Ziggurat
- For the Warcraft III structure, see Ziggurat (Warcraft III).
Ziggurats are Scourge structures found in many locations. They are towers of the ancient nerubian kingdom of Azjol-Nerub that were conquered by the Scourge and repurposed to provide a source of raw energy for undead forces.[1] The Lich King infused many nerubian ziggurats with magic to turn them into airborne necropoli,[2] with the most famous being Naxxramas.[3]
The ziggurats of the Third War were technically without protection, for those empowered with a defense crystal were actually spirit towers or nerubian towers. The distinction seems to have been lost since.[4]
Locations
Stratholme
In Stratholme, three ziggurats at the Gauntlet must be emptied before confronting Aurius Rivendare. Each is guarded by a mini-boss:
Betina Bigglezink of the Argent Dawn asked adventurers to search these ziggurats for 
[Scourge Data].[5]
On top of these ziggurats are Ash'ari Crystals of which very little is known, guarded by Thuzadin Acolytes. This may or may not apply to all ziggurats.
Eastern Plaguelands
In the Eastern Plaguelands, there are multiple ziggurats in the Plaguewood. Each was defended by a level 58 Ziggurat Protector. Destroying these ziggurats was the objective of the quest 
[58] When Smokey Sings, I Get Violent.
There are also ziggurats in the Noxious Glade.
Ghostlands
The Ghostlands of Quel'Thalas contain two named ziggurats: the Bleeding Ziggurat and the Howling Ziggurat, on either side of the Dead Scar. In addition, Deatholme contains minor ziggurats where Masophet the Black, one of Dar'Khan Drathir's lieutenants, can often be found. Dr. Whitherlimb, a Scourge scientist, can also be found at either the Bleeding or Howling Ziggurats or the ziggurats in Deatholme.
Northrend
As expected of the Scourge's homeland, Northrend does feature more ziggurats, and of bigger models than before. The Wailing Ziggurat in the Borean Tundra is one such example of a taller ziggurat, and the nearby temple city of En'kilah does feature three more: the Spires of Blood, Decay, and Pain. These are likely leftover nerubian constructions.
Scourgeholme in Icecrown also has three ziggurats of its own, including two of the older model.
Notes and trivia
- Trolls have built several ziggurats unrelated to the Scourge structures throughout Azeroth.
- A place called Ziggurat (with the icon of ruins) in Zul'Aman was shown on a Warcraft III map in the game's manual and in an early concept map for World of Warcraft. This was probably later meant to be the Shrine of Ula'Tek.
- Though now destroyed, there used to be a ziggurat in the Scourge base for the Battle for Mount Hyjal.
- Ziggurats are a type of ancient Mesopotamian temple tower.
Gallery
A ziggurat in Ashbringer.
Nerubian ziggurat
References
- ^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual, pg. 43
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 29
- ^ Road to Damnation
- ^ [25-30] From Whence They Came
- ^ [60D] The Active Agent
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
