Other Tribes ( compendium ) Other Tribes is a short essay included as part of the Troll Compendium ( via a link named " Other Tribes " ) on the old official site that describes exiled tribes of trolls . It is reproduced here , in case the archive of the page disappears . Troll Categories . Historians and physicians generally classify trolls into four categories : forest trolls , jungle trolls , ice trolls , and sand trolls . The trolls of the Zandalar tribe are considered unclassifiable because the Zandalari are the earliest known trolls , from whom all other trolls are descended . There is some debate as to how many categories are necessary in order to describe the troll race . Several notable authorities on the topic have chosen to specify a fifth category : namely , the dark trolls . Below you can learn more about the dark trolls , the exiled jungle troll Zanzil and his followers , and the Zandalar tribe . Dark Trolls . Historical capital : None Known tribe : None Description : According to scattered reports , dark trolls have gray to black skin and lead a mostly subterranean existence . Alleged sightings of dark trolls usually involve hulking and brutish creatures who attack with little tactical planning or coordinated effort . Thus , it has been theorized that dark trolls are much less intelligent than other trolls . Background : There is no evidence that the dark trolls have ever formed a civilization or nation . Indeed , their estimated numbers are so few that their existence as a distinct category of troll is considered highly questionable . In consequence , it seems likely that if the dark trolls do exist , they are derived from a single troll tribe . Zanzil the Outcast and His Followers . Where : Stranglethorn Vale ( primarily in the southeast ) Category : Various , with a majority of jungle trolls Leader : Zanzil the Outcast Description : Zanzil and the witch doctors who follow him have unscrupulously poisoned creatures of many different races , causing the affected individuals to die and rise from the grave as Zanzil ' s undead minions . Trolls from several different tribes are only one small part of Zanzil ' s private undead army . History : Zanzil was exiled from the Skullsplitter tribe for using his necromantic poisons on several of his unsuspecting fellow trolls , but his exile has not been the punishment that his kindred had hoped . Indeed , since that time , several witch doctors have joined Zanzil . With their assistance , he has built up an undead army that is loyal to him alone . Zandalar Tribe . Where : South Seas ( primarily the island of Zandalar ) and a few in Stranglethorn Vale Category : Not applicable Leader : King Rastakhan History : The earliest known trolls belonged to the Zandalar tribe , from which all other trolls are descended . On the whole , the Zandalari valued knowledge above all else , but a significant portion of the tribe hungered for conquest instead . These disaffected trolls eventually departed to form tribes of their own . As time went on , what remained of the Zandalar tribe came to be regarded as an overarching priest caste for all trolls . The Zandalari preserved troll history , and they worked to further the goals of troll society as a whole . Greatly respected by all other trolls , the Zandalari nevertheless remained apart from the day - to - day politics of their people . The Zandalari average eight feet in height : significantly larger than all other documented trolls except the savage Drakkari . Despite the Zandalar trolls ' greater size and knowledge , however , they have no sovereignty over other tribes , nor do the Zandalari seek such authority . After the Great Sundering , these wise trolls saw no need to leave what had become the island of Zandalar . Rebuilding their damaged settlements , the trolls continued their studies until the Gurubashi empire began showing a dramatic increase in power and territory . The jungle trolls attributed their victories to the influence of the god Hakkar . At first the Zandalar tribe was glad for its jungle brethren . When the Gurubashi empire ' s territory kept expanding , the Zandalari ' s pleased surprise turned to disquiet . They consulted myths and delved into ancient historical accounts . What the Zandalari learned horrified them . Hakkar was also known as the Soulflayer , a name he had richly earned . He filled his adherents with murderous rage and reveled in their dark emotions . The carnage that invariably followed Hakkar suited him perfectly , for having consumed blood , he had developed a taste for it . Worse , he became more powerful as he consumed the blood shed in his name , and his tie to the world that was feeding him grew stronger . Every Zandalari who could fight immediately set out for Stranglethorn Vale and brought the terrible tidings to the jungle trolls . The Gurubashi empire was already in a state of civil unrest due to the numerous sacrifices that Hakkar was demanding . With the Zandalar tribe ' s news , the jungle trolls banded together with the Zandalar tribe and rose up in open revolt against the bloodthirsty Soulflayer . Eventually the avatar of Hakkar was destroyed , and Hakkar ' s priests , the Atal ' ai and Hakkari , were hunted nearly to extinction . Yet survivors from both groups managed to escape into the Swamp of Sorrows , where they built the Temple of Atal ' Hakkar . Working together , the Atal ' ai and Hakkari prepared to summon Hakkar himself into Azeroth , so that he could feed on all living things . The green Dragon Aspect , Ysera the Dreamer , soon learned of the evil priests ' plans and smashed the temple beneath the marshes . To this day , the temple ' s ruins are guarded by mighty green dragons . What much of Azeroth does not know is that the dragons are actually guarding the wrong location . In recent years the exiled Atal ' ai have discovered that Hakkar ' s physical form can only be summoned within the ancient capital of the Gurubashi empire , Zul ' Gurub . The Atal ' ai and Hakkari lost no time in dispatching a number of their most skilled priests to Zul ' Gurub , where their efforts met with success at last . Numerous spies have confirmed the presence of the dreaded Soulflayer in the heart of the ruins . Hakkar has also enthralled five high priests of the trolls ' primal gods . Unable to oppose his will , the priests are channeling the power of their gods into Hakkar . Only their deaths can sever the connections that are vastly increasing Hakkar ' s might while draining the other gods of power . Word of Hakkar ' s presence reached the Zandalar tribe in the South Seas , who were even more horrified to discover the enslavement of their kindred , the Zandalari high priests . King Rastakhan has therefore sent emissaries to Yojamba Isle , off the northwest coast of Stranglethorn Vale . There the trolls recruit champions from Azeroth ' s many races in the hope that Hakkar can be defeated . Once part of ancient Kalimdor , Zandalar is the birthplace of troll civilization , and , as such , strictly neutral territory for trolls . When the first Well of Eternity imploded , a hole was punched through Kalimdor . Deep fissures appeared in the continent , and the Zandalari hastily cast strong protective spells to protect their home from destruction . Even so , they could not shield the rest of the continent from widespread upheaval . The ground immediately beyond the Zandalari ' s shield was drawn underwater when Kalimdor broke into separate landmasses . When at last the Sundering was over , the Zandalari saw that their home had become an island . Zuldazar , the capital city of Zandalar , is built in a series of giant ziggurats that look like a towering mountain from a distance . Different troll tribes distrust one another and have often fought one another , but every six years , envoys from all the troll tribes arrive in Zuldazar in order to share information and discuss matters that may affect the entire troll race .