Arathi Highlands
- For the lore of the zone and its status before the Cataclysm, see Arathi Highlands (Classic). For other uses, see Arathi (disambiguation).
 Arathi Highlands | |
|---|---|
| Level: 10-30 Battle Pet Level: 7 - 8 | |
 | |
| Capital(s) |
 Stromgarde Keep Hammerfall |
| Formerly |
Ar'gorok † |
| Races |
  Human  Orc  Undead  Forest troll  Ogre  Dwarf  Gnome Kobold  Naga    Elemental |
| Ruler(s) |
 Danath Trollbane Drum Fel[1] |
| Former ruler(s) |
   King Galen Trollbane † Lord Falconcrest † Or'Kalar † Ojin'ba †  King Thoras Trollbane † |
| Major settlements |
Refuge Pointe High Perch Dabyrie's Farmstead Go'Shek Farm Witherbark Village Boulderfist Hall |
| Minor settlements |
Newstead Faldir's Cove Highlands Mill Galen's Fall † Hatchet Ridge Boulderfist Outpost |
| Affiliation | League of Arathor, Kingdom of Stromgarde, Alliance, Defilers, Forsaken, Horde, Witherbark tribe, Boulderfist clan, Drywhisker, Ragebeak wildkin |
| Former affiliation(s) | Syndicate, Empire of Arathor |
| Location | Southeastern Lordaeron |
| PvP status | Contested territory |
“This land is rich with history. I really must show you what it was like when the Empire of Arathor stood at its zenith.”
- — Zidormi
The Arathi Highlands (pronounced "Ah-RATH-ee";[2] sometimes referred to as simply Arathi, the Highlands,[3] or Arathor[4]) are a region in southeastern Lordaeron, east of Hillsbrad Foothills and south of the Hinterlands. To the south lies the Thandol Span, a massive dwarven construction that bridges the canal between Lordaeron and Khaz Modan, connecting the Highlands with the Wetlands. It is a land rich in history, having once been the home of the first human empire of Arathor, who gave the region its name, and later the Kingdom of Stromgarde. The Highlands are sometimes inaccurately described as the birthplace of humanity.[5][6]
Following the death of King Thoras Trollbane, the once-mighty Stromgarde fell on hard times after the Third War. Under the lead of Prince Galen Trollbane, the kingdom was unable to resist the might of its many foes. The city of Stromgarde, located in the southwest, was assailed by a combined force of Syndicate, vengeful Alteraci who sought to lay low the kingdom, the native Witherbark tribe of forest trolls that dot the forest to the east, and the Boulderfist ogres, whose hovels dot the east and central regions of the area. The main hubs of activity became Refuge Pointe and Hammerfall, which functioned as bases for Alliance and Horde respectively.
For years, Prince Trollbane led the human defenders, holding but a single section of the city, until he was slain by Horde agents seeking Trol'kalar, later being resurrected to undeath by the Forsaken. In the end, he betrayed his new allies to reclaim Stromgarde Keep, but was ultimately killed when he tried to deceive the death knights of the Ebon Blade, during which it was revealed the prince had murdered his own father, thus robbing the kingdom of its mighty leader. During the Fourth War, the Alliance and Horde returned to prominence in the region to fight during the Battle for Stromgarde, each controlling the strongholds of Stromgarde Keep and Ar'gorok respectively. The battle ultimately ended in the Alliance's favor,[7] with Stromgarde victorious, leaving Danath Trollbane as the new leader of the kingdom.
History
Arathor
The Arathi Highlands are central to human history, as they were once the site of the Empire of Arathor. After King Thoradin and his Arathi tribe united the human tribes to create Arathor in 2,800 BDP, he set out to found a new capital. According to one legend, a dream told him to go to an arid land in the southeast where his people would prosper. Thoradin sought out the region known today as the Arathi Highlands and ordered the construction of Strom, the first human capital.[8] The semiarid terrain acted as a buffer zone between humanity and their enemies, the trolls of the Amani Empire, prohibiting the trolls from launching their feared forest ambushes. Thoradin also ordered the construction of a great wall near Strom as protection against Amani incursions.[9]
Strom remained the center of the empire during the Troll Wars, when humans made their first real contact with the high elves, and for over a millennium thereafter. However, as Arathor expanded across the Eastern Kingdoms and began splitting apart into independent city-states, Strom's power waned. Bound by mountainous terrain and lacking natural resources, it could not compete with the other city-states. In 1,200 BDP, many of Strom's noble families left the capital for the more fertile northlands in Lordaeron. Shortly after, Thoradin's last descendants, led by Faldir, also left Arathor and traveled south to found the nation of Stormwind. Strom was left in the hands of a few ruling families and developed into the new nation of Stromgarde.[10][11]
For generations, the Trollbane family and their soldiers fought the Witherbark trolls, considering them as sworn enemies of Stromgarde and a curse upon the land of Arathi.[12]
Second War and aftermath
During the Second War the forces of Stromgarde ruled by King Thoras Trollbane, were an instrumental part of the Alliance of Lordaeron's ground forces, spreading the troops between the main Alliance army and the ones guarding Stromgarde. Thoras later ordered any remaining soldiers to come into Alterac Mountains to deal with the treacherous King Aiden Perenolde.[13]
The Arathi Highlands and Stromgarde itself were overrun[14] by the Horde.[15] Horde's southern offensive in the dwarven lands of Khaz Modan was initially successful, but after a series of savage battles, Alliance forces pushed the Horde back to the bridges of the Thandol Span. From there, the Alliance armies advanced south, forcing the Horde to retreat from Khaz Modan.[16] Commander Primwell Skye bolstered Lordaeron's military forces as they helped reclaimed the land for humanity.[17]
At some point before or during the Second War, parts of the Boulderfist clan crossed the Dark Portal and started living in the Arathi Highlands ever since.[18]
During the events of the Invasion of Draenor, the family of Krenna and Gorgonna were exiled from the Warsong clan in the Blasted Lands. They eventually traveled to Arathi where they were ambushed by human soldiers. While the partens were slain, their children were thrown in Durnholde Keep.[19]
Following the Second War, the former village that was to become Hammerfall was converted into an internment camp to hold the hated orcs. Years later, Thrall and Orgrim Doomhammer led a small army into the Highlands and attacked Hammerfall in order to free the captive orcs.[20]
Third War
At the beginning of the Third War, Thrall and his retinue of orcs were in the Highlands. Warned by a prophet, they gathered their ranks and marched to the Hillsbrad Foothills, fighting wild ogres and forest trolls on the way.[21]
World of Warcraft
The Kingdom of Stromgarde managed to prevent the Plague of Undeath from ravaging Arathi, but was soon afterwards overrun by the Syndicate and the Boulderfist ogres. The remnant of the Stromgarde army was forced to flee the then recently occupied Stromgarde Keep and take refuge in a small canyon to the north, now known as Refuge Pointe. Four years after the Third War, the area became a battle zone between many different factions. The Alliance fought to help the former nation of Stromgarde in recapturing its capital and reestablishing control over the region. The Horde, now in control of the internment camp that once held them prisoner, naming it Hammerfall in honor of the fallen warchief Orgrim Doomhammer, attempted to establish a forward base to protect its new allies against Alliance attacks. The Syndicate was also in the area, trying to claim yet another territory for its jealous nobles. Finally, the ogres and forest trolls in the region were trying to drive out all others and establish a permanent settlement for themselves.[22]
The Argus Wake, which secretly controlled the Syndicate, also planned to take over the capital and use it as a power base to prepare the way for the Burning Legion's next invasion of Azeroth.[23]
Before the Cataclysm, the Forsaken Courier could be seen roaming from Go'Shek Farm to Tarren Mill in the Hillsbrad Foothills, and was usually escorted by four Forsaken Bodyguards.[24] At the same time, Stromgarde cavalrymen rode between Dabyrie's Farmstead and Stromgarde Keep under the lead of Lieutenant Valorcall, the cavalry leader of Stromgarde.[25]
Cataclysm
Unlike its neighboring regions of Hillsbrad Foothills and the Wetlands, the Highlands were spared during the Cataclysm. The Horde, flush from victory within Hillsbrad, have pushed slightly into the Highlands and have established a camp near the border. On the Alliance side, the dwarves have burrowed a deep pass through the mountains north into the Hinterlands, and a clear path was created from behind Stromgarde Keep to Faldir's Cove. The dark iron dwarves have abandoned their camp near Thandol Span, retreating within the structure, and the camp became home to a friendly Dark Iron Entrepreneur. The Forsaken, fresh from their conquest of Hillsbrad, sought to seize control of Arathi as well, aided by the fallen prince of Stromgarde, Galen Trollbane himself.[26]
Legion
During the third invasion of the Burning Legion it was revealed that King Galen Trollbane and his undead forces has seceded from the Forsaken and taken control of Stromgarde Keep from the Syndicate and the Boulderfist ogres, except for areas occupied by Witherbark forest trolls. Both forces would eventually be decimated by the Knights of the Ebon Blade plunging the capital and the entire region into uncertainty.[27]
Before the Storm
The Gathering took place on the western side of the Highlands, halfway between Stromgarde Keep and Thoradin's Wall. However, the Gathering ended in tragedy. Calia Menethil had incited the Forsaken participants of the event to defect to the Alliance, which elicited Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner's slaughter of all the Forsaken participants and Calia to curb any sedition to her authority. While the Alliance buried the Forsaken that were killed at the Gathering at an Arathi graveyard, Sylvanas has used the failed reunion to further alienate the Forsaken from their human counterparts.[28]
Battle for Azeroth
- Main article: Battle for Stromgarde
At the time of the Fourth War, the western region of Arathi Highlands became a warfront between the Alliance and Horde as they fought over Stromgarde. After years of exile, the Stromgarde citizens returned home, along with the League of Arathor. The Alliance renovated Stromgarde Keep to serve as their base of operations, which was supported by engines of war and barracks for soldiers,[6] as holding a firm line in Arathi was critical to the Alliance's continued occupation of Lordaeron.[29] Meanwhile, the Horde built a new base, Ar'gorok, north of Stromgarde at the former location of Northfold Manor.
At some point, the magic that bound the elementals to the land began to weaken, until they eventually burst free of their bonds across the Highlands. Adventurers were later sent by their faction to destroy them before they could rage across the newly claimed territories.[30][31]
The battle ultimately ended in the Alliance's favor, with Stromgarde victorious,[32] thanks to the leadership qualities of Muradin Bronzebeard, Danath Trollbane, Turalyon, and the tenacity of all the soldiers who fought. This victory apparently left the Horde stronghold of Ar'gorok in ruins, and the various settlements of the kingdom in the hands of the Alliance once more. Following the Alliance victory, the soldiers returned home, leaving only a few behind as a precaution.[6]
When Mathias Shaw presented himself to Stromgarde during his mission for King Anduin Wrynn, Danath blessed him to inspect the Sanctum and the Crypt.[33]
After the Fourth War, Danath's outriders spotted an armed and cloaked woman traveling with a group of Horde refugees throughout the Arathi Highlands, and the new King of Stromgarde subsequently informed his old friend Alleria Windrunner, as she and Turalyon were riding through the region searching for the whereabouts of her sister Sylvanas Windrunner.[34]
Getting there
- Horde
- From Tarren Mill in the Hillsbrad Foothills, run eastwards across the river and catch up with the main road. Follow the main road eastward until you go through Thoradin's Wall. Continue following the path for a considerable time, until you see a signed turnoff to the north to Hammerfall. Take that turn off and continue running until you get to Hammerfall.
- Alliance
- From Ironforge run east towards Loch Modan take the road in the Loch north through Dun Algaz pass and into the Wetlands. Follow the road as it runs north, northeast, then west. When the road splits and heads north follow it north. You'll pass the ruined bridge Thandol Span and you'll be in the highlands.
Geography
The Arathi Highlands are a land of rolling green hills dotted with pine trees.[5] The climate is cool but not truly cold,[35] and the terrain is semiarid[9] and lacking in natural resources.[11] In contrast, the nearby valley of Arathi Basin is remarkably fertile and rich in gold and lumber, and is home to some of the most arable acres in the Eastern Kingdoms.[36][37][38]
Notable features of the Highlands include the great Circles of Binding, which are protected by elementals and used to keep some unknown entity imprisoned. The region lies just north of the huge canyon running between the Highlands and the Wetlands to the south, which can only be crossed by the Thandol Span. The area is home to the ruins of Stromgarde Keep, which has been overrun by ogres and the Syndicate. To the west is Thoradin's Wall, now collapsed and gaping wide. Mountains to the east prevent easy access to the Forbidding Sea. The wildlife of the highlands includes giant spiders, carrion birds, and raptors.
There is also a dwarven farm on the southeast coast of the zone, though the location is shown as The Forbidding Sea on the minimap while there. It can only be accessed either by flying mount or by swimming from the Hinterlands or the Wetlands. While there are two Alliance-tagged dwarven farmers and some various critters there--as well as two grain fields, dwarven stables, and a small hovel carved into the side of the mountain--the farm appears to serve no purpose other than as a geographical curiosity.
There are no instanced dungeons in the Arathi Highlands, though the ruins of Stromgarde Keep are one of the most well-known micro dungeons in the game, and the Tower of Arathor micro dungeon can also be found here. The entrance to the Arathi Basin battleground can also be found in this zone.
Maps and subregions
Map of the Arathi Highlands in Plunderstorm
Map of the Arathi Highlands in Cataclysm.
Map of the Arathi Highlands before patch 4.0.3a.
Map of the Arathi Highlands before patch 1.7.0.
Battlegrounds
- Arathi Basin: Both Horde and Alliance entrances to Arathi Basin can be found in this zone.
Travel hubs
- Ironforge, Dun Morogh
- Thelsamar, Loch Modan
- Menethil Harbor, Wetlands
- Dun Modr, Wetlands
- Aerie Peak, Hinterlands
- Stormfeather Outpost, Hinterlands
- Flight paths from Galen's Fall
- Undercity, Tirisfal Glades
- Eastpoint Tower, Hillsbrad Foothills
- Hammerfall, Arathi Highlands
- Flight paths from Hammerfall
- Undercity, Tirisfal Glades
- Tarren Mill, Hillsbrad Foothills
- Galen's Fall, Arathi Highlands
- Revantusk Village, Hinterlands
- Hiri'watha Research Station, Hinterlands
- New Kargath, Badlands
- Dragonmaw Port, Twilight Highlands
- Vermillion Redoubt, Twilight Highlands
Adjacent regions
| Zone name | Faction | Level range | Direction | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wetlands |
|
20 - 60 | South | By foot, or flightpath from Refuge Pointe to Dun Modr, Menethil Harbor, Whelgar's Retreat or Greenwarden's Grove
|
| Hillsbrad Foothills |
|
15 - 60 | West | By foot, or flightpath from Hammerfall to Tarren Mill
|
| The Hinterlands |
|
30 - 60 | North | By foot through tunnel [36.13, 30.23] or by flight paths. |
Notable characters
- Main article: Arathi Highlands NPCs
Quests
- Main article: Arathi Highlands storyline
Toys and loot
Added in Battle for Azeroth and tuned for level 50 players in the Warfront phase, a large number of rare creatures (many of which have existed in the game since Classic) drop mounts, pets, and toys. Rares can only be looted once per Alliance/Horde capture cycle.
Resources
Wild creatures
In Warcraft III
The woodlands of the Arathi Highlands were home to gnolls and ogres, and the rivers were inhabited by murlocs by the time of the Horde's exodus from Lordaeron. Golems lurked in the rocky hills.[39]
The multiplayer map called Wizard's Retreat is said to be located in the Arathi Foothills.
In the RPG
The Arathi Highlands, the southernmost realm in Lordaeron, are crushed and the people scattered. Three factions battle to control the few settlements that remain in this forsaken land. A small Horde outpost, Hammerfall, provides some sanity. The Syndicate has a large presence here, as do the Boulderfist ogres. The Highlands' native people are led by Prince Galen Trollbane, the rightful heir to Stromgarde's throne and leader of the city's embattled defenders. All three factions are poor and ragged, and would be easy prey for the Scourge.[40]
History
Once upon a time, the Arathi Highlands were home to the Arathorian Empire, and the city of Strom, now Stromgarde, was its capital city.
Stromgarde's warriors, including Grizzled Jopp, fought valiantly in the Second War, and the orc Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer met his end on Arathi soil during the liberation of the orcs from the internment camps. During the Third War, Scourge forces devastated the nearby Wetlands to the south, indicating that they had attacked and infested Arathi as well. Many of Stromgarde's men and women traveled with Jaina Proudmoore to Kalimdor, leaving a tiny band behind. Prince Galen Trollbane is hard-pressed to hold his city against his enemies. Stromgarde's defenders, the Syndicate and the Boulderfist ogres all seek mercenaries to help in their struggles.[41][42]
A Syndicate band ambushed a lone wagon, but luckily the driver managed to escape, though the brigands stole the cargo. In it, they found a mysterious black crystal ball which was cursed and transformed those within its radius of effect into bloodthirsty maniacs. The wagon's driver was in reality a disguised eredar warlock, and the theft and transformation were parts of his plan to upset things in the southern lands so the Legion could gain a foothold. Terrified villagers asked the heroes to slay the raving Syndicate band while the eredar warlock tried to intervene and stop them.[43]
Geography
The Arathi Highlands, are immediately north of Khaz Modan's Wetlands and south of the Hinterlands and the Hillsbrad Foothills. Its climate is similar to that of the Wetlands to the south, though its higher elevation keeps it free of the bogs and marshy pools that would otherwise form the constant rain, but otherwise the geography is similar. The air is cool and the skies are unvarying gray. The Highlands are bleak and dismal.[40]
To the north is Thoradin's Wall, now collapsed and gaping wide. South is the Thandol Span, which bridges the gap between Lordaeron and Khaz Modan. Mountains to the east prevent easy access to the sea, and the Highlands' western coast is bleak, windswept, and cold.[40] Ancient ruins are scattered across the land.[41] Bloodstone ore is found in the deepest mines within the Arathi Highlands.[44]
Notes and trivia
- To what extent the Horde managed to attack the Arathi Highlands during the Second War in the current canon is unclear as the attack on Stromgarde hasn't been mentioned outside Warcraft II in any other account.
- The kingdom of Stromgarde was once described as being situated amongst the foothills of the Alterac Mountains.[45]
- The Arathi Highlands were one of the locations featured in the South Park Make Love, Not Warcraft episode.
- The Grimscale naga were planned to appear in Arathi.
- The Battle for Azeroth version of the Arathi Highlands is the setting of the Plunderstorm mode, featuring the Keg Leg's Crew pirates from Brew Bay plundering the area.
Speculation
|
This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
|
The eastern-most areas of the Hillsbrad Foothills (including Durnholde Keep) may be considered part of the Arathi Highlands, as Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos indicates that Thrall's camp in a forested area west of Durnholde and east of a river (presumably the one east of Southshore in World of Warcraft) is within Arathi. The Highlands may, as a region, run up to this river, although due to Durnholde's inclusion Stromgarde's domain is likely still bounded by Thoradin's Wall.[46]
Gallery
The Tower of Arathor
Unnamed dwarven bunker in the Highlands' eastern coast.
Patch changes
- Patch 8.0.1 (2018-07-17): Updated version of the zone available through Battle for Azeroth content.
- Patch 7.3.5 (2018-01-16): Level scaling implemented, previous zone level: 25 - 30.
- Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Zone updated.
References
- ^ [32] The Hammer May Fall
- ^ Blue post by Caydiem (2005-06-30). Archived from the original on 2009-02-09.
- ^
[Plagued Egg]
- ^
[10-45] Salanar the Horseman
- ^ a b Before the Storm, chapter 28
- ^ a b c Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms, pg. 66
- ^ BlizzCon 2019: Q&A panel
- ^ Saga of the Valarjar: Strom'kar, the Warbreaker
- ^ a b World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 126
- ^
[The Seven Kingdoms]
- ^ a b World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 141 - 142
- ^ [10-45] Death... and Decay
- ^ Tides of Darkness, chapter 16
- ^ To Ravenholdt#Notes
- ^ The Fall of Stromgarde (WC2 Orc)
- ^ Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 45
- ^ Archivists of the Monastery
- ^ [50] Boulderfist Beatdown
- ^
[50-70] The Kosh'harg
- ^ Lord of the Clans
- ^ Chasing Visions (WC3 demo)
- ^ Arathi Basin - Game Guide
- ^
[Decrypted Letter]
- ^ [36] Hints of a New Plague?
- ^ [10-30] Sigil of Arathor
- ^ [10-30] The Forsaken Trollbane
- ^ [10-45] The Ruined Kingdom
- ^ Before the Storm, chapter 29
- ^ [50] Back to Boralus
- ^
[50] Twice-Exiled
- ^ [50WQ] Twice-Exiled
- ^ BlizzCon 2019: Q&A panel
- ^ Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms, pg. 68
- ^ Shadows Rising
- ^ Arathi Basin Preview
- ^ Game Guide - Arathi Basin
- ^ Arathi Basin Resources!
- ^ Cut Arathor Supply Lines (disambiguation)
- ^ a b "Exodus of the Horde: Chasing Visions", Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. Blizzard Entertainment.
- ^ a b c Lands of Conflict, pg. 88
- ^ a b Lands of Conflict, pg. 89
- ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 80
- ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 90
- ^ More Magic & Mayhem, pg. 153
- ^ Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Nations of the Alliance, Stromgarde
- ^ File:Warcraft 3 Loading screen Arathi Highlands.jpg
External links
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