Valgarde
 Valgarde | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Fortified port town[1] |
| Leader(s) |
 Vice Admiral Keller |
| Race(s) |
 Human  Dwarf  Gnome  Night elf  Draenei |
| Faith(s) | Holy Light |
| Affiliation(s) | Valiance Expedition, Alliance Vanguard |
| Formerly | 1st Legion |
| Organizations | Argent Crusade |
| Location | Central Howling Fjord[58, 62] |
| Status | Active |
| Characteristics | |
| Facilities |
 Bank Auctions |
| Trainers |
Class Profession |
| Travel |
Flight Master(s) Mass-transit Portal(s) |
Valgarde (or Valgarde Port)[2][3][4][5] is the oldest Alliance settlement in Northrend,[6] located on the western bank of Daggercap Bay in the southern Howling Fjord. It serves as a major Alliance port and primary supply line and is the eastern way into Northrend, the other being Valiance Keep in the west.
History
Valgarde was the first home of the lucky few who survived Arthas' betrayal. It started as a small settlement with a decent anchorage in Daggercap Bay.[6]
Wrath of the Lich King
The town got built up and grew when the Valiance Expedition entered it at the start of the war against the Lich King. While the port is across the river from Wyrmskull Village and Utgarde Keep, the vrykul were still slumbering at the time it was built, making passage easier. Vice Admiral Keller had command of Valgarde when the expedition started, and it was a sleepy little nothing of a town when he first arrived.[6]
A month later, the vrykul were awake. It was then periodically attacked by a group of Dragonflayer vrykul and their worgs, and by proto-dragon riders raining fire from the sky. Vice Admiral Keller said "We'd been here a month when those malformed giants appeared out of thin air."[7] At some point, Marshal Gryan Stoutmantle stayed in Valgarde.[8]
Since this time, the Alliance icebreaker Northspear runs from Menethil Harbor in the Wetlands to Valgarde, regular as gnomish clockwork.[6]
Exploring Azeroth: Northrend
After the war against the Jailer, the town was visited by the brothers Bronzebeard. They stopped by the inn for a few pints and learned that the focus of the remaining soldiers has become exploration and diplomacy, but due to the proximity to Wyrmskull Village the walls of Valgarde still see regular attacks from the vrykul.[6]
Travel connections
Flight |
Boat
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NPCs
Goods and services
Guards |
Quest givers
Enemies |
In the RPG
Valgarde is the only established Alliance settlement in Northrend and it is the obvious arrival point for anyone traveling to this continent.[9] The town is led by Magistrate Randalvarr[10] and a ruling council.[11]
Description
Located in the Howling Fjord, Valgarde is a rough seaport where you can find all races, occupations, and characters floating through here. It is an excellent place to find information about Northrend in general, and to hire guides or buy equipment before setting out. It is also the only place in the continent where you can hire passage off this ice-coated land, back to warmer and more civilized continents. Of course, Drakkari trolls, furbolgs and occasional monsters attack the town frequently, but its strong walls never fail and the watchtowers provide ample warning.[9]
Most people who arrive in the town purchase low, fur-lined caps with flaps for the ears, or headbands that slant down in back, or thick hoods, anything to keep their ears from ringing when outside. Small farms dot the landscape of the Fjord, particularly near Valgarde. Thanks to this city, humans dominate the region and the majority of people live here except for farmers, hunters or trappers.[9]
History
Valgarde was founded by the humans and dwarves of Arthas Menethil's expedition to Northrend after the prince disappeared when he went to search for Frostmourne. Stranded in this frozen continent and without the ships to return to Lordaeron, which had been burned by Prince Arthas, the humans and dwarves built the town and some fortifications around it to protect it. As Valgarde grew, its residents forced the Drakkari and furbolgs back into the Grizzly Hills and beyond, making the region safe enough for brave farmers to till the land.[9][12]
The remaining dwarves from Muradin's expedition hid within ruins or gathered with humans in Valgarde.[13]
Trivia
- Valgarde already appears in very early World of Warcraft maps, being notably linked by boat lanes to Ratchet, Undermine, and Quel'Danas. It is interesting to note that the original concept arts for Valgarde depict the town much like it was in the RPG, with strong walls separating the liveable areas from the dangers of Northrend, and it is possible the area was originally meant to have the same background as in the RPG (see Speculation below).
Speculation
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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.
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- Valgarde appears to be similar to a Viking town from the concept art, this would make sense due to the fact Northrend's climate is similar to northern Scandinavia. It is most likely a reference to the Swedish town of Valsgärde, the site of a large number of Viking archaeological sites dating from the 6th - 8th centuries.
- The exact location of Arthas' original landing zone seems to have undergone a retcon from Warcraft III to World of Warcraft.
- In Warcraft III, the landing site is on the southeastern border of Daggercap Bay, which lies in the Howling Fjord. Arthas: Rise of the Lich King keeps this view.
- In World of Warcraft, however, Arthas' Base Camp on the northern shore of the bay has been moved to the southeastern Dragonblight, at the Forgotten Shore. Valgarde is shown as a new settlement.
- Due to the presence of Baelgun's Excavation Site in the Fjord, it is probable that the original concept for Valgarde in World of Warcraft was still meant to be Arthas' original landing zone.
- The location may have been retconned so that the questlines of the Forgotten Shore could happen.
- It is possible that at some point Westguard Keep was Muradin Bronzebeard's base.
- The Forgotten Shore may have been the former Scourge base that Arthas took over for at least two missions. This view moves the "base camp" but keeps the "landing site" the same.
- Exploring Azeroth: Northrend reaffirms the idea that Valgarde was founded by Arthas' surviving forces,[6] but does not say either way if they retreated to another base camp.
Gallery
Valgarde Hall concept art in The Art of World of Warcraft.
Note the boat lane to Valgarde.
Valgarde from the World of Warcraft Collectors Edition DvD.
Early alpha testing in an early version known as "Valguard".
The Valgarde dock in the Wrath of the Lich King beta.
References
- ^
[10-30] Hero's Call: Howling Fjord!
- ^ [10-30] Prisoners of Wyrmskull
- ^ [10-30] Rescuing the Rescuers
- ^ [10-30] If Valgarde Falls...
- ^ [10-30] Dragonflayer Battle Plans
- ^ a b c d e f Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 18
- ^ [10-30] Rescuing the Rescuers
- ^ [5-30] To Moonbrook!
- ^ a b c d Lands of Mystery, pg. 105
- ^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 104
- ^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 178
- ^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 106
- ^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 86
