Howling Fjord

Summary

Towering cliffs shrouded in mist, forests whispering with ancient rites, and the booming echo of war horns—this is the Howling Fjord. Located on Northrend’s southeastern coast, this primeval land bears the mark of the vrykul, an ancient race of titan-forged giants reclaiming their old dominion. The fjord’s winding inlets and haunted woods make it a treacherous, storied place for any who set foot here.

Notable Landmarks:

• Utgarde Keep & Utgarde Pinnacle – Colossal fortresses of vrykul design, carved directly into the mountains. These structures serve as the seat of King Ymiron and the feared Dragonflayer clan.
• Valgarde – The Alliance’s primary port and fortress, built along the coast and constantly besieged by vrykul raiders.
• Vengeance Landing – A Forsaken military outpost established to bring war and plague to the region’s foes.
• Gjalerbron – A sacred necropolis where vrykul raise their dead and seek guidance from ancient death magic.
• New Agamand – A grim Apothecary Society settlement and alchemical production center for the Forsaken.

Relevant Factions:

• The Vrykul Clans (Dragonflayers, Winterskorn, etc.) – Awakened from centuries of slumber, these fierce warrior-giants seek to restore their glory and serve the Lich King or ancient titan ideals.
• The Alliance (Valiance Expedition) – Hold Valgarde and other scattered footholds, continually fending off vrykul and Scourge threats.
• The Forsaken (Royal Apothecary Society) – Conducting blight research and military maneuvers from the western shores.
• The Scourge – Active in the deeper crypts and along the coast, particularly tied to Utgarde’s deathless legions.
• The Iron Dwarves – Mysterious automatons and corrupted stoneborn, digging at titan ruins and awakening buried forces.

Historical Notes:

• The vrykul of the Howling Fjord were once stewards of titan lore, now divided between serving the Scourge, resisting it, or pursuing darker destinies.
• The region marks the Alliance’s first major push into Northrend during the Wrath campaign.
• Vrykul society here gave rise to a dark revelation: their belief in “worthy” offspring led to the abandonment of weaker children—precursors to modern humanity.