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| + | [[File:Yogg-Saron Dungeon Companion.jpg|thumb|Yogg-Saron, one of the believed five Old Gods.]] |
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| − | {{Racebox |
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| − | | image = ForestTrollLordArt.JPG |
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| − | | name = Forest trolls |
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| − | | capital = [[Zul'Aman]] |
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| − | | faction = [[Neutral]], [[Independent]], Hostile, [[Horde]]-alligned ([[Revantusk tribe]]) |
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| − | | character = [[Warrior]], [[Hunter]], [[Mage]], [[Priest]], [[Rogue]], [[Shaman]], [[Shadow hunter]], [[Berserker]], [[Witch doctor]], [[Barbarian]], [[Primal]], [[Potion doc]], [[Hexer]], [[Healer]], [[Wilderness stalker]] (RPG) |
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| − | | mount = [[Amani War Bear|Bear]] |
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| − | | homeworld = [[Azeroth (world)|Azeroth]] |
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| − | | language = [[Zandali]], [[Low Common]], [[Common (language)|Common]] |
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| − | | slang = [[Goblin (language)|Goblin]], [[Orcish]], [[Taur-ahe]] |
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| − | | leader = [[Zul'jin]], [[Jin'zakk]] |
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| − | | height = 6'1" - 7'1" (male), 5'9" - 6'9" (female) |
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| − | }} |
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| + | :"''In the time before time, when [[Azeroth (world)|the world]] was still in its infancy, a battle between a [[Titan]] and a being of unimaginable evil and power raged on [[Silithus|this very soil]]. The prophecy is unclear about whether or not the Titan was vanquished ... but it illustrates that a Titan fell.''" |
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| − | Long before the rise and fall of the kingdoms of men, the [[Amani Empire|Amani]] [[troll]]s of [[Lordaeron]] had built an enormous troll empire. After centuries of war and hate, an alliance of [[elf|elves]] and [[humans]] finally dealt a crushing blow to the Amani when they defeated a great troll army at the foot of the [[Alterac Mountains]]. The empire did not recover from the defeat, and the trolls never rose as one nation again. Yet some '''forest trolls''' survived, each generation nurturing their hatred of the elves in the dark forests of the north for thousands of years. During the [[Second War]], the Amani trolls were briefly allied to the [[Horde]], and the forest troll [[Zul'jin]] was one of the greatest heroes the trolls have ever known. |
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| + | :—''[[Geologist Larksbane]]'' |
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| + | The '''Old Gods''' (a.k.a. '''Old Whisperings'''<ref name="Waking">{{quest|Waking Legends}}: ''"Ysera's noble brood has fallen victim to the old whisperings."''</ref>, '''Elder Gods''', or '''Old Lords'''<ref>{{quest|The Master's Glaive}}: ''"That cult worships the old, old lords of the earth. Lords defeated long ago."''</ref>) are mysterious, godlike and greatly malefic entities which ruled in tyranny over the infant [[Warcraft universe|Universe]] before they were sequestered within the primordial world of [[Azeroth]] by the [[Titans|Titanic]] [[Pantheon]]. Only very few mortals had ever been aware of the Old Gods' existence. Fewer still considered them anything more than dread myths from a time before time began; the whisperings of a horrific and ancient past that should forever stay forgotten to the mortal races. Even among most dragons they exist only as a legend.<ref>''[[The Sundering]]'', pg. 310</ref> |
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| − | ==Introduction== |
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| − | [[Image:ForesttrollWC3.gif|thumb|left]] |
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| − | As their name suggests, these trolls are found in forests — at least, forests not dominated by elves or other humanoid species. Some forest trolls are jealous of their jungle and ice kin, as these forest trolls have never known the glories of their own kingdom. Forest trolls hold all other races in contempt — especially high elves, whom they consider the despoilers of their ancient homeland. (The civilization of the forest trolls of Lordaeron predates that of the high elves by several thousand years.) They will only work with others if it means the elimination of an even more hated enemy. They allied with the Horde during the Second War in this manner, abandoning the orcs after their defeat. |
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| + | ===Ordering of Azeroth=== |
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| + | Before the titans came to Azeroth, the malign Old Gods - colossal beings of elemental fury - ruled the world and the savage elementals that dwelt upon it, a bloody chaos of which even the demon Lords of the [[Burning Legion]] could not imagine.<ref name="TS 157">''[[The Sundering]]'', 157</ref><ref>''[[Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]]'', 155</ref> |
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| + | Along the journey of the [[Titan]]s they came upon Azeroth. As the Titans made their way across the primordial landscape, they encountered a number of the hostile elemental beings. These elementals vowed to drive the Titans in the name of their masters back and keep their world inviolate from the invaders' metallic touch. The Pantheon, disturbed by the Old Gods' penchant for evil, waged war upon the elementals and their dark masters. The Old Gods' armies were led by the most powerful elemental lieutenants: [[Ragnaros the Firelord]], [[Therazane the Stonemother]], [[Al'Akir the Windlord]], and [[Neptulon the Tidehunter]]. Their chaotic forces raged across the face of the world and clashed with the colossal Titans. Though the elementals were powerful beyond mortal comprehension, their combined forces could not stop the mighty Titans. One by one, the elemental lords fell, and their forces dispersed.<ref>[[The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth]]</ref> A battle between a titan and the Old God [[C'Thun]] raged in [[Silithus]]. The titan fell and it was thought that C'Thun had also fallen - but he survived unnoticed by the titans. For millennia this being lay dormant beneath the world - biding its time. From its prison it waited for the exact moment at which to strike back at those that would see it harmed.<ref name=prophecy>[[The Prophecy of C'Thun]]</ref> |
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| − | Forest troll culture is tribal and as primitive as their dark troll cousins. Though not as violent as dark trolls, forest trolls nonetheless have a fearsome reputation in battle.{{Cite|MoM|100}} |
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| + | The Pantheon shattered the Old Gods' citadels and casted the remaining ones down into eternal imprisonment deep beneath the earth, the place of their confinement hidden from all and their powers bound until the end of time.<ref name="TS 157">''[[The Sundering]]'', 157</ref><ref>''[[Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]]'', 155</ref> [[Yogg-Saron]] was sealed away within the depths of [[Ulduar]] in the far northern reaches of the infant world, and had six watchers assigned to it which served as wardens for its near eternal imprisonment.<ref>[http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/game/patch-notes/3-1 Secrets of Ulduar]</ref> Without the Old Gods' power to keep their raging spirits bound to the physical world, the elementals were banished to an [[Elemental Plane|abyssal plane]], where they would contend with one another for all eternity. With the elementals' departure, nature calmed, and the world settled into a peaceful harmony. The Titans saw that the threat was contained and set to work.<ref>[[The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth]]</ref> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | === In the depths of time === |
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| − | [[Image:Foresttrollapg.jpg|thumb]] |
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| + | During that time the [[Curse of Flesh]] has been created by the Old Gods to "facilitate assimilation". The Curse of Flesh affected many [[titan]]ic creations<ref>History on common [[tol'vir]] [[archaeology]] artifacts</ref>, notably the [[dwarf|dwarves]]. The curse changed the structure and appearance of these races from their original stony/metallic forms into the fleshy forms we know of today.<ref name="ToA">[[Tribunal_of_Ages#Quotes|Quotes from Tribunal of Ages]]</ref> The [[titan]]s attempted to remove the curse (and the Old Gods), but found that the Old God infestation had grown too severe to remove without completely destroying Azeroth. Instead they bound the Old Gods within Azeroth.<ref name="ToA"/> |
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| − | Forest trolls are native to northern Lordaeron. In the time before the rise of the night elves, the trolls ruled the vast Amani Empire. Together with the jungle troll's [[Gurubashi Empire]] they fought the [[aqir]], eventually disrupting the insectoid empire into two nations. It is rumoured that exiles from the Amani Empire journeyed to the [[Well of Eternity]] and were transformed into the first night elves, though this has never been proven. |
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| + | ===Whispers=== |
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| − | With the arising of the night elves the [[Amani Empire]] was all but dismantled with the primitive magics the [[Kaldorei]] wielded. With the arrival of the [[Burning Legion]] the forest trolls retreated into the wilderness and took no direct part in the conflict. |
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| + | Since the dawn of life on [[Azeroth]], the imprisoned and sleeping Old Gods have been whispering to the subconsciousness of mortal and [[Eternal|eternal]] beings alike, subverting their thoughts and feelings, and sometimes driving them to great malice, complete insanity, or both.<ref>{{ref web |url= http://worldofwarcraft.com/info/story/chapter1.html#3 |title= The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth |accessdate=2007-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{ref web |url= http://worldofwarcraft.com/info/story/chapter2.html#12 |title= The Founding of Quel'Thalas |accessdate=2007-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{ref book |author= Knaak, Richard A. |authorlink= Richard A. Knaak |title= [[The Sundering]] |
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| + | |isbn= 978-0-7434-2898-9 }}</ref> |
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| + | The most notorious and tragic victim of the Old Whisperings is [[Neltharion the Earth-Warder]]; the once mighty [[Dragon Aspect]] who had been empowered by the [[Titan]] [[Khaz'goroth]] with dominion over the deep places of the world. Yet, not even Neltharion's great wisdom and power proved capable of breaking the grip the Old Whisperings had on his mind, causing the Earth-Warder to eventually lose all his sanity. Neltharion renamed himself [[Deathwing]], seeking the genocide of all non-draconic life as well as the enslavement of the other dragonflights.<ref>[http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/features/lore.html;jsessionid=87454436A3FB5FF01063CB389120354C.blade24_02 Faces of Cataclysm: Deathwing]</ref> |
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| − | === The rebuilding and the Troll Wars === |
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| − | In the aftermath of Kalimdor's shattering, the forest trolls began to once again expand their lands across the newly formed [[Lordaeron]], naming their new territory [[Zul'Aman]]. However the arrival of the [[high elves]] lead to a burning rivalry that would last millennia. The high elves founded their new Kingdom on an ancient troll city that was sacred. This led to the forest trolls attacking the fledgling elven kingdom for the desecration of their city. The stubborn elves, by using magic, drove the trolls back and for a time no conflict arose between the elves and trolls. |
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| + | The [[night elves]] [[Malfurion Stormrage]] and [[Varo'then]] momentarily heard the Whisperings when they held the [[Demon Soul]] in their grasp. Malfurion has since stated that "[[Green dragonflight|Ysera's noble brood]] has [[The Nightmare|fallen victim]] to the Old Whisperings", as well.<ref name="Waking" /> The [[Highborne]] [[Queen Azshara]] is said to have heard the Whisperings moments before what would have been [[Great Sundering|her death]], causing her and her Highborne people to transform into the monstrous [[Naga]]-- an offer they either accepted willingly to avoid their fate or which has been coerced on them.<ref>''[[The Sundering]]'', 332-3</ref> The remainder of the surviving Highborne who made landfall in the [[Tirisfal Glade]]s are rumored to have succumbed to insanity after hearing these same Whisperings.<ref>[http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/lore/story-so-far/chapter-2/1 The History of Warcraft Chapter II: The New World]</ref> |
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| − | After two thousand years had passed the Amani warbands struck out of [[Zul'Aman]] determined to destroy the high elves once and for all. They scored victory after victory against the elves, pushing them slowly back. The desperate elves forged an alliance with the human empire of [[Arathor]], teaching a hundred humans the way of magic. The combined human and elf armies met the trolls at the base of the Alterac Mountains. For days the trolls assaulted the allies' lines until at the right moment, when the human and elven [[mage|magi]] unleashed a fury of fiery magic onto the forest troll army. The searing flames stopped the troll's wounds from regenerating and then the human knights charged, slaughtering most of the troll army and driving them back into [[Zul'Aman]]. The trolls suffered a defeat from which they would never recover. |
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| + | The most striking historic account of the Old Whisperings however is found within the ancient scrolls of lore of the [[Tauren]] tribes, kept at [[Elder Rise]] in their capital city of [[Thunder Bluff]]. The legend of creation of the formerly nomadic Tauren makes direct reference to the Whisperings, stating that the first incidents of Tauren having committed acts of deceit, murder or warfare were because some among their early brethren "''harkened to the dark whispers from deep beneath the world.''"<ref>[[Sorrow of the Earthmother]]: ''"As the children of the earth roamed the fields of dawn, they hearkened to dark whispers from the deep beneath the world."''</ref> |
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| − | === The Second War === |
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| − | [[Image:TrollAxethwr.gif|left]] |
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| + | ===Recent history=== |
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| − | At the time of the [[Second War]], the [[orc]]ish warchief, [[Orgrim Doomhammer]], offered an alliance to the forest trolls. They initially declined until learning of the [[high elves]]' induction into the Alliance. Fearing for the forest trolls' safety, one troll, [[Zul'jin]] did what no other forest troll had done since the [[Troll Wars]]: he united the numerous tribes of [[Zul'Aman]] under one banner and joined the [[History of the Horde|Horde]]. The forest trolls contributed their axe throwers, berserkers, and destroyer ships to the forces of the Horde, but when defeat seemed imminent the trolls abandoned the Horde as suddenly as they joined. |
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| + | The [[Blackfathom Deeps]] in Ashenvale was once, long ago, a temple to Elune. The Great Sundering ruined the temple and left it submerged in water and buried under rock. Corruption from the Old Gods seeped up and tainted the sacred moonwell.<ref name="DF 164">''[[Dark Factions]]'', 164</ref> One may be in the Blackfathom Deeps.<ref>''[[Lands of Mystery]]'', 8</ref><ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', 169</ref> ''Hints that old gods lie in or under the Blackfathom Deeps. Not to be confused with Aku'mai who was only influenced by the powers of the Old Gods.'' |
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| + | According to [[Malfurion Stormrage]], one of the Old Gods is behind the [[Emerald Nightmare|Nightmare]] corrupting the [[Emerald Dream]]. Although the Nightmare Lord in the dream turned out to be the Satyr Lord [[Xavius]], it is suspected that he was working for higher powers. This seems to be confirmed in ''[[World of Warcraft: Cataclysm]]''.<ref>[[N'Zoth]]</ref> |
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| − | === The Present === |
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| − | In the aftermath of the [[Second War]], the forest trolls returned to the old ways of rivalry and fighting between the tribes. However, the recent fall of [[Quel'Thalas]] and [[Lordaeron]] led to a unique opportunity to once again expand the influence of the forest trolls. One tribe, the [[Revantusk tribe|Revantusk]]s who still felt some loyalty toward the Horde agreed to a pact of friendship and mutual assistance with the new Horde under [[Thrall]], but declined to rejoin them as they also remembered the recklessness and corruption of the first Horde. Although the forest trolls are spread throughout Eastern Kingdoms, a fair percentage of forest trolls fell to the [[Lich King]]'s powers. They have lost their will and are [[undead]]. |
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| + | [[File:Master's Glaive.jpg|thumb|The [[Master's Glaive]] contains the remains of a [[forgotten one]].]] |
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| − | == Culture == |
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| − | [[Image:RangerVsBerserker.jpg|thumb|An elven [[ranger]] and a forest troll [[berserker]].]] |
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| + | ==Number== |
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| − | === Magic and religion === |
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| + | Depending on the source, three, four, or five Old Gods lie imprisoned. Some of these sources seem to imply that these numbers were the limit to the number of Old Gods. The roleplaying game seems to imply that there were more than five Old Gods, including those imprisoned or killed. |
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| − | Like other trolls, forest trolls practice [[Voodoo]] magic as well as [[shaman]]ism and [[priest]] magics. The forest trolls also worship a serpent goddess named [[Ula-tek]]. She appears to be one of the [[Loa]]. |
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| + | *The [[Warcraft III]] manual states that five Old Gods were chained beneath the world.<ref>[[Warcraft III]] manual, page 79</ref> |
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| + | *The Pantheon shattered the Old Gods' citadels and chained the five evil gods far beneath the surface of the world.<ref>[http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/story/chapter1.html;jsessionid=CC38110A35EC80C14861CBF1CB4598BD.app05_06#3 History of Azeroth]</ref><ref>[http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/?id=agm01338p ''Warcraft'' Lore FAQ 1]</ref> |
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| + | *According to the ''[[War of the Ancients Trilogy]]'', there are three Old Gods still living, imprisoned and chained by the Titans deep beneath the surface of Azeroth. There may be more however, these three are indicated to have formed some sort of alliance in order to escape their imprisonment.<ref name="TS 157" /> |
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| + | *According to "[[The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth]]", four Old Gods were imprisoned beneath the world. This could perhaps be reconciled with the War of the Ancients trilogy if it were taken to include the fallen C'Thun in the count of the imprisoned Gods. This is however unlikely as C'thun was believed dead and not imprisoned. Note that the version of this chapter presented in the story section of the official site does not reference the number of Old Gods.<ref>http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/story/chapter1.html#3</ref> |
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| + | *"There are more Old Gods than just the ones trapped on Azeroth. It takes a lot for them to become manifested on a physical plane, however."<ref>{{ref web|url=http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=25626575587&sid=1|title=World of Warcraft Forums - Ask CDev #1 Answers|accessdate=2010-06-30}}</ref> |
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| + | In the [[Burning Crusade]] expansion, a group of [[Arakkoa]] known as the [[Dark Conclave]] attempted to summon an entity described as an "[[Summoned Old God|ancient and powerful evil]]" into [[Outland]]. It is nearly identical in appearance to the first named Old God, [[C'Thun]]. |
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| − | A small minority of forest trolls also worship [[Hakkar the Soulflayer]], though his cult never achieved the dominance it enjoyed among the [[jungle troll]]s. |
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| − | === |
+ | ===Named=== |
| + | ====C'Thun==== |
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| − | Forest trolls are vicious and cunning. As cannibals, they eat the flesh of their enemies and even sometimes each other. Forest trolls have few allies, they hate [[orc]]s who they see as weak and who failed on their promise to return the forest trolls to their former glory. Many of tribes of forest trolls are also hostile towards each other. The Revantusk tribe is the only tribe friendly towards the Horde. Relations between the Alliance and forest trolls is unknown as it has not been stated anywhere, but they no doubt hold a grudge towards the [[human]]s for helping the [[high elves]] at the end of the conflict between the trolls and high elves. |
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| + | {{Main|C'Thun}} |
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| + | [[File:Cthun-p2.jpg|thumb|C'Thun, the first named Old God.]] |
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| + | C'Thun was the first of the three Old Gods to be named, having received this name from its creations; the [[Qiraji]]. C'Thun was struck down in the region known as [[Silithus]] during the dawning of the world, in a battle which is said to also have resulted in the "falling" of a [[Titan]]. C'Thun was believed to have been slain permanently by the Titans, but the Old God resurfaced over the course of history as the driving force behind the Qiraji. It is trapped deep beneath the ruined temples of [[Ahn'Qiraj]], where it has exerted its will for thousands of years over its Qiraji avatars, who in turn command the [[Silithid]] swarm. |
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| + | C'Thun is the final boss in the [[Temple of Ahn'Qiraj]]. |
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| − | === Forest trolls and high elves === |
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| − | Forest trolls and [[high elves]] see each other as sworn enemies. The trolls hate the elves as they invaded their lands and almost wiped them out, and the elves see the forest trolls as barbarians intent on destroying their homeland. The high elves had been in the dominant position for centuries since the [[Troll War]]s. However, with the recent destruction of their homeland, the elves are weakened and the forest trolls see a chance for revenge. |
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| − | == |
+ | ====Yogg-Saron==== |
| + | {{Main|Yogg-Saron}} |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|Zul'Jin|Small}} [[Zul'jin]] - Leader of forest troll forces during the [[Second War]]. Arguably the most important individual troll in history. Current leader of the [[Amani Tribe|Amani tribe]]. |
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| + | [[File:Yoggsaron.jpg|thumb|Yogg-Saron, "the lucid dream".]] |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|ForestTroll|Male|Small}} [[Hex Lord Malacrass]] - Imbued four warriors of Zul'Aman with the essences of mighty animal gods. |
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| + | Described by the demigod [[Ursoc]] as "''the beast with a thousand maws''", Yogg-Saron was the second Old God to be explicitly named such. The dire entity refers to itself in ways as "''the lucid dream''", "'''''the''' god of death''" or "''the '''true face''' of death''", and appears to secrete a substance named [[Saronite]] across [[Northrend]] which is capable of driving any that have been exposed to it to murderous insanity. [[Slinkin the Demo-gnome]] discovered shortly before his demise that a mysterious connection seemed to exist between the Old God Yogg-Saron and the [[undead]] [[Scourge]]. In his final note, he claimed to have overheard some of the undead uttering the name "Yogg-Saron" with a tone of tremendous hatred and contempt, which was usually followed by outbursts of rage from other undead. Yet, the Scourge appeared to be mining for Saronite on an industrial scale. |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|ForestTroll|Male|Small}} [[Warlord Thresh'jin]] - Leader of a force from [[Zul'Aman]] in charge of retaking the [[Eastern Plaguelands]] for his people. |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|ForestTroll|Female|Small}} [[Primal Torntusk]] - Leader of the [[Revantusk]] trolls. |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|ForestTroll|Female|Small}} [[Vile Priestess Hexx]] - Ruler of the [[Vilebranch tribe]]. |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|ForestTroll|Male|Small}} [[War Master Voone]] - Chief of the [[Smolderthorn tribe]]. |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|ForestTroll|Male|Small}} [[Jin'zakk]] - A warlord of Zul'Aman. {{RPG-inline}} |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|ForestTroll|Male|Small}} [[Zul'rogg]] - A troll chieftain who was killed by [[Sylvanas Windrunner]]. {{WC3-inline}} |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|ForestTroll|Male|Small}} [[Krag'jin]] - A forest troll warlord and leader of the Shadowglen tribe, he was killed by [[Illidan]]. {{WC3-inline}} |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|ForestTroll|Male|Small}} [[Moz'jin]] - Is an old troll from the [[Revantusk tribe]] who once sat down with [[Brann Bronzebeard]] and explained everything he wanted to know about the history of the forest trolls. {{RPG-inline}} |
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| + | Yogg-Saron's underground prison extends through much of east-central Northrend; his influence has been felt directly in the [[Grizzly Hills]] ([[Vordrassil]], the Grizzlemaw Furbolgs and Ursoc), [[Dragonblight]] ([[Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom]], with [[faceless one]]s and a sect of the [[Twilight's Hammer]] dedicated to Yogg-Saron) and the [[Storm Peaks]] ([[Ulduar]], and the corrupted Titanic guardian [[Loken]]). The Old God is located within [[Prison of Yogg-Saron|his prison]] deep inside Ulduar, and is the final boss of the raid instance, much as [[C'Thun]] was the final boss in [[Ahn'Qiraj]]. |
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| − | == Appearance == |
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| − | Forest trolls resemble their jungle troll cousins, but are taller and more muscled. Their hair ranges from blood |
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| − | red to midnight black, while their skins are a deep olive green. Forest trolls decorate their bodies with ritual scarring and piercings, and they prefer white or dark warpaints symbolizing their power and glory.{{cite|HPG|10}} These humanoids are easily seven feet tall, with an impressive build and mottled, dark green skin covered with moss. Yellow teeth show under a large, hooked nose.{{cite|MoM|100}} |
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| − | Due to a mutation that took place many millennia ago, the forest trolls' bodies can support plant life to a limited extent. A thin layer of moss inevitably grows on the skin of forest trolls shortly after they are born and gives them their characteristic green coloring.{{fact}} |
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| − | == |
+ | ====N'Zoth==== |
| + | {{Main|N'Zoth}} |
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| − | *[[Amani tribe]] - the Amani tribe of forest trolls were the leading tribe of the old [[Amani Empire]] and currently live in [[Zul'Aman]] under the leadership of the legendary [[Zul'jin]]. |
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| + | The third Old God to be named, [[N'Zoth]], was confirmed during Blizzcon 2010 to be the source of the [[Emerald Nightmare]], which has twisted large segments of the [[Emerald Dream]] along with its corresponding regions in the waking world. N'Zoth makes several indirect appearances in [[World of Warcraft: Cataclysm]] during quest chains in the [[Vashj'ir]] zone, and the story implies it to be the driving force behind the [[naga]] and the faceless ones. During Blizzcon 2010's Quests and Lore panel, [[Chris Metzen]] also mentioned that N'Zoth may be the one "signing [[Deathwing]]'s checks", adding the remark that this Old God is "a real problem". |
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| − | *[[Firetree tribe]] - the Firetree trolls are one of two tribes of forest trolls that belong to the [[Dark Horde]]. |
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| − | *[[Mossflayer tribe]] - the Mossflayer tribe lives in the [[Eastern Plaguelands]], some of its members have been converted into [[undead]]. |
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| − | *[[Revantusk tribe]] - the Revantusk trolls live in the [[Hinterlands]] and have agreed to a pact of friendship and mutual assistance with the [[Horde]]. |
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| − | *[[Smolderthorn tribe]] - the Smolderthorn trolls are one of two tribes of forest trolls that belong to the [[Dark Horde]]. |
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| − | *[[Vilebranch tribe]] - the Vilebranch tribe of forest trolls live in the [[Hinterlands]] and worship the blood god [[Hakkar the Soulflayer]]. |
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| − | *[[Witherbark tribe]] - the Witherbark is a tribe of forest trolls that live in the [[Hinterlands]] and the [[Arathi Highlands]]. |
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| − | *[[Shadowpine tribe]] - the Shadowpine tribe of forest trolls live near [[Quel'Thalas]]. |
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| − | *[[Shadowglen Trolls]] - the Shadowglen Trolls lived in [[Silverpine]] before they were killed by [[Illidan]] and Malfurion. {{WC3-inline}} |
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| − | == |
+ | ==Mortal worship== |
| + | {{main|Old Gods' forces}} |
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| − | *As of [[patch 3.0.2]], all male forest trolls except for [[Qeeju]] now use a smaller version of the [[Zul'Aman]] troll model with green skin. |
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| + | Large groups of the [[Twilight's Hammer]] have been observed to settle at or near sites where they believe the Old Gods or their minions are sealed away; many await C'Thun's awakening in [[Silithus]], while others appear to serve [[Ragnaros]] in the [[Blackrock Depths]] alongside the [[Dark Iron dwarves]].<ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', 169</ref> The largest concentrations of the Twilight's Hammer however are located at [[Grim Batol]] and within the [[Bastion of Twilight]], in a region of the [[Eastern Kingdoms]] that is now referred to as the [[Twilight Highlands]]. |
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| − | *The models for Forest trolls have the hands and feet a different color then the skin. It may be because the hands and feet are covered with moss while the body is moss free or the body may be covered with moss and the feet are uncovered. |
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| − | == |
+ | ==Quotes== |
| + | :''See also: [[C'thun#The Whispers of C'Thun|The Whispers of C'Thun]] and [[Yogg-Saron#The Whispers of Yogg-Saron|The Whispers of Yogg-Saron]]'' |
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| − | === Forest trolls === |
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| + | |||
| − | <gallery> |
||
| + | ===Whispers to Neltharion=== |
||
| − | Image:Foresttroll.JPG|Old and new forest troll WoW models. |
||
| + | {{Main|Deathwing}} |
||
| − | Vilebranch Aman'zasi Guard.jpg|The new forest troll model. |
||
| + | |||
| − | Image:ForestTroll.jpg|Forest troll from WCIII. |
||
| + | *"The [[night elf|night elves]] will destroy the world..." |
||
| − | Image:Forest Troll.JPG|Forest troll art from BC. |
||
| + | *"[[Well of Eternity|The Well]] is out of control..." |
||
| − | Image:ForestTrollArt.JPG|Forest troll art from MoM. |
||
| + | *"No one can be trusted... they want your secrets, your power..." |
||
| − | </gallery> |
||
| + | *"[[Malygos]] would take what is yours..." |
||
| + | *"[[Alexstrasza]] seeks dominion over you..." |
||
| + | *"They are no better than [[Burning Legion|the demons]]..." |
||
| + | *"They must be dealt with like the demons..." |
||
| + | |||
| + | ===Whispers to Azshara=== |
||
| + | {{Main|Queen Azshara}} |
||
| + | |||
| + | *"There is [[Naga|a way]]... there is a way..." |
||
| + | *"You will become more than you ever were... more than you ever were..." |
||
| + | *"We can help... we can help..." |
||
| + | *"You will be more than you have ever been... and when the time comes, for what we grant you... you will serve us well..." |
||
| + | |||
| + | ==Notes== |
||
| + | The creatures designated as the Old Gods are said to be parasitic, necrophotic symbiotes.<ref>[[Tribunal of Ages#Quotes]]</ref> |
||
| + | |||
| + | ==Inspiration== |
||
| + | The names and overall nature of the Old Gods are an homage to the various group of deities from the Cthulhu Mythos in the works of [[wikipedia:H.P. Lovecraft|H.P. Lovecraft]] (first stage), [[wikipedia:Brian Lumley|Brian Lumley]] (third stage), and the ''Call of Cthulhu'' RPG.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZXXbyhXlF4&feature=related Blizzcon 2010: Art Panel HD Part 2]</ref> C'Thun appears to be based on Cthulhu and Yogg-Saron appears to be based on the [[wikipedia:Outer God|Outer God]] [[wikipedia:Yog-Sothoth|Yog-Sothoth]]. Furthermore, the story which concerns the Titans' imprisoning of the Old Gods is an inspiration from the story [[wikipedia:August Derleth|August Derleth]] proposed as the ancient outcome of the war between the Elder Gods (represented in the [[Titans]]) and the Outer Gods (represented in the Old Gods). Interestingly, the origin of the Titans is alien to Azeroth, while the Old Gods are native to it, swapping the names and some facts. An alternative name of the Old Gods is the Elder Gods. |
||
| + | ==Fan art== |
||
| − | === Forest troll buildings === |
||
<gallery> |
<gallery> |
||
| + | File:OldGods.png|Fan art - Full body of C'thun. |
||
| − | Image:Zeb'Nowa.jpg|Zeb'Nowa |
||
| − | + | File:Oldgod2.jpg|Fan art - Full body of C'thun. |
|
| + | File:Yogg-Saron Blizzard com.jpg|Fan art of Yogg-Saron. |
||
| − | Image:Jintha'Alor.jpg|Jintha'Alor |
||
| − | Image:Agol'watha.jpg|Agol'watha |
||
</gallery> |
</gallery> |
||
| + | ==See also== |
||
| − | == Locations in World of Warcraft == |
||
| + | *[[The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth]] |
||
| − | *[[Eversong Woods]] |
||
| + | *[[Tribunal_of_Ages#Quotes|Tribunal of Ages]] |
||
| − | **[[Tor'Watha]] |
||
| − | + | *[[Prophecy of C'Thun]] |
|
| + | *[[Lorgalis_Manuscript#Contains|Lorgalis Manuscript]] |
||
| − | *[[Ghostlands]] |
||
| − | + | *[[Aqir]] |
|
| − | + | *[[Naga]] |
|
| − | + | *[[Twilight's Hammer]] |
|
| + | *[[Elemental Lieutenants]] |
||
| − | **[[Zeb'Tela]] |
||
| − | **[[Zul'Aman]] |
||
| − | *[[Arathi Highlands]] |
||
| − | **[[Witherbark Village]] |
||
| − | **[[Boulder'gor]] |
||
| − | **[[Stromgarde]] |
||
| − | *[[Hinterlands]] |
||
| − | **[[Jintha'Alor]] |
||
| − | **[[Shaol'Watha]] |
||
| − | **[[Agol'Watha]] |
||
| − | **[[Hiri'Watha]] |
||
| − | **[[Shadra'Alor]] |
||
| − | **[[Revantusk Village]] (Horde) |
||
| − | *[[Eastern Plaguelands]] |
||
| − | **[[Zul'Mashar]] (Undead) |
||
| − | == |
+ | ==References== |
| + | {{reflist}} |
||
| − | * http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/story/troll/foresttrolls.html |
||
| − | * [[Forest troll NPCs]] |
||
| − | * Forest troll (WCIII) |
||
| − | * Forest troll berserker (WCIII) |
||
| − | * Forest troll trapper (WCIII) |
||
| − | {{ |
+ | {{eternals}} |
| − | {{ |
+ | {{Old Gods}} |
| + | {{religions}} |
||
| − | [[ |
+ | [[fr:Dieux Très Anciens]] |
| − | [[es:Forest Troll]] |
||
| − | [[Category:Forest trolls| ]] |
||
| − | [[Category:Horde races]] |
||
Revision as of 17:40, 12 May 2011
Yogg-Saron, one of the believed five Old Gods.
- "In the time before time, when the world was still in its infancy, a battle between a Titan and a being of unimaginable evil and power raged on this very soil. The prophecy is unclear about whether or not the Titan was vanquished ... but it illustrates that a Titan fell."
- —Geologist Larksbane
The Old Gods (a.k.a. Old Whisperings[1], Elder Gods, or Old Lords[2]) are mysterious, godlike and greatly malefic entities which ruled in tyranny over the infant Universe before they were sequestered within the primordial world of Azeroth by the Titanic Pantheon. Only very few mortals had ever been aware of the Old Gods' existence. Fewer still considered them anything more than dread myths from a time before time began; the whisperings of a horrific and ancient past that should forever stay forgotten to the mortal races. Even among most dragons they exist only as a legend.[3]
History
Ordering of Azeroth
Before the titans came to Azeroth, the malign Old Gods - colossal beings of elemental fury - ruled the world and the savage elementals that dwelt upon it, a bloody chaos of which even the demon Lords of the Burning Legion could not imagine.[4][5]
Along the journey of the Titans they came upon Azeroth. As the Titans made their way across the primordial landscape, they encountered a number of the hostile elemental beings. These elementals vowed to drive the Titans in the name of their masters back and keep their world inviolate from the invaders' metallic touch. The Pantheon, disturbed by the Old Gods' penchant for evil, waged war upon the elementals and their dark masters. The Old Gods' armies were led by the most powerful elemental lieutenants: Ragnaros the Firelord, Therazane the Stonemother, Al'Akir the Windlord, and Neptulon the Tidehunter. Their chaotic forces raged across the face of the world and clashed with the colossal Titans. Though the elementals were powerful beyond mortal comprehension, their combined forces could not stop the mighty Titans. One by one, the elemental lords fell, and their forces dispersed.[6] A battle between a titan and the Old God C'Thun raged in Silithus. The titan fell and it was thought that C'Thun had also fallen - but he survived unnoticed by the titans. For millennia this being lay dormant beneath the world - biding its time. From its prison it waited for the exact moment at which to strike back at those that would see it harmed.[7]
The Pantheon shattered the Old Gods' citadels and casted the remaining ones down into eternal imprisonment deep beneath the earth, the place of their confinement hidden from all and their powers bound until the end of time.[4][8] Yogg-Saron was sealed away within the depths of Ulduar in the far northern reaches of the infant world, and had six watchers assigned to it which served as wardens for its near eternal imprisonment.[9] Without the Old Gods' power to keep their raging spirits bound to the physical world, the elementals were banished to an abyssal plane, where they would contend with one another for all eternity. With the elementals' departure, nature calmed, and the world settled into a peaceful harmony. The Titans saw that the threat was contained and set to work.[10]
During that time the Curse of Flesh has been created by the Old Gods to "facilitate assimilation". The Curse of Flesh affected many titanic creations[11], notably the dwarves. The curse changed the structure and appearance of these races from their original stony/metallic forms into the fleshy forms we know of today.[12] The titans attempted to remove the curse (and the Old Gods), but found that the Old God infestation had grown too severe to remove without completely destroying Azeroth. Instead they bound the Old Gods within Azeroth.[12]
Whispers
Since the dawn of life on Azeroth, the imprisoned and sleeping Old Gods have been whispering to the subconsciousness of mortal and eternal beings alike, subverting their thoughts and feelings, and sometimes driving them to great malice, complete insanity, or both.[13][14][15]
The most notorious and tragic victim of the Old Whisperings is Neltharion the Earth-Warder; the once mighty Dragon Aspect who had been empowered by the Titan Khaz'goroth with dominion over the deep places of the world. Yet, not even Neltharion's great wisdom and power proved capable of breaking the grip the Old Whisperings had on his mind, causing the Earth-Warder to eventually lose all his sanity. Neltharion renamed himself Deathwing, seeking the genocide of all non-draconic life as well as the enslavement of the other dragonflights.[16]
The night elves Malfurion Stormrage and Varo'then momentarily heard the Whisperings when they held the Demon Soul in their grasp. Malfurion has since stated that "Ysera's noble brood has fallen victim to the Old Whisperings", as well.[1] The Highborne Queen Azshara is said to have heard the Whisperings moments before what would have been her death, causing her and her Highborne people to transform into the monstrous Naga-- an offer they either accepted willingly to avoid their fate or which has been coerced on them.[17] The remainder of the surviving Highborne who made landfall in the Tirisfal Glades are rumored to have succumbed to insanity after hearing these same Whisperings.[18]
The most striking historic account of the Old Whisperings however is found within the ancient scrolls of lore of the Tauren tribes, kept at Elder Rise in their capital city of Thunder Bluff. The legend of creation of the formerly nomadic Tauren makes direct reference to the Whisperings, stating that the first incidents of Tauren having committed acts of deceit, murder or warfare were because some among their early brethren "harkened to the dark whispers from deep beneath the world."[19]
Recent history
The Blackfathom Deeps in Ashenvale was once, long ago, a temple to Elune. The Great Sundering ruined the temple and left it submerged in water and buried under rock. Corruption from the Old Gods seeped up and tainted the sacred moonwell.[20] One may be in the Blackfathom Deeps.[21][22] Hints that old gods lie in or under the Blackfathom Deeps. Not to be confused with Aku'mai who was only influenced by the powers of the Old Gods.
According to Malfurion Stormrage, one of the Old Gods is behind the Nightmare corrupting the Emerald Dream. Although the Nightmare Lord in the dream turned out to be the Satyr Lord Xavius, it is suspected that he was working for higher powers. This seems to be confirmed in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.[23]
The Master's Glaive contains the remains of a forgotten one.
Number
Depending on the source, three, four, or five Old Gods lie imprisoned. Some of these sources seem to imply that these numbers were the limit to the number of Old Gods. The roleplaying game seems to imply that there were more than five Old Gods, including those imprisoned or killed.
- The Warcraft III manual states that five Old Gods were chained beneath the world.[24]
- The Pantheon shattered the Old Gods' citadels and chained the five evil gods far beneath the surface of the world.[25][26]
- According to the War of the Ancients Trilogy, there are three Old Gods still living, imprisoned and chained by the Titans deep beneath the surface of Azeroth. There may be more however, these three are indicated to have formed some sort of alliance in order to escape their imprisonment.[4]
- According to "The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth", four Old Gods were imprisoned beneath the world. This could perhaps be reconciled with the War of the Ancients trilogy if it were taken to include the fallen C'Thun in the count of the imprisoned Gods. This is however unlikely as C'thun was believed dead and not imprisoned. Note that the version of this chapter presented in the story section of the official site does not reference the number of Old Gods.[27]
- "There are more Old Gods than just the ones trapped on Azeroth. It takes a lot for them to become manifested on a physical plane, however."[28]
In the Burning Crusade expansion, a group of Arakkoa known as the Dark Conclave attempted to summon an entity described as an "ancient and powerful evil" into Outland. It is nearly identical in appearance to the first named Old God, C'Thun.
Named
C'Thun
- Main article: C'Thun
C'Thun, the first named Old God.
C'Thun was the first of the three Old Gods to be named, having received this name from its creations; the Qiraji. C'Thun was struck down in the region known as Silithus during the dawning of the world, in a battle which is said to also have resulted in the "falling" of a Titan. C'Thun was believed to have been slain permanently by the Titans, but the Old God resurfaced over the course of history as the driving force behind the Qiraji. It is trapped deep beneath the ruined temples of Ahn'Qiraj, where it has exerted its will for thousands of years over its Qiraji avatars, who in turn command the Silithid swarm.
C'Thun is the final boss in the Temple of Ahn'Qiraj.
Yogg-Saron
- Main article: Yogg-Saron
Yogg-Saron, "the lucid dream".
Described by the demigod Ursoc as "the beast with a thousand maws", Yogg-Saron was the second Old God to be explicitly named such. The dire entity refers to itself in ways as "the lucid dream", "the god of death" or "the true face of death", and appears to secrete a substance named Saronite across Northrend which is capable of driving any that have been exposed to it to murderous insanity. Slinkin the Demo-gnome discovered shortly before his demise that a mysterious connection seemed to exist between the Old God Yogg-Saron and the undead Scourge. In his final note, he claimed to have overheard some of the undead uttering the name "Yogg-Saron" with a tone of tremendous hatred and contempt, which was usually followed by outbursts of rage from other undead. Yet, the Scourge appeared to be mining for Saronite on an industrial scale.
Yogg-Saron's underground prison extends through much of east-central Northrend; his influence has been felt directly in the Grizzly Hills (Vordrassil, the Grizzlemaw Furbolgs and Ursoc), Dragonblight (Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom, with faceless ones and a sect of the Twilight's Hammer dedicated to Yogg-Saron) and the Storm Peaks (Ulduar, and the corrupted Titanic guardian Loken). The Old God is located within his prison deep inside Ulduar, and is the final boss of the raid instance, much as C'Thun was the final boss in Ahn'Qiraj.
N'Zoth
- Main article: N'Zoth
The third Old God to be named, N'Zoth, was confirmed during Blizzcon 2010 to be the source of the Emerald Nightmare, which has twisted large segments of the Emerald Dream along with its corresponding regions in the waking world. N'Zoth makes several indirect appearances in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm during quest chains in the Vashj'ir zone, and the story implies it to be the driving force behind the naga and the faceless ones. During Blizzcon 2010's Quests and Lore panel, Chris Metzen also mentioned that N'Zoth may be the one "signing Deathwing's checks", adding the remark that this Old God is "a real problem".
Mortal worship
- Main article: Old Gods' forces
Large groups of the Twilight's Hammer have been observed to settle at or near sites where they believe the Old Gods or their minions are sealed away; many await C'Thun's awakening in Silithus, while others appear to serve Ragnaros in the Blackrock Depths alongside the Dark Iron dwarves.[29] The largest concentrations of the Twilight's Hammer however are located at Grim Batol and within the Bastion of Twilight, in a region of the Eastern Kingdoms that is now referred to as the Twilight Highlands.
Quotes
- See also: The Whispers of C'Thun and The Whispers of Yogg-Saron
Whispers to Neltharion
- Main article: Deathwing
- "The night elves will destroy the world..."
- "The Well is out of control..."
- "No one can be trusted... they want your secrets, your power..."
- "Malygos would take what is yours..."
- "Alexstrasza seeks dominion over you..."
- "They are no better than the demons..."
- "They must be dealt with like the demons..."
Whispers to Azshara
- Main article: Queen Azshara
- "There is a way... there is a way..."
- "You will become more than you ever were... more than you ever were..."
- "We can help... we can help..."
- "You will be more than you have ever been... and when the time comes, for what we grant you... you will serve us well..."
Notes
The creatures designated as the Old Gods are said to be parasitic, necrophotic symbiotes.[30]
Inspiration
The names and overall nature of the Old Gods are an homage to the various group of deities from the Cthulhu Mythos in the works of H.P. Lovecraft (first stage), Brian Lumley (third stage), and the Call of Cthulhu RPG.[31] C'Thun appears to be based on Cthulhu and Yogg-Saron appears to be based on the Outer God Yog-Sothoth. Furthermore, the story which concerns the Titans' imprisoning of the Old Gods is an inspiration from the story August Derleth proposed as the ancient outcome of the war between the Elder Gods (represented in the Titans) and the Outer Gods (represented in the Old Gods). Interestingly, the origin of the Titans is alien to Azeroth, while the Old Gods are native to it, swapping the names and some facts. An alternative name of the Old Gods is the Elder Gods.
Fan art
Fan art - Full body of C'thun.
Fan art - Full body of C'thun.
Fan art of Yogg-Saron.
See also
- The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth
- Tribunal of Ages
- Prophecy of C'Thun
- Lorgalis Manuscript
- Aqir
- Naga
- Twilight's Hammer
- Elemental Lieutenants
References
- ^ a b Waking Legends: "Ysera's noble brood has fallen victim to the old whisperings."
- ^ The Master's Glaive: "That cult worships the old, old lords of the earth. Lords defeated long ago."
- ^ The Sundering, pg. 310
- ^ a b c The Sundering, 157
- ^ Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 155
- ^ The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth
- ^ The Prophecy of C'Thun
- ^ Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 155
- ^ Secrets of Ulduar
- ^ The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth
- ^ History on common tol'vir archaeology artifacts
- ^ a b Quotes from Tribunal of Ages
- ^ The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth. Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
- ^ The Founding of Quel'Thalas. Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
- ^ Knaak, Richard A.. The Sundering. ISBN 978-0-7434-2898-9.
- ^ Faces of Cataclysm: Deathwing
- ^ The Sundering, 332-3
- ^ The History of Warcraft Chapter II: The New World
- ^ Sorrow of the Earthmother: "As the children of the earth roamed the fields of dawn, they hearkened to dark whispers from the deep beneath the world."
- ^ Dark Factions, 164
- ^ Lands of Mystery, 8
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, 169
- ^ N'Zoth
- ^ Warcraft III manual, page 79
- ^ History of Azeroth
- ^ Warcraft Lore FAQ 1
- ^ http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/story/chapter1.html#3
- ^ World of Warcraft Forums - Ask CDev #1 Answers. Retrieved on 2010-06-30.
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, 169
- ^ Tribunal of Ages#Quotes
- ^ Blizzcon 2010: Art Panel HD Part 2
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