Jungle troll

Jungle trolls are a troll subgroup, mainly found in Stranglethorn Vale. The jungle trolls as a whole are also referred to as Gurubashi, after the ancient empire of the same name, but that name can also refer to the Gurubashi tribe in particular.

Their capital, Zul'Gurub, is located in Stranglethorn Vale, along with many smaller towns, cities, and villages, many of which are in a state of ruin or disrepair. The largest jungle troll settlement outside Stranglethorn is Echo Isles — founded by the Darkspear tribe. The jungle trolls share the same pantheon of gods with the other troll subgroup, and practice the same voodoo religion, with an emphasis on the power of spirits. The god Hakkar, a bloodthirsty troll spirit god of that can be evoked by ritual sacrifice, played a very important role in jungle troll history, but fell out of favor due to his bloody demands of sacrifice. During the ancient times when the Gurubashi Empire was trying to reclaim its power by making Hakkar their patron, those who would not give up his worship, the Atal'ai priests, were exiled to the Swamp of Sorrows, where they built a temple in his name. Hakkar's avatar can still be summoned from this temple, a very dangerous prospect.

Jungle trolls are superstitious creatures who revel in the hunt and the rigors of personal combat. In ancient times, they reigned over the lands south of the Redridge Mountains. Though their glorious kingdoms fell to ruin long ago, they seek to reclaim their lost majesty. Equipped with voodoo magics and unparalleled combat skills, these trolls have been relentless in their efforts to regain their jungle homeland.

History
The history of the jungle trolls begins at the dawn of civilization when the Gurubashi Empire (jungle trolls) and Amani Empire (forest trolls) ruled the south and north of Azeroth respectively, with only the Insectoids of the far-west posing any significant threat. After numerous catastrophic events that were beyond the control of the two Empires, such as the night elf war, and the subsequent invasion of the Burning Legion, the Gurubashi Empire lost most of its lands outside Stranglethorn, and fell into a state of isolationism and collapse following the rebellion surrounding the god Hakkar. (The Temple of Atal'Hakkar in the Swamp of Sorrows still contains the trapped Hakkar). The Darkspear tribe was exiled from their home in Stranglethorn and escaped the bloodthirsty environment making their home on an uncharted island. Eventually, the naga and murlocs drove them away and they wound up in the jungle - climate Echo isles of Durotar, as part of the new Horde and helped them make their home in Durotar on Kalimdor.



Society
Thanks to the massive interaction with the Horde, the Darkspear Tribe has gained huge diversity and expertise, employing not only the troll roles in society, but also taking to the training and vending of the Horde. The tribes of Stranglethorn still hold on to the ancient roles of the trolls, including the usual shamanistic and priestly casters, hunters, warriors and scouts. The tribes of Stranglethorn are amongst the most bloodthirsty of any troll tribes, including many cannibals, other hunters and barbaric consumers of flesh. The Atal'ai exiles are heavily made up of priests of Hakkar the Soulflayer, but many of them have been turned into undying corpses, mummies and skeletons, all enthralled to Hakkar's power. Many exist only as spirits still in service of Hakkar.

Occasionally jungle trolls may be exiled from their tribe and forced to live alone or among foreign tribes. This is considered a punishment worse then death.

Companions and mounts

 * Stranglethorn's Gurubashi trolls often capture powerful snakes to keep as pets or to cook as meals.
 * The jungle trolls train hyacinth macaws to mimic calls for help in order to lure unsuspecting travelers into traps.
 * Parrots can't get enough of the fresh fish the Bloodscalp trolls eat. They're less interested in dry flatbreads.
 * Razzashi raptors are among the cleverest predators in the jungle, making them favored by the Gurubashi trolls. The only known Razzashi Raptors were said to have been in the custody of Bloodlord Mandokir in Zul'Gurub. This species of raptor has not been seen in many years. The purebred royal raptors of Zul'Gurub, these mounts have become a rare sight in Stranglethorn Vale. The Gurubashi have been known to fly into a rage at the sight of any non-troll riding one of their precious beasts.

Appearance
Jungle trolls' bodies are covered in short, soft fur that causes the trolls to appear purple or gray. Jungle trolls are also unusually lithe relative to most other troll subgroup with the exception of sand trolls. Brann Bronzebeard described some jungle trolls he encountered in Stranglethorn Vale as being nearly eight feet tall, with intricate tattoos all along their bodies.

Jungle troll feet have two toes in front and an opposable toe in the back, this allows trolls to both maintain their balance better and jump higher then most humanoids. Like other trolls, jungle trolls do not appear to like wearing shoes, though occasionally exceptions are made for sandals. Young jungle trolls are both agile and flexible, capable of doing backflips.

Like other trolls, jungle trolls have tusks jutting from their upper lip, though some have tusks rising from their lower lip instead. On rare occasions, trolls without visible tusks appear.

In World of Warcraft, two extra models exist for male jungle trolls in addition to the player model. The first model is a burly muscular troll seemingly based on the jungle troll berserker unit. The second NPC model is a giant troll of monstrous strength called the dire troll, a type common in many troll races.

Tribes and groups

 * Bloodscalp tribe - A powerful tribe of Stranglethorn, led by Gan'zulah, they are currently at war with the Skullsplitter tribe.
 * Darkspear tribe - Once exiled from Stranglethorn to the distant islands of the great ocean, the Darkspear tribe, led by Vol'jin is now one of the most powerful troll tribes again, and has formed an alliance with the Horde.
 * Gurubashi tribe - The tribe that ruled the Gurubashi Empire and now rules only the city of Zul'Gurub. They worship Hakkar, due to the influence of the Ata'lai.
 * The Hakkari - Worshipers of the Blood God Hakkar.
 * The Atal'ai - Extremist faction of the Hakkari, who did not give up his worship after the fall, they reside in the Swamp of Sorrows, where the Temple of Atal'Hakkar has been sunk by the green dragonflight in an attempt to keep Hakkar from being unleashed upon the world.
 * Shatterspear tribe - The Shatterspear were one of two tribes on Kalimdor before the Darkspear ventured to the Echo Isles, they have formed an alliance with the Horde.
 * Skullsplitter tribe - A powerful tribe of Stranglethorn, led by Ana'thek the Cruel, they are currently at war with the Bloodscalp tribe.
 * Witherbranch clan - Witherbranch jungle trolls sail the Great Sea in search of Azerite and uniquely for jungle trolls have many members with green skin.
 * Unnamed Twilight Highlands tribe - A tribe of jungle trolls located in the Twilight Highlands led by Jon-Jon Jellyneck recruited into the Horde by Lady Cozwynn.

The Razorbranch tribe were a tribe of jungle trolls who became sand trolls.

Appearance
Trolls are monstrous in appearance. Skin color varies greatly based on subspecies, and jungle troll hides tend to be light blue to dark gray. Trolls have pointed, almost elf-like ears, long noses, and elongated, sharp faces. Troll teeth are myriad and pointed. They are lean and wiry, averaging 7 feet tall and 200 pounds. A troll’s body has no excess fat. They are remarkably acrobatic, able to perform back flips from a standstill.

Society
Jungle trolls are the most civilized of troll species. They are organized around tribes, with bloodlines led by the most powerful warriors. Family houses rise and fall with the battle honor of their members. Witch doctors and shadow hunters act as spiritual and legislative leaders, judging matters of law and handling administrate duties. Most regulations focus on maintaining the honor of the individual, the family, the tribe, and the troll species as a whole. Punishment for breaking troll laws or causing dishonor to one's kin can range from ritual scarring or dismemberment to banishment or even death. Often, the actual punishment is secondary to the loss of honor, which jungle trolls prize above all.

Jungle troll leaders are witch doctors or honored warriors. The eldest member of a family is respected, but he is expected to step down should his combat ability falter. Jungle trolls lack a king at present; witch doctors claim that no jungle troll is worthy of such a title unless he can unite all the tribes and reclaim their rightful lands. Until then, pretenders are considered without honor.

Jungle trolls believe that the spirits of their ancestors guide the universe from beyond the veil of death. Witch doctors teach that worthy trolls receive dominion over various aspects of nature upon their death - whether plants, weather, beasts, or even disease. When witch doctors exhibit their supernatural powers to cure the sick, control nature, or assist in battle, it is said that ancestral spirits are riding them.

Jungle troll rituals can be very elaborate, including hours of dancing and chanting. Witch doctors paint themselves and other participants with sigils and wear finely embroidered costumes. There are rituals for all events: a change of season, a child's birth, an impending battle. Troll youth do not receive public names until they have earned a name in battle. Until then, they are referred to by generic diminutives.

Combat
Jungle trolls attack with battleaxe or spear in combat, but they are by no means limited to using weapons. Even disarmed, they can be lethal with their claws. They fight without fear, relying on their natural healing ability to keep them going.

Characters
A jungle troll's favored class is barbarian. Most jungle troll characters are barbarians, healers, or scouts.

Notes and trivia

 * They were originally described as barbarous, superstitious, and numerous in the islands of the South Seas.
 * Jungle trolls had their model and skin textures updated in the model revamp in Patch 6.0.2, they also share the model with sand trolls.
 * However, the updated male model was implemented in an unfinished state, as one of the male troll hairstyles from Patch 6.0.2 remained unanimated until Patch 7.3.5.
 * It was previously stated that it was jungle trolls who lived on Kezan and enslaved the goblins to mine kaja'mite.  World of Warcraft: Chronicle changed the goblins' masters to Zandalari trolls instead, despite the Zandalari abhorring slavery.
 * The trolls present on Kezan in-game are still forest trolls however.
 * In Hearthstone: Rastakhan's Rumble's HS Rumble Run the player character is HS Rikkar a jungle troll who HS Rikkar (Paladin) (can be) a paladin. HS A New Challenger... is a collectable card that also has what could be a jungle troll paladin.