Zathik

**Race**
 **Titles**
 **Occupation(s)**
 **Affiliations**
 **Status**

**Zathik** is a Forest Troll powerful, strong warrior who currently leads the Lowlands Witherbark as Warlord. Having rallied many of the disparate warbands in the Stromic Lowlands after the death of Zalas Witherbark, he has risen to become Warlord and a contender to become 'jin, rivaling his Highlands counterpart, Hexlord Vasan.

Having a reputation as a traditionalist and an opportunist, Zathik has lived through the devastation of the Witherbark and its severe decline under weak leaders. His philosophy of strength has led him to become among their greatest warriors, but ascending further is his mental and physical fortitude that attracted Jila, Herald of Nalorakk, who came to Zathik and bid him rebuild Nalorakk's temple as proof of his might.

Zandalari archivists mention that Zathik, despite his opportunism and perceived stubbornness, should be seen as pragmatic more than anything. He is deeply faithful to his Loa and credited to the survival of the Lowlands Witherbark after the death of Zalas. Further, when challenged and proven that his old ways were not suitable enough for the Witherbark to thrive, he has shown willingness to change his perspective and apply new methods, diplomacy, and strategies.

While he competes with Hexlord Vasan for the title of 'jin and penultimate leader of the Witherbark Tribe, he often works with his rival for the betterment of the Tribe, finding many aspects of the Hexlord agreeable and aiding when it comes to the betterment and survival of the Tribe.

# History

Originally hailing from the Highlands Witherbark, Zathik came down from the mountains during the Second War as a young warrior as part of a warband to join the Highlands Witherbark Warlord in Zul'jin's call to arms. He participated in many battles that steeled and proved him as a fierce, strong warrior -- but as the war progressed and turned against the Forest Trolls and ultimately the Orcish Horde, he and many others were left needing to retreat once the Horde had abandoned them to their fate.

He served as a veteran warrior for several more decades in various warbands and retinues, especially under **Nimar the Slayer** during the Fourth War. He was present for the death of **Zalas Witherbark** and the near-final destruction of the rest of the Lowlands Witherbark afterwards.

With so many warbands scattered, Zathik took it upon himself to gather up loyal warriors and continue to raid and show strength against the Horde and Alliance. His fearsome reputation attracted many other warriors to his band, slowly growing his retinue and curry favor with his patron loa, Nalorakk. The increasing favor gave Herald Jila an opportunity to approach Zathik and bid him return to the Witherbark Heartlands to restore Nalorakk's temple at Nal'mazar that lay with the ruined Witherbark Village -- and she would proclaim him Warlord of the Lowlands Witherbark.

In the intervening years, he has regrown the Lowlands Witherbark strength and re-established the Witherbark Village as Zeb'nalor. Additionally, despite his traditionalist leanings, he has shown to be pragmatic in thinking as he joined the Amani Civil War during the Darkheart Crisis on the side of Warlord Vuthak, though only after it was promised that the Zandalari would support and legitimize the whole of the Witherbark as an independent nation.