Tol'vir

The tol'vir were originally stone constructs created by the titans to safeguard the secrets of Uldum. They possess feline lower bodies and heads as well as human torsos. They were created to maintain titan repositories and machinery. There was once another society of tol'vir in Northrend, but they were overthrown by the Nerubians and transformed into obsidian destroyers. It is possible that some of the original Tol'vir in Northrend still exists deep within the remnants of Azjol-Nerub. Like many other titan creations, the tol'vir succumbed to the curse of flesh.

The tol'vir made their first appearance with World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, when Uldum was expanded into a zone of its own.

History
The entities known as obsidian destroyers are actually enslaved titan constructs that were once called the tol'vir. The tol'vir were created to maintain titan lore repositories and titan machinery surrounding the titan cities of Ulduar and Uldum. Not long after the troll empires divided the insectoid kingdom of the aqir, the aqir that traveled north discovered and overthrew the tol'vir society in Northrend. These aqir would eventually become the race we know as the nerubians today, having adapted the tol'vir's architecture for their own purposes. Similarly, the aqir that traveled south ransacked and overthrew a titan research station near Uldum, renaming themselves the qiraji and calling their new home Ahn'Qiraj. Although the Scourge would eventually consume the nerubian empire and throw its few remaining tol'vir slaves into the front lines, it's possible that more tol'vir still exist in the hidden titan city of Uldum or deep within the remnants of Azjol-Nerub.

When the tol'vir were afflicted by the Curse of Flesh, as many creations of the Titans were, they were offered to swear allegiance to the evil dragon Deathwing in order to regain their stone skin. The Neferset tol'vir decided to side with Deathwing in exchange for reattaining their stone bodies. But the people of Orsis refused and so Deathwing's ally, the Elemental Lord Al'Akir, buried Orsis beneath the sands in a great windstorm. The Ramkahen were given the same choice but refused, they however have taken steps to insure their safety after seeing the aftermath of the attack on Orsis.

War aftermath
With the help of valiant adventurers from both Horde and the Alliance, the Ramkahen has managed to take Neferset City and push the Neferset tribe back. The Ramkahen now control most of the tol'vir settlements in Uldum, while the Neferset still hold the southern part of the delta and their stronghold in the Lost City. More Neferset can be seen in the Vortex Pinnacle.



Appearance
The tol'vir have humanoid upper torsos with a more lionine bottom half. Their faces are also very lionine, with sleek features and shard fangs. Thick fur of various shading covers their body.

Before being afflicted with the Curse of Flesh, the tol'vir had stone bodies and gems encrusted in certain areas. Some of the larger tol'vir had a pair of stone wings.

Society
In ancient times, the tol'vir were charged with guarding and keeping the structures and artifacts of the benevolent Titans. All the combat protocols that the titans programmed into the tol'virs ancestors are still there, though some are part of their instincts, some get passed on as traditions. To this day, the tol'vir keep this charge, but have also established their own cultures and cities in the process. Tol'vir buildings are made of stone and mud, shaped into bricks and placed into cube like structures. While simple, they are effective at blocking out the harsh sun on the Uldum desert, or cutting out the unforgiving winds.

Although the systems keeping Uldum hidden from the rest of the world worked flawlessly from the ordering of Azeroth up until the Cataclysm, the tol'vir inside did have some knowledge of what was going on outside their home: many of the titans' security devices in Uldum were in communication with the other titanic cities (Ulduar, Uldaman, etc.). The Halls of Origination were actually the system that Algalon the Observer intended to activate upon his arrival in Ulduar.

The tol'vir tribes are lead by kings, and live in what appears to be a monarch system of government. When the king passes on, the oldest living heir will take it's place, and so on. Higher ranking members of tol'vir society, such as generals, kings, and high priests, wear head pieces that are shaped like rams or birds. It is known that the tol'vir revere the Titans and their guardians, so these may be shaped in honor of the Titan guardians.

The tol'vir have many sacred areas around Uldum. While the prime religion and beliefs of these creatures is not known at this time, it has been apparent that they revere the Titans and follow a form of the Light. High priests of the tribes are held in high standing.

Language
Their racial language is unknown, but they can speak common and orcish, as they interact with both Horde and Alliance adventurers.

Tribes
Three tribes exist in the present day named after the cities they live in: Ramkahen, Orsis (nearly wiped out by Al'Akir) and Neferset. The latter tribe has allied with Deathwing in order to regain the tol'vir's stone form.

Holy Light
Many of the Tol'vir use Light based abilities, and call forth the powers of Light, which are not very different from that of Holy Light. High Prophet Barim summons forth the powers of Heaven's Fury and Repentance, while Temple Guardian Anhuur, varies from Searing Light to Divine Reckoning. This kind of power is also demonstrated by other titanic servant - Maiden of Virtue in Karazhan. The reason for this remains the mystery, for so far there was no proof of Titans being capable of calling forth the Light of their own. In addition Setesh can control the power of the Void (and possibly even that of Forgotten Shadow), it is unknown where these powers have come from, and may be revealed in time.

Immortality
As revealed in the dungeon journal, General Husamwas personally assigned his duties by the Titans. Despite being exposed to the curse of flesh, he remained relatively age-less and even lived to see the curse lifted. it could be that despite being cursed, the Tol'vir maintained their immortality.