| Icecrown Citadel | |
|---|---|
 Icecrown Citadel by Peter Lee | |
| Location | Icecrown, Northrend |
| Population | Unknown, perhaps 250,000 (100% Undead)[1] |
| Government | Autocracy |
| Race(s) | Template:Scourge Race |
| End boss | Lich King |
| Instance info | |
| Type | Raid |
| Advised level | 80 |
| Player limit | 10/25 |
Icecrown Citadel in Northrend sits atop the largest glacier on Azeroth, Icecrown Glacier in Icecrown. It is here that Ner'zhul — transformed into the Lich King — was cast into the world of Azeroth. Recently, the Scourge has created this massive fortress, surrounding the Frozen Throne that lies hidden underneath. In a later patch, it might be the pinnacle of the Wrath of the Lich King raid instances.
History
The name of Icecrown became infamous when Kil'jaeden hurled the Lich King back into the mortal world. Ner'zhul's prison slammed into the glacier, creating the Frozen Throne. Here the Lich King remained until Arthas Menethil freed him and the two merged in Arthas' body. The merging created such a large explosion that a large portion of the glacier was blown away, leaving a gigantic throne in its place, upon which sits the Lich King. From here, he rules the Scourge with an iron fist.[2]
From the name one would assume Icecrown Citadel was an enormous fortress planted on the glacier, with thick walls, sturdy guard towers, and massive front gates. Not quite. Most of the Citadel lurks below the surface. The glacier is split, creating a deep fissure. Scourge forces lurk down there, and they have carved levels into either side of that massive split and created bridges, walkways and even solid floors across the gap. Not surprisingly, Icecrown Citadel is a cold, unforgiving place. It has no decorations, no furs or rugs, no fires, nothing to provide comfort or warmth. The Scourge creatures move silently from one problem to another, focused on their tasks. All manner of undead dwell here, including zombies, wraiths and beings composed of cold energy. At the bottom of the rift is the Frozen Throne, the heart of the Scourge and the Lich King’s personal seat. This throne is the remains of the block of ice that first brought Ner’zhul to Azeroth, the same block that held him prisoner until Arthas freed the ancient orc shaman and merged with him. Arthas sits on the Frozen Throne.[2]
Note: The above description may seem confusing, as images of the Throne Chamber obviously depict a spire with the Frozen Throne at the top. This is more understandable when the size of the rift created by the impact with the Glacier is realized. The rift is so large the entire spire is below average ground level. The entire spire counts as the Frozen Throne, the area just around the spire is also known as the Throne Chamber, and Icecrown Citadel is the fortified rift as a whole. Both Arthas[3] and Kel'Thuzad[4] travelled downward before acending the spire. For context, "The Lich King sits on the Frozen Throne at the bottom of the rift, inside of the Icecrown Citadel".[2] The Throne Chamber may not be much of a chamber anymore, as evidenced by the cinematic at the end of the Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Undead campaign where the tower was exposed, but it seems to have been covered again by the Lich king.
Wrath of the Lich King
The fortified entrance to Icecrown Citadel is found in the mountains of southern Icecrown. It is surrounded by gigantic ramparts and massive, blade-like spires, the towers are an imposing landmark of the Icecrown skyline, emitting a beacon of light from its pinacle.
As noted earlier the Citadel itself stretches far under Icecrown and Icecrown Glacier, and the rift. The Frozen Throne itself was located on an island in the rift of the glacier towering above most of the underground Citadel.
Icecrown Citadel might be home to the final encounter in Wrath of the Lich King, featuring the Lich King as the final boss, though it is still unknown if he is going to be killable or not. Although players interact with Arthas numerous times during the expansion, including during an event at Angrathar the Wrathgate in the Dragonblight, the instance where the final battle against him will take place is not expected to open until some time after the expansion's release. The developers have stated that they feel it was a mistake to release Black Temple, wherein the Illidan encounter takes place, as soon as they did; while this was somewhat remedied with the release of Sunwell Plateau, making Kil'jaeden the final boss encounter of The Burning Crusade, their goal is to ensure that Arthas does not become just another farm boss too soon before newer, more challenging content is released.[5]
Possible bosses
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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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Aside from the Lich King being the obvious final boss, there are many possible encounters within the Citadel. Viable candidates include:
- Pai Stormbringer and Ul'haik Hadanot, mortal co-leaders and seconds in-command of the Cult of the Damned. Although Kel'Thuzad was defeated for a second time in Naxxramas, the cult still maintains a heavy presence.
- Sindragosa, former consort of Malygos, raised as the Queen of the Frostbrood.
- Falric and Marwyn, Arthas' captains.
- Salanar the Horseman and Knight Commander Plaguefist, unaccounted for death knights last seen in the Scarlet Enclave.
- Prince Theraldis and Prince Atherann, the only two San'layn known to be alive.
- The Turned Champion and the Immolated Champion seen in a vision when fighting inside Yogg-Saron's mind
Trivia
The in-game architecture of Icecrown's Scourge-controlled fortresses (especially Icecrown Citadel) bear striking resemblances to artwork of Orthanc, Barad-dûr and countless other citadels from The Lord of the Rings.
Gallery
Artwork
The Frozen Throne of the Lich King at Icecrown Citadel.
Image of the Frozen Throne at Icecrown Citadel from Lands of Mystery.
The gates of Icecrown Citadel as seen in the Wrath of the Lich King login screen.
Screenshots
- Ice Crown Citadel Night.jpg
The original Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne login screen featured a much darker version of the Frozen Throne at Icecrown Citadel.
- Throne Chamber.jpg
The outside of the Throne Chamber before Arthas merged with the Lich King.
- Lichking ft.jpg
The Lich King, imprisoned at the top of the Frozen Throne.
- LichKA.jpg
The Lich King, sitting atop the shattered Frozen Throne.
The final version of the login screen in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.
Icecrown Citadel as seen in Beta.
Icecrown Citadel as seen in Beta (closeup).
Left flank of Icecrown Citadel.
The top of Icecrown Citadel as seen from the balcony of the Violet Citadel in Dalaran.
References
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