Zul'Gurub - Trap Remix - World of Warcraft Cataclysm - David Arkenstone

Zul'Gurub is a raid instance in World of Warcraft (WoW) that holds significant lore and gameplay importance, particularly for players of the original game and those who experienced it in its re-released forms. Here's a detailed overview of its story:
Ancient History
Zul'Gurub is an ancient city of the Gurubashi trolls, located in the northeastern part of Stranglethorn Vale. The Gurubashi Empire was once a powerful and sprawling civilization, but internal conflicts and external pressures, including invasions by other troll tribes and the rise of the human kingdom of Stormwind, led to its decline.
The Blood God Hakkar
Central to the lore of Zul'Gurub is the Blood God Hakkar the Soulflayer. The Gurubashi trolls, in their desperation, summoned Hakkar to aid them. Hakkar demanded blood sacrifices, which led to widespread terror and chaos. Eventually, the Zandalar tribe, a group of trolls who did not worship Hakkar, helped other troll tribes to defeat him and seal his essence away.
The Rise of the Hakkari
In the original World of Warcraft, a group of fanatical trolls known as the Hakkari sought to bring Hakkar back to the world. They took control of Zul'Gurub and began the ritual to summon the Blood God. Adventurers (the players) were called upon to stop this threat. Zul'Gurub was introduced as a 20-player raid in Patch 1.7, where players battled through the temple complex to defeat Hakkar and his high priests, who wielded the powers of various animal gods.
Cataclysm and the Reclamation
With the release of the Cataclysm expansion, Zul'Gurub was revamped into a 5-player heroic dungeon. The story shifted to reflect the aftermath of Hakkar's defeat. The Zandalari trolls, once again trying to unify all troll tribes under their rule, sent emissaries to Zul'Gurub. The dungeon now focused on players stopping the resurgence of Hakkari and Zandalari forces within the ruins.
Battle for Azeroth
In the Battle for Azeroth expansion, Zul'Gurub saw a minor role as part of the overarching troll storylines. The Zandalari Empire, the most powerful of the troll nations, had its capital city, Zuldazar, threatened by internal and external enemies. Zul'Gurub's legacy and the remnants of Hakkar's influence were featured in various quests and story arcs throughout this expansion.
Key Bosses and Encounters
- **Hakkar the Soulflayer**: The final boss in the original raid, a powerful god demanding blood sacrifices.
- **High Priests**: Key lieutenants of Hakkar, each associated with different animal gods (e.g., High Priest Venoxis, High Priestess Arlokk).
- **Jin'do the Hexxer**: A powerful witch doctor and a major antagonist in the Cataclysm dungeon version of Zul'Gurub.