Weshindi's Library on Troll History
Books
Monographs
The Twin Empires
In-game book in Booty Bay, personally transcribed
About 16,000 years ago (long before the night evles foolishly called down the wrath of the Burning Legion), trolls lorded over much of Kalimdor (then a single continent). There were twin troll empires -- the Gurubashi Empire of the southeastern jungles -- and the Amani Empire of the middle forestlands.
There were smaller tribes that lived far to the north (in the region now known as Northrend). These tribes founded a small nation known as Gundrak, but never acheived the size or prosperity of the southern empires
The Gurubashi and Amani empires had little love for one another, but rarely warred against each other. At the time, their greatest common enemy was a third empire -- the civilization of Azi'Aqir. The Aqir were intelligent insectoids who ruled the lands of the far west. These clever insectoids were greatly expansionistic and incredibly evil. The aqir were obsessed with eradicating all non-insect life from the fields of Kalimdor.
The trolls fought them for many thousands of years, but never succeeded in winning a true victory ove the aqir. Eventually, due to the troll's persistence, the aqiri kingdom split in half as its citizens fled to seperate colonies in the far northern and southern regions of the continent.
Two aqiri city-states emerged -- Azjol-Nerub in the northern wastes, and Ahn'Qiraj in the southern desert. Though the trolls suspected that there were other aqiri colonies beneath Kalimdor, their existence was never verified.
With the insectoids driven into exile, the twin troll empires returned to business as usual. Despite their great victory, neither civilization expanded much farther than their original boundaries. However, ancient texts speak of a small faction of trolls that broke off from the Amani Empire and founded their own colony in the heart of the dark continent.
There, these brave pioneers discovered the cosmic Well of Eternity which transformed them into beings of immense power. Some legends suggest that these adventurous trolls were the first night elves, though this theory has never been proven.
Empires' Fall
In-game book in Booty Bay, personally transcribed
Aside from their shadowy origins it is clear that the night elves came to power soon after their discovery of the Well of Eternity, Despite the trolls' attempts to keep them from expanding their territories, the night elves built up a mighty empire that expanded rapidly across primordial Kalimdor. Wielding fierce magics never before imagined by the superstitious trolls, the night elves had little trouble doing what the evil aqir could never do: topple the two greatest empires in the world.
The night elves systematically dismantled the troll's defenses and supply chains. The trolls, unable to sounter the elves' destructive magics, buckled under the onslaught. The night elves proved every bit as cunning and bloodthirsty as the savage trolls -- incurring the latter race's eternal hatred and disdain. The Gurubashi and Amani empires fragmented within only a few short years.
Eventually, the night elves were burned by the arcane fires they had sought to control. Their reckless use of magic had lured the demonic Burning Legion to the world. The demons crushed much of the night elves' civilization. Though there are no records to indicate that the Legion attacked either troll civilization, it is likely that battles took place across the breadth of the continant.
At the end of this terrible conflict -- known as the War of the Ancients -- the Well of Eternity imploded. The resulting shockwave shattered the greater landmass of Kalimdor. The center of the continent was blasted beneath the sea, leaving only a small group fo broken, single continents.
Thus, great chunks of both the Amani and Gurubashi Empires still exist in the present day lands of Quel'Thalas and Stranglethorn (respectively). The Azi'Aqir kingdoms of Azjol-Nerub and Ahn'Qiraj have also survived in present day Northrend and Tanaris (respectively).
Both troll civilizations recoiled from the vast destruction of the primordial world they had known. The dauntless trolls rebuilt theur ravaged cities and set about to reclaim some of their former power.
Wrath of the Soulflayer
In-game book in Booty Bay, personally transcribed
The long centuries following the Great Sundering of the world were difficult ones for the troll race. Famine and terror were commonplace within the broken kingdoms. The Gurubashi trolls, driven to desperate ends, sought aid from ancient, mystical forces. Though both of the troll kingdoms shared a central belief in a great pantheon of primitive gids, the Gurubashi fell under the sway of the darkest one.
Hakkar the Soulflayer, a vile, bloodthirsty spirit, 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 much of Stranglethorn Vale and certain islands of the South Seas. Though he brought them great power, Hakkr wanted more and more for his efforts.
The bloodthirst god demanded souls be sacrificed to him daily. He dreamed of gaining access to the physical world so he could devour the blood of all mortal creatures. In time the Gurubashi realized what kind of creature they had courted with -- and turned against him. The strongest tribes rose up against Hakkr and his loyal priests -- the Atal'ai.
The terrible war that ensued between Hakkar's followers and the rest of the Gurubashi is spoken of only in whispers. The budding empire was shattered by the magic unleashed between the angry god and his rebel children. Just as the battle seemed most hopeless, the trolls succeeded in destroying Hakkar's avatar and banishing him from the world.
Even the Atal'ai priests were eventually driven from the captial old Zul'Gurub and forced to survive in the uncharted swamplands to the north. Within those shadowy fens they built a great temple to their fallen god -- Atal'Hakkar -- where they could continue to do their master's work.
The rest of the Gurubashi tribes went their seperate ways after the great civil war had left their lands in ruins. The Skullsplitter, Bloodscalp and Darkspear Tribes set off to claim their own lands within the vast jungles of Stranglethorn. Though a fragile peace had settled over the broken empire, some spoke of a prophecy that Hakkar would one day be reborn into the world -- and on that day -- he would consume it whole.
The Stone of Tides
By Archmage Ansirem Runeweaver of Dalaran, Volume III of the Legends of the Trolls
In-game book obtainable from the Librarian Donyal Tovald in the Royal Library at Stormwind.
Having heard tell of this volume, I went to the Royal Library at Stormwind to see what Ansirem had to say. The way was hard, but Da Bon Dadi held his hand over me in protection as a seeker of secrets. In the end, though, I was not able to obtain this book for myself, it being closely held by the librarians there. This is a transcription passed to me by the Human lorist, Thorgun.
Introduction
The ancient Gurubashi Empire was a source of fascinating and intriguing legends that can no doubt be traced to their environs, as examinations of their belief systems and societal practices have pointed to a great reverence for their natural surroundings.
While I have delved into many aspects of their snake-worship in previous volumes of this study, I put forth here an examination of the trolls' interest and unique relationship with the sea.
The Great Sea
The Gurubashi Empire was surrounded on three sides by the sea, so it comes as little surprise that water would figure prominently as an aspect of their society. While the trolls were able to roam and control the large areas of their jungle empire, the sea eluded them. It was vast and immeasurable, no doubt a disconcerting neighbor for the powerful trolls.
It should be noted here that recent discoveries seem to suggest that the trolls had little interest in exploring the lands beyond the Great Sea. While troll species have been encountered along the length and breadth of Stormwind, Khas Modan and Lordaeron, little evidence of their civilization has been found in the newly discovered Kalimdor or upon the islands in the South Seas. Whether this demonstrates an unwillingness of the trolls to venture away from their terrestrial holdings or a failure on their part to develop the technologies needed to make such a journey will take further research and analysis that is out of the scope of my writings here.
But one can hardly ignore so large a presence, and new findings in the extensive troll ruins of Stranglethorn Vale show an aspect of their relationship with the sea previously unknown and undocumented.
The Stone of the Tides
Recent discoveries during surveys of the troll ruins in Stranglethorn Vale have shown reference to an object known as the "Stone of the Tides." Various fragments of troll legends can be pieced together to paint a rather complete picture of the Stone and its importance to the Gurubashi Empire.
It appears that the Stone of the Tides allowed its bearer to control water in its many forms, rivers, rain, and the tides. Because of the stories related to use of the Stone of the Tides, I have conjected that it is actually a physical manifestation of the powers of the Waterlord, a powerful elemental of the seas. How and why such an object would leave the Waterlord's control and fall into the hands of the trolls is another question that is beyond the scope of my knowledge.
The Tidebearer
Like the movements of the eponymous tides, the Stone of the Tides entered the world of the trolls and departed, never constantly staying in the hands of the trolls for longer than a generation at a time. In troll legends, it is said that the first time the Stone of the Tides came to the Gurubashi Empire, it waws found by a troll warrior wandering the coast of Stranglethorn. He came upon a mysterious blue stone within which milky white strands floated and flowed. Intrigued by the stone, the warrior took it with him and continued on his journey.
Over the weeks and months, the warrior discovered that the stone had given him control over water. He could summon forth water elementals, creatures composed completely of water -- duplicating a feat that only powerful mages of the Kirin Tor are able to perform.
The warrior traveled to Zul'Gurub, to the heart of the Empire, to show his newfound abilities to the Emperor. He easily gained a court audience after demonstrating his powers in the center of the Imperial Capital. His powers easily amazed the Gurubashi Emperor, who immediately gave him a place of honor at court, naming the warrior "Tidebearer," leaving his old name behind.
For years, the Tidebearer served the Gurubashi Empire, summoning his thrall water elementals in battle and manipulating the flow of water in Stranglethorn Vale for the benefit of the Empire. But as the years went on, the Tidebearer became more reclusive, tending to stay for long periods of time away from court.
The Tidebearer was hiding a secret from the prying eyes of the court. The abilities granted to him by the Stone of the Tides also came with a curse. As the years passed, the Tidebearer was fading away. With each coming and going of the tides, the Tidebearer became less of himself, losing his corporeal form -- pulsing in and out of existence -- until in his dying days, he traveled to the beach where he had first found the Stone, and walked into the sea, disappearing for the last time.
Generations later, the Stone of the Tides washed upon the shores of Stranglethorn, and another Tidebearer was chosen, as the troll brought the Stone to Zul'Gurub. So the process continued for generations, the Stone appearing with the tide, and the Tidebearer leaving into the tide.
Modern day accounts of the Stone of the Tides have appeared from place to place, but one must still wonder why an object of such power would appear with such regularity, and by whose design.
