Azotha

The Azotha were an ancient tribe of humans, believed to have settled in modern day Azeroth. Prior to the discovery of the vrykul, the Azotha were heavily studied by the Explorer's League, due to an apparent connection to humanity and the Titans.

Origins:
There Azotha were not known to write or keep written records. Thus, the earliest known records of the tribe were made by the Gurubashi, and dated somewhere around 14,000-13,000 years in the past. Most believe that they split from the more dominant Arathi tribe due to conflicts over resources.

The Azotha settled in modern Stranglethorn, deep within the a small penninsula, which they referred to as Ulmat Thondr. The naming of said land hinted that the Azotha spoke a simplified version of Titan, which led many Dwarves to believe that they were not the only creatures on Azeroth created by the Pantheon. Ulmat Thondr was concealed and walled in by the Savage Hills, allowing them natural barriers, but also leaving them susceptible to frequent floods.

Troll Conflicts
Due to their proximity to the expanding Gurubashi Empire, the two races fell into conflict almost immediately. The Azotha were regarded as filthy and savage, even by the trolls, and often raided imperial settlements. The Gurubashi had a vastly superior army, and crushed the Azotha in nearly every open conflict. However, the collective threats of the Mogu, Amani, Zandalari, Aqir and Night Elves left the Jungle Trolls to often divert their forces from their own land. Much like the gnolls and murlocs to humans today, the primitive Azotha were actively hunted, but remained a constant thorn in the troll's side.

Up until the Great Sundering, the Azotha continued to eek out a meager resistance by raiding the trolls, calling warriors and spies to the fight. These nascent humans saw the kaldorei as shadowy figures with god-like powers, but were sometimes captured and used as slaves by them.

The Sundering
When the night elves fought the demons during the War of the Ancients in their lands, both humans and trolls retreated deep into the wild. Groups of endangered humans or night elves were guided away from the doomguard by Aviana disguised in mortal form.

After the Sundering, the Gurubashi infrastructure was greatly nearly obliterated, and in their hour of weakness, the desperate Azotha struck deep into troll territory, expanding their territory and population towards the north. Humiliated and struggling to survive, the Gurubashi turned to the dark loa Hakkar, who, at a price, granted them incredible power. The last known signs of civilization in Ulmat Thondr ended abruptly after this point in history, leading most to believe that the Azotha in Stranglethorn were completely annihilated by the trolls.

In the far north surviving tribes of humans sent out intrepid bands to explore the reborn world and to find their long-lost brethren. Slowly, trade routes were established across the revitalized world. Records show that there were indeed humans native to the area when the Arathi colonized what would become Stormwind. The Arathi colonists named the land of Azeroth as a whole in homage to their ancient ancestors, giving credit to the theory that the Arathi and Azotha interbred.

Physical Description
The Azotha were described as tall, swarthy and bearded by the trolls, who likely compared the tribe to themselves. At that time, they likely retained many vrykul characteristics.

Religion
These early humans may have had access to divine spells through worship of the Old Gods or early cults that would become the Church of the Holy Light.