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Y'Shaarj (pronounced Yah-Sha-Raj) was an Old God, one of several malefic beings that were sequestered by the Titans during Azeroth's primordial ages. Located in what is now Pandaria, the mantid race worshiped his seven heads. The Titans slew Y'Shaarj, but with his dying breath he cursed Pandaria by infesting it with "shadows of his former self," the Sha.[1] Y'Shaarj was said to have "consumed hope and begat despair ... inhaled courage and breathed fear". Y'Shaarj and his defeat are described in the mogu lore object Shadow, Storm, and Stone.

Goblin engineers have been excavating in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms to find a mysterious artifact, but all they've found is trouble: The Dark Heart of Pandaria. Upon arriving, Grizzle Gearslip tells the player that the mining has uncovered something that made the rocks come to life. After clearing the mine full of the Blood of Y'Shaarj a goblin with a large explosive opens up a wall of the underground room they discovered. Inside the Vault of Y'Shaarj there is a chest suspended from chains attached to the ceiling which contains the Echo of Y'Shaarj.[2]

The Klaxxi

Upon reaching exalted with the Klaxxi, a faction of mantid that have turned against their queen, Kil'ruk the Wind-Reaver will tell them the story of the mantid's origins and Y'Shaarj.

Wakener, your deeds have earned you the trust of the Klaxxi.
You are to be rewarded. Walk with me.
We mantid are an elder race. The pandaren you associate with - they are but children. They have their role to play.
Each cycle, our young swarm their walls. The pandaren slay the weak. The strong return.
With each generation, we grow ever stronger.
Before your history began, our empire was vast. We shared this world with our sister kingdoms, Ahn'Qiraj and Azjol-Nerub.
Our Gods were many, and powerful. We mantid worshipped the seven heads of Y'Shaarj.
Great was the Old One, and terrible was His wrath. He consumed hope and begat despair; He inhaled courage and breathed fear.
When the usurpers came - the ones you call "Titans" - Y'Shaarj was destroyed.
His last terrible breath has haunted this land ever since, but the shadows he left behind are mere whispers of his former glory.
I tell you now, because you have earned this warning.
Your gods are not your gods, outsider.
If the Old Ones ever return, we mantid will once again stand by their side.
The wisest among you will do the same.
That is all that needs to be said. Come, take your reward, and remember what you have learned today.

Speculation

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This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

His seven heads may also explain why the hydras such as Aku'mai, also multi-headed creatures, are associated with the Old Gods.

Puzzle Box of Yogg-Saron

Cataclysm introduced a new item, the Trade archaeology cthunspuzzlebox [Puzzle Box of Yogg-Saron], which whispers to the player on each attempt to open it. While most of these (extremely vague and cryptic) whispers are thought to describe N'Zoth, one describes a "black goat with seven eyes" which may refer to Y'Shaarj due to the similar theme of seven eyes/heads.

  • Have you had the dream again? A black goat with seven eyes that watches from the outside.

Inspiration

Based off the "black goat with seven eyes" quote of the puzzle-box it is possible Y'Shaarj is a reference to H.P. Lovecraft's Shub-Niggurath, who was known as "The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young". However it is not completely certain if the goat is in fact Y'Shaarj.

References

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