Argent Tournament Grounds
Argent Tournament Grounds | |
---|---|
Type | Tournament grounds |
Leader(s) | Justicar Mariel Trueheart |
Formerly | Highlord Tirion Fordring † |
Race(s) |
High elf Blood elf Human Orc Dwarf Gnome Night elf Tauren Troll Draenei Undead |
Faith(s) | Holy Light |
Affiliation(s) | Argent Crusade |
Organizations | Silver Covenant, Alliance, Sunreavers, Horde, Knights of the Ebon Blade |
Location | Northeastern Icecrown |
Status | Active |
Characteristics | |
Facilities |
Inn Mailbox Stables Anvil & Forge Bank Auctions |
Trainers |
Class Profession |
Travel |
Flight Master(s) Mass-transit Portal(s) |
The Argent Tournament Grounds is the location of the base for the Argent Crusade's Argent Tournament, north of Sindragosa's Fall, in the northeast area of Icecrown. It is a sanctuary and a full-featured quest hub with flight masters, profession trainers, and vendors. In patch 3.3.0, the Tournament Grounds' defenses were reinforced with three guard towers - one between the Coliseum and Deathspeaker's Watch, one near the Silver Covenant Pavilion, and one near the Sunreaver Pavilion.
To start the quest-chain of the area, Justicar Mariel Trueheart is present inside the Argent Pavilion just to the west of the Crusaders' Coliseum, while the northern part of the building serves as a chapel of the Light led by Argent Confessor Paletress. The Alliance and the Horde are respectively represented by the Silver Covenant in the Silver Covenant Pavilion and the Sunreavers in the Sunreaver Pavilion.
Built during the war against the Lich King, the Argent Crusade put time and effort into building a sturdy stone arena and a tilting ground as a way to search out the elite warriors they thought had the best chance of taking a run at Icecrown Citadel, since throwing a whole army against the undead would only have increased the number of troops in the armies of the Lich King.[1]
History
Wrath of the Lich King
During the war against the Lich King, the Argent Crusade announced the beginning of the Argent Tournament, an event that would, among other things, attempt to create some semblance of order between the ever disparate Horde and Alliance, but also to train this large army in preparation for an assault on the Lich King's bastion, and more importantly, to determine the very best fighters present who would then be used to create a small strike force that would lead the charge into Icecrown Citadel. The reasoning behind using a small force to spearhead their assault lay in the fact that any great loss of life that they might suffer would only serve to reinforce the Scourge, and subsequently might leave the rest of the world open to attack.[2] The tournament was also a chance to try to heal the wounds from the disaster at Angrathar the Wrathgate, but it was too soon.[1]
Though criticized, both King Varian Wrynn and Warchief Thrall, respectively accompanied by Jaina Proudmoore and Garrosh Hellscream, made appearances on these grounds and agreed to observe some of the tournament's trials in the Crusaders' Coliseum. Both factions were then represented by the Silver Covenant in the Silver Covenant Pavilion and the Sunreavers in the Sunreaver Pavilion during the Argent Tournament. Argent Peacekeepers maintained a constant vigil throughout the grounds, policing the tournament to ensure there was no conflict between the Horde and Alliance.
However, the tournament drew the attention of the Lich King, who sent forces to disrupt it in a number of ways, with assaults and kidnappings from the Cult of the Damned, the infiltration of the Black Knight in the tournament,[3] and attacks from Val'kyr, partly in an attempt to free some of their kind which the paladins had captured, though they were unable to inflict any lasting damage.[4] Towards the end of the Trial of the Crusader, the Lich King himself appeared in the coliseum and reminded those gathered that the nerubian empire extended far across and beneath the entire continent, then proceeded to shatter the very floor of the tournament grounds, dropping the Crusade's champions deep into a series of underground tunnels to confront a resurrected Anub'arak. Despite the ambush, Anub'arak was vanquished, marking the conclusion of the Argent Tournament, and the beginning of the assault on Icecrown Citadel.[5]
Shadowlands
During the Scourge resurgence, the tournament grounds came under concentrated attack by the Scourge and became the Crusade's main base of operations in fighting the undead back. As the attack was as sudden as it was unexpected,[6] many valiants laid wounded, while the civilians participated in defending the area as best as they could. Consequently, Justicar Mariel Trueheart requested the support of the Crusade's forces in the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor,[7] and with the help of adventurers, they managed to repel the undead and save the lives of many injured.[8]
Exploring Azeroth
Following the war against the Jailer, the brothers Bronzebeard reported that the tournament grounds have been remade into a place for the Argent Crusade and any who would fight the Scourge to train. They still get the occasional incursion of Scourge, but the undead are aimless once more.[1]
NPCs
Quest NPCs
-
Neutral
- Justicar Mariel Trueheart <Seneschal of the Argent Tournament>
- [25-30] The Argent Tournament
- [25-30] The Argent Tournament
- Bezzle Blastbolt
- [80 Daily] Jack Me Some Lumber
- Bozzle Blastbolt
- [80 Daily] A Chip Off the Ulduar Block
- Eadric the Pure <Grand Champion of the Argent Crusade>
- Luuri <Mistress of Horses>
- Cellian Daybreak <Master of Arms>
- Crok Scourgebane <Grand Champion of the Ebon Blade>
- Illyrie Nightfall <Mistress of Horses>
- Zor'be the Bloodletter <Master of Arms>
- Crusader Rhydalla
- [25-30] The Black Knight of Westfall?
- [25-30] The Black Knight of Silverpine?
- [25-30] The Seer's Crystal
- [25-30] The Stories Dead Men Tell
- [25-30] There's Something About the Squire
- [25-30] The Black Knight's Orders
- [25-30] The Black Knight's Fall
- Fhyron Shadesong <Cenarion Circle>
- Justicar Mariel Trueheart <Seneschal of the Argent Tournament>
-
Alliance
- Avareth Swiftstrike
- [25-30] Mastery Of The Charge
- [25-30 Daily] Training In The Field
- Scout Shalyndria
- [25-30] Mastery Of The Shield-Breaker
- [25-30 Daily] Learning The Reins
- Arcanist Taelis
- [25-30] Mastery Of Melee
- [25-30] Up To The Challenge
- [25-30] The Aspirant's Challenge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge of Winter
- [25-30] A Valiant of Darnassus
- [25-30] A Valiant of the Exodar
- [25-30] A Valiant of Gnomeregan
- [25-30] A Valiant of Ironforge
- [25-30] A Valiant of Stormwind
- Sir Marcus Barlowe <Master of Arms>
- [25-30 Daily] A Valiant's Field Training
- Marshal Jacob Alerius <Grand Champion of Stormwind>
- [25-30] The Valiant's Charge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge of Winter
- [25-30] The Valiant's Challenge
- [25-30] A Champion Rises
- Captain Joseph Holley <Master of Horses>
- [25-30 Daily] The Grand Melee
- [25-30 Daily] At The Enemy's Gates
- Tickin Gearspanner <Master of Arms>
- [25-30 Daily] A Valiant's Field Training
- Ambrose Boltspark <Grand Champion of Gnomeregan>
- [25-30] The Valiant's Charge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge of Winter
- [25-30] The Valiant's Challenge
- [25-30] A Champion Rises
- Flickin Gearspanner <Master of Mechanostriders>
- [25-30 Daily] The Grand Melee
- [25-30 Daily] At The Enemy's Gates
- Saandos <Master of Arms>
- [25-30 Daily] A Valiant's Field Training
- Colosos <Grand Champion of the Exodar>
- [25-30] The Valiant's Charge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge of Winter
- [25-30] The Valiant's Challenge
- [25-30] A Champion Rises
- Ranii <Mistress of Elekks>
- [25-30 Daily] The Grand Melee
- [25-30 Daily] At The Enemy's Gates
- Illestria Bladesinger <Mistress of Arms>
- [25-30 Daily] A Valiant's Field Training
- Jaelyne Evensong <Grand Champion of Darnassus>
- [25-30] The Valiant's Charge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge of Winter
- [25-30] The Valiant's Challenge
- [25-30] A Champion Rises
- Airae Starseeker <Mistress of Nightsabers>
- [25-30 Daily] The Grand Melee
- [25-30 Daily] At The Enemy's Gates
- Rollo Sureshot <Master of Arms>
- [25-30 Daily] A Valiant's Field Training
- Lana Stouthammer <Grand Champion of Ironforge>
- [25-30] The Valiant's Charge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge of Winter
- [25-30] The Valiant's Challenge
- [25-30] A Champion Rises
- Clara Tumblebrew <Mistress of Rams>
- [25-30 Daily] The Grand Melee
- [25-30 Daily] At The Enemy's Gates
- Avareth Swiftstrike
-
Horde
- Amariel Sunsworn
- [25-30] Mastery Of The Charge
- [25-30 Daily] Training In The Field
- Galathia Brightdawn
- [25-30] Mastery Of The Shield-Breaker
- [25-30 Daily] Learning The Reins
- Edien Sunhollow
- [25-30] Mastery Of Melee
- [25-30] Up To The Challenge
- [25-30] The Aspirant's Challenge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge Of Winter
- [25-30] A Valiant Of Orgrimmar
- [25-30] A Valiant Of Sen'jin
- [25-30] A Valiant Of Silvermoon
- [25-30] A Valiant Of Thunder Bluff
- [25-30] A Valiant Of Undercity
- Kethiel Sunlance <Master of Arms>
- [25-30 Daily] A Valiant's Field Training
- Eressea Dawnsinger <Grand Champion of Silvermoon>
- [25-30] The Valiant's Charge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge Of Winter
- [25-30] The Valiant's Challenge
- [25-30] A Champion Rises
- Aneera Thuron <Mistress of Hawkstriders>
- [25-30 Daily] The Grand Melee
- [25-30 Daily] At The Enemy's Gates
- Akinos <Master of Arms>
- [25-30 Daily] A Valiant's Field Training
- Mokra the Skullcrusher <Grand Champion of Orgrimmar>
- [25-30] The Valiant's Charge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge Of Winter
- [25-30] The Valiant's Challenge
- [25-30] A Champion Rises
- Morah Worgsister <Mistress of Wolves>
- [25-30 Daily] The Grand Melee
- [25-30 Daily] At The Enemy's Gates
- Dern Ragetotem <Master of Arms>
- [25-30 Daily] A Valiant's Field Training
- Runok Wildmane <Grand Champion of Thunder Bluff >
- [25-30] The Valiant's Charge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge Of Winter
- [25-30] The Valiant's Challenge
- [25-30] A Champion Rises
- Anka Clawhoof <Mistress of Kodos>
- [25-30 Daily] The Grand Melee
- [25-30 Daily] At The Enemy's Gates
- Shadow Hunter Mezil-kree <Master of Arms>
- [25-30 Daily] A Valiant's Field Training
- Zul'tore <Grand Champion of Sen'jin>
- [25-30] The Valiant's Charge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge Of Winter
- [25-30] The Valiant's Challenge
- [25-30] A Champion Rises
- Gahju <Mister of Raptors>
- [25-30 Daily] The Grand Melee
- [25-30 Daily] At The Enemy's Gates
- Sarah Chalke <Mistress of Arms>
- [25-30 Daily] A Valiant's Field Training
- Deathstalker Visceri <Grand Champion of the Undercity>
- [25-30] The Valiant's Charge
- [25-30 Daily] A Blade Fit For A Champion
- [25-30 Daily] A Worthy Weapon
- [25-30 Daily] The Edge Of Winter
- [25-30] The Valiant's Challenge
- [25-30] A Champion Rises
- Handler Dretch <Master of Horses>
- [25-30 Daily] The Grand Melee
- [25-30 Daily] At The Enemy's Gates
- Amariel Sunsworn
Goods and services
-
Neutral
- Akrittok <Fresh Food>
- Anuur <Jewelcrafting Supplies>
- Fizzix Blastbolt <Engineering Supplies>
- Meline Duskpath <Tailoring Supplies>
- Fanii <Inscription Supplies>
- Broxel Goldgrasp <Souvenirs>
- Cerie Larksong <Alchemy Supplies>
- Helidan Lightwing <Flight Master>
- Makuli <Fresh Food>
- Mera Mistrunner <Cooking Supplies>
- Ellia Moondancer <Fresh Food>
- Liere Morningsong <Enchanting Supplies>
- Julie Osworth <Reagents & Magical Goods>
- Thomas Partridge <Stable Master>
- Relga <Refreshments>
- Elka Stormbrew <Leatherworking Supplies>
- Jenna Thunderbrew <Refreshments>
- Tingiyok <Refreshments>
- Torngasak <Refreshments>
- Torgah <General Goods>
- Brollen Wheatbeard <Blacksmithing Supplies>
-
Alliance
- Derrick Brindlebeard <Ironforge Quartermaster>
- Corporal Arthur Flew <Stormwind Quartermaster>
- Rook Hawkfist <Darnassus Quartermaster>
- Irisee <Exodar Quartermaster>
- Rillie Spindlenut <Gnomeregan Quartermaster>
- Caris Sunlance <Innkeeper>
-
Horde
- Trellis Morningsun <Silvermoon Quartermaster>
- Eliza Killian <Undercity Quartermaster>
- Freka Bloodaxe <Orgrimmar Quartermaster>
- Doru Thunderhorn <Thunder Bluff Quartermaster>
- Samamba <Sen'jin Quartermaster>
- Jarin Dawnglow <Innkeeper>
Trainers
- Arthur Denny <Grand Master Inscription Trainer>
- Binkie Brightgear <Grand Master Engineering Trainer>
- Bethany Cromwell <Grand Master Cooking Trainer>
- Kul'de <Grand Master Leatherworking Trainer>
- Crystal Brightspark <Grand Master Alchemy Trainer>
- Fael Morningsong <Grand Master Enchanting Trainer>
- Oluros <Grand Master Jewelcrafting Trainer>
- Rekka the Hammer <Grand Master Blacksmithing Trainer>
- Dustin Vail <Grand Master Tailoring Trainer>
- Joseph Wilson <Grand Master First Aid Trainer>
In Hearthstone
Following the Lich King's defeat, the Tournament Grounds continued to be used in the name of fun, becoming the setting for The Grand Tournament, the second expansion for Hearthstone.
Notes and trivia
- East of the Grounds, a graveyard is present.
- During the Argent Tournament, the bards told tales of travelers offering winter hyacinths to a lonely maiden in return for gifts.[9]
- Innocuous Scarabs periodically appear and crawl around the grounds, hinting that Anub'arak is waiting below.
- The main building is shaped like the Argent Crusade symbol.
- Despite being in Icecrown the Northrend world map treats the Argent Tournament Grounds as belonging in the Storm Peaks.
Gallery
The guard towers added to the tournament grounds in patch 3.3.0.
Orgrim's Hammer patrolling above the Tournament Grounds.
Patch changes
- Patch 3.3.0 (2009-12-08): Guard towers added.
- Patch 3.2.0 (2009-08-04): Construction complete.
- Patch 3.1.0 (2009-04-14): Added.
References
- ^ a b c Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 139
- ^ BlizzCast Episode 10. Retrieved on 2018-06-13.
- ^ [25-30] The Black Knight's Orders
- ^ [25-30 Daily] You've Really Done It This Time, Kul
- ^ Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 75
- ^ [50] Securing the Area
- ^ [50] A Message from Icecrown
- ^ [50] A Valiant Effort
- ^ A Worthy Weapon