Troll

The proud Darkspear exiles were once on the brink of extinction, when Warchief Thrall and his mighty Horde forces were driven to the trolls’ remote island home during a violent storm. These trolls were welcomed into the Horde, and found their place among other outcast races.

 

Trolls (collectively referred to as trollkind)^[2][3] are a diverse sapient race that can be found in every part of Azeroth. They are one of the world's oldest known native races.^[4] Trolls are divided into many subgroups adapted to different environments, namely blood trolls, dark trolls, forest trolls, ice trolls, jungle trolls, sand trolls, and Zandalari trolls.

Many trolls have no loyalty except amongst their own tribes, but some important groups have joined the Horde: the Darkspear tribe, Shatterspear tribe, Revantusk tribe, and Zandalari Empire. Some forest trolls cling to their allegiance to the Old Horde and its villainous offshoots.

 

Traits and characteristics

Troll is a race grouped into tribes,^[5] with each varying from being tall, lanky, and muscular, and being different than the others both physically and culturally. They have both elven and orc-like characteristics with their fierce tusks and long ears. Their long arms, strong legs, quick reflexes as well as their incredible agility and strength make them adept hunters.

Trolls have three fingers, and three toes with one protruding from the heel. Most trolls do not wear standard shoes or boots as they are simply more comfortable barefoot, however, some do.^[6][7] And adorning them for battle or war is done by some.^[8]

Male trolls frequently squat in place, while the females do not.^[9]

Trolls and their various subgroups are some of the tallest mortal races on Azeroth. Both males and females have a variety of tusk styles ranging from small to large, they also feature a wide range of wild hairstyles,^[9] though mohawks are very common. The three largest subgroups of troll are the dark trolls, ice trolls, and the Zandalari trolls, who on average are much larger than their kindred.^[10] There is another variant of troll–albeit not a subgroup–that far exceed the normal size range, these trolls are called dire trolls.^[11]

Forest trolls' bodies can support plant life to a limited extent due to a mutation that took place many millennia ago. A thin layer of moss may grow on their skin shortly after they are born, giving them their characteristic greenish color.^[12]

Jungle trolls' bodies are covered in short, soft fur which causes them to appear purple or gray.^[13] However, their range of color is even broader as many appear in shades of blue as well as tints of green.

Vol'jin in Kun-Lai stated that the human Tyrathan Khort could cope with the cold better than he could. However, he managed to get used to it very rapidly.^[14] With how naturally adaptable trolls are, (as confirmed by their numerous subgroups), it wouldn't be surprising if this wasn't true for most trolls.

Trolls have a characteristic way of speaking. Words like "yo" (a greeting) and "mon" (man) are common expressions. They speak with varying Caribbean and African accented English. 

History

Ancient history

At the heart of ancient Kalimdor lay the Well of Eternity, an enormous lake filled with powerful energies. The Well accelerated the cycles of growth and rebirth on the primordial continent, and soon sentient life forms arose from the wilds. The trolls were among the first and most prolific.^[4]

Trolls are one of the oldest races on Azeroth. Before the days of empires such as the Empire of Zul, the shadow hunters were the leaders of small groups of trolls that over time formed small tribes. Over time, as trolls gathered in great cities, their influence was lessened. Despite this, the position is still a highly respected one.^[33]

The early trolls developed an array of superstitious customs. Some practiced cannibalism and warfare, others mystic practices and meditation, and others honed their ties to the dark and powerful form of magic known as voodoo. What all trolls shared was a common religion centered around Kalimdor's Wild Gods, which the trolls worshipped as deities under the name "loa". The troll tribes gathered near the sacred mountain range of Zandalar in southern Kalimdor, where many of the loa dwelt. The lesser tribes built small encampments on Zandalar's slopes, but the most powerful tribe, the Zandalari, claimed the highest peaks and plateaus. There, they built a cluster of shrines that would later come to grow into the temple city of Zuldazar.^[4] The tribes would then unite under King Dazar to form the Zandalari empire.^[34]