The Echo Isles[64, 85] are a small cluster
of tropical landmasses located off the southeastern coast of Durotar. In
addition to being the home of the Darkspear trolls, the archipelago teems with
raptors, tigers, and other dangerous predators.
History
After
the Third War
After being saved by Warchief Thrall, the
Darkspear Trolls pledged their support to the Horde and with the Darkspear
Islands sinking they joined the orcs in Kalimdor. Much like the orcs created
Orgrimmar after the Third War, it's possible that the Darkspear colonized their
home on the nearby Echo Isles after the war as well. The Isles were home to sea
giants led by Sea King and a deathlord with skeletons.
However, sometime after Kul Tiras forces
under the command of Admiral Daelin Proudmoore attacked their new home, forcing
them to flee (a task helped by the Mok'Nathal Rexxar and his companions) to
Orgrimmar and to establish a new base on the mainland of Kalimdor.
World
of Warcraft
After the defeat of Admiral Proudmoore,
these islands were once again available to the Darkspears. The trolls, however,
only had a few moments to settle down on the Isles before one of their own,
Zalazane, betrayed them. The witch doctor, somehow learning the secrets of
undeath, took his people by surprise using his zombies and other minions. This
once again forced Vol'jin and the other survivors to retreat back to the shores
of Durotar. It was on that shore, now known as Darkspear Strand, Vol'jin
founded Sen'jin Village.
It is from Sen'jin Village that numerous
attempts have been made to oust Zalazane and reclaim the islands, but Zalazane
continuously managed to fool adventurers into believing that they had slain
him.
After rallying troll citizens and
adventurers of the Horde, along with the help of Bwonsamdi, the Darkspear tribe
finally killed Zalazane and retook the isles.
Zalazane's
Fall
Ritual Dancers could be briefly found on
the isles near the ruins of their homes before Cataclysm but after the retake.
Some could also be found dancing around the remains of Zalazane, on the isle
that would soon to be known as Zalazane's Fall.
After years in exile, the Darkspear trolls
are preparing to invade the Echo Isles and reclaim the land once bestowed to
them by Thrall. Led by Vol'jin, a wise and highly regarded Darkspear, the
tribe's bravest warriors will set out from Orgrimmar and Sen'jin Village,
seeking to bring about Zalazane's fall and begin the process of rebuilding
their homes and villages on the Echo Isles. In World of Warcraft: Cataclysm,
new troll adventurers will begin their journey on these tiny islands off the
coast of Durotar, where they'll be able to experience this time of trial and
transition firsthand.
Though the Darkspears may once again have
their land, the tribe's turmoil is far from over. The impending cataclysm will
spark rivalry among the Horde leadership, and after years of running from a
seemingly endless string of conflicts to preserve the Darkspear nation, Vol'jin
is done fleeing. The Darkspears have reclaimed their islands and have no
intention of settling elsewhere. Of course, as an untested member of the tribe,
you'll have some training to do before tackling the Darkspears' larger matters.
Every great hero starts somewhere. As a
troll of the Echo Isles, the journey begins with safeguarding your people's
well-being. Early in your adventures, you'll be charged with protecting the
local Bloodtalon raptors and hatchlings from the sorcery of a nearby sea witch,
slaying the beasts that feast upon the Darkspears' primary food sources, and
assaulting the naga who've overrun the northern isle. But it won't be long
before Vol'jin trusts you with vital—and potentially dangerous—information
about the political struggles plaguing the Horde and, ultimately, the fellow
members of your tribe.
In World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, you'll
face these trials and more in the trolls' new and enhanced introductory
questing experience (level 1 to 5). Be steadfast and honorable, and your
actions will help usher in a new era of Darkspear perseverance in a time of
ultimate peril.
Cataclysm
Since Cataclysm, Echo Isles was reclaimed
and became the starting zone for new trolls. They begin their training and are
helped along the way by Zuni, but not everything is well. The raptors are
acting strangely, and the trolls will soon find their homeland threatened
again, this time by the Spitescale naga led by Zar'jira the Sea Witch. As
players quest throughout the zone they develop a friendship with Zuni and
eventually fight side by side with Vol'jin against Zar'jira in order put an end
to the invading Naga. After a fierce battle, Zar'jira is slain, but not before
she killed Zuni.
Mists
of Pandaria
During the Pandaren Campaign in Pandaria,
an attempt was made to kill Vol'jin by Garrosh Hellscream and at the same time
he also sent the Kor'kron to these isle and declare martial law chaining up the
trolls to prevent an uprising. These Kor'kron were lead by Gul'tar the
Subjugator. Thrall ends up aiding the trolls believing the Horde would have
been nothing if not for the Darkspears.
Battle
for Azeroth
A new dock was added connecting the Echo
Isles to Zuldazar.
Much of the Horde's naval power was docked
at the Echo Isles. Alliance forces were sent to infiltrate the troll capital
and set fire to their ships. As such, the Horde constructed greater defenses
around their largest port.
The Echo Isles came under attack once again
by Zalazane, who broke free of Bwonsamdi and came back as a lich with an army
of undead. He was slain using Vol'jin's glaive.
Native
inhabitants
Bloodtalon Raptors (companions of the
Darkspear trolls)
Wildmane Cats
Docile Island Boars
Pygmy Surf Crawlers
Dung Beetles
Spiny Lizards
Trivia
The Darkspear capital of Echo Isles as
depicted in World of Warcraft shrunk massively from its appearance in The
Frozen Throne and, unlike Gnomeregan, was not made into an instance.
