Murloc

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Murloc (鱼人)
Species/Race	Aquatic humanoid monsters
Affiliation	Independent coastal and lakeside tribes; several Westfall tribes later submit to Duke Marcus
Occupation/Role	Coastal scavengers and combatants; gatherers of pearls and other marine goods under Duke's command
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 9

Background / History

Murlocs inhabit coastal mudflats and large lakes throughout Azeroth. Duke first encounters them as the danger intended to conceal his murder near an Elwynn Forest lake: they are described as creatures that will eat any meat they find. After Duke disposes of a thief's corpse in the river, approaching Murlocs are implied to consume it downstream 9 12.

After killing Hogger, Duke deliberately seeks the Murlocs of Westfall's northern coast. He believes their familiarity with servitude, their partially organized territorial expansion, and the system's translation of their language could allow him to bring them under his control 41.

Duke finds two large tribes engaged in a chaotic “war” that consists largely of fleeing from numerically superior opponents. When he manifests enhanced Mage Hands and kills one attacking Murloc, both tribes immediately submit, mistaking him for a messenger or god of the ocean. Old Blindman speaks for the West Coast Tribe, while Fish Spear speaks for the North Tide Forces 41.

Duke's display of 108 Mage Hands gives the Murlocs the confidence to attack pursuing Naga. Though many are killed by the stronger Naga, the Murlocs continue fighting under Duke's direction and capture the surviving Naga after their leader is defeated 42 43.

Following the encounter, Duke has the Fish-Spear Tribe gather pearls, while Vala and her Naga clan are ordered to bring the Murloc tribes along Westfall's coast under their command. Three coastal tribes subsequently supply Duke with pearls, coral, tortoiseshell, and other marine products for the Pearl Route 44 47.

Appearance

Murlocs are fish-like humanoids with aquatic bodies and powerful limbs suited for movement on land and in water.

• Slick skin and gaudy coloration 41
• Huge eyes, described as nearly fist-sized 41
• Distinctive dorsal fins 41
• Fish-like bodies supported by humanoid limbs 12 47
• Some wield crude spears or other simple weapons 42

Behavior

• A lone Murloc may attack suddenly, flee after being hurt, then return with an entire group from its home territory 41.
• They run quickly despite their short legs and can escape through water when pursued 41.
• Their large-scale tribal conflicts may involve avoidance and flight rather than direct fighting 41.
• They are regarded as low-intelligence, savage creatures, but Duke notes evidence of coordinated and organized expansion onto land 12 41.
• Displays of overwhelming power can rapidly compel their submission; Duke's Mage Hands lead entire tribes to treat him as a sea deity or divine messenger 41 42.
• They can be driven into unusually determined combat when convinced that a stronger power stands behind them 42.

Abilities & Skills

Aquatic Mobility

Murlocs are adapted to both shorelines and water.

• Can move rapidly on land when fleeing or rallying reinforcements 41.
• Can swim and use the sea as an escape route or operational territory 41.
• Operate along coasts, mudflats, lakeshores, and nearshore waters 9 41.

Group Tactics

A Murloc's danger increases sharply when it can call its tribe.

• Fleeing individuals can lead pursuers into a larger Murloc response 41.
• Tribes can field hundreds of members at once 41.
• Some Murlocs use simple melee weapons, including spears 42.
• Their numerical advantage can threaten stronger Naga opponents, though individual Naga remain more powerful 42.

Murloc Magic

Certain Murloc sages can cast magic.

• Murloc sages are shown using Frostbolt during the battle against the Naga 42.
• Their magic is insufficient to stop a powerful Naga leader by itself 42.

Marine Gathering

Murlocs can obtain valuable resources from beneath the sea.

• The Fish-Spear Tribe gathers pearls of varying sizes for Duke 44.
• Duke's controlled tribes also provide coral, tortoiseshell, and other marine products 47.
• Their access to underwater resources makes them central to the Pearl Route 44 45 47.

Relationships

• Duke Marcus — Their self-proclaimed sea god and master. Duke communicates through the system-translated Murloc language, subdues two tribes with Mage Hand, and later uses controlled tribes to support the Pearl Route 41 45 47.
• Fish Spear — A Murloc leader representing the North Tide Forces; submits to Duke and offers him a live fish to increase tribal loyalty. His tribe is assigned to gather pearls 41 43 44.
• Old Blindman — A Murloc leader representing the West Coast Tribe; submits to Duke after the initial Mage Hand display 41.
• Vala Wrathscale Aivis — Naga servant of Duke who is ordered to unite the Murloc tribes along Westfall's coast under her command 43 44.
• Naga — Murlocs are regarded by the Naga as servants, but Duke's intervention causes the Westfall tribes to attack and capture Naga instead 41 42 43.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Elwynn Forest Threat

Murlocs are first presented as carnivorous monsters near an Elwynn Forest lake, where Sir Brando's rogue intends to leave Duke's body to be devoured 9. Duke later uses their expected scavenging behavior to help dispose of the thief's corpse 12.

Submission on the Westfall Coast

Duke approaches two coastal tribes intending to establish control. His enhanced Mage Hands immediately terrify the tribes into recognizing him as a divine sea power, giving him his first Murloc followers 41.

Conflict with the Naga

The tribes fight pursuing Naga under Duke's command after witnessing his 108 Mage Hands. Their willingness to fight, despite fear and casualties, helps trap the Naga between Duke and the Murloc forces 42 43.

Pearl Route

The Murlocs become the foundation of Duke's Westfall trade venture by harvesting pearls and protecting vessels marked with his mage's insignia. They are not able to defend against marine creatures beyond their strength, but they can escort Duke's ships and deter lesser threats 44 46 47.

Trivia

• Duke's system can translate Murloc language after detecting it when Murlocs consume a corpse in Elwynn Forest 41.
• The Murlocs interpret Duke's Mage Hands as signs associated with ancient multi-armed sea monsters and the will of the sea 42.
• Duke initially manifests 12 Mage Hands before expanding the display to 108, earning his “Hundred-Handed” reputation among the coastal creatures 41 42.