Skip to main content

World of Warcraft News and Articles

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at Shattrath City!

Shattrath City was once the capital of the draenei on Draenor and home to a powerful priesthood called the Aldor. The city was invaded and destroyed by the orcs after they became corrupted by drinking demon blood. The orcs would go on to invade Azeroth through the Dark Portal, starting the First War. Following the orc's defeat in the Second War, their then-chieftain Ner'zhul attempted to open several portals to other worlds. The power released from the ritual tore Draenor apart, turning it into Outland as we know it today. The ruins of Shattrath City survived, but now the world itself was as broken as the city.

Read more...

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at the Echo Isles!

The Echo Isles are a small group of tropical islands on the eastern coast of the Kalimdor continent. In ancient times, they were inhabited by sea giants and skeletons. The Isles would change hands several times over thousands of years, eventually becoming the home of the Darkspear trolls in recent times.

Read more...

Character Corner: Odyn

Posted 7 years, 4 months ago by Virendra.

Welcome to Character Corner, where we dive into the life and exploits of various lore figures in the Warcraft universe. With this week's release of Trial of Valor, it's a great time to discuss the arrogant and mighty Titanic Keeper, Odyn.

Millennia ago, the Titanic Pantheon discovered a world-soul across the cosmos. They named this nascent titan "Azeroth", believing Azeroth to have potential to overcome even Sargeras. When they finally reached Azeroth, they discovered the darkness and taint of the Old Gods working to corrupt the world-soul. The Pantheon's sheer physical size made fighting the Old Gods head-on too risky, for they could possibly kill Azeroth in the process. Instead, they created an army of metal and earthen constructs, known as the Titan-forged. To lead their war effort and watch over Azeroth, several titan-forged were elevated above the others and blessed by the Pantheon, becoming known as the Keepers. Aman-thul himself imbued Odyn with a portion of his powers.

Read more...

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at Wyrmrest Temple!

Wyrmrest Temple was created by the titanic watchers shortly after blessing the Dragon Aspects with their power. It would go on to serve as a meeting place for the Aspects as well as the home of the Wyrmrest Accord, an alliance of the red, bronze, green, and black dragonflights who sought to stop the blue dragonflight's abuse of magic. The Aspects who made up this alliance were Alexstrasza (red), Nozdormu (bronze), Ysera (green), and Neltharion (black).

Read more...

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at Naxxramas!

Once an unnamed nerubian ziggurat, Naxxramas went on to be forged into one of the most powerful and feared Scourge structures. The necropolis was involved in two of the most prominent Scourge offensives on the Eastern Kingdoms and Northrend, both times with the feared lich Kel'Thuzad at the helm.

Read more...

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at The Deadmines!

The Deadmines are located under the Westfall zone and entered through the town of Moonbrook. Once the human kingdom's largest gold producing mine, it was abandoned during the First War, long before World of Warcraft's time. It's unclear exactly why the mines were abandoned, but it's likely the cost in manpower to defend them against the ogres and elementals that came to live there was too much while a larger war was being waged elsewhere. Unfortunately for the humans, they would never fully gain control of the mines again.

Read more...

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at the Gurubashi Arena!

Constructed by the Gurubashi trolls over ten-thousand years before World of Warcraft's time, the Arena stands as a relic of the great troll empires. Perhaps less glamorous than in its glory days, it is now used for entertainment by pirates who entice adventurers to fight over treasure in the Arena.

Read more...

Character Corner: Medivh

Posted 7 years, 5 months ago by Virendra.

Welcome to Character Corner, where we dive into the life and exploits of various lore figures in the Warcraft universe. In keeping with our 7.1: Return to Karazhan theme, this week features the powerful and enigmatic mage, Medivh.

Overview

The story of Medivh begins before his birth, even. Guardian Aegwynn, Medivh's mother, went rogue from the Council of Tirisfal, believing they had drifted too far from their mission to defend Azeroth from the Burning Legion. The Council refused to let Aegwynn run wild with the power of the Guardian and sent the magus Nielas Aran to bring her to heel. Instead of turning over the renegade Aegwynn, Nielas began to see the Council's political machinations for himself. Together, the two mages devised a plan for Aegwynn's successor to be free of the Council's influence. Aegwynn passed her Tirisfalen powers down to her and Aran's child. He was named Medivh, which means "Keeper of Secrets" in high elven.

Unbeknownst to Aegwynn, an earlier encounter with the Dark Titan Sargeras had left her soul tainted with his essence. This taint also found its way into her child where it lay dormant for years. Nielas Aran took up a position in Stormwind as the court's conjurer so he could train Medivh far from the Council's influence. Aegwynn went into hiding shortly after Medivh's birth.

Medivh grew up with his close friends Anduin Lothar and Llane Wrynn. The trio grew close and caused much mischief in their youth. Their misadventures offered a reprieve from Aran's hard training and stern upbringing. On the eve of his fourteenth birthday, the full power of the Guardian manifested within Medivh, killing his father and forcing him into a coma that lasted years.

Read more...

Hallow's End is a holiday originating in the human Kingdom of Lordaeron. It's believed to be a time when the barrier between living and dead wears thin, allowing those who have passed on to be sensed by the still-living. Traditionally, before the first hints of winter, a wicker man would be constructed outside of the palace. This effigy would be set aflame at sunset, and any person who so desired could offer a branch to the fires. The burning branch symbolized the burning away of anything that did not want to be carried forward and reflected on during the idleness of winter. The ritual has been around as long as any Lordaeron citizens can recall.

After the devastation of Lordaeron, the Forsaken keep the tradition alive, burning the wicker man outside of Undercity. Alliance members will find their effigy outside of Stormwind. Not only can you burn away your burdens, you can get a buff from watching the ceremony! The wicker man is just one cornerstone of Hallow's End, the other being the appearance of the Headless Horseman.

The Headless Horseman is what became of Sir Thomas Thomson of the Silver Hand. When Sir Thomson bore witness to Baron Rivendare's betrayal, learned of Arthas Menethil's betrayal, and Mograine's fall, he turned to the Scarlet Crusade. Sir Thomson sent his family to Kalimdor while he remained behind to fight the Scourge. His family never left Lordaeron. Mad with fantasticism, he slew them in a raid before realizing who it was. This was the last straw, and Sir Thomson descended into delusions. He believed everyone but him was infected, turning on his Scarlet brothers. After slaying many Crusaders, Sir Thomson was decapitated. The dreadlord Balnazzar then warped the fallen paladin into the fiendish Headless Horseman we know today.

Read more...

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at Karazhan!

Karazhan was originally built by Aegwynn, a Guardian of Tirisfal, in a bout of paranoia caused by the dark presence of Sargeras' spirit looming over her. The tower would go on to host several beings of immense power and lure just as many adventurers to their death. It stands today as a peculiar landmark, situated in a volatile area of Azeroth. Entry to the tower is still sought by many who wish to use its hidden power for both malicious and benevolent acts.

Read more...

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at Hearthglen!

Hearthglen was constructed sometime before the Third War and served as the "capital city" of the region for many years. Originally ruled by Tirion Fordring and affiliated with the Kingdom of Lordaeron, the city has changed hands many times over the years. Today, it is under the control of the Argent Crusade and functions as their base of operations in the Western Plaguelands area.

Read more...

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at Thandol Span!

Thandol Span consists of two massive bridges spanning Thandol Valley between Arathi Highlands and the Wetlands on the Eastern Kingdoms continent. They serve as the only land connection between the northern and southern portions of the continent.

Read more...

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at the Temple of Karabor (now commonly known as the Black Temple)!

The Temple of Karabor began as a draenic refuge and home of the Prophet Velen in Shadowmoon Valley on Draenor. It was eventually taken by Gul'dan to be used as the base of operations for the Shadow Council. Gul'dan renamed it to the Black Temple, which is what it's mostly known by today. Since then, it has changed hands many times over the years. The Black Temple is located in Outland as part of the Burning Crusade expansion, while a pristine version of the Temple of Karabor can be found in the alternate-universe Draenor as part of the Warlords of Draenor expansion.

Read more...

Field Photographer Friday is a weekly look at the lore and history behind locations around World of Warcraft. This week, we're taking a look at The Frozen Throne!

The Frozen Throne was originally a diamond-hard block of ice that was cast down to Azeroth from the Twisting Nether. It was the physical embodiment of the Lich King’s spirit until Arthas Menethil shattered it with the runeblade Frostmourne. The remnants of the block of ice resembled the form of a throne, giving way to its name: The Frozen Throne. Read more...

Character Corner: Varian Wrynn

Posted 7 years, 6 months ago by Virendra.

Welcome to Character Corner, where we dive into the life and exploits of various lore figures in the Warcraft universe. This week features the fierce and proud Varian Wrynn, King of Stormwind!

Overview

Varian Wrynn is the son of the late King Llane Wrynn. His journey to adulthood and kingship is marked by the constant loss of loved ones to treachery and betrayal. Varian is wary of outsiders and distrustful of most. As a child, he watched his father get stabbed in the back by Garona, the half-orc assassin they had come to know and trust. While Stormwind burned around him, Varian was forced to flee with Anduin Lothar, the mage Khadgar, and the band of Stormwind refugees.

The survivors found refuge in Lordaeron under the shelter of King Terenas Menethil. Varian grew grew close to Prince Arthas, a couple of years his junior. The two were best friends and King Terenas thought of Varian like a son. Prompted by Terenas, the Alliance of Lordaeron was formed with the other surrounding human kingdoms. After a brutal war, Stormwind was reclaimed and Varian ascended its throne at age 18. With the threat of orcs still present, Varian himself rode throughout his kingdom to fight the orc remnants. In his absence, the House of Nobles looked after Stormwind City.

Unbeknownst to Varian, the House of Nobles had been infiltrated and bewitched by Lady Katrana Prestor, better known as the black dragon Onyxia. Under Onyxia’s influence, the House of Nobles refused to pay the Stonemasons guild the full compensation for their work rebuilding Stormwind. This caused the Stonemasons to riot in the streets, during which Varian’s wife, Tiffin, was struck by a stray rock and killed. Tiffin’s death sent the king into a deep depression. The Stonemasons, led by Edwin Van Cleef, left Stormwind and formed the Defias Brotherhood. Since that day, the Defias proved to be a constant thorn in the King’s side.

Read more...