War stories, articles & game guides
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2026
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War stories, articles & game guides
Gamer
Tribute
2026
Expeditions,
War Stories &
Culture
“Well, Vikstone, you helped us out… so I figure it’s only fair that we help you out as well. You’re looking for Thassarian? He disappeared this morning. We think he went off north to the Wailing Ziggurat. If we hadn’t fought side by side by him we’d even think he was a traitor. See, he’s a Death Knight… and I know they’re on our side and all… but it wasn’t too long ago they were servants of Arthas.
But not Thassarian, he’s a good guy. Go to the Wailing Ziggurat, see if he’s doing okay.”
-Corporal Venn
Look for Thassarian inside the Wailing Ziggurat, north of Death’s Stand.
You will receive:
Northrend Adventuring Supplies
Upon completion of this quest you will gain:
Quest Giver: Corporal Venn, Death’s Stand [82, 46]
Turn In: Thassarian, Wailing Ziggurat [84.8, 41.6]
Objective: Look for Thassarian inside the Wailing Ziggurat, north of Death’s Stand.
Quick Facts
Thassarian’s Location
Thassarian is inside the Wailing Ziggurat at [84.8, 41.6]. The entrance is on the northeast side of the structure, approximately at [85, 41]. Ascend the stairs to find him.
How to Complete
Enter the Wailing Ziggurat and climb the stairs to find Thassarian. No combat required. Speak with him to complete the quest.
What You’ll Find Inside
The scene inside the ziggurat tells its own story. Thassarian is channeling a spell into a lich named Tanathal, interrogating the creature through pain. Nearby, High Deathpriest Isidorus pleads for mercy to Lurid, Thassarian’s ghoul companion. A slain cultist lies at Thassarian’s feet. All surviving NPCs in the room are friendly.
Lore Context
Corporal Venn’s relief at your help comes with a measure of honesty about Thassarian: “You’re looking for Thassarian? He disappeared this morning. We think he went off north to the Wailing Ziggurat. If we hadn’t fought side by side by him we’d even think he was a traitor.”
Then he admits the source of the unease: “See, he’s a Death Knight… and I know they’re on our side and all… but it wasn’t too long ago they were servants of Arthas. But not Thassarian, he’s a good guy.”
When you find Thassarian, his reaction to Leryssa’s search is immediate concern: “Leryssa… is looking for me? You must help me. We must finish this before she gets hurt.”
The First Alliance Death Knight
Thassarian holds a unique place in Azeroth’s history as the first death knight to rejoin the Alliance. A soldier of Lordaeron during the Third War, he followed Prince Arthas to Northrend to hunt Mal’Ganis. When Arthas disappeared after claiming Frostmourne, Thassarian searched for him alone and discovered Captain Falric, who had already been converted to a death knight. Falric slew Thassarian, and Arthas raised him into undeath.
As a death knight, Thassarian was forced to kill his own mother, Vivian, to prove his loyalty to the Lich King.
He participated in the scourging of Lordaeron and Quel’Thalas. During the assault on Quel’Thalas, he killed the high elf Koltira, who was also raised as a death knight. Despite being enemies in life, the two developed a deep bond. As Thassarian once said: “In death, we are brothers.”
The Battle for Light’s Hope Chapel freed Thassarian and many other death knights from the Lich King’s control. He joined the Knights of the Ebon Blade under Highlord Darion Mograine, then traveled to Stormwind to swear loyalty to King Varian Wrynn.
Cross-Expansion: Thassarian’s Continuing Story
Thassarian’s story continues well beyond Northrend:
Death Knight Manga
The World of Warcraft: Death Knight manga (Tokyopop, 2009, written by Dan Jolley with art by Rocio Zucchi) tells Thassarian’s complete backstory. The manga ends with the confrontation at Naxxanar that players experience in the Last Rites quest chain, where Thassarian discovers that Counselor Talbot is actually Prince Valanar, an agent of the Lich King, and rescues his sister Leryssa.
Explore Borean Tundra’s hidden easter eggs, lore mysteries, and connections across Warcraft history in Vikstone’s Borean Tundra Chronicles, along with the complete quest storyline.
Vikstone's War JournalVenn owed me one. He paid it.
“You’re looking for Thassarian? He disappeared this morning. Went north to the Wailing Ziggurat, we think.” Venn paused. “If we hadn’t fought side by side with him, we’d think he was a traitor. See, he’s a Death Knight.”
“I know they’re on our side now and all, but… it wasn’t too long ago they were servants of Arthas.” Venn shrugged, uncomfortable. “But not Thassarian. He’s a good guy. Go to the ziggurat, see if he’s doing okay.”
A Death Knight. Leryssa’s brother, the one who’d been dead for years, was one of the Lich King’s former champions. It explained everything. The secrecy, the suicide mission, and the officials who’d wanted her silenced.
I found him inside the ziggurat. Tall. Human, or what had been human once. The cold that came off him had nothing to do with Northrend.
When I mentioned Leryssa, his whole bearing changed. The Death Knight coldness cracked, and for a half-second I saw the man underneath.
“Leryssa… is looking for me? You must help me. We must finish this before she gets hurt.”
He didn’t ask why she’d come or what she wanted. His first thought was keeping her safe. Whatever the Scourge had done to him, they hadn’t killed that, and some part of the brother remained.
What the death knight wanted from deep inside that ziggurat, asked without much politeness, is Finding the Phylactery.
