Witherbark Nation

The **Witherbark Nation** is a Nation of Forest Troll in Stromgarde and the dominant Troll Nation of the region. Splitting off from the Amani Empire during its fall after the Troll Wars, the Witherbark once had an extensive kingdom ranging from the Hinterlands to the Thandol Span. In the modern era, they are a shadow of their former selves and have been driven out of many former holdings, leaving only a handful of villages and strongholds in southeastern Stromgarde.

Presently, the Witherbark Nation is divided in half between the Stromic Lowlands and Stromic Highlands. They became divided after the Doom of Zul'nalor, which severed the primary artery between the two halves of the Nation. Divisions between the two halves have been increasing for generations since.

During and towards the end of the Fourth War, two leaders began their rise to power after the fall of Zalas Witherbark. In the Lowlands, a veteran warrior named Zathik rallied many many disparate warbands around the Grizzly Bear Loa Nalorakk, becoming Warlord. In the Highlands, a powerful hexxer called Vasan came to the apex of his power under the auspicses of the Moose Loa Haran-ka, becoming Hexlord.

With aspirations to rise to even greater heights, both ascendant Witherbark leaders have set their sights on unsealing the fallen fortress-city of Zul'nalor, their former capital, lost to them centuries before.

# History

## A Forgotten Kingdom

Although the Witherbark once ruled over a vast swathe of territory -- from the Hinterlands to the Thandol Span -- the Witherbark progressively became more and more fractured from both internal and external threats. The more that external threats bore down upon them, the more the internal structure of the kingdom began to fall.

By the time the majority of their holdings shrank to south-eastern Stromgarde, the Witherbark had long forgotten the name of their kingdom -- only going by their common Nation name. However, so long as they held their capital at Zul'nalor, their remaining fief would be strong. Like Zul'aman for the Amani or Jintha'alor for the Vilebranch, they would remain steadfast in strength for centuries to come.

In their security, they became lax.

## The Doom of Zul'nalor

A few centuries before the opening of the Dark Portal, a powerful hexxer called **Zul'ketus** began to experiment with the powers of the grave. These powers were the domain of Mueh'zala and Bwomsamdi, thus to play with them without their consent or knowledge was a dangerous game. With the power of the Witherbark secure, they did not notice the small cult that began to form around Zul'ketus... propping his ego up more and more until the whispers began to circulate around the ruling elite of a powerful **Death Defiler.**

Displeased with their lax attitudes regarding those that played with his domain, Bwomsamdi gave the leaders of Zul'nalor an ultimatum: destroy the cult and drive it from the Nation by year's end or all the Witherbark would feel the consequences for generations to come. Months of inquisition of Zul'ketus' followers followed; prelates of the primary loa of the city began to root out the cult, one-by-one, burning them in Bwomsamdi's name as heretics. At the apex of the inquisition, Zul'ketus and many of the cult were driven from the city.

For months afterward, however, prayers to Bwomsamdi weren't answered. Offerings lay without being taken. The Cult was destroyed and driven out... but Bwomsamdi was seemingly not holding up his end of the bargain. When the final day of the year came, the Death Defiler revealed himself, performing a ritual to become a powerful lich... and brought Doom to Zul'nalor.

A legion of Undead was unleashed upon the denizens of Zul'nalor and drove many from the city. It was only a final act of nine of the Witherbark's most powerful prelates, hexxers, witch doctors, and shadow hunters -- including the Witherbark's High Priest for Bwomsamdi -- that the city was sealed and the Death Defiler was... 'defeated'.

Zul'nalor was forevermore considered a cursed place. The Witherbark as a Nation were divided -- Zul'nalor lay in the only major pass they held the divided east and west, the Lowlands and the Highlands. In time, this divide would only widen.

## The Modern Era

Even if the main artery between the two halves of the Witherbark was severed, there were still veins of connection between them. Small passes, no wider than two or three Trolls abreast, were frequently used to pass warrior, material goods, and political order between them. This period after the Doom of Zul'nalor is known as the Withering Schism and has persisted as a weakness to this day. This weakness was detected and exploited by the Stromics, however, and the Humans fell upon them.

Over time, the Witherbark were ground down as the two halves were forced to fend for themselves. Much like their once great kingdom, they became easy prey for their enemies to press. As their outer shell became weaker so too did internal rivalries begin to flare up. Civil strife and even conflict flared between the two halves often as Warlords rose and fell. This was now the way of life in the Witherbark.

In the Stromic Lowlands, a veteran warrior named Zathik managed to rally many of the disorganized warbands that came after the fall of Zalas Witherbark towards the end of the Fourth War. His rise through his strength, leadership, and patronage to the Great Grizzly Nalorakk earned him earned him the position of **Warlord**.

Since then, Zathik has tirelessly been ensuring the survival of the Witherbark. He has renamed the 'Witherbark Village' to Zeb'nalor, invited the Atal'Nalori to rebuild and restore Nal'mazar, and even gained legitimacy and recognition from the Zandalari Empire.

In the Stromic Highlands, a powerful Hexxer called Vasan has risen to power after throwing back the Dreadgrave Legion during its initial invasion of the Highlands and led a strong resistance ever since. Vasan's stubborn resistance of invaders, powerful mojo-magics, and leadership earned him the favor of Haran-ka, Moose Loa and Marsh Guardian, elevating him to the position of **Hexlord**.

# Politics

The Witherbark have a complex and broad political scene that governs their attitudes, policies, and actions as a nation. However, the Witherbark is unique as much of their modern politics over the last several centuries have been to maintain stability despite the increasing separation between the two halves of the nation -- the Lowlands and the Highlands. This divide is known as the Withering Schism.

The vast majority of the Witherbark's politics are governed by the Schism.

## Withering Schism

The Withering Schism is an ongoing political and cultural shift within the Witherbark Nation, slowly but continuously dividing the nation into two separate parts: the **Lowlands** and the **Highlands** **Witherbark**.

The growing divide was caused by the Doom of Zul'nalor, and it is believed that a split is inevitable unless the Doom is reversed and Zul'nalor is unsealed.

## Delaying the Inevitable

### A Revolving 'jin

In the aftermath of the Doom and the beginnings of the Schism, great effort was undertaken to keep the Nation whole. Between the Elders of the villages and the still existing Priesthood of the Kingdom, it was decided that when a 'jin dies, it was up to the village leaders and priesthood to choose another to ascend in their place. It was generally agreed that each half would switch on who ruled for that generation. Once a Lowlander 'jin fell, a Highlander 'jin would take their place and vice versa.

This revolving leadership between generations gave the Witherbark Kingdom its own stability and stymied the far steeper decline, but it also created problems of its own. Warlords in their own right would rise, or self-serving 'jin's would put their sycophants into positions of power where they were unsuited. Assassinations became far more common, leading to a growing Shadow Hunter class.

In the modern era, the last candidate for 'jin was a Lowlander Troll -- Zalas Witherbark. Two candidates now competing for the title are Highlander Witherbark: Warlord Zathik and Hexlord Vasan.

### Tlaali'kh -- Hands of the 'jin

Appointed by the 'jin, the **Tlaali'kh** were two high-level advisors responsible for the day-to-day functions who originated from one half of the Nation -- one for the Lowlands and one for the Highlands.

Typically, a Tlaali'kh would be elevated to the status of 'jin upon the death of the incumbent, allowing for a more manageable transition period that would naturally follow with the death of such an influential leader. However, this elevation would require the assent of the **Jal'antu** -- the Assembly of Elders.

While not appointed by Zalas Witherbark, Zathik and Vasan are considered Tlaali'kh. Despite Zathik's status as a Highlander Witherbark, he has been elevated to Tlaali'kh by the Lowlander Witherbark Trolls, which is largely unprecedented.

### Jal'antu -- Assembly of Elders

Although having fallen out of practice in recent years, there was previously an assembly of Elders among the Witherbark that would help govern the Nation in the aftermath of the Doom. This Assembly of Elders became known as the **Jal'antu** (Lit. 'We Oversee').

The Assembly is made up of at least thirty-six Elders:

- Fifteen seats for each half of the Nation (Lowlands and Highlands), which were typically given to village or other appointed leaders,
- Five for the Priesthood (one for each important Witherbark Loa: Nalorakk, Halazzi, Akil'zon, Haran-ka, and Shadra)
- One for a Speaker

Currently, 17 seats are empty -- 8 for the Lowlands, 6 for the Highlands, and 3 for the priesthood.

With the turbulence following Zul'jin's rise and fall during the Second War, the Jal'antu have been slowly reduced and not replaced, leading it to primarily become defunct as a political organization. However, the rise of two Tlaali'kh amid all the chaos -- Zathik and Vasan -- was a revival of the Jal'antu. Slowly, seats in the Assembly are becoming filled.

Current Speaker: Vusai

## Factions

Like any national politics, the Witherbark has several political factions, some overlapping the two halves.

### Farr'ai - Conservatives

Lowlands leader: Khoye | Highlands Leader: Umushi

Perhaps the largest and most organized of the factions, the **Farr'ai** (lit. 'Unwavered Ones'), are considered the conservative faction of the Witherbark, represented in both the Lowlands and the Highlands. Although represented in the Lowlands and the Highlands, they are not wholly united and, as a faction, suffer from the Schism just as much as the rest of the Witherbark.

Currently, the Farr'ai holds 9 seats in the Jal'antu: 4 in the Lowlands, 5 in the Highlands.

Important Values:

- Reduction of Foreign Interference (Such as the Zandalari, Council of Five Branches, etc.)
- Irredentism
- Individual Strength over Collective Strength
- Elevation of Priesthood
- Increased Martial Strength
- Unity of the Nation

### Talav'las - Progressives

Leader: Ain'jha

A middling faction represented in both the Highlands and Lowlands -- the **Talav'las** (lit. 'Accepting Them') are considered the progressive faction of the Witherbark. Unlike the Farr'ai, the Talav'las are united in politics and frequently work together as a political faction. Moreover, many of their numbers often come from the everyday Troll rather than a warrior class, nobles, or priesthood.

Currently, the Talav'las hold 5 seats in the Jal'antu: 3 in the Lowlands and 2 in the Highlands.

Important Values:

- Increased Diplomacy with foreign nations
- Strengthening of currently held territories
- Unity of the Nation in its totality

### Eras'kor Curaji

Leader: Uhzule

A small faction represented in the Highlands, the **Eras'kor Curaji** (lit. Blood-Enemy Breakers) are an extremist conservative faction that has gained traction in recent years in the face of the decline of the Witherbark. They believe in the complete separation of the Highlands Witherbark from the Lowlander 'kin,' viewing them as lesser. They are also extreme Warhawks -- always calling for a new war to avenge their loss of status.

Currently, the Eras'kos Quatari hold 1 seat in the Highlands

Important Values:

- Separation of the Highlands Witherbark from the Lowlands
- Subjugation of the Lowlands Witherbark
- Eradication of 'blood enemies'
- Extreme Irredentism

### Rajik'zhira

Leader: Unknown

A fringe faction, the **Rajik'zhira** (lit. Dark Storms) are a political faction made up entirely of Shadow Hunters. Incredibly vague about their political beliefs and highly elusive within the Jal'antu, they abstain from any votes and avoid counseling any important figures.

Currently, the Rajik'zhira hold two seats: 1 in the Lowlands and 1 in the Highlands.

# Important Figures

## Zathik, the Warlord

**Zathik** is a powerful, strong warrior who currently leads the **Lowlands Witherbark** as Warlord. Considered by many to be a 'traditionalist', he managed to stave off the extinction of the Lowlands Witherbark in the years after the Fourth War. His strength of will to survive caused many to warbands to flock to him and his patronage to his chosen loa, Nalorakk, and his religious order, the Atal'Nalori, has been deeply rewarded.

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.

## Vasan, the Hexlord

**Vasan** is a Forest Troll Witch Doctor hailing from the **Witherbark Nation**. Currently, he leads the Highlands half of the Witherbark Nation as Hexlord and has held the position of Herald of Haran-ka for the last decade. While he competes with Warlord Zathik for the position of 'jin of the Witherbark, he is notably agreeable to work with his Lowlands counterpart more often than not. This is demonstrated by the selection of Zathik's son, Vusai, as Speaker of all Witherbark -- supported by the Vasan.

While known to be a deeply religious and sometimes enigmatic figure, he is an ardent and pragmatic leader of the Highlands Witherbark, intent on ensuring the survival of the Nation by any means necessary. He bears a deep hatred for the Dreadgrave Legion and further, most Undead no matter the circumstance, based especially on the conflicts of the last decade.

When Warlord Zathik entered into an agreement with the Zandalari, Hexlord Vasan welcomed their own emissary into the fold, though holds the Zandalari at arm's length and is naturally suspicious of their presence and reasons for assisting the dying Forest Trolls.

As peace has slowly begun to reign over the Witherbark Heartlands, Vasan has begun to seek a relic that might help legitimize himself among his Lowlander Witherbark counterparts to ascend to 'jin. Rumor also has it that he seeks to open the cursed city of Zul'nalor, having been sealed and forgotten since the Doom.