nightmare in which she dragged all her former worshippers and high priests into.

Her spirit will assist players in killing her prophet. After a ritual, she is drawn into the material world where she will be able to reclaim her power from the prophet. Once done, she brings him into her underworld domain to kill him over and over again.

Sethraliss

Sethraliss was a snake loa worshipped by both Zandalari and Sethrak. She had power over lightening.

During the Aqir and Troll War in Year -16,000 years ago, Mythrax the Unraveler slaughtered troll and sethrak.. Sethraliss sacrificed herself to save them, but though she struck Mythrax down Mythrax was still able to destroy the disc at the heart of Atul'Aman. Sethraliss' devoted followers transported her remains and built a temple around them while they awaited her rebirth. Sulthis, Vorrik, and Korthek worked together to seal Mythrax within the great pyramid.[4]

Years later, Korthek grew power hungry and sought to free Mythrax to conquer Zuldazar. He gathered like-minded sethrak and declared himself emperor. Other sethrak who were still loyal to Sethraliss were forced into hiding. Vorrik returned to his personal sanctum years later, he could still feel the ancient power of Sethraliss there, which he took as a sign that his loa endured.

In Year 33, General Jakra'zet of the Zanchuli Council allied with Korthek, and though Korthek was slain Jakra'zet successfully stole the keys to Atul'Aman and completed the ritual to revive Mythrax by sacrificing himself. The sethrak needed Sethraliss but she was yet to be reborn. The adventurer sent by Vorrik to investigate found a group of Zandalari who wanted to corrupt her into a dark loa that would lay waste to Vol'dun. The trolls were defeated and Sethraliss was rejuvenated.

Sseratus

Sseratus is the the loa of serpents and snakes revered by the Drakkari.

Slad'ran was the high prophet of Sseratus. He sacrificed her hoping that it might help them save their home. He swore the Scourge would suffer for the sacrifices the Drakkari had been forced to commit.

Tharon’ja

Tharon'ja is the wind serpent loa honoured by the Drakkari. He is trusted guardian of Drak'Tharon Keep and the patron of those who defended the borders of Zul'Drak.

In Year 27, his own followers turned on him because to the threat of the Scourge and lies of the Lich King. His own Prophet killed him in Drak'Tharon Keep and claimed his power, driving the loa into the spirit world.[2]

Zur'chaka the Bonecrafter summoned Tharon'ja's spirit in order to communicate with him at the Za'Tual boneyard in Year 30.

Dambala

Dambala is a troll loa honoured by the Zandalari.

He is only mentioned in Shadow Hunter Ty'jin's ability Blessing of Dambala.

Grimath

Grimath is an old Zandalari loa spirit honoured by them.

He is known to have been contacted by Zandalari trolls to aid them in tracking a direhorn.

Lukou

Lukou is a troll loa honoured by the Darkspear and Zandalari.

She is mentioned in Shadow Hunter Ty'jin's ability called Blessing of Lukou.

In the RPG, she’s noted as the loa of healing and respite, and grants the ability to heal allies. Her power has no effect against undead in the area - she grants the capacity to heal, but she has no power over the restless dead.

Samedi

Samedi is the loa of the grave, honoured by the Darkspear.

Shadow Hunter Kajassa asked adventurers in Nagrand to use the Samedi Fetish to help shadow hunter souls move on and send them to Samedi.

In the RPG, it is mentioned that he is the loa of cemeteries and the restful sleep of the dead. In Samedi's eyes, the undead are abominations that should be destroyed.

Zanza

Also known as Zanza the Restless, Zanza is a loa of the Zandalar tribe found near the entrance to the Cache of Madness in Zul'Gurub. He is also honoured by them.

He reveals that he created the magic used in Elven Librams which were originally his Savage Guard. They since stole Zanza's magic teachings and used them against the trolls.

Akali

Akali was the rhino loa of rhinos worshipped by the Drakkari.

In Year 27, he was held in chains by his worshippers outside the gates of Gundrak. Adventurers freed Akali who is quick to kill his subduers. However, the Prophet of Akali notices and drinks of the loa's blood, claiming some of his power. Infused by power of the loa, the prophet swiftly kills Akali.

Bwonsamdi

Bwonsamdi is the loa of death worshipped by the Darkspear and the Zandalari. Bwonsamdi's temple is the Necropolis. The spirits of all trolls on Zandalar go to him upon death and he brings the spirits of any who worship him into his realm, the Other Side. He grows more powerful the more souls are in his care.

Before they were driven away from the Echo Isles by Zalazane and his hexed trolls, the Darkspear tribe once worshipped the spirit. During the liberation of the Echo Isles in Year 27, Vol'jin tried to recruit Bwonsamdi to his side for the battle against Zalazane. After Vol'jin and his fellow Horde warriors proved themselves worthy, Bwonsamdi agreed to help them against Zalazane. With the battle won Bwonsamdi took his leave.

In Year 30, Vol'jin found that his shadow hunter powers were being withheld by the loa. Bwonsamdi contacted Vol'jin and told him that his injuries, self doubt, and conflicting loyalty toward the Horde has made the loa forsake him. Bwonsamdi showed him various visions. The Death Loa wished Vol'jin would use his influence to create as much strife and war as possible, for that would mean more souls would be sent to the other side on his behalf. Vol'jin refused. Vol'jin eventually proved his conviction and reaffirmed his identity, regaining both Bwonsamdi's respect and his powers. Bwonsamdi received the souls Vol'jin sent from the battles between the Shado-Pan and the Thunder King's forces.. At the end of the war, Vol'jin's companion Tyrathan Khort was near death. Vol'jin pleaded with Bwonsamdi to spare Tyrathan. The loa complied, knowing he would have his soul now or later, it did not matter.

In Year 33, King Rastakhan was betrayed by Zul and near death, Bwonsamdi claimed his soul and at first refused to give it back because the loa of kings Rezan had been keeping Rastakhan from him for too long. Rezan threatened Bwonsamdi into complying. When Rezan was slain by Zul, Rastakhan began to age quickly.

In Nazmir, the Zandalari forces sought the aid of the local loa to battle the blood trolls. Bwonsamdi's worshipper Hanzabu brought a Horde adventurer to the Necropolis to meet with him. After tasking the adventurer with cleansing his temple of the spirits who had abandoned Bwonsamdi for G'huun, Bwonsamdi agreed to pledge his powers to the fight against the blood trolls in exchange for one million souls. The ritual to finalize their contract was interrupted by Grand Ma'da Ateena, leader of the blood trolls, but she was successfully fought off.

Talanji and the tortollans called on Bwonsamdi to communicate with Torga's spirit. Bwonsamdi would only comply with a deal, the soul of another loa in exchange for communing with Torga, but Talanji refused. Instead, the souls of the blood trolls that had eaten Torga's flesh were used in exchange for communing with Torga.

Bwonsamdi participated in the final charge against the blood trolls led by Talanji. He prevented the adventurer from dying because they still had a debt to pay him.

Rastakhan made a deal with Bwonsamdi: If Bwonsamdi gave him the power to take back his empire, then Rastakhan would elevate Bwonsamdi above all other loa. Bwonsamdi accepted the deal on one condition: that the king's bloodline would be devoted to Bwonsamdi. Later, as Dazar'alor came under attack from Zul and Mythrax, Bwonsamdi empowered Rastakhan to kill Zul.

After the Urn of Vol'jin is delivered to Atal'Dazar. Bwonsamdi appears saying to bring the urn to his necropolis instead, as he hasn't seen Vol'jin in quite some time. There Bwonsamdi discovers that Vol'jin spirit isn't in the urn.

Seeking to learn where Vol'jin's spirit had gone missing, Bwonsamdi tasked the adventurer and Talanji with performing a seance with the aid of some of Vol'jin's friends from life, Gadrin and Rokhan. They succeeded in contacting him deep within the Shadowlands, and he tasked them with slaying G'huun as justice for the sons and daughters of the loa and the heart of Zandalar.

Following the deaths of the Horde's Champion of the Light and Jadefire Masters during the Battle of Dazar'alor, King Rastakhan urged Bwonsamdi to aid his forces. Bwonsamdi created a blood moon and raised the dead to fend off the Alliance. Bwonsamdi also raised Grong into a Revenant and turned him against the Alliance after Horde adventurers slew the giant gorilla. When the Alliance reached King Rastakhan. Rastakhan was still ultimately killed. As Talanji held her dying father, Rastakhan's pact with Bwonsamdi was transferred to her as he took his final breath. Bwonsamdi himself then appeared before Talanji, who demanded to know what he had done to her, unaware of the pact her father made that bound his bloodline to the loa of graves. In response, Bwonsamdi merely revealed that her father never told her about their bargain.

Vol'jin's spirit, Talanji, and Baine Bloodhoof returned to the Necropolis to reveal that Vol'jin had been calling for him. They confronted Bwonsamdi to ask him if he was the one who had told him to make Sylvanas the Warchief, which Bwonsamdi denied. Bwonsamdi agreed to help them find out who had really told Vol'jin to put Sylvanas in charge.

Bwonsamdi opened a Death Gate to one of his rivals in the ownership of souls: the Lich King. Like Bwonsamdi, the Lich King told Vol'jin that he was not responsible and that Sylvanas was upsetting the balance of life and death.Realizing that Vol'jin's spirit was getting help from some other power, Bwonsamdi also sent them to speak to the Val'kyr Eyir Eyir did not allow Talanji to enter her hall as she was a priestess of the death loa. Eyir informed the group that Vol'jin had been "touched by the hand of valor". Back at the Necropolis, Bwonsamdi mused that while Eyir and the Lich King were not his only rivals they were the ones he thought most likely to be behind it. He urged Vol'jin to search not the living world but the Shadowlands for his answers.

G’huun

G’huun was an Old God inadvertently created by the Pantheon during their experiments on the other imprisoned Old Gods, as the titans tried to find a solution to the problem that they posed. He was worshipped as a loa by the blood trolls and they consider themselves to be his children.

In Year 33, his prison began to weaken and G'huun's corruption begun spreading across the land. He also started wresting control over the souls of the dead from Bwonsamdi. G'huun corrupted Hir'eek and turned him into his servant. Adventurers worked alongside Jo'chunga and struck Hir'eek down in order to weaken G'huun's forces.

With the seal of Atul'Aman destroyed by Mythrax, and the seal of Nazwatha destroyed by the Cataclysm, Zul and his allies, General Jakra'zet and Yazma, worked to free the Blood God by undoing the last remaining seal, in Zuldazar. The plan was to have G'huun replace the loa as the trolls' new god. The seal was ultimately destroyed by Mythrax during the invasion of Dazar'alor. A group of adventurers entered Uldir and slew G'huun before he could break free.

Hir’eek

Hir’eek was a bat loa honoured by Blood trolls, Darkspear, the Gurubashi and the Zandalari. He is known as the Lord of the Midnight Sky.

Like the other loa of the Gurubashi tribe, Hir'eek was held in Zul'Gurub against his will during the time when the Hakkari were attempting to resurrect Hakkar in Year 25.

After the Cataclysm in Year 28, adventurers in the Cape of Stranglethorn were guided by the spirit of Hir'eek to spy on Zanzil the Outcast's meeting with the Shade of the Hexxer.

In Year 30, before entering the Ancient Passage just prior to his assassination attempt, Vol'jin noticed a flock of bats flying out of the cave. He thought of Hir'eek and wondered if it was a warning.

In Year 33, was corrupted by G'huun and the blood trolls,[7] and subsequently slain by an adventurer with the aid of Jo'chunga and his poison. His death was mourned by the Zandalari. His spirit presumably returned to the Emerald Dream.

Mam’toth

Mam’toth was the loa of mammoths homoured by the Drakkari. When he learnt of his worshippers' plans to steal his power, he destroyed himself, his temple and all worshippers present, creating in Mam'toth Crater.

Moorabi was the high prophet of Mam'tothdrank of the loa's blood and gained some of his power hoping to defend Zul'Drak.

Mueh'zala

Also known as Ueetay no Mueh'zala, is the loa of death honoured by the Farraki. He is known also as the Father of Sleep, the Son of Time and the Night's Friend.

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zu-daba · 5 years

Text

Seeking Forgiveness

It’d been an hour or two, now. Zu’Daba’s body was still bruised in places from his mother’s righteous assault, but his mind had been soothed by some good herbal tea and a skewer of fish. They sat, face to face, across a fading bonfire; having already discussed much of what had come to pass since he left. Every little detail from his venture through Un’Goro, to his return to Durotar, to all that happened while he was overseas in Stranglethorn. Everything.

“Three kids?” His mother laughed, “An’ not even a single lettah.. Do dey know about me, Zu-Zu?” He asked, gently, having calmed down from earlier.

“Yes, mada.. Dey do. Ah would like fah dem ta meet you one day, or perhaps to have you come an’ meet dem in Zul’Gurub. You would be welcome there.” He spoke hopefully, his tone trailing off towards the end inquisitively.

“No, no..” She sighed, “My home is here, wit’ de Darkspear.. Ah would love to see dem, but ah am getting old my little son.. An’ Stranglethorn is far away. I know it is your home-- And I know you are proud of it.. But I cannot.”

There was a long, discomforted pause as Zu’Daba peered down into the sand; his toes curling among the grains as he sighed. “Ah understand.. Perhaps ah can bring dem here, but-- Et ain’ easy. Ah have a lot ta do back home.”

“Surely dey can be without you for a week, child..” Zin’adi wilted an ear.

“You don’t understand .. Ah have so much work ta do. So much ta make up fah. Ah do not have time fah personal mattahs.. Even dis may have been a terrible ting fah me ta do, aftah all dat has occurred. Ah should get home--” He paused, catching himself and peering at his mother as she narrowed her eyes.

Yet, the question which followed was unexpected.. “Aftah all dat has occurred? You’ve only mentioned a spare few tumultuous times ta me, Zu-Zu. What did you leave out while you were speaking?”

Zu’Daba took a deep breath, “De Shadowtusk Clan has seen much hardship, but dat which has occurred durin’ mah Chiefdom stands out ta me. De Alliance struck at oah city.. Butchered folk in de streets, killed dem in de shrines. Dey cornered families in deir huts an’ burned dem alive. Much worse tings dat ah would leave unmentioned, as well.. Et was horrible.”

“De Alliance.. Attacking Zul’Gurub? Zu-Zu, ah know you are not so foolish as to try summonin’ Hakkar.. An’ ah would’ve heard of et.. Why would dey strike at you in Zul’Gurub. What happened?” She asked, gently, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder with a soft squeeze.

“A boat..” He sighed.

“Elaborate,” His mother spoke.

“We made a boat.. Collected materials from around Azeroth ta make a vessel in de Zandalari style dat would be nigh-invincible. We got some materials from de outlyin’ regions, like Redridge.. Westfall.. Duskwood.. Blackrock..” He snorted, quite regretful. “Brought de fury of de Alliance down on us..”

“An’ why do you tink dis was your fault? Only yours?” She asked.

“..Ah ordered et. Et’s mah fault by default.” He laughed, bitterly.

Frowning, Zin’adi smacked him upside the head. “Don’ get short.. So you ordered your clan ta attack dese places? Ta thick-headedly draw de ire of de Alliance through reckless harvestin’ an’ butchery?” She didn’t seem so much angered by the thought of killing Alliance, so much as by the recklessness.

“No, no! I didn’t, no.. Ah-- Ah tried ta get dem ta be subtle, in a lot of places. But many of dem did not listen. Dey butchered innocents.. Dey were reckless in deir methods an’ did not disguise demselves. Most of de time, ah didn’t even know of et until far too late ta solve de problem.” The Darkspear rubbed his palm against the back of his neck and wrinkled up his nose.

“By Bethekk.. Zu’Daba,” Zin’adi spoke, immediately garnering his attention. It was not often she didn’t use her affectionate nickname for him. “Are you a mon who thirsts for blood?”

“..No, mada..”

“Do you lack subtlety? Are you witless?” She sighed.

“No, mada.”

“Did you start buildin’ dis boat wit’ every intention to piss off dese people an’ bring trouble upon your clan?”

“..No, mada.” Zu’Daba growled.

“So why are you blamin’ yaself? You said you gave good ordahs. You said you were intelligent. You tried ya best, an’ de whims of oddahs got in de way. Et is possible ta do all you can an’ still lose-- Dat’s jus’ how tings work. Life ain’t fair like dat, an’ you got a tough lot. Besides.. You beat dem back, didn’t you? You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t.” She offered a supportive smile.

“Ah-- Yes, we did.. We killed de Alliance. Sent ‘em pissin’ back ta Stormwind wit’ powerful voodoo an’ a divine storm, den we killed deir commandah. Had to work for months in Zandalar ta get de support ta defeat dem, an’ ah led us every step of de way. But et doesn’t change dat a leadah must be able ta control everyting in de ranks of dose who serve him. All tings fall onto his shoulders--”

“Bullshit.” She stated, simply. “What kind of foccery is dat? You tink Thrall could have controlled what Garrosh did aftah appointin’ him? You tink dat Vol’jin could control de Darkspear Rebellion’s initial losses? A leadah can only do so much, Zu-Zu. You are not de savior of your people. You are not deir sole hero.”

“..Is dat supposed ta help me feel better?” Daba spoke, crestfallen.

“No. It’s supposed to humble you.” His mother snorted. “You are not de only one who controls de fate of your people. You remember dat phrase? You can lead a raptor ta watah, but you..” She trailed off.

“Can’t make ‘em drink.” Daba finished, for her.

“Right. Dis clan you lead made mistakes.. An’ maybe you made a few with dem. But unless you held de torch ta dese families.. Unless you held de rifles ta de back of deir necks an’ unless you directly participated in all of de torment dat your clan caused de Alliance.. Et is not only your fault. An’ while et is good dat you were willin’ ta fix what happened.. You should nevah have taken dat burden as your penance for your mistakes. A leadah cannot lead alone.” She rubbed a hand against his back with her brows furrowed.

“Anehone who says oddahwise doesn’t know what et means to lead. Anyone who blamed you, an’ only you, fah what happened.. Dey’re cruel.” She offered.

Zu’Daba sighed and sat up, looking at the stars. “Dat’s not de only problem.. A great creature, a C’thraxxi, stalks us at every turn. If ah had jus’ gone away.. It would never have come aftah us in de firs’ place. Maybe if ah go away now, it will too-- Et seems like et WANTS us ta fight. Ta draw inta oahselves. Am ah only makin’ tings worse in dis struggle?” The Shadow Hunter closed his eyes.

“Where would the clan be, if you weren’t dere?” Zin’adi lofted a brow.

“I.. Don’t know. I don’t know who would have led. I don’t know who would have stayed or left. I don’t know if de whole clan would collapse, dere’s no way to..” He trailed off, seeing her point and shaking his head out.

“Your loa, Legba, ever remind you of dat? Or did you simply forget ta listen ta his voice in ya Rush’kah? Ah shouldn’t need to tell you that, Zu-Zu.” His mother teased.

“Ya righ’, yes.. But-- De fightin’.. What if ah jus’ givin’ Garax what he wants? What if he wants us ta fight? He seems ta always be a step ahead in his grand design, an’ et seems like de more we fight de more power he gains.. Should we run? Should we surrender ta survive, or throw oah lot in wit’ anoddah?” He cringed at the mere thought, red-eyed gaze meeting the older woman’s.

“Can you run?” She canted her head.

“No.. No, we can’t. He’ll jus’ chase us..”

“Would you willingly surrender?” She narrowed her eyes.

“No-- No! Of course not, et’d cost us everything.. We’d all be consumed an’ all we fought ta build would mean nothin’. All.. Obliterated.”

“Would you throw your lot in with the Horde?” She finally offered.

“No.. We are not de Horde. We are many, many tribes.. Ta join de Horde or any oddah folk would insult many of mah own clansmates.”

“So.. What choice remains?” She questioned, assuredly rhetorical.

“Fight..” Zu’Daba clenched a fist.

“Aye. If you hadn’t fought, where would your clan be? What would have happened to all you built if you nevah fought against Skaldrean?” She continued.

“Gone ta dust.. Nothin’. We’d be homeless, an’ destitute.” He already seemed to be perking up in that moment of realization.

“An’ what will happen if you do not fight against dis.. Garax?” She grinned. Now you’re starting to get it, son. “You know de answer, Zu-Zu.”

“Mah children.. Mah clan.. De tribes we’ve aligned wit’.. All of dem will fall down an’ be destroyed, eiddah by time or shadow. We need to fight.” He snarled.

“Dat’s right. You do. An’ even if ah cannot join you in dat fight, Zu’Daba, ah know dat you can win et. When we are attacked, we do not sit on oah laurels an’ take et. We do not -bow- to de darkness dat would consume dat which we love. Even if we lose, as you have, we get righ’ back up an’ start fightin’ again. Until we are nothin’ but ash.. We must fight fah what we are, an’ what we believe in. Ah know dat is what went through ya fada’s head as he shielded us from de sea.”

After that speech, Zu’Daba swiped some tears from his eyes.. His teeth grit and he murmured ever so softly to his mother. “Thank you.. Thank you, mada.. Ah don’ think you know how much ah needed dat remindah. All dis time, ah been called a fool fah fightin’.. Fah strivin’.. Fah standin’ up fah what ah believe in an’ fah de culture of mah people. But ah knew dey were wrong. Dey jus’.. Scared. An’ dey not stupid ta be.. But we all pay in blood, one way or de oddah.”

His mother nodded as he met her gaze tearfully, leaning in to embrace her tightly and shuddering. His face pushed slightly against her cheek as he wept and took a moment to compose himself.

“Ah.. Should probably sleep soon, if you’ll have me here. But.. Can ah ask you something, before ah do?” He closed his eyes and sat back on the stump he perched upon. The cool ocean breeze brushed through his fur as his toes curled into the sand and the stars shone upon the waves crashing against the shore.

“Anehthing, Zu-Zu.”

“Did you know ah was still alive?” He spoke, barely above a whisper.

Smiling, Zin’adi stood up and offered him a hand. “Do you remember what I tol’ you when you were young, aftah ya faddah died? Dat every time a great troll dies, de loa put a star in de sky ta honor deir passing?”

Zu’Daba nodded, standing up and grabbing his Rush’kah from the stump nearby so that he wouldn’t leave it out in the open to be taken by passersby.

“I never saw yours.”

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