Wild God

Wild Gods are primal manifestations oflife andnature^[1] found on bothAzeroth and otherplanets.^[2][3][4] Many of them appear in the form of gargantuananimals, such aswolves,bears,tigers, orbirds. The Wild Gods of Azeroth are creatures of two realms, for while they inhabit the physical world, their spirits are bound to the etherealEmerald Dream.^[1] When Wild Gods die, they go toArdenweald and enter awildseed to be taken care of by keepers of the groves of one of thecelestial trees until they are ready to be reborn through theGrove of Awakening. No matter their moral alignment in life, in death all are under the protection of theWinter Queen.^[5]Ancient Guardian,Loa, andAugust Celestial are interchangeable when referring to great spirits aligned with nature destined to Ardenweald.^[6]

Origins[]

As thetitan-forged began shaping Azeroth,Keeper Freya wandered the world, creating enclaves of life and nature in the places where the energies of theWell of Eternity had coalesced, such asUn'Goro Crater,Sholazar Basin and theVale of Eternal Blossoms. The greatest creatures to emerge from Freya's enclaves were the colossal Wild Gods. Seeing these creatures as her own children, Freya and the Wild Gods often wandered side by side through the primal forests and grasslands of early Azeroth. The area that they spent the most time at was the massive forested peak known asMount Hyjal, and it was upon the slopes of Hyjal that Freya bound the spirits of her beloved Wild Gods to the Emerald Dream. Forever after, Hyjal would remain a sacred refuge to the Wild Gods.^[7]

Characteristics[]

• Wild Gods are immortal and ageless.^[8][9] Their spirits will return to theEmerald Dream when killed in the physical world, after which they can be ushered back into the world.^[10]
  • When Yu'lon was killed by Lei Shen, she had to rely on a statue to reincarnate.^[11]
  • It is unclear if the August Celestials visit the Emerald Dream.^[12]
• Not all Wild Gods are capable of speech, as this ability was a gift bestowed by Freya only to certain chosen Wild Gods. Notable examples include theAugust Celestials, who were chosen for their intelligence, and the twin Bear LordsUrsoc andUrsol, who were chosen for their stubborn bravery.^[8]
• Much likedragons, the August Celestials have the ability to shift into humanoid forms. During the trial ofGarrosh Hellscream,Chi-Ji appeared as a red-hairedblood elf,Niuzao as a glowingtauren andXuen as a pale bluehuman.^[13]Yu'lon has assumed the form of apandaren child namedFei on several occasions, including the aforementioned trial, while Chi-Ji has also been known to use the form ofFat Long-Fat, a red-haired pandaren brawler.Ban-Lu, one ofXuen's children, uses the disguise of a pandaren elder namedMaster Bu.
• Some Wild Gods can be revived withinArdenweald, such asLord Renard andDroman Aliothe.

Groups[]

Different cultures around Azeroth have referred to the Wild Gods by various names.

Ancient Guardians[]

Main article:Ancient Guardian

The Ancient Guardians are Wild Gods worshiped by thenight elves, found inKalimdor.^[14][15] They are greatly revered bydruids. Famous Ancients includeCenarius,Malorne,Goldrinn,Aviana,Ursoc andUrsol.

August Celestials[]

Main article:August Celestial

The August Celestials —Yu'lon,Xuen,Chi-Ji andNiuzao — are Wild Gods who remained inPandaria after theGreat Sundering.^[14] They have helped and guided the pandaren people for thousands of years.^[16]

Loa[]

Main article:Loa

"Loa" is the name given by thetrolls to the beings they worship as deities, such as the Wild Gods,^[17][18] including theAncient Guardians,^[19] but also other entities such asC'Thraxxi,^[20]wisps^[19] and spirits likeBwonsamdi orZanza. The first, early troll tribes already calledKalimdor's elusive Wild Gods as such, and lived among them on theZandalar Mountains.^[17] Countless loa exist, most weak, but some very powerful. Most are shapeless, whereas others have animal or creature forms. TheZandalari believe that powerful, enlightened members of their tribe can become loas upon their death.^[21] Some loa, likeGonk, can enter the Emerald Dream.^[22] A few of the more famous loa includeHakkar,Shadra,Bwonsamdi,Gonk,Akali,Shirvallah,Nalorakk andHir'eek.

Notable Wild Gods[]

• Unnamed[]

  Numerous unnamed Ancients appeared during theWar of the Ancients.^[35]

  • Abeing resembling a wolverine
  • A tiny redfox with a sly yet gnomish visage
  • A wingedpanther with hands almosthuman (possiblyAshamane)
  • Sword-wieldingpixies of a sort
  • A reptilian warrior with a shell reminiscent of aturtle's
  • Male figures with hooded faces and whose flesh (what little there was visible) was oak bark.
  • A humanoidstick bug race
  • Asquat warrior

• Dark Ancients[]

  TheTwilight's Hammer feared that the Ancient Guardians may someday rise up to oppose them. They created twisted versions of the Ancients, summoned to replace them. They were a primal force of nature, but their origins were from a darker place. Those who birthed these beasts reached deep into the blackness, channeling powers never intended for this world.^[36] The Twilight's Hammer dreamed of creating their own pantheon of twisted ancients to rule over the land, sea, and air,^[37] though only two were summoned before the Twilight's Hammer was stopped.

  • Lycanthoth <The Corruptor>, the dark version of the ancientGoldrinn.
  • Nemesis <The Usurper>, the dark version of the ancientTortolla.

Racial ancestry[]

Brann Bronzebeard has confirmed that several races originate from the Ancients:^[38]

• Cenarius' descendants are themagnataur,centaur,^[39][40]keepers of the grove,^[41] anddryads^[41] (along with theirforest andfrost offshoots).^[38]
• Something created thepandaren
• Agamaggan created thequilboar
• Aviana created theharpies
• Ursoc created thefurbolg.Chronicle Volume 1 revealed they came from thejalgar, but Ursoc may have created the jalgar.

Brann alsospeculates on the existence of several Ancients and their creation of descendant races:^[38]

• Gorloc and a frog Ancient
• Wolvar and a badger Ancient
• Tauren and a bull Ancient. It is possible this might have beenNiuzao.Chronicle Volume 1 revealed they came from theyaungol, but the bull may have created the yaungol.
• Tuskarr and a walrus Ancient
• Aessinamight have created thegrell (she told Brann "maybe")
• Gnolls and a hyena Ancient
• Makrura and a lobster Ancient

Notes[]

• The term "wild god" first appeared in [20-30] Strange Mojo and [20-30] Trouble at the Altar of Sseratus inZul'Drak. TheAdventure Guide entry forGundrak mentions the term "wild deities". The proper version of the term ("Wild Gods") was first mentioned byDave Kosak on Twitter in 2014 as a categorization for the Ancient Guardians and the August Celestials.^[14] The concept was elaborated and expanded upon with the release ofWorld of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, which also established at least some loa as being Wild Gods.
• While the primal gods ofDraenor, includingAnzu,Sethe, andRukhmar, were born from a large amount ofspirit as opposed to the coalesced power of theWell of Eternity,^[42] they have similarities with Wild Gods such as massive size, age, speech, and even Rukhmar creating thearakkoa like some Wild Gods made races of their own. In 2017,Matt Burns stated that he was hesitant to call them Wild Gods as the term has direct ties to thekeepers on Azeroth, but added that he does think they're part of a greater set of similar creatures.^[43][44] InShadowlands, "wild god" (written in lowercase) is used for some non-Azerothian nature spirits,^[2][3] making it no longer specific to Azeroth.

Speculation[]

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials.It should not be taken as representing official lore.

• Theworgen are night elves or humans transformed by the fury of Goldrinn and magic ofElune. Thus, in a way, it could be said that worgen originate from Goldrinn.
• Since it is unknown if they visit the Emerald Dream, it is possible that Freya never linked theAugust Celestials to it like she did the other Wild Gods. Alternatively, they may simply choose not to, given their dedication to providing teaching to mortals.

Possible Wild Gods[]

The following beings may or may not be Wild Gods:

• Since Wild Gods are usually animals, some animalloa might be Wild Gods too.
  • It is unclear whether or not the more humanoid-lookingloa, such asBwonsamdi andZanza would be Wild Gods or if they are simply some other kind of powerful spirit.
  • The spirits of wind serpent loa such asHakkar the Soulflayer,Quetz'lun, andTharon'ja, were found in theShadowlands instead of theEmerald Dream.
• Thespirit beasts may be Wild Gods as well.
• TheGreat Bear Spirit and theGreat Cat Spirit could have been Wild Gods.
• Ysildar was speculated to be one of Keeper Freya's animal followers, likely meaning one of the Wild Gods.
• Thegeneric deities that can be revived in Ardenweald may be Wild Gods from other worlds.
• Ai'twen is asea turtle inStormsong Valley that once saved manytortollans from the "great purge of the Inky Grotto." He needs to be enticed back to our world.^[45]
• Athair is a white stag who befriendedArom Waycrest around 2,700 years ago. He can still be found inDrustvar today, and that longevity, his ability to speak, and his title "Heart of the Forest" may mean he is a Wild God.
• Athainne, the "Secret Keeper of the Forest", is a blue doe with glowing eyes and a moon sigil above her head who can sometimes be found accompanying Athair.
• Blaithe, consort of Aviana.
• Cro'akan is larger than a normal frog. He can instantly kill everyone on his island withFrog Justice.
• Eche'ro is a powerful moose favored and blessed by Malorne.
• G'nathus is believed by somepandaren to be an ancientZandalari loa left behind to guard the waters south ofLei Shen'sisland citadel.^[46]
• Greenstalker was an ally of theThornspeakers and protector of the forests inDrustvar, until he was corrupted by theHeartsbane Coven. When he died his spirit visibly left his body and ran off into the wilds.^[47]
• Im'bunata (Spirit of Water),Kaunot (Spirit of Air),M'aketik (Spirit of the Deep) andOtu'rorq (Spirit of Water) are denoted as great nature spirits by theIskaara Tuskarr on theDragon Isles and have been with them for generations while appearing as local fauna (beaver, feathermane,mantacorn, andottuk respectively).
• Khu'nok the Behemoth is a wise and ancient mammoth of a much larger size than the average mammoth. He also possesses the ability to speak.
• Kros is adevilsaur deity fervently worshiped by theSkumbladesaurok and who may be a Wild God. The Skumbladesaur-priests claim that the saurok were not the result ofmoguflesh-shaping but that they instead evolved from the great creator, Kros. While this claim is false, theEcho of Kros and the blessings invoked by the tribe'sbrutes suggest that the entity very much exists.
• Loque'nahak, mate ofHar'koa.
• Morashu is described as an "ancient spirit" that has lingered inHighmountain "as long as any tribe", andMaltha Silenthoof states that his presence is required to carry out the cycle of life and death that keeps nature in balance.
• Nozronn is a large skeletal rhino worshiped by theOracles. His size and ability to speak suggest that he is a Wild God.
• ThePenguin King encountered byArthas Menethil andAnub'arak inNorthrend was a giant, invulnerable penguin with his own throne room who offereda magical ring to the undead.
• Oacha'noa, atuskarr sea goddess, asksadventurers if they are working with "the trolls of this land" and if they have come to kill her and take her power, indicating that she is a loa akin to theDrakkari loa that were killed by their worshipers.
  • The other three known tuskarr deities —Tayutka,Issliruk, andKarkut — may be Wild Gods as well. Issliruk, the spirit of war, is depicted as a silver eagle, and tuskarr stories tell of how he fought against a hundred worgs to save his young.^[48]
• Orsonn andKodian, the son and daughter ofUrsoc, may be Wild Gods themselves due to their parentage.
• Owa'nohe is athunder lizardspirit of considerable power considered the protector ofThunder Ridge.
• Redhoof the Ancient may be a Wild God as he is able to give out blessings like his neighbor Ela'lothen.
• Lady Sathrah was atarantula beloved by Elune. After Sathrah was killed, it was said that the forest would mourn her, and her spirit could be seen in theTemple of the Moon.Priestess A'moora also said Sathrah would be reborn.^[49]
• Shen-zin Su may be a Wild God given his colossal size, his ability to speak, and his long lifespan.
• Silverfang may be a Wild God as she is able to give out blessings like his neighbor Ela'lothen.

References[]

v e Divinities Titans Aggramar Aman'Thul Argus Azeroth Eonar Golganneth Khaz'goroth Norgannon Sargeras Eternal Ones Arbiter2nd Denathrius Kyrestia Pelagos3rd Arbiter Primus Winter Queen Zovaal1st Arbiter Old Gods C'Thun N'Zoth Yogg-Saron Y'Shaarj G'huunartificial Summoned Old God Ancient Guardians Aessina Agamaggan Ashamane Aviana Cenarius Ela'lothen Goldrinn L'ghorekVashj'ir LycanthothDark Malorne NespirahVashj'ir NemesisDark Ohn'ahra Omen Tortolla Ursoc Ursol Wolverine guardian Reptilian warrior Squat warrior ancient Fox ancient Winged panther ancient Loa Akali Akil'darah Akil'zon Akunda Bethekk Bwonsamdi Dambala Gonk Gral Grimath Hakkar Halazzi Har'koa Hethiss Hir'eek Jan'alai Jani Kimbul Krag'wa Lakali Lukou Mam'toth Mueh'zala Nalorakk Pa'ku Q'onzu Rezan Rhunok Quetz'lun Samedi Sethraliss Shadra Shango Shirvallah Sseratus Torga Tharon'ja Torcali Xibala Zanza Elemental Lords Al'Akir1st, air Neptulon1st, water Ragnaros1st, fire Smolderon2nd, fire Therazane1st, earth Thunderaan2nd, air Other Al'ar Arakkoa gods Anzu Ka'alu Rukhmaralternate Sethealternate Terokk Arkkoroc August Celestials Chi-Ji Niuzao Xuen Yu'lon Drakkari gods Dubra'Jin Zim'Abwa Zim'Rhuk Zim'Torga Elune First Ones Gahz'rilla Kros The Lich King Mazu Nalak Nhal'athoth Ordos Primordial Aspects Murmur Tauren gods An'she Earth Mother Lo'sho Mu'sha Sky Father Tuskarr gods Issliruk Karkut Oacha'noa Tayutka Void lords Dimensius Wild Gods Aliothe Falir Lia Renard Ohm Volcanoth Xavius Exclusive Deep Mother Nath One in the Deeps Ula-Tek Loa (Legba Ogoun) Cosmic forces (Light Disorder Death Shadow Order Life) Religion Eternal God Demigod Wild God