Post by Deizibug on Jan 19, 2012 0:39:56 GMT -5
We include two kinds of spirits in our pantheon: Loa and Elawi.
The Loa are for the most part official WoW lore, coming either from in-game sources or from the tabletop gaming book "Warcraft RPG: Magic and Mayhem." The Loa have been broken down into three subsets, following the Voodoo traditions on which Troll faith is based. These are Rada, Petro and Ghede.
The Rada Loa, known collectively as the World-Smiths, are generally older and more benevolent spirits.
The Petro Loa are more fiery, occasionally aggressive and warlike. They represent particular aspects of life.
The Ghede are the spirits of our ancestors and have been developed to help ourselves role-play. As a family, they are loud, crude, sexual and usually a lot of fun. Because they have lived already, they have nothing to fear, and act accordingly. It would make sense that different Troll subraces and tribes might have their own Ghede, though we only have the Zandalari Ghede at this time.
The Elawi are not official lore. We know that besides Voodoo, Trolls also practice Shamanism, and that belief system includes other kinds of spirits. The Elawi are modeled after the conventional elemental lords found in many ancient religions.
The Loa
Rada Loa
• Hir'eek
"Bat"
The Wisefather of the Pantheon who guards the ages and the path of fate. Stoic and honorable, he leads the Rada Loa and guides their works. His totemic avatar is the bat.
• Shadra
"Spider"
The matron of life, known as the Heartweaver. She works to safeguard all living creatures within the world. Due to her wisdom and compassion for all life she is greatly honored. Her totemic avatar is the spider.
• Bethekk
"Panther"
The Lorekeeper and guardian of knowledge, the guardian of Trollic history and traditional rituals. Some say he is also the guardian of magic. His totemic avatar is the panther.
• Shirvallah
"Tiger"
The Forger who shaped Terr'ah (Azeroth). He embodies the strength of the world and all non-living things. His totemic avatar is the tiger.
• Hethiss
"Serpent"
The god of blood and of secrets, known as the Spiritblade. He rose to godhood after the fall of Hakkar, taking the former god's place among the World-Smiths. His totemic avatar is the snake.
Petro Loa
• Legba
"Monkey"
He is master of speed and swift motion, so fast that he can deliver messages of the gods and interpret their will. He is the lord of destiny and is also the intermediary between mortals and the Loa.
• Mueh'zala
"Jackal"
The Tablet of Theka calls her The Night’s Friend. She is the goddess of death and also fertility, alluding to the close symbolic link between death and life.
• Ogoun
"Raptor"
He is the god of war, a crafty spirit capable of defeating his enemies with hexes and curses. Sometimes Ogoun comes to the help of his followers, but he is not a very reliable Loa.
• Dambala
"Viper"
He is the lord of trickery and treachery, and behaves in a truly devilish way. Possessions induced by him are so violent that spectators are advised to keep their distance.
• Lukou
"Dog"
The goddess of healing and respite, she is benevolent and innocent. Lukou does not communicate exact messages. Instead she seems to radiate a comforting presence that sends a general spirit of optimism.
• Samedi
"Vulture"
God of cemeteries and restful sleep. The undead are an abomination in his eyes. Though frightening in appearance, he is actually a gentle soul.
• Shango
"Thunderhawk"
He controls the realm of storms, and guards the secrets of lightning and mayhem. One of the oldest Petro Loa, he is so sacred that he does not speak, but expresses himself through hissing and rumbling sounds.
• Kimbul
"Lion"
The Tablet of Theka calls him The Prey’s Doom. He is lord of the jungle and hunting. He is fierce and uncompromising, feared as much as he is admired.
• Ezili
"Dove"
The goddess of love, beauty and ideal dreams, she is the most attractive and sensuous Troll in the pantheon. She is the ability to conceptualize, the artistic ability to create.
• Geres'tek
"Tortoise"
Guardian and keeper of time and the cycle of life, he assists Hir'eek. One of the oldest Loas, he moves slowly and carefully, but steels himself against opposition. He is also said to be the Loa of aging.
Ghede Loa
• Zanza
The great father. His concern is for his family's prosperity. Zanza was a Zandalar Troll, great in life, passed up a chance to become a Petro Loa in favor of a more direct influence on his descendents. He appears in Zul'Gurub as an ethereal form within one of the many temples. The Zandalar respect and venerate Zanza, and pray to him to grant power to their heroes. He acts as the chief of the Ghede Loa. He knows all secrets. He is strongly dedicated to the welfare of his people, and uses his hidden knowledge and influences to protect them. His strength is surpassed only by his secrecy, such that no one really knows how strong he is. Rogues often pray to him above all others.
• Ibli
Mama Ibli is Zanza's wife. She is the ground that hides his secrets, the trees that throw his shadows, the wind that brings him news. She is the Great Serpent, the eldest of the Ghede Loa. She is the heart of Stranglethorn Vale, and mother to all Trolls. She can bring a good harvest, lush fruits and warm nights, or barreness, floods and catastrophe. She uses her influence to help her children or to punish them, and Shamans are her hands. Some say she is also the mother of the Elwai.
• Kwiicho
With his twin, Choki, the youngest of Ibli and Zanza's six children. Quite the little scamp, he loves making trouble for those around him. He's too adorable to punish, though. Kwiicho runs rings around Tonga, outsmarting and taking advantage of him. Most everybody, especially Rachi, find his antics hilarious — until he shifts his attention to them.
• Choki
Kwiicho's twin brother. When Kwiicho was born, Choki rose out of the birthing blood. He likes to follow Kwiicho around, sometimes impersonating him to Kwiicho's supplicants. No one likes Choki. His family keeps him as far away as possible. His sense of humor is brutal and destructive, his methods sociopathic. He loves making trouble as much as Kwiicho, but unlike Kwiicho's light-hearted mischief, his pranks bring pain, misfortune and anguish. Tribute is paid to appease and fend him off more often than to ask favors. It's tricky, though: By ignoring him, you risk angering him, but by paying tribute you attract his attention.
• Tash
Another of Kwiicho's siblings, Tash gets along well with his mother. He spends all of his time in the wild places. He never comes into the village, but he often sits in the branches of trees nearby and watches the activities. He loves to bring meat to his family, to feed and protect them, but he rarely speaks to them. If he raises his one hand, he is so strong and fierce that no animal can defeat him. If he raises his other hand, he is so young and brave that animals come and lay their heads in his lap. They are always honored to die for him. Tash represents the balance of eating and being eaten. Pray to Tash for success in hunting.
• Rachi
Her father's baby. Her reach is secret and strong, and her will is great. She possesses much secret knowledge, and dispenses it to those she deems worthy. She has tremendous arcane power and uses it to protect her family. She's pretty sure she knows better than anyone except her father what's good for the family, and she's not afraid to manipulate her tribe to further those ends. Patron of mages.
• Tonga
Brother Tonga delights in the physical. He loves fighting in all its forms, eating and drinking. He spends all his time at war games, or on the warpath. He is strongest of the Ghede Loa, although not necessarily the most puissant. Tonga doesn't have much use for complex thinking, but his battles are masterpieces. The only tribute he accepts is the blood of an enemy and the joyous war cry of the berserk.
• Onaba
The oldest of the siblings. Onaba was gone by the time the others were born. She travels ceaselessly around the world, seeking adventure and new sights. Onaba has no fixed body. He can be old or young, male or female, short or tall, and of any description. Her siblings always know him, though, by her feet. Onaba’s feet are on backwards. You can follow her trail to see where he's going to be. Next to Zanza, Onaba is first among heroes, as she represents the urge to leave the home place and test oneself abroad. He often acts as a messenger among the Ghede Loa.
• Uaban
Uaban, like Zanza, says that he forsook a place in Petro Loa. Kwiicho says he just got lost. Either way, he now spends his time wandering the world, healing people. He feels very holy and humble about the whole thing. He wears a white robe and carries a begging bowl as he wanders the paths. If you treat him well, he responds in kind, but if you refuse him, he lectures you endlessly on the virtues of generosity. The other Ghede Loa, especially Kwiicho, think he's kind of a stuffed shirt, but that doesn't stop them from going to him for help. Uaban can heal any wound, if you can get him to shut up long enough to do it.
• Azalo
Azalo is an adoptee into the tribe. Unlike Uaban, who is still essentially an outsider, Azalo has been accepted into the system of life-and-death protections a Ghede Loa maintains. She is the most beautiful of the Ghede Loa, with long, sharp tusks and eyes like heart's blood. Beauty follows her, and she drops grace like flower petals in her path. Azalo is a great listener.
The Fallen Loa
• Hakkar
The former god of blood and of war, known as the Soulflayer. It is said that at one time Hakkar worked alongside the other World-Smiths, but that he became corrupted in his search for power and is now the enemy of the Pantheon. His totemic avatar was the snake, and though the Atal'ai claim that it still is, the Zandalar grant him no avatar.
The Elawi
• Agwe
"Tidehunter"
The elemental spirit lord who rules over the domain of water. A favorite of the Gurubashi, whose empire was surrounded on three sides by ocean. The Tidehunter's power waxes and wanes as the fortunes of the Trolls themselves.
• Agni
"Firelord"
The elemental spirit lord who rules over the domain of fire. He is rash and passionate. Quick to love and quick to hate, his primal essence is change.
• Terrea
"Stonemother"
The elemental spirit lord who rules over the domain of Terr'ah. She is steady and true. Ever constant, the Stonemother loves the land itself above all and works to preserve the way the world was.
• Ik'uh
"Windmaster"
The elemental spirit lord who rules over the domain of wind. He cares little for the fortunes of living creatures but has the most power to affect them. When the Windmaster's attention can be gained, great power may be granted to he or she who earns it.
The Loa are for the most part official WoW lore, coming either from in-game sources or from the tabletop gaming book "Warcraft RPG: Magic and Mayhem." The Loa have been broken down into three subsets, following the Voodoo traditions on which Troll faith is based. These are Rada, Petro and Ghede.
The Rada Loa, known collectively as the World-Smiths, are generally older and more benevolent spirits.
The Petro Loa are more fiery, occasionally aggressive and warlike. They represent particular aspects of life.
The Ghede are the spirits of our ancestors and have been developed to help ourselves role-play. As a family, they are loud, crude, sexual and usually a lot of fun. Because they have lived already, they have nothing to fear, and act accordingly. It would make sense that different Troll subraces and tribes might have their own Ghede, though we only have the Zandalari Ghede at this time.
The Elawi are not official lore. We know that besides Voodoo, Trolls also practice Shamanism, and that belief system includes other kinds of spirits. The Elawi are modeled after the conventional elemental lords found in many ancient religions.
The Loa
Rada Loa
• Hir'eek
"Bat"
The Wisefather of the Pantheon who guards the ages and the path of fate. Stoic and honorable, he leads the Rada Loa and guides their works. His totemic avatar is the bat.
• Shadra
"Spider"
The matron of life, known as the Heartweaver. She works to safeguard all living creatures within the world. Due to her wisdom and compassion for all life she is greatly honored. Her totemic avatar is the spider.
• Bethekk
"Panther"
The Lorekeeper and guardian of knowledge, the guardian of Trollic history and traditional rituals. Some say he is also the guardian of magic. His totemic avatar is the panther.
• Shirvallah
"Tiger"
The Forger who shaped Terr'ah (Azeroth). He embodies the strength of the world and all non-living things. His totemic avatar is the tiger.
• Hethiss
"Serpent"
The god of blood and of secrets, known as the Spiritblade. He rose to godhood after the fall of Hakkar, taking the former god's place among the World-Smiths. His totemic avatar is the snake.
Petro Loa
• Legba
"Monkey"
He is master of speed and swift motion, so fast that he can deliver messages of the gods and interpret their will. He is the lord of destiny and is also the intermediary between mortals and the Loa.
• Mueh'zala
"Jackal"
The Tablet of Theka calls her The Night’s Friend. She is the goddess of death and also fertility, alluding to the close symbolic link between death and life.
• Ogoun
"Raptor"
He is the god of war, a crafty spirit capable of defeating his enemies with hexes and curses. Sometimes Ogoun comes to the help of his followers, but he is not a very reliable Loa.
• Dambala
"Viper"
He is the lord of trickery and treachery, and behaves in a truly devilish way. Possessions induced by him are so violent that spectators are advised to keep their distance.
• Lukou
"Dog"
The goddess of healing and respite, she is benevolent and innocent. Lukou does not communicate exact messages. Instead she seems to radiate a comforting presence that sends a general spirit of optimism.
• Samedi
"Vulture"
God of cemeteries and restful sleep. The undead are an abomination in his eyes. Though frightening in appearance, he is actually a gentle soul.
• Shango
"Thunderhawk"
He controls the realm of storms, and guards the secrets of lightning and mayhem. One of the oldest Petro Loa, he is so sacred that he does not speak, but expresses himself through hissing and rumbling sounds.
• Kimbul
"Lion"
The Tablet of Theka calls him The Prey’s Doom. He is lord of the jungle and hunting. He is fierce and uncompromising, feared as much as he is admired.
• Ezili
"Dove"
The goddess of love, beauty and ideal dreams, she is the most attractive and sensuous Troll in the pantheon. She is the ability to conceptualize, the artistic ability to create.
• Geres'tek
"Tortoise"
Guardian and keeper of time and the cycle of life, he assists Hir'eek. One of the oldest Loas, he moves slowly and carefully, but steels himself against opposition. He is also said to be the Loa of aging.
Ghede Loa
• Zanza
The great father. His concern is for his family's prosperity. Zanza was a Zandalar Troll, great in life, passed up a chance to become a Petro Loa in favor of a more direct influence on his descendents. He appears in Zul'Gurub as an ethereal form within one of the many temples. The Zandalar respect and venerate Zanza, and pray to him to grant power to their heroes. He acts as the chief of the Ghede Loa. He knows all secrets. He is strongly dedicated to the welfare of his people, and uses his hidden knowledge and influences to protect them. His strength is surpassed only by his secrecy, such that no one really knows how strong he is. Rogues often pray to him above all others.
• Ibli
Mama Ibli is Zanza's wife. She is the ground that hides his secrets, the trees that throw his shadows, the wind that brings him news. She is the Great Serpent, the eldest of the Ghede Loa. She is the heart of Stranglethorn Vale, and mother to all Trolls. She can bring a good harvest, lush fruits and warm nights, or barreness, floods and catastrophe. She uses her influence to help her children or to punish them, and Shamans are her hands. Some say she is also the mother of the Elwai.
• Kwiicho
With his twin, Choki, the youngest of Ibli and Zanza's six children. Quite the little scamp, he loves making trouble for those around him. He's too adorable to punish, though. Kwiicho runs rings around Tonga, outsmarting and taking advantage of him. Most everybody, especially Rachi, find his antics hilarious — until he shifts his attention to them.
• Choki
Kwiicho's twin brother. When Kwiicho was born, Choki rose out of the birthing blood. He likes to follow Kwiicho around, sometimes impersonating him to Kwiicho's supplicants. No one likes Choki. His family keeps him as far away as possible. His sense of humor is brutal and destructive, his methods sociopathic. He loves making trouble as much as Kwiicho, but unlike Kwiicho's light-hearted mischief, his pranks bring pain, misfortune and anguish. Tribute is paid to appease and fend him off more often than to ask favors. It's tricky, though: By ignoring him, you risk angering him, but by paying tribute you attract his attention.
• Tash
Another of Kwiicho's siblings, Tash gets along well with his mother. He spends all of his time in the wild places. He never comes into the village, but he often sits in the branches of trees nearby and watches the activities. He loves to bring meat to his family, to feed and protect them, but he rarely speaks to them. If he raises his one hand, he is so strong and fierce that no animal can defeat him. If he raises his other hand, he is so young and brave that animals come and lay their heads in his lap. They are always honored to die for him. Tash represents the balance of eating and being eaten. Pray to Tash for success in hunting.
• Rachi
Her father's baby. Her reach is secret and strong, and her will is great. She possesses much secret knowledge, and dispenses it to those she deems worthy. She has tremendous arcane power and uses it to protect her family. She's pretty sure she knows better than anyone except her father what's good for the family, and she's not afraid to manipulate her tribe to further those ends. Patron of mages.
• Tonga
Brother Tonga delights in the physical. He loves fighting in all its forms, eating and drinking. He spends all his time at war games, or on the warpath. He is strongest of the Ghede Loa, although not necessarily the most puissant. Tonga doesn't have much use for complex thinking, but his battles are masterpieces. The only tribute he accepts is the blood of an enemy and the joyous war cry of the berserk.
• Onaba
The oldest of the siblings. Onaba was gone by the time the others were born. She travels ceaselessly around the world, seeking adventure and new sights. Onaba has no fixed body. He can be old or young, male or female, short or tall, and of any description. Her siblings always know him, though, by her feet. Onaba’s feet are on backwards. You can follow her trail to see where he's going to be. Next to Zanza, Onaba is first among heroes, as she represents the urge to leave the home place and test oneself abroad. He often acts as a messenger among the Ghede Loa.
• Uaban
Uaban, like Zanza, says that he forsook a place in Petro Loa. Kwiicho says he just got lost. Either way, he now spends his time wandering the world, healing people. He feels very holy and humble about the whole thing. He wears a white robe and carries a begging bowl as he wanders the paths. If you treat him well, he responds in kind, but if you refuse him, he lectures you endlessly on the virtues of generosity. The other Ghede Loa, especially Kwiicho, think he's kind of a stuffed shirt, but that doesn't stop them from going to him for help. Uaban can heal any wound, if you can get him to shut up long enough to do it.
• Azalo
Azalo is an adoptee into the tribe. Unlike Uaban, who is still essentially an outsider, Azalo has been accepted into the system of life-and-death protections a Ghede Loa maintains. She is the most beautiful of the Ghede Loa, with long, sharp tusks and eyes like heart's blood. Beauty follows her, and she drops grace like flower petals in her path. Azalo is a great listener.
The Fallen Loa
• Hakkar
The former god of blood and of war, known as the Soulflayer. It is said that at one time Hakkar worked alongside the other World-Smiths, but that he became corrupted in his search for power and is now the enemy of the Pantheon. His totemic avatar was the snake, and though the Atal'ai claim that it still is, the Zandalar grant him no avatar.
The Elawi
• Agwe
"Tidehunter"
The elemental spirit lord who rules over the domain of water. A favorite of the Gurubashi, whose empire was surrounded on three sides by ocean. The Tidehunter's power waxes and wanes as the fortunes of the Trolls themselves.
• Agni
"Firelord"
The elemental spirit lord who rules over the domain of fire. He is rash and passionate. Quick to love and quick to hate, his primal essence is change.
• Terrea
"Stonemother"
The elemental spirit lord who rules over the domain of Terr'ah. She is steady and true. Ever constant, the Stonemother loves the land itself above all and works to preserve the way the world was.
• Ik'uh
"Windmaster"
The elemental spirit lord who rules over the domain of wind. He cares little for the fortunes of living creatures but has the most power to affect them. When the Windmaster's attention can be gained, great power may be granted to he or she who earns it.