Last Updated on June 19, 2016 by Vik
The Northrend Atlas is meant to be the ultimate media resource on the web for a pictorial representation of the continent of Northrend, which was first introduced in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King. It contains hundreds of original HD screenshots of major landmark locations, including 1st person panoramic aerial views. Each area consists of its lore (with source info from WoWWiki) and its respective quest arcs are linked to Vikstone’s story for all of Wrath of the Lich King’s questing zones.
Often called “the roof of the world” and sometimes “the crown of Azeroth”, Northrend is a frozen wasteland that lies far to the north. As with the other continents, it was once part of the original Kalimdor landmass that was broken apart during the Sundering. The land that became Northrend drifted far from Azeroth’s temperate zone, which killed off a large portion of the remaining wildlife. A particularly hardy breed of insectoid-humanoids, the Aqir, had survived the destruction.
I would gladly bear any curse to save my homeland.Arthas Menethil
After thousands of years of evolution, the Aqir became the Nerubians: a sinister, shadowy race of spider-men. While a few humans and trolls eked out survival in small encampments, their presence was no match for the Nerubian Empire.
Northrend also contains The Dragonblight: an enormous ice plain covered with the bones of thousands of dragons. As they near death, the great beasts fly to Northrend so that they may die with their ancestors. The blue dragonflight, led by the enigmatic Malygos, watches over the Dragonblight to ensure that the remains are undisturbed. The blue dragons were successful in their task for many thousands of years, until the coming of the Lich King…
Author’s Note: The grainy effect seen in some of the screenshots isn’t Photoshop. It’s the result of one’s character being hammered drunk. The entirety of the World of Warcraft Cinematic Quest Guide was done without any 3rd person software, apart from cropping. If there was one record Vikstone had in the World of Warcraft universe, it would be for being the most functionally hammered character in the history of the server. No one else has consumed more alcoholic beverages on the Terokkar realm during the 70-80 leveling process. Atleast in 2009.
Map of Northrend
Contents
Borean Tundra
The Borean Tundra is located in the far western edge of Northrend, and is the home of the tuskarr, Drakkari trolls, and blue dragons. The Undead Scourge and the naga also inhabit the zone. Important landmarks of the region include the tuskarr capital of Kaskala and the Riplash Ruins. Coldarra is an island just off the coast. Kaskala is currently under siege and the tuskarr have moved to Unu’pe.
Valiance Keep
Warsong Hold
Taunka’le Village
Amber Ledge
The Nexus
Fizzcrank Airstrip
Bor’Gorock Outpost
Sholazar Basin
Sholazar Basin is a tropical jungle basin in the midst of Northrend. It is found between Borean Tundra and Icecrown Glacier. The zone’s climate and safety from the Scourge is maintained by pylons, erected by the Titans. Recently, one pylon in the east has fallen and the Scourge has taken this opportunity to invade from Icecrown to the north. They are now streaming down The Avalanche.
Nesingwary Base Camp
Lakeside Landing
Dragonblight
The Dragonblight, also called the Great Dragonblight, is a great dragon graveyard, located in Northrend. The entrance to the nerubian kingdom of Azjol-Nerub can be found in the mid-west part, while the mysterious Wyrmrest Temple resides in the middle. The magnataur village of Bloodmar lies here also, as well as the ruined taunka capital of Icemist Village, and the nerubian conclave of Sundered Monolith. The Forsaken base of Venomspite, as well as the Human stronghold of Wintergarde Keep are located to the east. The Scourge citadel of Naxxramas is floating in the skies above Wintergarde.
Moa’ki Harbor
Venomspite
Wyrmrest Temple
Wintergarde Keep
Naxxramas
7th Legion Front
Kor’Kron Vanguard
Fordragon Hold
Westwind Refugee Camp
Agmar’s Hammer
Azjol-Nerub
Stars’ Rest
Crystalsong Forest
Crystalsong Forest was not always as it is now. Once, it resembled a normal landscape. Then, black and blue dragons fought a great battle here, and many dragons died. Their magic released into the air and settled as glittering light on the ground and the rocks and the trees. Finally an elder blue dragon, beset by many blacks, unleashed a powerful spell to strip the life from his attackers and turn them to stone. The loose magic altered and amplified the spell, spreading it across the entire region and changing soil and stone and wood and flesh into living crystal. Only the Great Tree was spared, protected by its green dragon guardians.
Dalaran
Windrunner’s Overlook
Sunreaver’s Command
Zul’Drak
Zul’Drak is an area located in eastern Northrend. It is home to the Drakkari ice trolls and their Frost King Malakk as well as the smaller trolls of the Winterfang tribe. Their capital is the city of Gundrak. Zul’Drak belongs to the Drakkari, who roam in hunting parties searching for prey. Old troll ruins are strewn across the countryside and the Scourge hovers just beyond the western border, waiting for a chance to strike.
Climate-wise, Zul’Drak is the least pleasant of the eastern regions. It’s colder than the Grizzly Hills or the Howling Fjord, less majestic than the Storm Peaks, and more crowded than any of them – with most of the crowd being Drakkari. Most other races avoid this region, and for good reason. Travelers do not need to go there for passage north or south — they can stick to the Grizzly Hills, which surround Zul’Drak on both sides and reach all the way up to Crystalsong Forest and Storm Peaks. The only reason anyone would want to visit Zul’Drak is if they were explorers hoping to meet the Drakkari — and they better have a large group of armed warriors with them when they do.
Ebon Watch
Light’s Breach
The Argent Stand
Drak’Tharon Keep
Zim’Torga
Dubra’Jin
Gundrak
Grizzly Hills
The Grizzly Hills, located in southeastern Northrend, is a forested area, surrounded by the Howling Fjord to the south, the Dragonblight to the west and Zul’Drak to the north. It is the homeland of the Grizzlemaw furbolgs. Over 20,000 furbolgs live in this zone, most in the large settlement of Grizzlemaw. Both the dwarven settlement of Thor Modan and Ice Troll/Scourge fortress of Drak’Tharon Keep can be found in the north. The main faction bases are Amberpine Lodge for the Alliance and Conquest Hold for the Horde.
Venture Bay
Conquest Hold
Silverbrook
Blue Sky Logging Grounds
Grizzlemaw
Westfall Brigade Encampment
Camp Oneqwah
Howling Fjord
The Howling Fjord is a zone located in southeastern Northrend. Ripped into the southern coastline lies Daggercap Bay, where the forces of Arthas originally landed on the continent. Stranded by the young prince, the 5,000-strong expedition set up the outpost of Valgarde. The small settlement has since become the center of Alliance activity on Northrend. Other Alliance outposts include Westguard Keep and Fort Wildervar.
Camp Winterhoof
Fort Wildervar
Ember Clutch
Apothecary Camp
Westguard Keep
Utgarde Keep
Explorer’s League Outpost
Valgarde
New Agamand
Scalawag Point
Kamagua
The Storm Peaks
The Storm Peaks are a mountain range and zone located in the northeast of Northrend. It is where a mysterious race of giants named the storm giants live. The third known titan city of Ulduar is also located here. The winds that rip through the mountains are extremely violent and dangerous.
K3
Frosthold
Dun Niffelem
Temple of Storms
Camp Tunka’lo
Grom’arsh Crash Site
Bouldercrag’s Refuge
Ulduar
Icecrown
Icecrown, also known as Ice Crown, is a zone composed of mostly Icecrown Glacier and the immediate area around it. Icecrown is surrounded by mountains to the south. The ground is neither frozen earth nor covered with snow; it is solid ice. Hence, nothing grows here.
The Argent Vanguard
Scourgeholme
Crusader’s Pinnacle
Mord’rethar: The Death Gate
Ymirheim
The Skybreaker
Orgrim’s Hammer
Corp’rethar: The Horror Gate
Icecrown Citadel
The Fleshwerks
Jotunheim
Onslaught Harbor
The Shadow Vault
Aldur’thar: The Desolation Gate
Sindragosa’s Fall
The Argent Tournament
