Warcraft Lore Tour

I don't claim that this is complete, still adding stuff as I go. But enjoy As a side note for anyone who likes to split hairs; I am fully aware that the World Pillar is -inside- the Temple of Earth, that the Frostmourne on the monument is a replica, and that there was (technically) only one slab of Deathwing's elementium armour.

Deathwing's Armour



Two chunks of Deathwing the Destroyer's elementium armour taken from his corpse and hung in Stormwind and Orgrimmar by the Dragonflights. The age of mortals has begun...

Azeroth



Azeroth, as viewed from inside Black Temple. Note how you can -just- make out the Maelstrom and the Eastern Kingdoms.

Dimensional Gateway in Zangermarsh



This physical shell is all that remains of one of the Dimensional Gateways which were used by the Legion to reach Draenor. Only two others remain on Draenor, one in Nagrand and the other in the Blades-Edge Mountains. None are still functional.

The Oshu'gun



The Oshu'gun is the Naaru dimensional vessal which was used by the Draenei to escape Argus, some twenty-five thousand years ago. It is known by the Orcs as the Mountain of Spirits.

Shattrath City



Shattrath was once the capital of the Draenei lands on Draenor. It was destroyed by the Orcish Horde and later rebuilt and became home of the Sha'tar.

The Hand of Gul'dan



The Hand of Gul'dan is a fel-fire Volcano located in Shadowmoon Valley, it was created when the Orc Warlock Gul'dan severed the connection between the Orcs and the Elemental spirits of Draenor.

The Temple of Karabor



Before the shattering of Draenor, the Black Temple was once called the Temple of Karabor, a sacred site to the Draenei and refuge of the Prophet Velen. It later became the seat of the Shadow Council, and eventually home of Illidan Stormrage.

The Maelstrom



Created when the first Well of Eternity collapsed in upon itself, it bares the entrance to Deepholme since the Cataclysm and was the site where Thrall, the Aspects, and brave Azerothian heroes destroyed Deathwing using the power of the Dragon Soul.

The World Pillar



The World Pillar is located in Deepholm, which shares the middle tier of the Elemental Plane with the Abyssal Maw. It holds the weight of all elemental and magnetic forces in the Elemental Plane.

Entrance to the Abyssal Maw



The Abyssal Maw occupies the middle tier of the Elemental Plane, sharing it with Deepholm. The Elemental Plane is a prison for the Elementals created by the Titans millions of years ago.

Ruins of Vashj'ir



Vashj'ir was once a Highborne city and home to Lady Vashj. It is now an undersea ruin inhabited by the Naga.

The Nexus



The Nexus was home to the Blue Dragonflight after the death of the Dragon Aspect Malygos. It was here that Kalecgos ascended to the role of Dragon Aspect of the Blue Dragonflight.

Wyrmrest Temple



Wyrmrest was once a Titan city inhabited by the Storm Giants, but is now home the Wyrmrest Accord. The mystical Dragon Shrines can be found in the region surrounding the Temple.

The Bones of Galakrond



Galakrond is the largest known Dragon is history, and was the progenitor of dragonkind - from him the Titans created the Dragon Aspects. His bones lie in Dragonblight, half unburied from a Scourge attempt to reanimate him.

Ulduar




Ulduar is a Titan stronghold, created to be home of the Titan watchers and prison of the Old God Yogg-Saron, who was responsible for the creation of the Curse of Flesh.

The Hilt of Frostmourne



This hilt is all that remains of the Runeblade Frostmourne, mounted on a monument to those who fell in the war against the Lich King.

The Gates of Ahn'Qiraj



The Gates of Ahn'Qiraj are the entrance to the Silithid empire. The Gates were closed at the conclusion of the War of the Shifting Sands and later reopened by a joint effort of the mortals of Azeroth in order to defeat the Old God C'thun.

The Skywall



The Skywall occupies the top of the Elemental Plane - the prison for the Elementals, created by the Titans millions of years ago.

The Halls of Origination



The Halls of Origination are a Titen creation, with the power to reoriginate all life on Azeroth. The device's control panel was destroyed by Brann Bronzebeard after he accidentally activated it, rendering the device useless.

The Caverns of Time



The Caverns are home to many of the Bronze Dragonflight. Only those with the blessing of the Bronze Dragons may enter, unwanted intruders have been known to return from the Caverns as old men, or reduced to infancy by the powerful magics held within.

The Great Gate at Mulgore



The Great Gate was constructed sometime after the fall of the Lich King. It's purpose is to serve as a first line of defence against the advancing Alliance troops. Beyond the gate lie the lush lands of Mulgore and Thunder Bluff, the home of the Tauren.

The Echo Isles



The Echo Isles are the home of the Darkspear Tribe of Trolls. It was recently taken back with the defeat of Zalazane.

Orgrimmar



Orgrimmar is the capital of the Orcish Empire on Azeroth and the seat of the New Horde. It was founded by Thrall and named after his mentor Orgrim Doomhammer. It is found in Durotar, named after Thrall's father Durotan of the Frostwolf Clan.

The Firelands



The Firelands occupies the bottem of the Elemental Plane - the prison for the Elementals constructed by the Titans millions of years ago.

The Well of Eternity



The second Well of Eternity was created from three vials of water taken from the first Well of Eternity, by Illidan Stormrage. Another of the vials went on to create the Sunwell, two more of them are held by the Bronze Dragonflight, the last is lost.

Nordrassil, the World Tree



Nordrassil was created by Alexstrasza the Life-Binder, using an acorn from the Mother Tree G'Hanir. Nordrassil was destroyed during the Battle for Mount Hyjal, when hundreds of wisp spirits defeated the Eredar Archimonde. It has since healed and regrown.

Lake Elune'ara, Moonglade



The Moonglade has always been the home of Druids, both Night Elven and Tauren, throughout Azeroth's history. The Moonglade has remained an untouched safe haven for many years and continues to be a teaching ground for Druids to this day.

The Great Tree at Seradane, the Hinterlands



There are five Great Trees on Azeroth, the other four are located in Feralas, Ashenvale, Duskwood, and Crystalsong Forest. They are saplings of Nordrassil and portals into the Emerald Dream.

Acherus: The Ebon Hold



Acherus is a Scourge Necropolis floating above Light's Hope Chapel, and the headquarters of the Knights of the Ebon Blade - a sect of Death Knights who broke free from the Lich King's control after the Battle for Light's Hope Chapel.

City of Gilneas



The capital of Gilneas, once a prospering Human nation is now a ruin in control by the Forsaken, following the collapse of the Greymane Wall. The Gilneans, afflicted by the Worgen curse, joined the Alliance in the hope of one day taking back their home.

Altar of Twilight



One of the three remaining Altars of Storms on Azeroth; the other two being the Altars in the Blasted Lands and Burning Steppes. The Altar of Twilight was used to construct the Hammer of Twilight by the Twilight's Hammer cult.

The Ivory Tower of Karazhan



No one knows who built Karazhan, but all Lay Lines on Azeroth converge under it. It was once home to Medivh, and the Black Riders of Deadwind Pass seem to be have been somehow connected to it. The tower remains steeped in mystery to this day.

Tempest Keep



The Tempest Keep is a former Naaru fortress and dimensional ship. It was used by A'dal and the Sha'tar to reach Draenor. The Exodar was once one of it's satellite vessals, until it was used to escape Draenor by the Draenei.

Altar of Storms, Burning Steppes



The Altars of Storms were created by the Horde during the Second War, carved from the great Runestone at Caer Darrow. They were used to channel intelligence and demonic magic into the Ogres. Most of them were destroyed by the Alliance, only three remain.

Theramore Isle (pre-Cata)



Theramore Isle is the Home of Jaina Proudmoore and the remaining Alliance forces who followed Medivh's advice before the Burning Legion's invasion and evacuated to Kalimdor.

The Dark Portal



The Dark Portal is a dimensional gateway between Azeroth and Draenor, it was created in a joint effort between Medivh and the warlocks of the Shadow Council - thus allowing the Orcish Horde to invade Azeroth.

Ruins of Thaurissan



Thaurissan was home to the nation of Dark Iron dwarves during the Dwarven civil war. Thaurissan was destroyed, and the surrounding area plunged into it's current state when Thaurissan attempted to summon the Firelord Ragnaros.

Surface entrance to Uldaman



Uldaman is an ancient titan vault, and was the place where the Earthen (transformed into Dwarves by the Curse of Flesh) first emerged on the Eastern Kingdoms.

Stromgarde Keep



Stromgarde was the capital of the ancient Human empire of Arathor. Arathor was the first united Human nation and as such is very important to the history of the Human race on Azeroth.

Stormwind City (pre-cata)



Stormwind City is the capital of the largest Human Kingdom of Stormwind. It was destroyed by the Orcish Horde during the First War and later rebuilt, being renamed 'New Stormwind', on the ruins of the old City.

Ruins of Lordaeron (pre-cata)



Lordaeron, interestingly, gets it's name from 'Lorn' (Dwarven) meaning 'Land', 'Daer' (Common) meaning People, and 'Ronae' (Thalassian) meaning 'Peaceful'. The Kingdom was ruled over by the House of Menethil and destroyed by the Scourge in the Third War.

Ironforge



Ironforge is the ancestral home of the Bronzebeard Dwarves. It is currently ruled over by the Council of Three Hammers, following the petrification of High King Magni Bronzebeard.

Icecrown Citedal



Icecrown Citedal was constructed around the Frozen Throne following the joining of Arthas Menethil and Ner'zhul. It is the current home of the current Lich King, the self-proclaimed 'Jailor of the Damned' Bolvar Fordragon.

Grim Batol (pre-cata)



Grim Batol was once the home of the Wildhammer Clan, until it was invaded by the Dark Iron Dwarves. During the Second War, it was home of the Orcish Horde's dragon breeding program and prison of Alexstrasza the Life-Binder. She was later freed by Rhonin.

Entrance to the Sunwell



The Sunwell is a well of magical energy created by a vial of water from the Well of Eternity. Kael'thalas attempted to summon the Eredar Kil'jaeden through the Sunwell. The Sunwell was later reignited by the Prophet Velen, using a spark of the Naaru M'uru.

Durnholde



Durnholde was once an Orc Internment camp, following the conclusion of the Second War and was home to Thrall. Thrall escaped Durnholde, later leading to the formation of the new Horde.

Dalaran Crater



Dalaran City was a Human Nation founded during the breakup of Arathor. It was destroyed by the Eredar Archimonde, later rebuilt, and uprooted. Moving the entire city to Crystalsong Forest in Northrend, leaving a crater in it's stead.

Blackrock Mountain



Blackrock Mountain is the site at which Thaurissan attempted to summon the Firelord Ragnaros. This led to the formation of the Volcano and destruction of the lush fertile land surrounding it.

Aerie Peak



Aerie Peak became the home of the Wildhammer Clan after they retook Grim Batol from the Dark Iron Dwarves only to find it tainted and uninhabitable.

Pandaria

Shen-zin Su, The Wandering Isle



The Great Sea Turtle Shen-zin Su was the companion of Liu Lang, a famous Pandaren explorer. The turtle wanders the oceans of Azeroth, sporting an entire colony of Pandaren explorers upon the back of his shell.

The Final Resting Place of Liu Lang



Liu Lang, the famous Pandaren explorer, left Pandaria a century ago with nothing but the clothes on his back, provisions, a lantern, and an umbrella. He returned to Pandaria upon the back of his companion Shen-zin Su once every five years. The great turtle stopped returning to Pandaria after the death of Liu Lang.

The Temple of the Jade Serpent



The Temple of Yu'lon, one of the August Celestials who watch over Pandaria, somewhat like the Ancient Guardians of mainland Azeroth.

The Shrine of Fellowship



A Shrine located above the Tian Monastery in the Jade Forest. It appears to represent the fellowship of the August Celestials in their watch over Pandaria.

The Temple of the White Tiger



The Temple of Xuen, one of the August Celestials who watch over Pandaria, somewhat like the Ancient Guardians of mainland Azeroth.

The Valley of Emperors



The Valley is the resting ground of a hundred generations of Mogu Warlords, Kings, and Emperors.

Isle of Reckoning



The staging ground of a Zandalari attack on Pandaria, in an attempt to return Pandaria to Mogu rule with the resurrection of the first Mogu Emperor Lei Shen, the Thunder King.

The Shado-Pan Monastery



The home base and training grounds of the Shado-Pan, a Pandaren order devoted to the protection of Pandaria.

Niuzao Temple (presumed to also be known as the Temple of the Black Ox)



The Temple of Niuzao, one of the August Celestials who watch over Pandaria, somewhat like the Ancient Guardians of mainland Azeroth.

The Heart of Fear



The Home of the Mantid Grand Empress and the seat of their power on Pandaria. The Mantid are Aqir, and therefore a sister kingdom to Ahn'Qiraj and Azjol-Nerub, all servants of the Old Gods.

The Serpent's Spine



Constructed under the reign of the first Mogu Emperor, the Serpent's Spine was built to keep the Mantid Swarm out of the eastern half of Pandaria. It stretches the whole length of the continent, north to south.

The Temple of the Red Crane



The Temple of Chi-Ji, one of the August Celestials who watch over Pandaria, somewhat like the Ancient Guardians of mainland Azeroth.

Stormstout Brewery



Famous across Pandaria, the Stormstout Brewery is the home of the Stormstout brew - known as a powerful and delicious Ale.

The Gate of the August Celestials



The Gate has kept all but the Golden Lotus out of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms for many generations. It was recently opened to all by August Celestials.

The Vale of Eternal Blossoms



The waters of the vale are believed to have magical properties, following this belief the Horde and Alliance have taken control of two Mogu ruins either side of the great Mogu'shan Palace.

Mogu'shan Palace



The Mogu'shan Palace was once the seat of the Mogu Empire on Pandaria. It contains some of the last hidden secrets of the Mogu and their strength, including several clues which appear to hint at a connection to the Titans.

Draenor

Karabor Temple



Karabor Temple was the seat of the Prophet Velen and the Council of Exarchs, a most holy site it laid out the fruits of the peak of Draenei civilisation for all to see.

Auchindoun



The Draenei "city of the dead", Auchindoun was a grand mausoleum where the Draenei would inter, and come to seek the wisdom of, their departed.

Shattrath City



A port city, once the centre of trade for the Draenei, and a capital to rival the majesty of New Stormwind City, Shattrath has been usurped by the treacherous former Exarch Socrethar, with the aid of the Burning Legion and the equally treacherous Sargerei.

The Pale Lady



Draenors largest moon was once known to the Orcish Shamans as ‘The Pale Lady’, a feminine figure of some renown who was always followed closely by her more distant and darker consort, a smaller yet unnamed moon.

The Oshu’gun



Known by the Orcs as the “Mountain of Spirits”, the Genedar is a crashed dimensional vessel of the Naaru; used by the Draenei to flee Argus and the Burning Legion for 25,000 years. Cho’gall transformed a darkened Naaru K’ure into a void god within its main chamber, attempting to pull Draenor into the Twisting Nether.

Bladespire Fortress



Once a distant outpost of the Gorian Ogre Empire, Bladespire was recently captured by the Frostwolf clan with the aid of Thrall and the other green Orcs from beyond the Dark Portal. It now serves as a grand seat of the Frostwolves power, overseen by their Chieftain Durotan.

Grom'gar, the Fallen Colossus



Slain by the ancestors of the Thunderlord Clan, these great skeletal remains served as their seat of power for generations. Rumour has it that the largest of these creatures was Gorgrond itself, before it died and subsequently turned into the landmass that is there today.

The Everbloom



The plant-like Botani are natives to Draenor who tend to and oversee the great vivacious natural landscape. This often brings them into conflict with those who would repurpose the land to their own end.

Highmaul



The seat of the great Gorian Ogre Empire, Highmaul is a city-state that overshadows all of Nagrand. Stereotypical Ogre stupidity is little seen here; Highmaul boasts great trade districts, wealthy nobles, and magisters to rival the Draenei themselves.

Spires of Arak, and Skyreach



The Spires of Arak are ruled over by the high born Arakkoa of Skyreach. Secretive and noble masters of solar magic, through their study of what remains of the ancient Apexis civilisation; those Arakkoa who came before.

Bones of Sethe



Sethe was a primal God, superficially similar to the Loa of Azeroth, struck down in battle by the Gods Anzu and Rukhmar, direct contact with pools of Sethe's blood curses the Arakkoa into a broken, wingless state. Sethe's curse is also passed on through lineage; Arakkoa born of cursed parents are cursed themselves.

Throne of the Elements



Unlike the Elemental Lords of Azeroth, the Fury spirits of Draenor work in harmony to create balance amongst the elements of the world. It is from this seat in Nagrand that they perform this work, and commune with the Orcish Shaman.

Telmor



The fabled Draenei town of Telmor was protected by one of the legendary Ata'mal crystals; artefacts of the Naaru bestowed upon the Eredar who fled Argus. The crystal, called Leafshadow, was capable of creating an illusionary ward which rendered the entire town invisible.

Blackrock Foundry



Blackrock Foundry is arguably the seat of the Iron Horde war machine; churning out high-tech weapons and siege equipment for the war effort. The Blackrock Clan’s legendary smithing skills served as the perfect tool in the Iron Horde by which to bring victory of the united Orcish clans.

The Dark Portal



Disconnected from Azeroth and destroyed by Khadgar and a host of brave Azerothian heroes, the Dark Portal was created using Garrosh Hellscream’s knowledge of the original Dark Portal in Outland. This one was powered by captive members of Gul’dans Shadow Council.

Throne of Kor’lok



Ashran, before it became the fought-after base of Azerothian operations on Draenor, was once a part of the great Ogre Empire, apparently once ruled over by an Ogre-King named Kor'lok. A great many ancient relics are to be found here, sought after by both the Alliance and the Horde.

Khadgar’s Tower



Allegedly ‘summoned’ to Zangarra by Khadgar, this serves as the Archmages base of operations on Draenor, located at a ley line intersection of reportedly considerable power.

Garrosh’s Fall



Garrosh Hellscream was defeated in the ancient Orcish tradition of Mak’gorra by Thrall on an overlook to the Throne of the Elements in Nagrand.

Throne of Kil'jaeden



This is the mountain were the Orc Warlock Gul'dan called the Orc clans to gather to drink the blood of Mannoroth. The pools of water flowing down from the mountain peak have been corrupted by the tainted blood of Mannoroth.

Hellfire Citadel



Hellfire Citadel is the stronghold of the Iron Horde, now corrupted by Gul'dan and the Burning Legion. With the mass summoning of demons and establishment fel magic portals, is it only a matter of time before Archimonde the Defiler himself steps foot upon Dreanor?

Lovely stuff mate, great pictures and interesting lore.

I really enjoyed this. I'll be looking forward to more if you're intending to carry on!

I fully intend to continue it. In fact, I would love suggestions from people as to what I should add.

More!

me like

Enjoyed this pictorial tour! Very well done.

Did you take these snapshots in person?

They're prettier than some of Blizzard's promotional material, so props to that. Thanks for reminding us all how beautiful a place the World of Warcraft actually is. You sometimes forget that when you spend too much time cooped in one place or the other. This is making me itch to think of excuses to visist exotic and far-off places!

Thelos wrote:Did you take these snapshots in person?

They're prettier than some of Blizzard's promotional material, so props to that. Thanks for reminding us all how beautiful a place the World of Warcraft actually is. You sometimes forget that when you spend too much time cooped in one place or the other. This is making me itch to think of excuses to visist exotic and far-off places!

What he said <3

Yes, I took them all myself. Fast flying and max graphics ftw.
I tried my best to make them as pretty as possible. Was difficult for some of them - it took me a few tries to get the lightning in the background of the Maelstrom and Dark Portal pictures ^^

Love this, really well done Skaraa and I really like the bite-size pieces of info with each picture.

As for ideas, have you read any of the books? Perhaps a pictorial representation of the storylines? I've not read many but "Tides of Darkness" would lend itself well I think as an example, or even "Wolfheart".

I remember you posting this topic on the Marauder forum half a year ago and still no continued tour!! Get you work!

On a serious note though, i looooove it

I've stickied this, just because it would be nice for people that know little of the lore to take a gander and at least get some more knowledge. Do feel free to keep adding to it though

While I knew it all already, it was fun to read and the pictures are really good!

Minor notice: What have Moonglade to do with the Second war? It never reached Kalimdor.

Once again, good work, and hope to see more!

Loved this.

Rufs wrote:While I knew it all already, it was fun to read and the pictures are really good!

Minor notice: What have Moonglade to do with the Second war? It never reached Kalimdor.

Once again, good work, and hope to see more!

During the Second and Third Wars, the Moonglade remained an untouched safe haven and continues to be a teaching ground for Druids to this day.

However...you make a very good point. I think my whole point was that the Moonglade has been a safe place for years - largely unaffected by the politics and violence of the outside world. Though I will change that, because as said; you make a very good point ^^

Arli wrote:Love this, really well done Skaraa and I really like the bite-size pieces of info with each picture.

As for ideas, have you read any of the books? Perhaps a pictorial representation of the storylines? I've not read many but "Tides of Darkness" would lend itself well I think as an example, or even "Wolfheart".

I've not read many of the books unfortunately, no. Perhaps that is an assignment I need to give myself. Though I think pictorial representations of the storylines might be a cool idea, but I also think it would be separate to this little project. The idea here is just a...well...tour of significant places in lore. But, like I said, I do like your idea - though I think it'd have to be separate to this.

I must admit, I am rather looking forward to Mists - should be plenty more I can add there, hopefully.

Didn't see this thread before but good work, nice summary!

Updated with stuff from Pandaria.

Poke me if you have any suggestions of what else to add ^^

First post updated with stuff from Draenor. Still a working progress, and will be updated more in the future.

Glad you've continued this on, thank you.

Updated with some Tanaan Jungle screenshots, let me know if anyone has any ideas for more additions. ^^