Atal’Utek is the zone that we’re very likely heading to in patch 12.1. What can we expect to find there? Or who?
Atal’Utek: The Shrine of Ula’Tek
If you sit on the edge of the massive ruined bridge in Zul’Aman, you can just see, in the distance, the landmass that this bridge once led to. Atal’Utek, the zone that we’re very likely heading to in Patch 12.1.
While we can’t visit this zone yet – you’re teleported away when you try to approach it – it is possible to just see the ruins of a temple that is decorated with the carvings of snakes. This is likely because Atal’Utek is the location of the Shrine of Ula’Tek, a mysterious and powerful snake goddess.
Ula’Tek, or Ula-Tek, was first mentioned in the World of Warcraft RPG, which is not officially canon, but which has often been used for inspiration that makes it into the canon later. In the RPG, Ula-Tek is a powerful snake goddess that the troll Ral’jin is attempting to summon using blood sacrifices – similar to the way the bloodthirsty loa Hakkar the Soulflayer was summoned before. Brann speculates that Ula-Tek is an Old God, but Brann speculates that a lot of creatures are Old Gods in the RPG – Including Hakkar – so that’s not really an indication of anything.
In the Art of Midnight book, the island of Atal’Utek is labelled Ula-Tek, confirming that this is the location of the shrine. According to the Rulers of Zul’Aman, a lore object that can be found in the zone, Atal’Utek was built as a monument after the Amani defeated the C’Thrax Kith’ix.
Kith’ix, the Fallen C’Thrax
Kith’ix was a powerful Old God minion who, after a battle with Keeper Tyr, fell dormant under the Zandalar mountains long ago. The loa of the area buried the creature deep beneath the earth, but unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to contain it. This is partly because when Xal’atath was still within the Blade of the Black Empire, she came into the possession of a Troll witchdoctor named Zan’do, who she convinced to resurrect Kith’ix by massacring his followers in a blood sacrifice. The risen C’Thrax immediately started a great war with the trolls known as the Troll and Aqir war. All the tribes united to fight against the creature, but it was the Amani who finally managed to kill it – though it took a great deal of self-sacrifice, many died in the battle. Since Atal’Utek was built as a monument to this victory, it’s reasonable to assume that the snake goddess Ula’tek was somehow involved in the battle against Kith’ix, and that Atal’Utek is the location of the C’Thrax’s burial site.
In the recent Void Incursions, both the Ethereals and the Twilight’s Cult invading Zul Aman hint at some great power in Zul Aman. The Ethereals tell us that we are “wasting” the power beneath the land, and the Twilight’s Cult have a pamphlet that suggests they intend to claim a great power for themselves. It’s likely that both groups are searching for Kith’ix. The Twilight’s Cult, especially, already have a history of trying to claim the power of a fallen C’Thrax – they kept going for Zakajz, who used to be buried under Tirisfal.
PTR Spoilers
The following information is from the 12.0.7 PTR, so look away if you don’t want any spoilers:
During the upcoming main story of patch 12.0.7, Zul’jan learns of a great power that can be claimed on Atal’Utek. According to the questline, Ula’Tek was a weapon – a great serpent, summoned from the Rift of Aln. This raises a lot of questions about the nature of Ula’Tek. The creatures that come from there are usually terrible – manifestations of Azeroth’s pain.
Zul’jan learns that the Amani used Ula’Tek to defeat Kith’ix, and that his grandfather, Zul’jin, wanted to claim the serpent’s power as well. However, Zul’jan is guided by Malacrass, the evil witchdoctor who convinced Zul’jin to commit heretical acts against the loa. Malacrass may have his own ulterior motives, which may involve Kith’ix. Either way, we’ll likely only learn more in 12.1 when we finally head to Atal’Utek ourselves.
