Loatheb

"The races of the world shall perish."

Loatheb (Wah-theyb): Within the darkest corners of Naxxramas lay an entity of unimaginable horror. The beast called Loatheb is enigmatic and rarely seen. The most dank and dimly lighted sanctum of Naxxramas houses a labyrinthine forest of fungi. Bioluminescent mushrooms give off hazy phosphorescence until the vestiges of the forest run so deep and so thick that only artificial light is able to guide. Within the hive of spores and fungal life exists a core from which all the fungi stem. The network of roots runs throughout the entirety of the citadel, penetrating each of the lower wings, however the frigidity of Sapphiron’s lair does not give the roots a stable environment to thrive in. The biology of the fungal root system is incredibly complex, boasting a networked system of sensory receptors similar to the nervous system of the most complex organisms. The core within the deepest stretches of the root system is actually an organism in itself. The heart of the fungi is called Loatheb or “They which devour life.” Two bulging, red eyes protrude from the nucleus and the twisting roots form amorphous facial features. Loatheb is the fully developed, most perfectly evolved strain of Scourge, the plague which Kel’thuzad unleashed upon Lordaeron. Lesser creatures that wander into the presence of Loatheb are instantly assimilated into its consciousness and begin to devolve into the fungal root system. Only the most ardent of the Crusaders could ever hope to even come close to Loatheb, and it is reasonable to believe the Loatheb cannot be stopped. The regenerative properties of the fungal root system render Loatheb nearly invincible to any form of harm. Even fire damage cannot affect the roots; the constant emission of spores from Loatheb chokes the flames and their tendency to spread. Loatheb’s methods of combat are sinister and cruel, reflecting his primitive and innate qualities of evil. He will use his root system to rear up and strangle, impale or crush his foes. He will also emit spores that target the respiratory systems of his foes, causing roots to grow within their vocal apparatus and their lungs; the victim will suffer painfully and slowly till death. The choking spores render spell casting completely ineffective; incantations cannot be spoken or read without a vocal apparatus. The towering mushrooms also bend to Loatheb’s will; they will burst to expel the most undiluted Scourge possible. All of these methods of attack are controlled by Loatheb in mechanical fashion, welling over with cruelty and emotionless malice. No one survives the beast called Loatheb.

Ultimate Power: Inception—Loatheb’s ultimate ability is put into effect as soon as intruders enter into his sanctum. This wretched machination targets the mind. Beginning only as nagging, fleeting visions, the mind poisoning effect of Loatheb’s presence progresses to waking nightmares. The afflicted are induced into a trance-like state as sanity quickly begins to fade. Friends will turn upon each other and victims will tear at their own bodies in an attempt to rid the visions. Vomiting, seizures and shock are followed by suicide. The end product of Inception is a mound of mutilated and flayed corpses.