Exploring Azeroth: Northrend

Exploring Azeroth: Northrend
Author(s)	Alex Acks
Artist(s)	Various
Pages	168
Publisher(s)	Blizzard Entertainment
Publication date	November 15, 2022
Format(s)	Hardcover, Digital
Retail price	US: $25.00; UK: £21.99
ISBN 10	‎1950366898
ISBN 13	978-1950366897

For other books in this series, see Exploring Azeroth.

Exploring Azeroth: Northrend is an official Warcraft book by Alex Acks presenting information on Northrend. It is the third book of the Exploring Azeroth series, released on 15 November, 2022.

Description

The icy depths of Northrend hold secrets long untold!

Mysterious, beautiful, and uncompromising, the crown of Azeroth is a continent filled with history, struggles, tragedies, and even triumphs. Join Explorers' League cofounder and High Thane Muradin Bronzebeard along with his brothers, Speaker of Azeroth Magni and adventure aficionado Brann, as they journey through the untamed, stormy wilderness of Northrend on a quest of discovery, diplomacy, and reconnection. From the Scourge-controlled Icecrown Citadel to the violet-hued Crystalsong Forest to the bitter-cold valleys of Dragonblight and the resilient Frostborn of Storm Peaks, Exploring Azeroth: Northrend is your next step in an unforgettable voyage across Azeroth.

Initial description: Ever since the “crown of Azeroth” assumed center stage in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, millions of players have been captivated by the dark, stormy depths of the continent that has become synonymous with the dreaded Scourge. Now, venture into the icy, mysterious tundra of Northrend under the expert guidance of Clan Bronzebeard in this third installment in the wildly popular World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth series!^[1]

Characters

Narrators

Appearances and mentions

Brigitte Abbendis
Adventurers
Agmar
Akali
Alexstrasza
Angerboda
Anub'arak
Modimus Anvilmar
Anya
Archaedas
Arlos
Arngrim
Arugal
Ashtotem
Avatar of Freya
Azeroth
Azshara
Baelgun Flamebeard
Balargarde
Cairne Bloodhoof
Annie Bonn
Ailsa Bronzebeard
Netty Bronzebeard
Cyanigosa
Koltira Deathweaver
Deathwing
Drakuru
Dumont
Eternos
Evanor
Freya
Fjorlin Frostbrow
Tirion Fordring
Fizzcrank Fullthrottle
Galakrond
Gal'darah
Gann
Geirrvif
Gorgonna
Green Island
Gurgthock
Har'koa
Hati
Garrosh Hellscream
Helya
Hodir
Hozzer
Velog Icebellow
Roanauk Icemist
Ingvar
Ironaya
Jotun
Kasha
Kel'Thuzad
Keleseth
Keller
Keristrasza
Khufu
Ko'nani
Kodian
Krenna
Lankral
Leryssa
Lich King
- Bolvar Fordragon
- Ner'zhul
- Arthas Menethil
Loken
Loque'nahak
Malas
Mal'Ganis
Malygos
Mam'toth
Mechazod
Mimiron
Monte Muzzleshot
Moorabi
Hemet Nesingwary
N'Zoth
Odyn
Orkus
Orsonn
Jaina Proudmoore
Putress
Quetz'lun
Tur Ragepaw
Rhonin
Rhunok
Dranosh Saurfang
Sapphiron
Saragosa
Sasha
Sif
Sindragosa
Sintharia
Sjonnir
Skoll
Slad'ran
Sseratus
Jonah Sterling
Illidan Stormrage
Mina Stormsmith
Mithrios Stormsmith
Gryan Stoutmantle
Surristrasz
Talbot
Moira Thaurissan
Thassarian
The Prophet Tharon'ja
Thorim
Torgan
Tormak
Tyr
Ursoc
Ursol
Valanar
Varana
Volkhan
Vurenn
Walker of Waves
Barean Westwind
Grif Wildheart
Sylvanas Windrunner
Vereesa Windrunner
Wintergale
Varian Wrynn
Ymiron
Yogg-Saron
Ysera
Yulda
Zim'Torga
Zol'Maz
Zovaal

Artists

Francesca Baerald, Joseph Lacroix, Peter C. Lee, Mooncolony, Mats Myrvold, Gus Schmidt, Scribble Pad, Lianna Tai.

Notes and trivia

The book offers an updated lineage of titan creations (see Gallery below), originally presented in The Magazine.
- The mountain dwarves are now called Bronzebeard dwarves.
- The book uses the term Mechagon mechagnome, a term chosen by Warcraft Wiki as page name to distinguish it from the mechagnome page.
Exploring Azeroth says that the Forgotten Shore in the Dragonblight is where Arthas landed with his men in Northrend, pursuing Mal'Ganis, invaliding the mention of the event in Chronicle to have occurred in the Howling Fjord.^[2]
When first announced the book had a publication date of October 18, 2022.
The audiobook version is read by Carlos Larkin, the voice actor for all three Bronzebeard brothers.

Mistakes and inconsistencies

Given the fact that the entries are written from Muradin's point of view, these could, theoretically, be considered as in-universe mistakes instead of retcons.

The book describes the Scarlet Crusade coming to Northrend under the leadership of High General Brigitte Abbendis and Admiral Barean Westwind after Tirion Fordring kicked them out of Hearthglen.
- As per [The Path of Redemption] and [8-30] The Scarlet Apocalypse, Hearthglen was still under the control of the Scarlet Crusade when they were sailing to Northrend.
- Tirion taking Hearthglen was not the cause of the Scarlet Crusade under Abbendis and Westwind coming to Northrend, as quests to kill Abbendis and Westwind were in WotLK, and Hearthglen was retaken by Tirion just prior to Cataclysm.
The book states: "The original Wolfcult was created by the mad archmage Arugal in Gilneas when he made the worgen—and he got killed for it, eventually. Seems the Lich King appreciated his work and had him resurrected and brought to Grizzly Hills, where he set about making a new Wolfcult among the trappers at Solstice Village."
- Arugal did not "create" the original Wolfcult nor "made" the worgen. In Curse of the Worgen, Alpha Prime Ralaar Fangfire created the Wolf Cult, and the worgen were summoned from the Emerald Dream.
Gurgthock is spelled as Gurgthok.
The titan-forged lineage chart has the vrykul, giants, and earthen coming from the titans directly. They were actually created by the keepers using the Forge of Wills.
- World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 says that iron vrykul are creations that pre-date Loken's Iron army, being the predecessors of fleshy vrykul.