As the birthplace of all Trolls, it wasn't surprising to see a Loa on the island of Zandalar. Andreas just hadn't expected this Pterrordax Loa, who called herself Pa'ku, to be kind enough to save Celeste just as she was about to crash into the pyramid.
Although Loas couldn't compare to the Wild Gods who held official positions in the emerald hierarchy, they were primitive animal spirits nurtured by Azeroth itself. Each possessed its own unique personality and the pride inherent in being a deity.
A significant number of Loas were fickle and moody, viewing mortals as mere grass. Even the devotees who worshipped them could be slaughtered or devoured at any moment—Hakkar the Soulflayer was a prime example.
Ignoring the gale blowing along the coast, Pa'ku the Pterrordax leisurely brought the terrified Celeste down to the ground.
Shandris pulled the pale-faced Celeste into her arms to comfort her, while Andreas took a step forward, shielding the two of them. He looked at the Pterrordax, which was clearly receiving offerings from the Trolls, with a hint of wariness.
"Loa Pa'ku, we come from a passing fleet. We encountered a storm and were forced to take shelter on this island. Thank you for your help with Celeste \."
Despite the many thoughts swirling in his mind, Andreas maintained a polite demeanor on the surface as he thanked Pa'ku.
Pa'ku tilted her head and studied Andreas for a long time. "Don't mention it. I was just passing by and did it on a whim. You are Night Elves, aren't you?"
"Yes, we are."
Pa'ku stood upright on two legs and circled the three of them several times. "Interesting. Since the Well of Eternity exploded and split the continent, no Night Elf has set foot on this land for over 2,000 years."
"Mortals, don't say I didn't warn you."
Pa'ku dropped her playful expression and gave a solemn warning. "There is no problem with you sheltering from the wind here. Zandalar isn't so fallen that it would target those in distress. However, the natives of Nazmir are a different story."
A look of realization flashed in Andreas's eyes. "The Blood Trolls?"
...
The Pterrordax Loa named Pa'ku was very talkative and appeared quite friendly toward Andreas's group.
After following Andreas back to the temporary camp the sailors had built in the rainforest, Pa'ku briefly explained the origins of the Blood Trolls to them.
The general history matched Andreas's partial knowledge from his previous life, but Pa'ku provided much more detail on certain specifics.
These Blood Trolls were indeed the followers and sycophants of G'huun. When the Troll race first gained sentience, Nazmir was their original cradle.
As a Loa who had lived for over ten thousand years, Pa'ku knew much ancient history, including the birth of Zandalar and even the origin of the Nazmani, the predecessors of the Zandalari.
"The story is too long to tell from the beginning, so I'll keep it brief."
Pa'ku lay down on a relatively dry patch of land in the camp, looking toward the pyramid they had seen earlier with a touch of nostalgia.
"The fundamental reason Nazmir became what it is today lies with that fellow the Blood Trolls revere as the Blood God—the Old God G'huun."
"Heh heh~"
Xal'atath, at Andreas's waist, spoke up in mockery for the first time in a long while. "That fellow is nothing more than a failed experiment accidentally created by the Titan Watchers. I absolutely refuse to acknowledge him as a member of the Old Gods."
Andreas ignored Xal'atath's words as Pa'ku continued her narration.
"The Watchers imprisoned G'huun in a Titan laboratory called Uldir and placed three seals among the surrounding mountains and jungles to contain him."
"One of them is the pyramid we just saw, the first seal: Nazwatha."
"The second seal, Atul'Aman, and the third seal, Zuldazar, are located in the Vol'dun jungle west of Nazmir and Dazar'alor, the capital of the Zandalari Trolls, respectively."
"Um..."
Andreas frowned and asked, "Loa Pa'ku, is it alright for you to tell us such secret information?"
"Secret?"
Pa'ku sneered. "Rest assured, not only does Zandalar know this like the back of its hand, but even the Blood Trolls whose brains have been fried by G'huun know it perfectly well. It's hardly a secret."
"In order to escape from Uldir, G'huun sent his subordinates to capture Nazwatha first. Atul'Aman is still under the protection of the Serpent Goddess Sethraliss, and Zuldazar is located in the incredibly secure Zandalari capital."
Pa'ku looked at Andreas with a smile. "Regardless, if G'huun is ever released, the entire world will suffer because of it."
"I can tell from your aura and the way you speak that you are high-ranking individuals within the Night Elf race. I trust you aren't fools; you should know what should and shouldn't be done."
"Alright, that's enough talk."
Pa'ku beat her leathery wings against the roaring wind and took flight again. "I have tasks entrusted to me by Rezan, the Loa of Kings, so I won't stay with you any longer."
"Leave as soon as the wind and rain disperse. I cannot guarantee that staying here long-term won't be seen as a provocation by Zandalar."
Watching the Pterrordax Loa disappear into the distance, Andreas lowered his head in thought.
Uldir, the three seals, G'huun, and the Nazmani... It seems Troll history has its own share of twists and turns. Forget it; it has nothing to do with me for now.
According to Pa'ku, the Blood Trolls' ways were primitive and bloody. Under G'huun's influence, they would attack any intelligent creature appearing in their territory, capturing defeated prey to offer as live sacrifices to their 'Blood God.'
While they were an unforgivable race, they currently had no direct grudge or conflict of interest with Andreas.
Leaving them to constantly harass Zandalar's "back garden" wasn't a bad thing. It would keep the Zandalari too busy to meddle in the affairs of other continents.
...
The storm lasted for three days before gradually leaving the waters near Nazmir. Perhaps because this place was far from the range of Nordrassil's blessing, Celeste, having been exposed to the wind and rain at sea, experienced what it meant to be "sick" for the first time.
Though it was just a simple cold and fever, the temporarily assembled fleet didn't have the corresponding medicine in stock.
To cure Celeste's illness, Andreas and the others remained in Nazmir after the storm passed.
Following the advice of a part-time alchemist on board, the group carefully searched this vast jungle swamp for the herbs needed to brew a potion.
Just as Pa'ku had said, the cradle of the Trolls had long since become the territory of the Blood Trolls. No matter how careful Andreas and the others were, as the local powers, the Blood Trolls still had several small-scale skirmishes with them.
While Andreas and his party were maneuvering through the jungle against the Blood Trolls to find herbs, Pa'ku the Pterrordax Loa finished her patrol and returned to Dazar'alor, the capital of Zandalar.
After reporting the results of her patrol to Rezan, the Loa of Kings and a great Devilsaur, Pa'ku casually mentioned the interesting encounter she had during her trip.
It had been over 8,000 years since Rezan made a pact with Dazar, the first king of Zandalar.
For years, Rezan had dutifully protected Dazar's descendants, a stark contrast to the methods of evil gods like Hakkar.
Hearing about the tracks of Night Elves from the naturally free-spirited Pa'ku, Rezan grew more alert regarding the arrival of these distressed travelers.
"Pa'ku, are you sure those Night Elves mean no harm and only docked in Nazmir by chance to avoid the storm?"
"I'm sure," Pa'ku said lazily. "There have indeed been gale-force winds lately that are rare to see in decades. Those unlucky Night Elves must have run right into it at sea."
"Is that so?"
I'll find time to go and see for myself. Perhaps...