Ancient Empires - Zandalar
Zandalar, the first and foremost of the noble troll empires, was formed approximately 16,000 years ago on a mighty mountain range directly south of the Well of Eternity [Blizzcon 2017, 00:14:33 - 00:14:38]. Initially landlocked by the supercontinent Kalimdor, Zandalar was reduced to an island during the Sundering [00:14:39 - 00:14:52, World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 129]. The island splintered even further during the Cataclysm, causing portions of Zandalar to begin sinking into the South Sea [Blizzcon 2017, 00:18:00 - 00:18:12, Object: The Dark Prophet Zul, Object: Waterlogged Zandalari Journal]. What now remains of Zandalar is divided between the capital city of Zuldazar, the swamp of Nazmir, and the desert of Vol’dun [Blizzcon 2017, 00:15:29 - 00:15:40].
Ever since its inception, Zandalar has been the homeland and capital of the troll race. Although trollkind splintered into a variety of tribes with different allegiances over the millennia, Zandalar remains neutral territory for all trolls [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 81]. Every six years, trolls from tribes all over Azeroth gather in Zandalar to discuss matters that affect trollkind [pg. 82].
An Overview of the Zandalari
Zandalar is primarily inhabited by the Zandalari, the first and most powerful tribe of trolls to arise [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 70]. All other trolls and tribes descend from the Zandalari. At first, tribes were formed as a result of differences and disputes between the Zandalari [The Troll Compendium, World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 72]. However, over time, as the various troll tribes settled the corners of Azeroth, they grew apart and evolved into different subraces.
King Rastakhan and his daughter, Princess Talanji, have ruled for over two hundred years. The Zanchuli Council, a group of the most esteemed Zandalari mages and priests, advises the King and makes sure his orders are executed. They are also consulted before every battle or major decision [Page: Zanchuli Council].
As Zandalar is the capital of the troll empire, the Zandalari are the unofficial leaders of the entire troll race, even to this day. They see themselves as the protectors and spiritual leaders of all trollkind, and as a result often meddle in the affairs of other tribes across Azeroth [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 129]. The Zandalari hold great influence over the other tribes, and have on more than one occasion exerted this influence to control the other tribes and their decision making [pg. 98, 129, 138].
Despite this, it is important to note that the troll empire is more like a loose coalition of autonomous tribes than a united force. The Zandalari may hold great sway, but most tribes do not officially recognize the Zandalari as the leaders of their race. The Drakkari and Darkspear, for example, turned away from Zandalari authority entirely. Furthermore, King Rastakhan recently proposed to unite all of trollkind under one banner, which goes to show that the disparate troll tribes were not unified to begin with [Vol’jin: Shadows of the Horde, Chapter Twenty-Three]. Even though the various troll tribes retain great autonomy, time and time again they have relied on the guidance of the Zandalari, which consolidates Zandalar as the center of troll civilization [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 82-83, Vol’jin: Shadows of the Horde, Chapter Twenty].
After the Sundering, the Zandalari adapted to island life and built up a powerful navy over thousands of years [Blizzcon 2017, 00:14:55 - 00:15:09]. They set out to explore the newly formed islands of the Great and South seas for resources, such as kaja’mite, which they consider a sacred component in their rituals and ceremonies [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 158]. The Zandalari also honed and perfected their practices of the voodoo arts over the millennia following the Sundering [pg. 129].
The Founding of Zandalar and Birth of the Troll Empires
Pre-Sundering (16,000 Years BDP)
Zandalar was originally home to a variety of Wild Gods, or loa, as they are known to the trolls. Due to their reverence for the loa, primitive trolls gathered near what was to become Zandalar and began building a series of shrines and encampments. The Zandalari tribe claimed the highest plateaus in the mountain range, believing them to be the most sacred, and eventually built the capital city of Zuldazar on its slopes [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 70].
The troll empire grew and thrived around Zandalar, but one place, a mound of blackened stone at the base of the mountain range, was forbidden to all trolls. This mound was actually a hibernating C’Thrax, a minion of the Old Gods that had fled after its battle with the titan watcher Tyr some time before. A group of trolls disobeyed this order and, believing the C’Thrax to be a loa, performed vile rituals and sacrifices to awaken it. Once awakened, the C’Thrax looked upon Zandalar in disdain, called upon an army of aqir, and attacked the seat of the troll empire [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 72]. It’s possible that this is the event that transformed the region of Vol’dun into a desert.
To fight against the C’Thrax and its army, the Zandalari united the different troll tribes into a single force called the Empire of Zul. Using the height of the mountains to their advantage, the trolls were able to spot encroaching enemies in advance and employ strategic maneuvers to defeat them [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 72]. The C’Thrax and aqir were ultimately forced to flee. The Zandalari, knowing full well that the aqir would eventually return, commanded the disparate troll tribes to establish strongholds across the supercontinent and root out the aqir. These troll tribes, known as the Amani, Gurubashi, and Drakkari, eventually succeeded in their mission and defeated the minions of the Old Gods. The tribes, which settled the corners of Azeroth after their victory, grew apart over time. Despite this, they always remained connected to the Zandalari and Zuldazar [pg. 73]. The Zandalari themselves returned to Zuldazar after the conflict to pursue spiritual knowledge [pg. 74].
The capital city Zuldazar dominates the southern half of Zandalar island [Blizzcon 2017, 00:15:45 - 00:17:45]. The capital, which rises as high as a mountain, is constructed from a series of ziggurats and stepped pyramids. Because of its impressive height, Zuldazar is often mistaken for a mountain [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 81].
The only mountain remaining from the great Zandalar mountain range is Mount Mugamba, which dominates the center of the island. Because of its height, it is covered in snow, which makes it a suitable place for ice trolls to live [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 81]. Atal’Dazar, a tomb where Zandalari kings have been lain to rest for millennia, sits atop Mount Mugamba [Dungeon Journal: Atal’Dazar].
Nazmir was once a lush jungle, but ever since it began sinking into the sea following the Cataclysm, it has become a festering swamp. The region is home to significant structures like the temple of Bwonsamdi and an ancient titan facility, which holds the key to destroying all life on Azeroth.
A group of blood trolls, who seek to overthrow Zuldazar and King Rastakhan, can also be found within Nazmir [Blizzcon 2017, 00:18:00 - 00:20:30].
Like Nazmir, Vol’dun was once a vibrant jungle. However, thousands of years ago, a group of Old God minions known as the aqir attacked the region and transformed it into a desert. The Zandalari exile their criminals into Vol’dun, where most of them perish.
The region is home to the Vulpera, a native race of fox people, and the Sethrak, who are snake men [Blizzcon 2017, 00:20:35 - 00:22:55].