Northrend

Northrend is one of the four known continents of Azeroth. Located in the far north, it is largely an unforgiving land of tundra and mountains, with certain key exceptions. It is also one of the most magically charged areas of Azeroth.

Major Regions

Azjol'Nerub

A network of caverns, tunnels, and great chasms lie beneath the icy surface of Northrend, carved by slave hands and the blood of the native Jormungar. This labyrinth was once the home of the great Empire of Azjol'Nerub prior to its fall to the Undead Scourge, teeming with the endless skittering number of the Nerubians. Now the sinister beauty of the subterranean cities is largely empty, the vast bulk of the inhabitants killed off. A scant handful of Nerubian Remnants struggle to secure a foothold to begin constructing their once vast empire anew.

The Borean Tundra

A great expanse of volcanically active tundra, the Borean Tundra is home to many of Northrend's tribal creatures. Gorlocs, Taunka, Murlocs, Ogres and Tuskarr all call the region home - as do the Naga of the Riplash Strand, once the seat of a Naga Empire. With the Lich-War over, the region is now a much quieter place than it has ever been. The once contested hill of the southern peninsula is largely silent, the garrisons of Valiance Keep and Warsong Hold rarely mustering more than a glower over their battlements in the vague direction of the other. While the Tuskarr of Kaskala - the religious centre of the walrus-men - live as they always have, the Taunka of Taunka'le have yet to return to their homes, and the caves that once bellowed with the roars of magnataur are now silent save for the chittering of their kobold slaves.

The most peculiar place in the Tundra is now almost certainly the frosty beaches possessed by the Winterfin Tribe of murlocs. These intelligent creatures have expanded in the absence of the Scourge and the diminished influence of the Blue Dragonflight, and now roam freely in the strait between the Tundra and the Isle of Coldarra.

The Grizzly Hills

The home of the great Furbolg city of Grizzlemaw, built in the ruins of Vordrassil, this region is dominated by a vast redwood pine forest and by towering mountains along the border with the Howling Fjord. The region is also the site of conflict between Giants and Iron Dwarves, Horde and Alliance forces, and the mercantile logging camp established by the Venture Company.

The Howling Fjord

A region of towering cliffs and relatively mild temperatures, the Fjords are a green landscape of forests, mountains, and rivers. The site of the great Vrykul hold of Utgarde Keep - the capital of the Dragonflayer Kingdom - and other Vrykul cities, the region was one of the bloodiest battlefields of the War Against the Lich King. With Utgarde Keep today largely empty, the region is increasingly contested by the Tuskarr, Wolvar and Taunka.

Zul'Drak

The great city of the Drakkari trolls, Zul'drak is a marvel of ancient Troll architecture. Though largely fallen into disrepair as the Trolls might crumbled before Scourge forces, the region remains one of the single largest temple-cities in the known world, easily rivalling the great cities of Stormwind and pre-fall Suramar.