In the winter of the ninth year of the Dark Portal, there was no heavy snowfall in Zul'Aman. For most of the season, Zul'ra spent his time with the craftsmen, helping them wield hammers and stoke the fires, discussing how to forge better weapons in greater numbers, and, while he was at it, doing a little ideological work.
When it came to ideological work, Zul'ra had learned from the people of Zandalar. Whenever the craftsmen rested around the furnace, he would sit nearby, gather the craftsmen and apprentices, and tell them about the history of the Trolls. He described in detail the Forest Trolls' bravery in their battles against the Azh'kiri insect people, and the fearlessness with which they had aided the Gurubashi against Blood God Hakkar.
The Trolls' past had been truly glorious. Before the Kaldorei rose to prominence, they had already walked across every corner of the Ancient Kalimdor Continent. They respected knowledge, loved learning, and worshipped their gods devoutly. So the question was:
"Why, if our race is so fearless, do we keep losing to humans and the Pale Ones?" Some apprentices couldn't help asking after listening to Zul'ra's account.
"Because bravery alone isn't enough to win a war." Seeing the apprentices' questions, Zul'ra naturally answered them.
"War is a matter of life and death. It demands the utmost caution, and, above all, the wise use of intelligence. Our people are still fearless, but many of us no longer respect knowledge. We stubbornly believe that we are honorable without understanding what makes us so!"
"Why are we honorable?" one Troll apprentice asked, confused. They had never really considered the question.
"Because we are strong." Zul'ra raised an index finger.
"Are we not strong enough? I've heard the Pale Ones and humans aren't as strong as we are." One apprentice straightened up from his hunched posture, showing off his powerful back and arms.
"No, no. That isn't strength. If physical strength alone made you strong, why would we lose to the Pale Ones and humans?" Zul'ra shook a finger at the apprentice who had straightened up.
"Because they use tricks!"
"Because they outnumber us!"
"Because they have sturdy armor and weapons." The apprentices rattled off their reasons.
"Good. The fact that you can answer these questions proves you can think. But your thinking still isn't enough. If physical strength is what makes us strong, then wouldn't the Elves and humans, who use strategy and make good use of their advantages, be even stronger?" Zul'ra looked at the apprentices, then turned to the many craftsmen who had returned from Zandalar and asked with a smile.
The apprentices fell silent at once. The craftsmen listening nearby also looked stunned. Though they didn't want to admit it, humans and Elves really were stronger than Trolls—at the very least, stronger than the Forest Trolls.
"Now think about it. What is strength?" Seeing the stunned faces around him, Zul'ra nodded with satisfaction. Recognizing that they were inferior to others instead of blindly boasting was a good thing.
"Is it using strategy to make the most of our strengths and exploit others' weaknesses?" Maki, a blacksmith, ventured.
"No. It's self-reliance." Zul'ra shook his head.
"Self-reliance?" The craftsmen and apprentices looked at one another.
"Yes, self-reliance. When we face someone stronger than us, we must still have the courage to fight with everything we have and protect our kin. Just like the Shadow Hunters—our ancestors who, in ancient times, threw themselves into the fight against darkness." Zul'ra raised both hands slightly and spoke in a chant-like tone. The Trolls listened with solemn reverence.
"We have lived beneath this sky for ten thousand years. Is the world around us strong enough?" Zul'ra asked the Trolls. They all nodded. No one would deny the strength of the earth and sky, for they all lived beneath them.
"The strength of the world lies in its endless cycles and its ability to embrace all things. That is the true source of strength. It is what we must learn from." Zul'ra's words won nods of agreement from the Trolls.
"Then how do we learn the 'self-reliance' of the sky and earth?" Maki asked thoughtfully.
"Feel it with your heart and take it in with your body. Don't grow complacent. Recognize your own shortcomings and what you don't understand. Be brave enough to ask questions, and learn to arm yourself with wisdom and knowledge. Most importantly, we must stand upright, because we have the ability—and the responsibility—to make more room for our kin. When everyone can claim their own space, our people will be able to walk proudly across this land."
Moved by his stirring words, even the craftsmen puffed out their bellies and let out quick, huffing breaths. They straightened their hunched bodies, showing off their powerful backs and long arms. A flame of passion shone in their eyes, and a heavy sense of responsibility settled in their hearts.
With that weighty responsibility in their hearts, the Trolls poured their passion into their work. Zul'ra joined them, too, working alongside them and learning the art of forging. He also used speeches like this to teach them his ideas, dispel their ignorance, and correct their values, morals, and outlook on life.
Little by little, it wasn't just the craftsmen who gathered around Zul'ra. Women, farmers, and soldiers began to join them as well, embracing his ideas. After the Horde's defeat, Zul'jin had offered no explanation for who was responsible. Everyone felt an emptiness in their hearts, and the ideas Zul'ra brought them filled that void.
Compared with the Witch Doctors and priests, who were always praying in temples and devoting themselves to the study of the gods and voodoo, commoners and soldiers would rather work alongside Zul'ra. They liked listening to his stories about the Trolls' glory and his suggestions for Zul'Aman, and learning to read and write in Common. Those things gave them more hope than the gods' teachings.
Under Zul'ra's influence, some young Forest Trolls began to straighten their bodies. Zul'ra also gave them the medicinal wine he made to ease the pain of correcting their posture, and taught them about herbs and hygiene.
Sharing his knowledge greatly boosted Zul'ra's standing among the common people. In Zul'Aman, knowledge was precious, too. The Witch Doctors and priests of Zul'Aman were just as conservative as Zandalar's caste system—if not more so.
As time passed, many commoners began calling Zul'ra "Zul'ra Jin" or "Zul'Zul'ra" of their own accord. This followed the Trolls' custom of using special words to mark out notable people and buildings. For instance, "von" was used as a suffix for Trolls who had left their people, whether by force or by choice.
The suffix "jin" could be understood to mean "leader." It was used to address elders and chieftains. The prefix "zul" could be translated as "great" and used for both people and buildings. The name of the Amani chieftain Zul'jin contained both of these elements, though he had chosen the name himself and maintained it through his authority as ruler.
The commoners' decision to insert "zul" and "jin" into Zul'ra's name showed just how much his standing had risen. Even his mentor, Kal'ma, had never been given that honor.
Thanks to SAngelong and 玉碎冲钅 for the tips, and thank you all for your support.
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