Mossflayer tribe
 Mossflayer tribe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Main leader |
 Warlord Thresh'jin † |
| Formerly |
Vex'tul[1] |
| Race(s) |
  Forest troll   Undead troll  Dire troll |
| Character classes | Warrior, Cannibal, Shadow hunter, Scout, Berserker, Rogue, Shaman |
| Capital | Zul'Mashar |
| Theater of operations | Eastern Plaguelands |
| Language(s) | Zandali, Orcish, Common |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Formerly | Amani Empire,[2] Old Horde |
| Status | Active |
The Mossflayer tribe is a forest troll tribe located in the Eastern Plaguelands.
History
Troll Compendium
The Mossflayer tribe split off from the Amani empire after the Troll Wars and decided to abandon that section of Lordaeron altogether. Even so, humanity continued to harry the forest trolls. The Mossflayer tribe had been driven out of much of its ancestral territory in Lordaeron by the time the Second War broke out.[3] Their numbers were not what they once were, and the Farstriders knew about it.[4]
Like all other forest trolls, the Mossflayers allied themselves with the Orcish Horde during the Second War under the leadership of Zul'jin, a famous Amani hero. When the Horde was soundly defeated, Zul'jin disappeared, and the forest trolls abandoned their orcish allies. Disgusted with the Horde's defeat, the Mossflayer trolls decided they would have nothing further to do with such incompetent and reckless allies.[3]
Instead, the trolls focused on trying to keep humanity from overrunning all of Lordaeron. When the plague of undeath began spreading across the land, the Mossflayer tribe was quick to take advantage of the blossoming chaos. Because the plague was designed to convert only the human race into undeath, human defenses soon faltered, and the Mossflayers managed to retake parts of their ancient territory. The plague took its toll on the landscape, the plants and animals, while not undead, remained diseased and decaying. Despite this, the Mossflayer tribe clung to their settlement, Zul'Mashar in the northeast corner of the Eastern Plaguelands.[3]
A large hunting party of Mossflayer trolls left their settlement some time ago in search of live game to take back to their people. The hunt took them far from home, for many animals had been affected by the plague. At last, the trolls came upon several animals that seemed healthy. Slaying the beasts, the trolls rewarded themselves by feasting on a portion of the hunt. Unfortunately for the hunting party, a powerful lich had deliberately cursed the beasts. Any living creature that consumed the animals' flesh would be converted into undeath. Afterwards, the lich was able to impose his will upon the undead trolls. Following the lich's commands, most of the undead trolls formed a base of operations in the southwest of the Eastern Plaguelands. One of the undead trolls was given a horrifying mission by his new master: to return home and infect the rest of his people. Hameya managed to hold onto his willpower long enough to scribble a brief account of what had occurred. His desperate note offered a reward for anyone who killed him before he reached his home.[3]
Recent reports on the Mossflayer tribe painted a grim picture of subsequent events. A large number of fresh graves had been dug near the village, and several undead trolls had been spotted, hiding themselves among their unsuspecting brethren. It would seem that no one was able to stop Hameya in time, and he succeeded in accomplishing the lich's dread mission. Unless the Mossflayers came to their senses and fled the Eastern Plaguelands, the tribe would certainly be transformed in its entirety.[3]
World of Warcraft
Four years after the Third War, Mossflayer trolls were encountered by Alliance and Horde adventurers. At Undercroft, they found the undead trolls, along with Hameya's note, in which he asked to kill him, and so they did that in Zul'Mashar, taking his treasure buried behind Undercroft.[5] The undead trolls also stole bodies from the pit at Light's Hope Chapel and took the back to Undercroft. Therefore, Caretaker Alen requested to kill the trolls' leader, Zaeldarr the Outcast.[6] The Mossflayers also held the Third and Fourth Mosh'aru Tablet, which Prospector Ironboot requested to recover from them.[7]
Cataclysm
As of the Cataclysm in 28 ADP, some living members of the tribe still survived. However, the undead trolls are still very much a threat, not only to the surviving Mossflayers but to others as well. Vex'tul was a member of the tribe, which, after the death of his master, Zaeldarr, joined Fiona's Caravan.[8]
Battle for Azeroth
During the Fourth War in 33 ADP, Mossflayer Speakers could be found in Zuldazar on Zandalar. Following the death of Rastakhan, Mossflayer Mourners attended his funeral.[9]
Notable
| Name | Role | Affiliation | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warlord Thresh'jin
|
Leader of the tribe. | Mossflayer tribe | Killable | Zul'Mashar, Eastern Plaguelands |
| Vex'tul
|
Former leader of the tribe. | Independent | Active | Eastern Plaguelands |
 Infiltrator Hameya
|
Undead who infected his tribe with the plague. | Scourge | Killable | Zul'Mashar, Eastern Plaguelands |
 Zaeldarr the Outcast
|
Leader of a band of undead troll robbers. | Independent | Killable | Undercroft, Eastern Plaguelands |
| Zul'Brin Warpbranch
|
Shaman | Mossflayer tribe | Killable | Zul'Mashar, Eastern Plaguelands |
Speculation
|
This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
|
As the description of The Dark Lady mentions the Plaguelands, it's possible that Zul'rogg and his followers were members of the Mossflayer tribe.
References
- ^
[15-30] Out of the Ziggurat
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1
- ^ a b c d e Troll Compendium: Mossflayer Tribe
- ^ World of Warcraft: Sylvanas, pg. 124
- ^ [60] Hameya's Plea
- ^ [55] Zaeldarr the Outcast
- ^ [58] The Lost Tablets of Mosh'aru
- ^ [15-30] Gidwin's Fate Revealed
- ^
[60] The King's Death
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