[Concept] World of Warcraft: Occult

[username993720]

World of Warcraft: Occult will introduce 2 new landmasses - Balor and Zul'dare; a new class - Shadow Hunter; and 2 new races - Drust and Forest Trolls.

Balor

The Island, which rests just near Stormwind, is named after the Drust's fearsome leader, Gorak Bal. The Island houses another race, the Furbolgs, who are in a constant state of war against the Drust. We will meet their ancestors, the Jalgar, who were almost driven to extinction by the Drust and who many of them were driven off the Island by them. A third group that inhabits the island are the Highborne. They've made their way into the island in ancient times but most of them were killed off by a plague created by the Drust. We will find out where the Highborne got their Runestones from and how they incorporated runes into their magic - by copying the Drust's. The relation between Night elves and Furbolg extend to this place as they share the same predicament in the form of the Drust. The Humans of Stormwind decide that they can't allow such threats to exist just offshore of Stormwind, so they send the Silver Hand, led by Tyr, to scour the land of evil. They fight the Furbolgs, with Tyr battling their champion, but eventually reach an understanding and make peace. It is suggested that with time, the Humans of Stormwind started to mate with the local Drust. One of their offspring, Brenn, takes leadership of the Silver Hand after Tyr's literal silver hand is severly damaged by constant fighting. Brenn, who prefers his Drust side over his Human side, enslaves many of the members of the Silver Hand to serve the Drust. Tyr, whose silver hand has since been replaced with a titanic hand, restoring him to full power, deposes Brenn as leader of the Silver Hand. Brenn reaches out to Gorak Bal, who raises an army for him to crush the Humans of Stormwind. Meanwhile, another offspring of the union between Humans and Drust, Luke, who prefers his Human side, is given permission to lead the Human army of the Silver Hand into battle against the Drust as he knows much about them and, therefore, can provide strategic advantages to the Humans in the upcoming battle. During the battle, Tyr is defeated by the Drust leader, Gorak Bal, who is abnormally larger and more powerful than the rest of the Drust. But, the Drust leader is defeated later on by Luke, the half-Drust half-Human who is in command of the Human army of the Silver Hand, by exploiting a weakness only a Drust-born can tap into. In the aftermath of the battle, Brenn is spared on the condition that he teaches the mystical arts of the Shadow Hunter to certain members of the Alliance.

Balor in the distance:

Gorak Bal:

The Jalgar:

Half-Human Half-Drust:


Zul'Dare

Although Zul'Dare is said to belong to the nation of Kul Tiras, its name is unmistakably trollish. And that is because the island belongs to the Forest Trolls, who are now vying for control of the island against the Kul Tiran Humans. The Forest Trolls of Zul'Dare believe in more Loas than those of their brethren in the Eastern Kingdoms. First of all, they believe in a supreme Loa - Oricha, who is in charge of the spirit realm, suspected to be the Emerald Dream, and who is speculated to be a creation of the First Ones. They believe him to have created all of existence.

Pantheon of Loa
Jani - they believe in the Zandalari Loa, Jani. It is said Oricha gave Jani, the Loa of Trickery, the ability to travel through time. That's why the trickster Loa never gets caught.
Akali - Loa of war and metalworking. During the Second War, the Loa and his followers learned blacksmithing from Blackrock Orcs stationed on the Island by Orgrim Doomhammer.
Halazzi - Loa of Hunt and Woodlands. Zul'jin, a major figure for the Forest Trolls, is often evoked by followers of the Loa as he is thought to have been one too.
Ozun - a Zandalari female ascended into loahood. She is the epitomy of beauty and femininity. Adorned in gold and possessing sensual energies, she is lusted by male Forest Trolls while idolized by female ones.
Shango - only mentioned in the RPG sources so far, Shango is the loa of storms. Another Troll ascended into loahood, Shango wields a legendary axe and is considered as one of the more powerful loas out there. He wears a red attire and is worshipped by the drumming of his followers.
Elune - worshipped as the creator of life, she is the patron Loa for all other Loas in a similar manner to Oricha.
Bwonsamdi - revered as the Loa of death, he is viewed as the guardian of graves around Zul'Dare.
Oxala - a mortal ascended into loahood, Oxala is an ancestor of Trollkind. The primordial trolls talked about during Dragonflight's development, Oxala is most likely a Djaradin. After ascendancy, he is said to have created the Trolls in his own image, albeit a bit different. Troll children born with deformities are said to have been cursed by him.
Akunda - the Loa of Healing. Forest Troll healers often call upon him to heal the wounded and the sick.
Cenarius - worshipped as a deity of nature and all things wild, his devotees specialize in herbalism and medicine.
Torga - Loa of Knowledge and Wisdom. His followers are the scholars of Forest Troll society and are preoccupied with studying and researching. He often takes the form of a Tortollan Scrollsage.
Ursoc and Ursol - the twin bears are a symbol of duality in Forest Troll culture. One cannot exist without the other. Their followers, therefore, come in pairs and are adamant about watching each other's backs.
Neptulon - he is worshipped by some Forest Trolls for his mastery over the ocean and over water. His followers are tied to the sea and are oftentimes fishermen, boaters, divers or surfers.
Oloza - similar to Neptulon, Oloza serves as a Loa of water. More particulary, rivers. She takes the form of a Crocodile and is responsible for carrying out messages over lengthy distances. Her followers trust her to protect them while they venture through treacherous rivers.
Nemesis - the Turtle Wild God is worshipped as a Loa of volcanoes and is feared for his destructive capabilities. His followers crave the power he holds and desire it for themselves so they could rain terror upon their enemies.

Like their brethren in the Eastern Kingdoms, the Forest Trolls of Zul'Dare invoke the spirits of the Loa in hope of becoming possessed by them. Through a ritual, the individual may attain a Loa's powers by channeling the Loa's spirit into oneself. The Forest Trolls of Zul'Dare also practice ancestral worship. They often consult these spirits for guidance and advice, but some use them as a means to harm or heal others, similar to a Loa. An ancestral spirit can possess an individual in order to communicate with the world of the living if the afterlife doesn't allow so. A major substance found in this region, and used by Shadow Hunters, is spirit or E'ko. Similar to Anima, it is a life force that inhabits all that lives and even some inanimate objects. The more spirit (E'ko) one has, the stronger they become. That's why the Forest Trolls often engage in sacrifices and offerings for the Loas. They used to sacrifice their own people once, but have since then relinquished the practice.

Oricha (think of a Troll):

Ozun:

Shango (think of a Troll):

Oxala:

Oloza:


Darkspear Islands

The Darkspear Islands will serve as the Shadow Hunters' starting zone. It will feature all manner of Loas and Wild Gods - if not physically, then in spirit. We will find the known Troll Loas here, as well as Wild Gods like Goldrinn, Greenstalker, Athainne and Athair, who are important for Worgen and Drust. At the Island of First Home, the Shadow Hunters will be trialed by the Loas or Wild Gods to prove they are worthy of becoming a conduit of their powers.

Major Loas\Wild Gods to feature here are:
Shadra: the Spider Loa is renowned for her cunningness and wit. She will be a storyteller much like Lorewalker Cho.
Cenarius: the demigod will be found here as a protector of the Islands' fauna and flora.
The Crone: the Troll from Karazhan will feature here. She made a deal with Bwonsamdi in exchange for her soul, to remain young and beautiful. This will hide her true drustvar witch-like appearance. She often leads adventurers astray, who eventually find their deaths in these perilous jungles.
Zar'jira: the Naga Sea Witch is worshipped by some as a goddess of water, able to heal and grant wealth. But, she's a wicked one too. She might kidnap her followers and others to the Underworld, where they will be sacrificed and devoured.
Hir'eek: the Bat Loa is always seeking victims to sate his crave for blood. His followers practice dark magic and are, therefore, feared by the other inhabitants of the islands.
Gonk: the Loa of Shapeshifting is the most prominent Loa for Darkspear Trolls. He is responsible for teaching the shapeshifting powers to his Druid followers.



Shadow Hunter

The class will feature 3 specializations: spellcaster DPS, melee DPS, and Healer. The spellcaster DPS will call upon the forces of decay (voodoo) to annihilate enemies while the Healer one will call upon the power of spirit to heal allies. The melee DPS will fight with a glaive and will use the spirits of the Loa to enhance its attacks. The class will be available to Troll, Zandalari Troll, Forest Troll, Drust, Worgen and Kul Tiran. The class will feature:
Minions: you'll be able to summon manifestations of Loas and Wild Gods who will perform certain actions based on their skills.
Masks: you'll be able to wear different masks that will invoke fear into your enemies.
Spectres: you'll be able to call upon the spirits of the dead to do your bidding.
Hexes: Hexes will be the way to weaken and immobilize your foes.
Dolls: you'll be able to take control of your enemies.
fetishes: you'll be able to place small objects of haunting magic to apply effects to an area.
Spirit: the resource for your class will be gained by draining the life force of your enemies and will be spent by using your abilities.



Drust
The Drust will join the Alliance after the liberation of Balor from the tyranny of Gorak Bal. Their racial traits will include:
Wicker: summon a Wicker construct to terrorize your enemies.
Runic Language: your knowledge of runic magic increases your mastery.
Haunting Vision: your abilities have a chance to summon a ghost that will petrify all enemies nearby. Shares a cooldown with possession.
Witch's Totem: your spells and attacks mess with your target's mind, reducing their attributes.
Shrines of Worship: increases the effectiveness of the boons afflicted upon you by the Loas\Wild Gods (Shadow Hunter only).
Possession: place a mask upon the target. It has a chance to control the target for a few seconds. Shares a cooldown with Haunting Vision.



Forest Troll
The Forest Trolls will join the Horde after the liberation of their island from Kul Tiran invaders. Their racial traits will include:
Berserker: gain haste the more health you lose.
Regenerate: use to replenish your health every second.
Taz'dingo: envelop yourself with powerful voodo magic, becoming invulnerable to damage for the duration. Shares a cooldown with Voodoo Dance.
Amani Rage: Increases your damage but also reduces your health.
Voodoo Dance: removes any movement impairing effects. Shares a cooldown with Taz'dingo.
Customization option: Frost Troll.

[Mace]

You cNt name an expat occult and expect it to sell well in North America, or any Christian influenced country or even the eastern ones.

Nice picture though. Darkspear Island looks I teresting, but needs a better name Zul' Noir?

- - - Updated - - -

I also dont think Elune as a Loa would be popular

[Itori]

Im all for a drust themed expansion. Drustvar was my favorite zone in bfa. Zandalar influence not so much. Would be pretty cool to have a drust witch pet class that summons a guardian spirit and fight in melee or range.

[haediff]

You cNt name an expat occult and expect it to sell well in North America, or any Christian influenced country or even the eastern ones.

Nice picture though. Darkspear Island looks I teresting, but needs a better name Zul' Noir?

- - - Updated - - -

I also dont think Elune as a Loa would be popular

Have you ever heard of a game called Diablo?

[username993720]

You cNt name an expat occult and expect it to sell well in North America, or any Christian influenced country or even the eastern ones.

It's just a word.

Nice picture though. Darkspear Island looks I teresting, but needs a better name Zul' Noir?

Apparently, it's somebody who tried to reimagine the Echo Isles. What's wrong with Darkspear Islands?

I also dont think Elune as a Loa would be popular

She's already worshipped by Zandalari Lun'alai.

Im all for a drust themed expansion. Drustvar was my favorite zone in bfa. Zandalar influence not so much. Would be pretty cool to have a drust witch pet class that summons a guardian spirit and fight in melee or range.

Well, it's not meant to be a Drust-exclusive expansion, but rather a witchcraft one to allow the introduction of a Shadow Hunter class. So, you have two kinds of witchcraft: the wicca ones and the tribal ones.

[Mad_Murdock]

You cNt name an expat occult and expect it to sell well in North America, or any Christian influenced country or even the eastern ones.

You're still living in the 80s and before if you think that means jack anymore. Hell, it might make the game even more popular if the Church came out against it. But as pointed out above, Diablo 4 had masssive success and I'm not sure there was even a whisper of complaint from whatever groups that would object.

[enigma77]

this leek reeks

[username993720]

this leek reeks

Well, if you keep your vegetables outside, they're going to rot eventually.

[caliphax]

While I think a lot of thought has gone into this. To me, it just seems too similar to BfA just in it's inclusion of Kul Tirans, and Trolls. I think any expansion will try and be as different as it can to other expansions.

[MCMLXXXII]

While I think a lot of thought has gone into this. To me, it just seems too similar to BfA just in it's inclusion of Kul Tirans, and Trolls. I think any expansion will try and be as different as it can to other expansions.

Mwah, WotLK and SL share similarities. So do TBC and Legion.

[username993720]

While I think a lot of thought has gone into this. To me, it just seems too similar to BfA just in it's inclusion of Kul Tirans, and Trolls. I think any expansion will try and be as different as it can to other expansions.

I was expecting the "too similar to BfA" comments since it uses the theme of drust and trolls again. But, you literally have WoD and Legion that are a repeat of TBC. BfA and Shadowlands, which WotLK themes. Dragonflight and the next expansion, which are a repeat of Cataclysm.

Mwah, WotLK and SL share similarities. So do TBC and Legion.

This, basically.