Northrend

Summary

A frozen continent shrouded in legend and death, Northrend is a land where the echoes of the Scourge still linger. Rugged, ancient, and mysterious, it is the northernmost region of Azeroth, steeped in the legacy of the Lich King, titan-forged secrets, and the primal forces of undeath and elemental power. Despite the fall of the Frozen Throne, Northrend remains wild and perilous—home to fractured kingdoms, feral tundras, and ancient evils biding their time.

Notable Regions

• Borean Tundra – A windswept entry point on the southwestern coast. Home to taunka, tuskarr, and the naga-claimed Riplash Ruins. Nexus of Horde operations.
• Howling Fjord – Towering cliffs and icy waters cradle vrykul strongholds and burning skalds. This southeastern zone houses Valgarde, Utgarde Keep, and Alliance footholds.
• Dragonblight – The sacred graveyard of dragons and the resting place of Galakrond. Dominated by Wyrmrest Temple, where the dragonflights once united.
• Grizzly Hills – A vibrant forest of redwoods and streams, with furbolg villages and lumber camps. The most “alive” part of Northrend.
• Zul’Drak – A ruined ice-troll empire overtaken by the undead. Home to Drakkari remnants, undead horrors, and Loa corruption.
• Sholazar Basin – A lush, prehistoric jungle maintained by Titan constructs. Serves as a life-rich mirror to Un’Goro Crater.
• Storm Peaks – Towering mountains hiding Ulduar, the prison of the Old God Yogg-Saron. Seat of the titanic watchers and remnants of ancient keeper civilization.
• Icecrown – The heart of the Scourge’s power, dominated by Icecrown Citadel and the Frozen Throne. Even without a true Lich King, the Scourge still stirs in the dark.
• Crystalsong Forest – A crystalline region adjacent to Dalaran, pulsing with unstable arcane energy and magical anomalies.
• Wintergrasp – A contested battlefield of elemental power and war relics. Once vital to the war against the Scourge, now largely quiet—but still dangerous.

Major Cities

• Valiance Keep / Warsong Hold – Alliance and Horde forward bases in Borean Tundra, respectively. Both served as war staging grounds during the Wrath of the Lich King.
• Argent Tournament Grounds – Built near Icecrown as a rallying point for champions of the Light, this encampment hosted the tournament that selected heroes to storm the Citadel.

Factions

• The Scourge (remnants) – Though the Lich King’s mind was shattered, Scourge forces remain dangerous, leaderless but still active.
• The Argent Crusade – Founded by Tirion Fordring, these paladins and crusaders continue to hold vigil in Icecrown and Dragonblight.
• The Ebon Blade – Death knights who turned against the Lich King and now act as independent agents against threats of undeath.
• The Dragonflights (fractured) – Once guardians of life, time, magic, and nature, their influence lingers across Wyrmrest Temple, Galakrond’s Rest, and the frozen north.
• Titan Watchers – Found across Storm Peaks and Ulduar, these constructs and ancient guardians remain enigmatic and often hostile.
• Tuskarr, Vrykul, Taunka, Drakkari – Indigenous peoples of Northrend, each with unique cultures and war-torn histories shaped by the Scourge invasion.