Amani tribe
- This article is about the troll tribe lore. For the in-game faction, see Amani Tribe (faction).
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| |
| Main leader |
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| Formerly | See below |
| Secondary leaders |
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| Formerly |
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| Race(s) |
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| Character classes | Berserker, Hunter, Priest, Scout, Shaman, Warrior, Witch doctor |
| Capital | Zul'Aman |
| Base of operations | Tal'aman, Zeb'Watha, Tor'Watha, Amani'Zar Village, Atal'Aman, Zeb'Alar Lumberyard |
| Theater of operations | Quel'Thalas, Zuldazar |
| Formerly | Isle of Thunder, Kun-Lai Summit |
| Language(s) | Zandali, Orcish, Common |
| Sub-group(s) | Amani'shi |
| Affiliation | Amani Empire |
| Formerly | Zandalari Invaders, Zandalari Empire, Old Horde, Empire of Zul |
| Status | Active |
The Amani tribe is a tribe of forest trolls who founded the Amani Empire in the northeastern side of ancient Kalimdor, with Zul'Aman as their capital. In modern times, their empire is a shadow of its former self, with most of their territory stretching only as far as the borders of Zul'Aman itself in Quel'Thalas.
Akil'zon is the main loa of the Amani tribe.[3]
History
In ancient times, the Amani were one of the tribes that arose to challenge the Zandalari for territory and power. They laid claim to enormous swaths of land in Ancient Kalimdor's lush woods. On occasion, they clashed with other tribes, often over hunting grounds. Yet major conflicts were few and rarely lengthy. Trolls were such skilled and fierce fighters that any real conflict would cost both sides dearly. Untouched land was plentiful in all directions, and the various tribes quickly learned it was wiser to resettle than risk war.[4]
Aqir and Troll War
Circa 16,000 BDP, during the Aqir and Troll War, the aqir encroached perilously close to the Zandalar, leading the Zandalari to unite the disparate troll tribes, including the Amani, into a single mighty force, the Empire of Zul. Together, they drove the aqir away, and at the Zandalari's behest, the other tribes moved out to hunt down the aqir across Ancient Kalimdor to permanently end the threat. The Zandalari also convinced the most power-hungry troll factions to establish new strongholds across Azeroth. The Amani set out to destroy Kith'ix, the C'Thrax general who had started the war. In a final savage battle, the entire tribe flung itself in a suicidal attack against Kith'ix and its remaining insectoid minions. Only a tiny fraction of the troll army survived. Atop the site where they had killed Kith'ix, the trolls established a new settlement, which would one day grow into a sprawling temple city and the capital of their empire, Zul'Aman.[5]
Troll Wars
During the exile of the Highborne around 6,800 BDP, the followers of Dath'Remar Sunstrider made their way to the Amani-controlled woodlands in the northern part of the landmass that would eventually be called the Eastern Kingdoms. The arrival of the Highborne infuriated the trolls who sent out raiding parties immediately. Using their magical prowess to decimate any Amani who dared cross their path, the elves eventually reached the nexus of ley lines they had been seeking, where Dath'Remar proclaimed that this was where they would begin their civilization anew. They called their new land Quel'Thalas and built their new kingdom atop ancient Amani ruins—ruins still considered hallowed ground by the trolls. Outnumbering the elves by more than ten to one, the Amani struggled ferociously to drive the invaders from their sacred land, while the high elves drew on the full might of their newfound nexus of power, barely holding off the trolls' assaults. Bit by bit, the elves carved out the borders of their kingdom from Amani land, and the trolls eventually retreated back to their temple city of Zul'Aman, where they plotted revenge.[6]
Millennia later, circa 2,800 BDP, the infighting had spread throughout the Amani tribe, threatening to destroy it from within. The Amani's fortunes soon changed when they received aid from the Zandalari Empire, who saw themselves as the protectors and spiritual leaders of all trolls. They were eager to strengthen troll societies across Azeroth, many of which had languished since the time of the Great Sundering. The Zandalari had honed and perfected their voodoo arts over recent millennia and promised to help the Amani plan for their impending conflict with the high elves. The Zandalari would also ensure that the mighty loa demigods would aid the trolls in battle. To settle matters of leadership, the Zandalari also made one of the Amani's most fearless warriors, Jintha, the ruler of his people. After a series of successful skirmishes, the Amani decided that the time for all-out war had finally come. Without warning, tens of thousands of troll fighters exploded from the shadowy forests. With astonishing speed and ferocity, the Amani laid waste to the outer reaches of Quel'Thalas. The trolls' ultimate victory was only a matter of time.[7]
High King Anasterian Sunstrider knew they could not win by themselves, and so he sent ambassadors to King Thoradin in Strom. The high elves argued that without assistance from Arathor, the trolls would soon destroy Quel'Thalas, then they would launch the full might of their warbands against the Empire of Arathor. Soon, the Amani found themselves fighting a war on two fronts, yet Jintha remained confident they would emerge victorious. Intent on destroying Arathor's armies, he turned his warbands south to crush the humans. Weeks of brutal and bloody fighting followed as the overconfident Amani chased Arathor's armies to the mountains, while the high elves harried the northern flank of the Amani. When the humans and elves were confident they had worn down the Amani ranks, they unleashed their secret weapon: one hundred human magi that had been taught in the ways of the arcane by the elves. In a single terrible spell, torrents of fire lashed down from the sky, which engulfed the Amani ranks in a searing conflagration. Among the first of the Amani to be consumed in the enchanted flames was Jintha. Without their leader, the surviving trolls broke ranks and retreated back north to Zul'Aman. The disastrous battle floored the Zandalari emissaries, who skulked back to their island home.[8]
During the conflict, troll witch doctors set about casting hexes and curses against the infamous elven weapon known as Felo'melorn, but history bears out that even the darkest voodoo did little to negate the effectiveness of the runeblade during the Troll Wars.[9] It was said that a thousand Amani trolls fell before Felo'melorn's fury,[10] spilling enough Amani blood to brim the walls of Zul'Aman.[11] As such, it became known as a legendary troll-killer and bane of trolls.[9]
At some point, after a period of calm, the Amani changed an eagle with their dark magic into a true monster in order to perform an incursion into Quel'Thalas; the creature was known as the Dark Eagle.[12] It was ultimately slain by Lireesa Windrunner who was hunting near a village with her squad of rangers.
Second War
At the beginning of the Second War in 5 ADP, the Amani trolls rejoiced upon learning of Stormwind's destruction by the Horde. Some of them indicated that they would join the Orcish Horde in exchange for Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer's aid. The Amani ruler, Warlord Zul'jin, had been captured by humans and shackled in a prison near a town in the Hillsbrad Foothills.[13] During the First War, the previous Warchief Blackhand had tried to recruit the forest trolls, but Zul'jin had refused.[14] The orc scouts eventually discovered Zul'jin's whereabouts in Durnholde Keep.
As battles continued across Hillsbrad in 6 ADP, where the orcs faced the human Alliance of Lordaeron, Doomhammer led a raiding party to rescue Zul'jin. After freeing the troll warlord, Doomhammer invited him and the rest of his people to join the Horde. At first, Zul'jin balked at the proposal, but Doomhammer was quick to allay Zul'jin's fears about leadership as they would stand as equals against their enemies. Doomhammer finally won Zul'jin's support with an offer: if the Amani committed their forces to the Horde, the orcs would help them annihilate their rivals, the high elves of Quel'Thalas.
Attacking Quel'Thalas meant moving farther north from Lordaeron's capital, which was the ultimate goal. But to win the war, Doomhammer needed the Amani's support, and thus ordered the Horde to turn east and funnel through a narrow mountain pass into the Hinterlands. The trolls led the orcs on a path that would take them over the northern mountains and into Quel'Thalas. En route, Zul'jin rallied the local Amani trolls to his side.[15] Once they had finally reached Quel'Thalas, Zul'jin also visited Zul'Aman to gather more troops. Thousands of trolls, adorned in enchanted talismans and ritual tattoos, streamed out of Zul'Aman and took their place alongside Orgrim's Horde. The marauding army decimated the kingdom's outer holdings in short order. As the army advanced north, they found that many death knights and Amani witch doctors were unable to wield their magic due to Ban'dinoriel, the magic runestone shield erected by the elves when they founded their kingdom. However, the orc warlock Gul'dan managed to find a way to disrupt the barrier by dismantling one of the runestones.[16]
With the runestones desecrated, the orc and troll spellcasters regained their powers, and the Horde stormed toward Quel'Thalas's capital, Silvermoon City. They terrorized the countryside, pillaging settlements and cutting down every elf they found. When they reached Silvermoon, the elves erected a magic shield powered by the Sunwell, the mystical fount of power at the heart of the elven kingdom. The Horde smashed against the shield again and again, but the barrier did not give way. On the other hand, Zul'jin and the Amani rejected the warchief's call to go west, with the troll warlord vowing that he would attack Lordaeron's capital only after all of Quel'Thalas was in flames and he held King Anasterian's severed head in his hands. Losing the trolls now, at this critical moment, could spell doom for the Horde, until Gul'dan convinced Orgrim and Zul'jin that the Stormreaver clan had found a new way to destroy the barrier. Once the Stormreavers had succeeded, the elven city would fall; the trolls could sate their appetite for vengeance, and then they could rejoin the Horde.[17]
Gul'dan had no real interest in helping the Amani or Doomhammer, however. A few days after the Warchief marched to Lordaeron's capital, Gul'dan gathered his allies and revealed his plans to seek out the Tomb of Sargeras instead. The Amani trolls didn't answer Gul'dan's call and continued their siege on the elven capital.[18] Because of Gul'dan's deception, the war eventually turned in favor of the Alliance. While the Alliance was besieging Blackrock Spire, King Anasterian led the effort to drive the Amani trolls from Quel'Thalas. The battles were costly, but the elves managed to defeat the Amani.[19]
Third War
During the Third War in 21 ADP, as the death knight Arthas Menethil led the Scourge into Quel'Thalas, the Amani tribe witnessed the resulting slaughter with glee. Acting swiftly, the trolls launched a series of attacks on high elf settlements in the Eversong Forest. To the Amani' surprise, the few high elves who had survived seemed greatly weakened and put up a poor fight, which allowed them to claim a significant portion of the forest before the return of Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider. When the elven prince, the Magisters and their guards arrived at Quel'Danas to destroy the corrupted Sunwell, the Amani tribe also landed on the isle with their destroyers. When the mages destroyed the Sunwell, its blast caught everyone standing near it, troll and undead alike.[20]
Afterward, Kael'thas gathered the surviving elves and renamed them the blood elves. He then organized them into a fighting force that proved frustratingly effective against the Amani tribe's efforts, even after Kael'thas and his strongest warriors left Quel'Thalas to fight the Scourge elsewhere. Nevertheless, the Amani tribe remained fiercely dedicated to its battle against the elves, while the diminished elven populace continued fighting both the trolls to the east and the Scourge to the south.[21]
The Burning Crusade
Prior to the invasion of Outland, Lieutenant Dawnrunner of the Farstriders hired blood elf adventurers to deal with Amani encroachment in Eversong Woods. She had them slay Amani in Zeb'Watha and Tor'Watha.[22] While the blacksmith Arathel Sunforge requested they bring her Spearcrafter Otembe's magical hammer, having been impressed with his craftsmanship.[23] In Tor'Watha the adventurers encountered Ven'jashi, a troll from the Darkspear tribe who had been captured by the Amani. He was slowly dying from poison and requested they take revenge on Zul'Marosh, the boss of the local Amani who had burned Ven'jashi's village.[24] Adventurers also found invasion plans indicating that the Amani had been aiming to attack Fairbreeze Village.[25]
The Gods of Zul'Aman
During the invasion of Outland in 26 ADP, as the Horde and the Alliance were waging war on Illidan Stormrage's forces, Warlord Zul'jin and his Amani trolls prepared to march on Quel'Thalas. Zul'jin had been captured by the elves following the Amani defeat in the Second War; though he managed to escape, he lost an eye and an arm in the ordeal.[20] Since then, he and the Amani had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to launch a new, full-out assault. With most of Quel'Thalas's soldiers occupied on Outland, that opportunity was now.
Zul'jin was a cunning leader, and his attack was motivated by hatred of Quel'Thalas as well as strategic reasons. The blood elves had recently joined the Horde, which had granted them more power and resources. Zul'jin believed Quel'Thalas would inevitably convince its new allies to strike at the Amani empire. The warlord was pleased when the witch doctor Malacrass approached him with a devious plan to crush the elves once and for all. Malacrass had studied the Zandalari high priests and their ability to call upon the favor of the animal gods. He also knew that the elves had magically bound one of the mighty naaru, using it to channel the power of the Light into their own ranks. Malacrass had devised a similar plan: to seal the power of the animal gods within the bodies of the Amani's strongest warriors. Zul'jin quickly approved the plan and lent his full support. Malacrass experimented tirelessly and succeeded in imbuing four warriors with the essence of mighty animal gods: the lynx, dragonhawk, bear, and eagle.[26] The Horde was desperate not to fight a war on two fronts—Outland and Quel'Thalas. The faction's mightiest champions volunteered to storm Zul'Aman. They did not have the strength to face the trolls' army directly, but they had no need to. The Horde's strike force cut off the serpent's head, killing Zul'jin and his priests before their rampage in Quel'Thalas could even begin.[27]
War against the Zandalari
To fill the power vacuum left by the death of Zul'jin, the remaining trolls chose their favored champion, Daakara the Invincible, to reclaim their lost glory.[28] Following the Cataclysm caused by Deathwing in 28 ADP, Prophet Zul of the Zandalari Empire saw an opportunity. The Zandalari could take advantage of the chaos to unite the scattered troll tribes into a mighty empire and establish themselves as Azeroth's preeminent power, like in ancient times. During a meeting in Stranglethorn Vale, Daakara and the Amani agreed to this path.[29] With the Zandalari's aid, Zul'Aman was rebuilt, and the Amani Empire replenished their forces for a bloody campaign to expand their territories.[30]
When Zul reached out to Vol'jin and his Darkspear trolls, the chieftain rejected the offer and moved to end the Zandalari's warmongering. Vol'jin joined forces with his Horde ally Ranger General Halduron Brightwing and his Farstriders and marched to nip the Amani empire in the bud. Overstretched, Halduron called upon Vereesa Windrunner and the Silver Covenant to assist their cause.[31] After deciding on an appropriate battle plan, Vol'jin personally led a strike force into Zul'Aman, and with the aid of adventurers, he put an end to Daakara and the Zandalari's efforts within Zul'Aman.[32]
As the Alliance and Horde were exploring the continent of Pandaria in 30 ADP, word of its rediscovery reached the Zandalari trolls as well. By the hundreds, these Zandalari boarded ships and set sail to conquer the long-lost continent. The Amani bolstered the Zandalari Invaders along with the Gurubashi, Drakkari, and Farraki tribes.[33] After the Zandalari managed to revive their ancient ally, Lei Shen, the Thunder King, the Amani'shi convened with the other troll tribes and the mogu on the Isle of Thunder. There, they faced the combined forces of the Alliance and Horde, who eventually managed to raid the Throne of Thunder, Lei Shen's seat of power. In the end, while they fought fiercely, the Amani and their leader Kazra'jin were defeated.[34][35]
Fourth War and aftermath
During the Fourth War in 33 ADP, members of the Amani residing in the enclave of Tal'aman, in the Port of Zandalar of Zuldazar, resisted the idea of the Horde allying with the Zandalari Empire. Princess Talanji had recently opened the port to all races to peddle their wares, but these merchants were being shaken down by Amani thugs, among thugs from other tribes.[36] As punishment, Zolani, the Blade of the King, tasked Horde adventurers with slaying the ruffians and collecting Amani heads in Tal'Aman,[37] while Spymistress Yazma had them go after their loa disciples.[38] The heroes also had to face against the Amani champion Kul'krazahn.[39]
When Master Gadrin sought to have Vol'jin's ashes be placed in Atal'Dazar, Amani trolls were among the challengers who tried to stop him.[40]
In spite of their disobedience against God King Rastakhan, the Amani took part in the funeral procession after his death in the Battle of Dazar'alor.[41]
In Year 42 ADP, Thalyssra reported that the Amani enclave of Tal'aman in Dazar'alor was more peaceful, and that the Amani had ceased harassing merchants. Despite their history of hostility with the Horde, the Amani trolls gave her no trouble.[42]
Midnight
By the time of the Void invasion of Zul'Aman, the Amani were led by Zul'jarra, the granddaughter of Warlord Zul'jin, and had lost touch with the loa. With her brother Zul'jan serving as her adviser, Zul'jarra seeks a way to help her people survive the oncoming void onslaught.[43] Adventurers will entreat with her.[44]
The uneasy peace that has settled between the Amani and the blood elves has begun to weaken as the threat of the Void continues to drive wedges between nations.[45]
Notable
| Name | Role | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Former champion of Zul'jin and his successor. | Deceased | Zul'Aman | |
| Former leader of the tribe and member of the Council of Elders. | Killable | Lightning Promenade, Throne of Thunder | |
| Zul'jin's grandson and advisor of Zul'jarra. | Alive | Zul'Aman | |
| Amani Champion in Tal'aman. | Killable | Tal'aman | |
| Leader of the Eversong Woods forest trolls. | Killable | Zeb'Watha, Eversong Woods | |
| Elder of Akil'alor temple. | Alive | Atal'Aman Zul'Aman | |
| Altar Keeper. | Alive | Amani'Zar Village Zul'Aman |
Notable leaders
| Name | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Patriarch of the Amani long before they arrived to Zul'Aman, who fought against the Zandalari to carve the borders of a free land for his people. | Deceased | |
| Leader of the Amani during the Aqir and Troll War who led her people to the land that is now known as Zul'Aman and created the Amani Empire. | Deceased | |
| The first hash'ey, who created the order of Loa Speakers and the one who commissioned the temple-city of Atal'Aman. | Deceased | |
| A ruler unloved by the loa and his people, who in the end was poisoned by his servants at the urging of the chieftains of the other Amani tribes. | Deceased | |
| Ruler chosen by the zandalari who was burned alive alongside his army by the first one hundred human mages. | Deceased | |
| Warlord of the Amani who reunited all forest troll tribes during the Second War, but later betrayed the loa and was killed alongside his son Man'ye by forces of the Horde. | Deceased | |
| Mother of Zul'jarra and wife of Man'ye who took the mantle of leadership until her daughter came of age. | Deceased | |
| Current leader of the empire who came to this position at a very young age and became the first hash'ey in generations. | Alive |
Loa
| Loa | Role | Notable follower(s) | Temple | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle god, loa of victory | Temple of Akil'zon Talonstrike Terrace |
Active | ||
| Lynx god, loa of the hunt | Temple of Halazzi Swiftclaw Terrace |
Active | ||
| Bat god, loa of night | Reincarnating | |||
| Dragonhawk god, loa of fire | Temple of Jan'alai Firewing Terrace |
Active | ||
| Loa of Medicine | Shrine of Kulzi | Active | ||
| Loa of Pestilence | Active | |||
| Bear god, loa of war | Den of Nalorakk Ragemaw Terrace |
Active |
Notes and trivia
- Amani trolls hold dragonhawks in high regard due to the loa Jan'alai, who shares their appearance.[47]
- The Amani erect large slabs of stone adorned with ceremonial masks along their border as warnings and border marks. These marks also act as shrines, and offerings are placed at them, at times even the skulls of their enemies.[48]
- Vampire bats have been trained as scouts and mounts by the Amani.[49]
- The Amani trolls decorate their ferocious battle bear mounts in magic amulets and ceremonial masks as a way to venerate the bear god Nalorakk.[50]
[Amani Mule] is an alcoholic drink sold by Zenda at the Brewfest Grounds in Durotar.
[Engraved Amani Spearpoints] can be looted from Treasure Pile in the Battle of Dazar'alor.
Gallery
- See also: Zul'jin#Gallery
- Amani Mask of Death in the Trading Card Game.
- Amani War Bear in Hearthstone.
References
- ^ a b c
[83-88] Important Amani
- ^
[10-60] Punishment of Tal'aman: Yazma says: It will not be long before these disciples are replaced with new ones. Hopefully, de next ones will learn from de past.
- ^ Lady Liadrin: I also didn't know that while they all worship more than one loa, that each tribe has a loa associated with it-- Akil'zon for the Amani and Hallazi for the Witherbark.
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 133 - 138
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 138-142
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 235 - 237
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 253 - 254
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 255 - 258
- ^ a b Archive of the Tirisgarde#Felo'melorn
- ^ Examiner Andoren Dawnrise
- ^ Blood of the Highborne
- ^ World of Warcraft: Sylvanas, pg. 11
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 146
- ^ Tides of Darkness, chapter 4
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 160
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 162 - 163
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 164 - 165
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 168
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 173
- ^ a b Blood of the Highborne
- ^ Troll Compendium: Amani tribe
- ^
[1-30] Amani Encroachment
- ^
[1-30] The Spearcrafter's Hammer
- ^
[1-30] Zul'Marosh
- ^
[1-30] Amani Invasion
- ^ Game Guide/BC Raid Areas#Vengeance for Zul'jin
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 158
- ^ Daakara#Adventure Guide
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 209
- ^ Patch 4.1.0 Content Preview: Rise of the Zandalari
- ^ Vol'jin#Meeting with Halduron and Vereesa
- ^ Vol'jin#Zul'Aman
- ^
[20-35] Enemies At Our Door
- ^ Council of Elders#Adventure Guide
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 4, pg. 38
- ^
[10-60] Shakedown
- ^
[10-60] Deterrent
- ^
[10-60] Punishment of Tal'aman
- ^
[50RWQ] Kul'krazahn
- ^
[50] Vol'jin, Son of Sen'jin
- ^
[60] The King's Death
- ^ Exploring Azeroth: Islands and Isles, pg. 58
- ^ World of Midnight Developer Panel | gamescom 2025 | World of Warcraft
- ^ World of Warcraft: Midnight#Zones
- ^ Explore the Zones of Midnight
- ^ Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde, chapter 9
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Dragonflight Codex, pg. 137
- ^ World of Warcraft: Sylvanas, chapter 7
- ^
[Vampiric Batling]
- ^ Mount Journal entry for
[Amani Battle Bear]
External links
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