The Obsidian Dragonshrine

Turn-in: Serinar — Obsidian Dragonshrine, Dragonblight (cave interior)

Objective: Travel to the Obsidian Dragonshrine and locate Serinar inside the cave to offer him your aid against the Scourge.

Quick Facts

• Level: 72
• Location: Wyrmrest Temple [59, 54] → Obsidian Dragonshrine [38, 31]
• Chain Position: 1st of 7 quests in the Obsidian Dragonshrine chain. Follow-ups: No One to Save You + No Place to Run → The Best of Intentions → Culling the Damned + Defiling the Defilers → Tales of Destruction

Walkthrough

Getting the Quest

• Pick up this quest from Nalice at the top of Wyrmrest Temple. She is the black dragonflight’s envoy to the Wyrmrest Accord, standing in high elf form in the Ruling Council Chamber alongside Alexstrasza and Krasus. If you haven’t been to the top floor yet, speak to Tariolstrasz at the temple’s western entrance and select the drake ride to the queen’s chamber.
• Nalice’s quest text drips with contempt for the other dragonflights, particularly the reds, for not helping defend the black dragonflight’s sacred ground. She sends you to aid Serinar almost as a taunt against Alexstrasza’s supposed nobility.

Reaching Serinar

• The Obsidian Dragonshrine is northwest of Wyrmrest Temple, not southwest. Head north and slightly west from the temple toward the volcanic area at [38, 31].
• The cave entrance (called the Maw of Neltharion) is at approximately [37.8, 31.9]. Look for a large dragon’s-mouth-shaped rock formation on the ground. It is easy to miss if approaching at ground level.
• You will need to fight through Smoldering Skeletons and Burning Depths Necrolytes to reach the cave. Once inside, stick to the right and follow the path upward. Serinar is near a lava pit, not far from the entrance, with a dead Necrolyte at his feet.
• Horde players approaching from the east: Fordragon Hold [38, 18] is an Alliance base with level 75 elite guards at its entrance. If coming from that direction, take the snowy southern path at approximately [37, 36] to curve around and enter the shrine from the south, avoiding the elites entirely.

Efficiency Tips

• This is a simple travel quest with modest rewards. Its real value is unlocking the full Obsidian Dragonshrine chain, which awards an additional 1,250 Wyrmrest Accord reputation across the follow-up quests.
• Serinar immediately offers two follow-up quests (No One to Save You and No Place to Run), so accept both before heading back out. You can complete them simultaneously in the area around the cave.
• If questing in Dragonblight at the intended level range (72-74), you cannot fly in Northrend. Cold Weather Flying requires level 77 (or 68 with a BoA tome from a level 80 character). Plan a ground route.

Lore Context

Nalice (full name Naliciona) is a rare example of a black dragon cooperating with the other dragonflights, though she does so grudgingly. Her presence at Wyrmrest is tolerated only because the Accord demands it, and she knows it: “Does being in the presence of a Black Dragon make you nervous? Good. It should.”

Serinar is a black dragon who has “played a part in destroying entire civilizations,” and considers dealing with the Cult of the Damned beneath him. Despite his menace, he is surprisingly cordial toward the player and expresses genuine gratitude as the chain progresses.

The Obsidian Dragonshrine sits at the base of a volcano and is named for the black dragonflight (also called the obsidian flight). Its permanently burning, barren landscape reflects both the earth-warding duty originally given to the flight by the titans and the destructive corruption Neltharion (Deathwing) brought upon it.

The Scourge’s assault on the Obsidian Dragonshrine parallels their attacks on the Ruby, Bronze, and Azure shrines. Only the Emerald Dragonshrine escapes direct assault, protected by the seeds of Vordrassil.

This coordinated attack on dragon sacred sites shows the Lich King deliberately provoking the dragonflights.

Cross-Expansion Connections

Nalice’s Fate

• Cataclysm: After Deathwing’s return, Nalice mysteriously vanishes from Wyrmrest Temple. She is later discovered hiding with her Blackwyrm Cult in the Master’s Cellar beneath Karazhan, researching arcane secrets buried beneath the tower.
• Cataclysm (Fangs of the Father): Rogues pursuing the legendary daggers Fangs of the Father are sent by Wrathion to kill Nalice and obtain a vial of her blood. She is killed in Deadwind Pass.

Serinar’s Mysterious Survival

• After Deathwing’s death in Cataclysm, Wrathion claims to be the last living black dragon on Azeroth. However, Blizzard developers have confirmed that “some black dragons may have evaded Wrathion’s detection.” Serinar has never been confirmed dead, making him one of the most intriguing loose threads in black dragonflight lore.

The Obsidian Dragonshrine in Future Timelines

• Cataclysm (End Time dungeon): In a possible future where Deathwing wins, the Obsidian Dragonshrine becomes the arena for the Echo of Baine Bloodhoof encounter. A guilt-ridden shade of Baine lingers among the ruins, consumed by rage over failing to protect the Horde.
• Legion (Deaths of Chromie): The shrine comes under attack again, this time by Burning Legion-controlled undead, further distressing Wrathion, who appears in the scenario.