The Loa are a collection of spirits worshipped by trolls on Azeroth. Loa spirits are more powerful than the elementals, but not as powerful as gods.^[1] They are ancient to Azeroth, and have existed for as long as the trolls have, even predating the Titans. Trolls believe that everything has a spirit and that spirit is a loa. Examples of this is the spirit of raptors or the spirit of blood.

BackgroundEdit

The trolls draw power for their voodoo magics by performing rituals and invoking the Primal Gods, Old Gods,^[2] forest spirits, and ancestral spirits: their Loa spirits and gods. They may appear as a glowing spheres, emanating ancient wisdom and sadness. The undulation of shining tentacles within its surface are said grant visions of possible futures.^[3]

Supposedly, these spirits are mighty entities that grant the faithful extraordinary powers. In the Shadow Hunter he calls upon these voodoo spirits, the shadow hunter gains special blessings with which he can combat darkness and help those in need. The abilities granted vary according to the Loa the shadow hunter calls upon.^[4] Almost any being who has died and transcended death can be worshiped as a loa, including Forsaken shadow ascendants.

The shadow hunters' faith and communion with the Loa gods grants them shadow and healing magic, and other abilities. Shadow Hunters learn magic that hinders enemies and aids allies, gaining a unique mix of spells that delve into the more occult aspects of the Loa.

The five high priests in Zul'Gurub each have a corresponding Primal God. High Priestess Mar'li worships Shadra, High Priest Thekal worships Shirvallah, High Priestess Arlokk worships Bethekk, High Priestess Jeklik worships Hir'eek and High Priest Venoxis worships Hethiss.

The three high prophets in Gundrak each have a corresponding Primal God. Gal'darah worships Akali, Moorabi worships Mam'toth and Slad'ran worships Sseratus.

The troll pantheon (Loa gods)Edit

All trolls worship a pantheon of primal forces; a sacred animal represents each aspect of the pantheon.^[5] The trolls believe that all substance, living, sentient, or not, all have a it's own spirit and are all considered as Loa. This could range from the ground, to a single warrior. They also believe that when spirits die such as fallen warriors, their spirit lives on and should be honored through ceremonial practice. This includes Voodoo, a important magic used by trolls.

Amani Loa Edit

The trolls of Zul'Aman worship primal beings they call the Forest Gods.^[6]

• Ula-tek, Goddess of Serpents.
• Nalorakk, the Bear.
• Akil'zon, the Eagle.
• Jan'alai, the Dragonhawk.
• Halazzi, the Lynx.

Darkspear Loa Edit

• Bwonsamdi, the Guardian of the Dead.

Originally part of the Gurubashi Empire, the Darkspear also continue to worship many of the Gurubashi loa.^[7]

Drakkari Loa Edit

• Sseratus, the Serpent.
• Har'koa, the Snow leopard.
• Rhunok, the Arctic Bear.
• Quetz'lun, the Wind serpent.
• Mam'toth, the Mammoth.
• Akali, the Rhino.

Drakkari Gods Edit

• Dubra'Jin
• Zim'Abwa
• Zim'Rhuk, the Wise One.
• Zim'Torga, the Mother of Prosperity.

Gurubashi Loa Edit

• Hakkar, Blood God, and his avatar.
• Shadra, the Spider.
• Shirvallah, the Tiger.
• Bethekk, the Panther.
• Hir'eek, the Bat.
• Hethiss, the Snake.

Sandfury Loa Edit

• Kimbul, God of Tigers, Lord of beasts, King of Cats, the Prey's Doom.
• Mueh'zala, God of Death, Father of Sleep, Son of Time, the Night's Friend.

Shadowhunter Loa Edit

• Legba, Loa of Speed.
• Lukou, Loa of Healing and Respite.
• Ogoun, Loa of War.
• Dambala, Loa of serpents and treachery.
• Samedi, Loa of the cemeteries and the restful sleep of the dead.
• Shango, Controller of the Realm of Storms.

Zandalari Loa Edit

• Zanza, worshiped by the Zandalar Tribe.
• Gonk the Great Hunter, is an ancient spirit Zandalarian tales.

Worshipped as Loa Edit

• Shadow ascendants

Servitors of the Loa Edit

High priests Edit

• Arlokk, high priestess of Bethekk.
• Hawinni, high priest of Quetz'lun.
• Jeklik, high priestess of Hir'eek.
• Mar'li, high priestess of Shadra.
• Mu'funu, high priest of Quetz'lun.
• Thekal, high priest of Shirvallah.
• Tua-Tua, high priestess of Quetz'lun.
• Venoxis, high priest of Hethiss.

High prophets Edit

• Gal'darah, high prophet of Akali.
• Moorabi, high prophet of Mam'toth.
• Slad'ran, high prophet of Sseratus.

InspirationEdit

The names of the Loa gods are inspired by Loa (also Lwa or L'wha) - intermediary spirits of Haitian Vodou and other Vodoun syncretic religions of similar origin. The character attributes of some of the trollkind pantheon Loa gods are in line with with attributes of their Vodoun namesakes, but others are of pure creative license.

The Loa gods and the troll pantheon, alone, do not seem to be the only root of inspiration from Caribbean cultures for the trollkind race. The trolls' native tongue, Zandali, for example, bears a strong resemblance to the syllabic characteristics of both the Indigenous and Creole languages from the Caribbean and their respective dialects. The trolls' Low Common dialect also resembles the Caribbean dialect of the English language.

References Edit

External links Edit

BlizzPlanet World of Warcraft - The Loa gods Lore By Medievaldragon – January 18, 2008