Bad Mojo Troll

The Shatterspear Tribe

The Shatterspear are a tribe of jungle trolls who inhabit Shatterspear Vale in Darkshore, Kalimdor. Originally part of the Gurubashi Empire, they split off following the fall of Hakkar the Soulflayer and migrated north, eventually settling in the secluded mountain vale bordering a settlementof night elves.

Choosing isolation over conquest, the Shatterspears lived in relative peace for generations under an agreement with the night elves: the trolls would remain within the vale, and the elves would leave them undisturbed—but offer no aid if they were attacked.

During the events of the Cataclysm Garrosh Hellscream brought the Shatterspear trolls into the ranks of the Horde. The strategy was to have the Shatterspear attack the night elves from the north, while Orgrimmar’s forces advanced through Ashenvale. To support this effort, the Shatterspear tribe set up the Shatterspear War Camp near the Ruins of Mathystra, where they began occupying the area with laborers and demolished the Tower of Althalaxx to secure a position for their assault on the night elves.

This incursion led to direct conflict with night elf forces, eventually reaching Shatterspear Vale itself. The night elves, determined to eliminate the threat, launched an aggressive counterattack. Huntress Sandrya Moonfall led her Sentinels into the area and called upon Alliance adventurers to help her eliminate the Shatterspear leader, Chieftain Jor'kil.

Gurubashi Blood Magic and Voodoo

Throughout the violent and unforgiving corners of Azeroth, few magical traditions are as feared—as Blood Magic. Rooted in ancient practices and fueled by ritualistic bloodletting, this dark magic has endured across tribes and centuries, often emerging in times of desperation, conquest, or corruption.

At the heart of Gurubashi blood magic lies the malevolent entity known as Hakkar the Soulflayer, the Loa of Blood. Revered and feared in equal measure, Hakkar thrives on sacrifice—his strength growing with every drop of blood spilled in his name.

Over a thousand years ago, it was Hakkar who first introduced blood magic to the Gurubashi trolls. The rituals of blood sacrifice, once obscure, became central to a growing cult around the Blood God.

The Role of Witch Doctors in Troll Society

In troll culture, witch doctors occupy a highly respected and influential role. Regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and powerful members of their tribes, they are entrusted with interpreting signs and conducting rituals that affect many facets of troll life. The trolls’ strong belief in superstition means that they attribute much of their success or failure—particularly in combat—to the expertise and foresight of these spiritual leaders.

Historically, witch doctors have been exclusively male, acting as the tribe’s spiritual guides and custodians of ancient traditions. However, following the integration of the Horde and leaders like Thrall, female trolls have started to challenge these long-standing gender roles. Though female witch doctors, sometimes disparagingly called “zufli,” meaning “baby witch,” often face opposition, some women embrace the term as a badge of pride and a sign of their fight for equality.

The influence of witch doctors extends beyond the spiritual realm; their rituals are believed to govern luck, protection, and overall fortune, playing a critical role in the tribe’s survival and prosperity.

Troll funeral customs have also changed over time. Once, violent mutilation was used to distract evil spirits and protect the spirit’s journey to the afterlife. Nowadays, under the influence of the Horde, these harsh practices are avoided. Instead, rituals such as removing the eyes to provide a passage for the spirit, along with animal sacrifices or bloodletting to divert restless spirits, have become more common. These rites underscore the witch doctors’ vital role as mediators between the living world and the spirit realm, safeguarding the dead and preventing them from rising as undead.

The Gurubashi Tribe

The Gurubashi tribe are the last heirs to the once-mighty Gurubashi Empire. Fierce, cunning, and steeped in blood magic, the Gurubashi are infamous for their repeated alliances with dark powers—most notably the blood god Hakkar the Soulflayer.

Desperate for survival in the centuries after the Sundering, the Gurubashi turned to Hakkar, gaining immense power at cost. When Hakkar demanded a physical form to better consume life, the trolls rebelled—splitting into factions that would forever haunt their history. The extremist Atal’ai fled and built the Temple of Atal’Hakkar, while the more moderate Hakkari were hunted down regardless of their resistance.

The Gurubashi would later clash with the Bleeding Hollow orcs, and even other troll tribes, often acting alone in pursuit of lost glory. Their capital, Zul’Gurub, became a blighted holy site—revived in blood, besieged in vengeance, and lost to madness more than once.

During the Cataclysm, the tribe attempted to siphon Hakkars power. Jin'do, empowered himself on the dark magic of the Loa but ultimately the ritual to backfired. Hakkar destroyed Jin'do and vanished, leaving the Gurubashi broken. In later years, they joined the Zandalari’s failed invasions of Pandaria and Zandalar, but internal corruption, mind control, and defeat left them scattered and deranged.

The Revantusk Tribe

The Revantusk Tribe is a small but resilient faction of forest trolls dwelling along the southeastern coast of the Hinterlands. Unlike their more aggressive cousins in the Amani Empire, the Revantusks have survived through cunning diplomacy, not brute force. Though once nearly wiped out during the Troll Wars, the tribe has endured through hardship, betrayal, and exile.

Once a minor player in the Amani Empire, the Revantusk tribe suffered devastating losses during the Troll Wars, which forced them to retreat from the high elf territories. When the Second War began, the Revantusks joined Zul’jin’s pact with the Old Horde, hoping to reclaim their ancestral lands. However, the war’s disastrous end left them isolated and few in number.

While other forest trolls turned their backs on the orcs, the Revantusks retained a quiet loyalty to the Horde—even when doing so made them enemies of their own kind.

Years later, Warchief Thrall began rebuilding the Horde based on shamanistic traditions and honor. The Revantusk tribe, still clinging to survival in the wilds of Lordaeron, saw hope in Thrall’s vision. Though wary of repeating old mistakes, they admired the new Horde’s principles.

Choosing pragmatism over blind allegiance, the Revantusks declined full membership but agreed to a pact of friendship and mutual aid. This decision placed them in direct opposition to the other forest troll tribes, who viewed Thrall’s Horde as weak and unworthy.

Revantusks are defined not by strength, but by resilience and diplomacy. With limited warriors and few resources, they focused on trade, negotiation, and reputation to maintain their place in the world. Among trolls, they are considered outcasts—but to the Horde, they are trusted allies.

The Smolderthorn Tribe

The Smolderthorn are a ruthless and war-hardened tribe of forest trolls who reside deep within Blackrock Spire, serving as loyal members of the Dark Horde. Led by the fierce War Master Voone, the Smolderthorn trolls have carved out a brutal existence within the shadow of the mountain, allying themselves with dark forces and ancient enemies of the Horde.

Unlike many other forest troll tribes who either perished or joined Thrall’s New Horde, the Smolderthorn remained loyal to the old ways — clinging to the bitter legacy of the Second War. They followed Rend Blackhand, son of the infamous Warchief Blackhand, and joined his Dark Horde: a coalition of orcs, trolls, and ogres bent on reclaiming Azeroth by force. Though vastly outnumbered and cut off from the wider world, the Smolderthorn fight on with grim determination.

Fanatical in their beliefs, the Smolderthorn tribe reveres Zul'jin, the legendary Amani warlord, and views most other forest trolls as traitors — particularly the Revantusk tribe, who have aligned themselves with Thrall. Ironically, the Revantusk see the Smolderthorn as the real deserters, accusing them of abandoning the true Horde in favor of madness and ruin.

The Vilebranch Tribe

The Vilebranch Tribe is a notorious faction of forest trolls who dwell in the misty, rugged regions of the Hinterlands. Known for their brutality and dark rituals, they are considered one of the most savage troll tribes in Azeroth.

The tribe's hostility extended to the Revantusk trolls, whom they viewed as easy prey for their dark ceremonies. However, the Revantusk proved resilient, bolstered by support from the modern Horde. Despite numerous setbacks, the Vilebranch remain both numerous and unyielding.

Once devoted to the blood god Hakkar, the Vilebranch empowered themselves through his tainted blood, descending further into madness. In the wake of the Cataclysm, they shifted their allegiance to Shadra, the spider loa, and resumed their rites in her name.

Firetree Tribe

The Firetree tribe is a group of forest trolls that aligned themselves with Rend Blackhand after the Second War, becoming part of his Dark Horde.

Even after the Second War had ended, Rend Blackhand refused to concede defeat. He led the Dark Horde in a continued effort to conquer Azeroth, effectively prolonging the conflict. Despite having far fewer troops than Thrall’s modern Horde, Rend pressed on, backed by an alliance with the black dragonflight and a group of warlocks who clung to the old Horde’s use of demonic magic.

The Firetree trolls supported this campaign and took up residence in Blackrock Spire. They hold a deep respect for Zul’jin, the legendary Amani leader, and maintain friendly ties with the Smolderthorn tribe. However, they harbor strong disdain for other forest troll groups—particularly the Revantusk tribe, who are loosely allied with Thrall’s Horde. To the Firetree, these trolls are seen as traitors who abandoned the old ways. Ironically, the Revantusk view the Firetree in a similar light, criticizing them for failing to join Thrall’s cause and choosing instead to remain loyal to the Dark Horde.

The Witherbark Tribe

The Witherbark tribe, also known as the Witherbark trolls, are a fierce group of forest trolls inhabiting the Arathi Highlands. They are descendants of the ancient Amani Empire, having split off after the Troll Wars to reclaim their ancestral lands.

Historically, the Witherbarks allied with the Old Horde during the Second War, fighting alongside orcs under the legendary troll leader Zul’jin. However, after the Horde’s defeat, they abandoned their former allies. They are known enemies of the human kingdom of Stromgarde and have frequently clashed with both Alliance and Horde forces over territory.

Zan’non, Warlord of the Gurubashi

Zan’non was a formidable jungle troll warlord who rose to power over the Gurubashi tribes after the mysterious death of his father, Jok’non—an infamous troll mystic who dabbled in forbidden blood magic. Jok’non was slain in his ziggurat by Medivh, the Guardian of Tirisfal, though no survivors were left to tell the tale. Angered by the loss of his father Zan’non declared open war against the kingdom of Stormwind.

The conflict became known as the Gurubashi War, and it marked a dark chapter in the years leading up to the opening of the Dark Portal. Zan’non proved to be a cunning and ruthless commander. Drawing on the same dark magics once wielded by his father, he transformed select warriors into berserk monstrosities. These empowered trolls led the charge, scaling Stormwind’s walls and tearing through its defenders with savage strength.

As the siege intensified, King Barathen Wrynn led a last, desperate assault to kill Zan’non and end the invasion. Though he fought valiantly, Barathen fell in battle. With the kingdom in peril, his son, Prince Llane Wrynn, turned to Medivh for aid.

Reluctantly unleashing the full might of his Guardian powers, Medivh stood upon the ramparts of Stormwind and unleashed a devastating arcane assault. Fire, frost, and raw magic tore through the Gurubashi ranks, annihilating the troll army. When the storm ended, Zan’non and nearly all of his warriors were dead. Only a few survived to flee into the jungles.

Jani, the Loa of Scavengers

In the shadows of Zandalar’s golden cities and ancient temples, one loa watches over the forgotten: Jani, the Loa of Scavengers. Small in stature but mighty in mischief, Jani is a saurid spirit who rules over the discarded, the unwanted, and the overlooked.

Gan'zulah and the Bloodscalp Tribe

Gan'zulah was the ruthless leader of the Bloodscalp tribe, one of the most savage factions of jungle trolls in Stranglethorn Vale. A splinter group from the fallen Gurubashi Empire, the Bloodscalps carved out their domain in the northwest jungles after the empire's collapse, fiercely defending their territory from rival tribes—most notably the Skullsplitters.

Under Gan'zulah’s command, the Bloodscalps became notorious for their brutality and unyielding resistance to outsiders. They harbored a particular hatred for the Darkspear tribe, the first jungle trolls to join the Horde, seeing them as traitors to trollkind.

The Bloodscalp tribe’s rise to power was aided by the mysterious water elemental Naias, whose influence granted them exotic magic. Bloodscalps marked by Kalimag-inscribed totems became powerful speakers of Naias’s will, further solidifying their dominance in the region.

Following Gan'zulah’s death at the hands of Horde adventurers, his remains were misused contributing to the resurrection of the bloodthirsty Bloodlord Mandokir. Yet in a twist of fate, the Bloodscalps would later turn on Mandokir, tearing him apart after Hakkar the Soulflayer’s defeat in Zul'Gurub.

Troll Headhunters: Savage Spearmen of the Horde

Troll Headhunters are fierce warriors renowned across Azeroth for their deadly precision and primal cunning. Hailing from tribal societies steeped in ancient traditions, these spearmen are raised from birth to stalk the deadliest beasts of the wild. Their skills in hunting and tracking are unmatched, making them invaluable both in the jungle and on the battlefield.

Traditionally drawn from the jungle tribes of Stranglethorn, Headhunters embody a brutal yet disciplined martial culture. They specialize in hurling spears with lethal accuracy from a distance, providing essential cover for the Horde's frontline troops. In the chaos of battle, their relentless volleys can turn the tide, disrupting enemy ranks before they ever reach close quarters.

One of the most fearsome aspects of the Troll Headhunters is their ability to evolve into even more fearsome combatants—berserkers—through a combination of spiritual rage and alchemical rites. In this state, they cast aside caution and fight with unmatched fury, overwhelming enemies with sheer ferocity.

Zabra Hexx: Troll of Light and Shadow

Zabra Hexx is unconventional jungle troll who chose the path of the Light. He discovered the teachings of the Light within the abandoned halls of the Scarlet Monastery, devoting himself to its sacred knowledge. When knights of the Silver Hand found him, many saw only an enemy, but Highlord Alexandros Mograine recognized Zabra’s true connection to the Light and spared his life—a mercy Zabra never forgot.

Years later, he crossed paths with Darion Mograine, Alexandros’ son, who was mourning his father's death. Zabra suggested that Alexandros' spirit had not fully passed on, claiming to still feel a connection through the Light, though obscured. He also shared a vision of a floating fortress above a burning city before mysteriously vanishing. Zabra returns in the events of the Legion invasion this time as a shadow priest and a trusted member of the Conclave at Netherlight Temple. Alongside Yalia Sagewhisper, he travels to Azsuna to aid the Illidari and help craft an elixir for Prophet Velen. This brew reveals dire visions of an assault on the Conclave led by Balnazzar.

Demoniacs: Masters of the Inner Abyss

Demoniacs are Zandalari trolls who push the dark arts far beyond the boundaries explored by typical warlocks. Through obscure and forbidden rites, they invite demonic entities into their own bodies—not to surrender control, but to bend the intruders to their will. Instead of being overtaken, a demoniac cages the demon within, drawing on its essence as a personal reservoir of power. It's a dangerous path, one that only a rare few can truly master.

These practitioners don’t merely wield power—they become it. The cost is high; many who attempt the ritual are overwhelmed and consumed. Yet with threats encroaching on Zandalari lands, the destructive force a demoniac can unleash has proven worth the risk time and again.

Those who follow this treacherous path understand the parallels with the tragic collapse of the Gurubashi Empire. Still, they believe that such power, though volatile, is often essential for survival.

Pohkisa a Night of Remembrance

The Darkspear tribe honors pohkisa, a monthly ritual known as the Night of Remembrance, held during the darkest phase of the white moon. During this time, they pay tribute to family members who passed away in the last moon cycle. The ceremony begins in a quiet, mournful tone, with the names of the deceased woven into haunting songs of grief. As the night continues, the energy shifts—the steady beat of drums grows stronger, and sorrow gives way to celebration as the trolls honor the journey of their loved ones into the embrace of Bwonsamdi.

Wardruid Loti: Faithful to Gonk

Wardruid Loti, a respected figure among Zandalar’s youth, gained her seat on the Zanchuli Council with strong support from rising hunters and warriors. As a vocal supporter of Gonk’s decision to allow worship of multiple loa, Loti played a key role in the revival of druidism in Zandalari culture.

When dark rituals were uncovered within the Zanchul, King Rastakhan sent Loti and her husband, Hexlord Raal, to investigate. Yazma, doubting their resolve, brought in the Speaker of the Horde for added support. Loti tasked the Speaker with eliminating blood magic cultists and later blessed them with Gonk’s power. Raal, believing the threat ran deeper, guided the Speaker to Nazmir to reveal the origins of the corruption.

After discovering a ritual to empower the dire troll Dregada, Loti, Raal, and the Speaker joined forces to defeat the heretics. Loti later demanded the Speaker choose between Gonk and Pa'ku, refusing to tolerate split loyalties between loa.