Karazhan (raid)

Karazhan
Medivh's Tower, KZ, Kara
The Karazhan loading graphic
Location	Deadwind Pass
Race(s)	Ethereal  Man'ari eredar  Satyr  Undead
End boss	Prince Malchezaar
Instance info
Type	Raid
Advised level	70+
Player limit	10
Key	[The Master's Key] (needed to open front and side gates)
Lockout timer	7 days
Bosses Template:Karazhan

Karazhan ^[54, 78] (a.k.a. Medivh's Tower, Ivory Tower of Karazhan, or Ivory Spire of Karazhan) is an abandoned citadel (or castle) located on a nexus of ley lines in southern Deadwind Pass. The tower is best known for its last known occupant — Medivh, the last Guardian of Tirisfal. After Medivh was killed by Khadgar, Lothar, and Garona, the tower sealed itself off from the rest of the world. But recently, Karazhan has reawakened — an evil presence has taken the tower as its own, its halls crawling with spirits and demons... and Medivh's presence is still alive and well, even decades after his death.

Karazhan, as a level 70 ten-man raid instance, was opened in World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade. The instance is huge, scripted, and non-winged, containing twelve boss encounters, with 22 different NPCs. The bosses Moroes, the Opera Event, The Curator, and the Chess Event must be defeated in order, and all other bosses are optional.

General information

The Karazhan bosses

Karazhan — Medivh's Tower

• The first door after the instance gate is locked. It can be opened with [The Master's Key] (acquired via a quest chain), a rogue, a skeleton key, or a seaforium charge.
• Killing the Shade of Aran makes a teleport to his room available from Berthold the Doorman.
• Karazhan has a side entrance. When climbing the tower to the right of the main entrance (across the small creek), the stairs lead to a bridge and to a door which can be unlocked from the inside once the Opera Event has been cleared.
• Medivh's staff — [Atiesh, Greatstaff of the Guardian] can be used to teleport players to the front gate of Karazhan.
• There is a servants' entrance from the mezzanine above the ballroom that leads to the broken stairway. This door must be opened from the stairway side. While this doesn't help for initial clearing, it can later shorten some paths e.g. from the blacksmith to the Curator, or from Nightbane to Berthold (in order to get to Aran).

Vendors and repair

• Koren <The Blacksmith>, next to Attumen the Huntsman, will repair gear for players who are Honored with Violet Eye. He also sells some epic Blacksmithing recipes (frost resistance gear). Near him is Calliard who wanders around, babbling how evil Midnight and her owner are.
• Outside of the Gamesman's Hall (before the Chess Event) is Ythyar, a reagent and The Consortium reputation reward vendor, who can repair gear (however it is worthy to note that Ythyar has no faction attached to him, so no reputation discounts are available — whether this is a bug or intentional is unclear).

History

The Banquet Hall

Karazhan is located in Deadwind Pass on the sub-continent of Azeroth in the Eastern Kingdoms. Existing long before Medivh inhabited it, it is unknown who originally built Karazhan or who now resides within its walls. The land it sits on "was similar in shape to a human skull. Many had noted it over the years, though only a few had been sufficiently brave, or powerful, or tactless to mention it to the property's owner".

Karazhan's history begins with an explosion that carved out Deadwind Pass and weakened the fabric of reality in the region. Someone then built the tower, probably to take advantage of this weakened reality and heightened magic. Medivh eventually took up residence there, but mused that the explosion and the construction only happened because he would eventually arrive.

During the First War, the tower was inhabited by Medivh, his steward Moroes, his cook named Cook, and his then-apprentice Khadgar. Garona also resided here as an emissary in the same time of Khadgar's apprenticeship. Sargeras allowed Medivh to freely explore Karazhan. As a result of the region's weakened reality, many strange and disturbing visions lurked within the tower, and Moroes was known for wearing blinders to avoid seeing them. The visions were ultimately ended when most of Karazhan's ambient magical power was absorbed by the resurrected Medivh, reducing it to "a pile of stone in the remote reaches", its power taken to serve the Prophet.

Recently, despite Medivh's absence and the draining of magic, a new power seems to have made its home in Karazhan. The Black Riders of Deadwind Pass, though rarely seen, have a connection to Karazhan. However, no one knows who their master is. One recent sighting is cause for concern — the Black Riders seek the Scythe of Elune, a powerful artifact with the ability to summon the vile Worgen into this world.

It is believed that all ley lines on Azeroth lead to a location under Karazhan.

Worldofwarcraft.com says the following about Karazhan:

The decrepit tower of Karazhan once housed one of the greatest powers Azeroth has ever known: the sorcerer Medivh. Since his death, a terrible curse has pervaded the tower and the surrounding lands. The spirits of nobles from nearby Darkshire reportedly walk its halls, suffering a fate worse than death for their curiosity. More dangerous spirits wait within Medivh's study, for it was there that he summoned demonic entities to do his bidding. However, the brave and foolish are still relentlessly drawn to Karazhan, tempted by rumors of unspeakable secrets and powerful treasures. Forge a group of ten stalwart heroes, and journey to the tower in Deadwind Pass — but be warned that only those who have achieved level 70 should dare enter.

Contradictions

In The Last Guardian, Karazhan is described as being an isolated tower, no mention of any village around the tower's base. Quite the contrary in fact. Medivh is described as a hermit, rarely taking visitors into Karazhan, yet in World of Warcraft, it seems he held a banquet with many, many guests who, at some point, became undead. It also seems contrary to Medivh's character to have a harem inside Karazhan, yet that's exactly what we find in the Maiden of Virtue's area. We can only assume they were not undead and demons all along. It is possible Prince Malchezaar brought them with him in order to keep Moroes busy and unaware of what was going on, but it seems an odd thing to do. Another possibility is that an unknown tenant of Karazhan, or even the original builder or owner, made use of these features as there is a vision mentioned in the book of drunk people sitting around a table. Also, Karazhan included a bailey which may have had enough room for a small village.Template:Cite

Instance layout

Detailed layout of Karazhan

The following is a compilation of areas in Karazhan and the corresponding bosses of the apparent layout of Karazhan.

A teleporter exists in the person of Berthold the Doorman (in the front entrance of Karazhan), which activates after the Shade of Aran is killed. Berthold can port players back up to Aran's room.

The main entrance

• The Gatehouse – leads to A1, A2, A3
• A1: The Livery Stable – Attumen the Huntsman, links to A1+
  • A1+: The Guardhouse and Scullery – links to B2
• A2: The Servant's Quarters – one of three random animal bosses, leads to B1
• A3: The Grand Ballroom – leads to B1, B2, and B3
  • B1: The Guest Chambers – the Maiden of Virtue stands watch here
  • B2: The Banquet Hall – Moroes
  • B3: The Opera House – the Opera Event, one of three random stage productions

All paths lead into the Broken Stair

• AA: The Broken Stair – side entrance unlocked by opera event, leads to AA+, BA
  • AA+: The Master's Terrace – One may summon Nightbane should the need arise... (dead end)
  • BA: The Menagerie – The Curator, leads to CA, CB, CC, ??
    • CA: The Repository – Terestian Illhoof
    • CB: The Guardian's Library – Shade of Aran
    • CC: The Celestial Watch – Netherspite
      • ??: The Gamesman's Hall – Chess event, a side event encounter of epic proportions
      • Medivh's Chambers – leads to D
      • D: The Topmost – onward to X
      • X: Netherspace – Prince Malchezaar lurks within

• Random Servant's Quarters Bosses include three bosses that drop epic-level items that can be worse than virtually any level-70 blue. They follow the pattern of green drops (of the Owl, of the Whale). Useful drops are sparse, but they are epic (they can be disenchanted) and can be sold for a few gold, plus every mob gives normal reputation, which is much considering the low difficulty of that area. The bosses are:
  • Hyakiss the Lurker – spider boss
  • Rokad the Ravager – darkhound boss
  • Shadikith the Glider – bat boss

You do not have to clear the entire quarters for a boss to spawn. It appears that the boss will spawn after a certain number of kills occurs. Look for an emote, such as 'Hyakiss the Lurker emerges from...' The boss can also spawn multiple times if the quarters continue to get cleared. Killing the maiden does not prevent respawns in this room. NOTE: These bosses, if done previous to any real bosses in Karazhan, will not lock you with a raid ID to Karazhan. The main value of this area is that it helps a new raid group build confidence and quickly levels everyone's reputation to honored so that Koren can be used to repair (something you want the whole raid to be able to do).

• Random Opera House Bosses include:
  • Dorothee, Tito, Roar, Strawman, Tinhead, & The Crone
  • Romulo & Julianne
  • The Big Bad Wolf

To check the week's event without making a real attempt, start it with Barnes, then with one or more people on stage (to die) leave the rest of the raid in the pit below. The person(s) on stage will need to talk to Grandmother to finish starting the Big Bad Wolf, without this person the event can sometimes lock up the doorway and the GMs will not help you. The other two events will engage straight away and the person on stage will die. This can also be accomplished by sending a Hunter to start the event, and then [Feign Death] once the event is started.

Be aware that the conversations between the stagehands do not contain hints about the upcoming event. They will say "need more paint for the Oz set", even if R&J or Wolf is up for the week.

You must kill Moroes before Barnes will allow you to try the Opera Event.

• Kings for each side of the Chess event are King Llane piece and Warchief Blackhand piece.

• How to reach Chess event: After having defeated the Curator, head to the Library, clean your way up the upper part of library until you arrive at Shade door, and continue your way and go down on the first crossroad you encounter.

Encounters

File:Oprah house.jpg

Karazhan Opera House — note the curtains and pipe organ.

Bosses	Monsters
The Stables Attumen the Huntsman & Midnight (optional)	Spectral Charger Spectral Stallion Spectral Stable Hand Spectral Apprentice
The Scullery	Spectral Chef Ghostly Baker
The Grand Ballroom The Banquet Hall: Moroes (required)	Spectral Servant Skeletal Waiter Phantom Guest Ghostly Steward Phantom Valet Phantom Attendant Spectral Retainer
The Guest Quarters Maiden of Virtue (optional)	Phantom Guardsman Spectral Sentry Night Mistress Concubine Wanton Hostess
Servant's Quarters one random optional boss: Hyakiss the Lurker Rokad the Ravager Shadikith the Glider	Coldmist Widow Coldmist Stalker Shadowbat Vampiric Shadowbat Greater Shadowbat Dreadbeast Shadowbeast Phase Hound Shadowbeast
Opera House Opera Event (required) — one of three random encounters: Wizard of Oz Big Bad Wolf Romulo and Julianne	Phantom Stagehand Skeletal Usher Spectral Performer Spectral Patron Ghostly Philanthropist
The Broken Stair	Ghastly Haunt Trapped Soul
The Menagerie The Curator (required)	Arcane Watchman Arcane Anomaly Syphoner
Guardian's Library Shade of Aran (optional but recommended because of the shortcut) The Repository: Terestian Illhoof (optional, but recommended because his death stops the spawning of demons in the library) The Celestial Watch: Netherspite (optional)	Arcane Watchman Arcane Protector Chaotic Sentience Mana Feeder Mana Warp Magical Horror Spell Shade Homunculus Shadow Pillager Sorcerous Shade Ethereal Thief Ethereal Spellfilcher
Gamesman's Hall Chess Event (required)	Various chess pieces
The Topmost Netherspace: Prince Malchezaar (required)	Fleshbeast Greater Fleshbeast
The Master's Terrace Nightbane

Related quests

For a description of the entire Karazhan quest chain see: Karazhan Quest Progression

Getting [The Master's Key] opens the following follow-up quests:

1.  [70] Archmage Alturus
2. •  [70] Arcane Disturbances
   •  [70] Restless Activity
3.  [70] The Contact from Dalaran
4.  [70] Khadgar
5.  [70D] Entry Into Karazhan
6.  [70D] The Second and Third Fragments
7.  [70D] The Master's Touch
8.  [70] Return to Khadgar
9.  [70] The Violet Eye
10.  [70R] Assessing the Situation
11.  [70R] Keanna's Log
12.  [70R] A Demonic Presence
13.  [70R] The New Directive

(Must be Honored with the Violet Eye) This is part of the Nightbane quest chain:

1.  [70R] Medivh's Journal
2.  [70] In Good Hands
3.  [70] Kamsis
4.  [70R] The Shade of Aran
5.  [70R] The Master's Terrace
6.  [70] Digging Up the Past
7.  [70] A Colleague's Aid
8.  [70D] Kalynna's Request
9.  [70R] Nightbane

For the old Serpentshrine Cavern attunement:

•  [70] The Cudgel of Kar'desh

Loot

Main article: Karazhan loot

Tier 4

Tier 4 parts dropped by The Curator (Glove tokens):

• [Gloves of the Fallen Champion]
• [Gloves of the Fallen Hero]
• [Gloves of the Fallen Defender]

Tier 4 parts dropped by Prince Malchezaar (Helm tokens):

• [Helm of the Fallen Champion]
• [Helm of the Fallen Defender]
• [Helm of the Fallen Hero]

Badges

The bosses of Karazhan drop [Badges of Justice] in addition to their normal loot. In Karazhan, all bosses drop two Badges each, except for the animal bosses (zero), Attumen the Huntsman (one) and Prince Malchezaar (three). Since the chest at the Chess Event also contains two badges, a total of 22 Badges can be obtained from clearing the entire instance.

Dungeon denizens

• File:IconSmall ArcaneGuardian Small.gif Arcane guardians
• File:IconSmall Banshee Small.gif Banshees
• File:IconSmall Bat Small.gif Bats
• File:IconSmall DragonBlue Small.gif Blue dragon (one, Arcanagos)
• File:IconSmall BoneGolem Small.gif Bone golems
• Darkfallen (one, Prince Tenris Mirkblood, only during the pre-Wotlk event)
• File:IconSmall Darkhound Small.gif Darkhounds
• File:IconSmall Attumen Small.gif Death knight (one, Attumen the Huntsman)
• File:IconSmall Doomguard Small.gif Doomguards
• File:IconSmall Midnight Small.gif [Dreadsteed] (one, Midnight)
• File:IconSmall Emberwyrm Small.gif Emberwyrm (one, Nightbane)
• File:IconSmall Archimonde Small.gif Eredar (one, Prince Malchezaar)
• File:IconSmall Ethereal Small.gif Ethereals
• File:IconSmall Fleshbeast Small.gif Fleshbeasts
• Forsaken
• File:IconSmall Ghost Small.gif Ghosts
• File:IconSmall Grell Small.gif Grells
• File:IconSmall HarvestGolem Small.gif Harvest golems (one, Strawman)
• File:IconSmall Horse Small.gif Horses
• Humans
  • File:IconSmall Medivh Small.gif Medivh
• File:IconSmall Imp Small.gif Imps
• File:IconSmall ArcaneWraith Small.gif Arcane wraiths
• File:IconSmall Mana Small.gif Mana surges
• File:IconSmall ManaWyrm Small.gif Mana wyrms
• File:IconSmall DragonNether Small.gif Nether dragon (one, Netherspite)
• Orcs
• File:IconSmall Rat Small.gif Rats (critters)
• File:IconSmall Satyr Small.gif Satyrs (one, Terestian Illhoof)
• File:IconSmall SkeletalGryphon Small.gif Skeletal gryphons
• File:IconSmall SkeletalHorse Small.gif Skeletal horses
• File:IconSmall SkeletalMage Small.gif Skeletal mages
• File:IconSmall Skeleton Small.gif Skeletons
• File:IconSmall Spark Small.gif Sparks
• File:IconSmall Spider Small.gif Spiders
• File:IconSmall Succubus Small.gif Succubi
• Titan (one, Maiden of Virtue)
• Trolls (one, The Crone)
• File:IconSmall Water Small.gif Water elementals
• File:IconSmall Wisp Small.gif Wisps (only during the pre-Wotlk event)
• File:IconSmall Wolf Small.gif Wolves
• File:IconSmall Worgen Small.gif Worgen (one, The Big Bad Wolf)
• File:IconSmall Wraith Small.gif Wraiths

Trivia

Looking towards the sky.

• There was some discussion as to who is the final boss of Karazhan, Prince Malchezaar or Nightbane. The Prince drops higher level loot (125 vs. 115) and yields three heroic tokens, the most in the entire instance. On the other hand, Nightbane drops the SSC attunement quest item. The difficulty of the two fights is very similar. With the release of the achievements system, Prince Malchezaar is listed as the boss required for the Karazhan achievement, which is evidence that Blizzard considers him the final boss of the raid instance.
• In the Opera House, certain mobs will have a spotlight effect, increasing your damage while in the spotlight (for friend and foe) by 20%. On these mobs, it's considered a good strategy for tanks to move the mob out, and run into the spotlight. "stealing the spotlight"
• In the Opera House, you will meet Barnes the Stage Manager on the stage, addressing his ghostly audience. Barnes will then announce the night's presentation. One of three (currently) boss presentations will appear, each based on famous stories or tales. "Tonight, things are not what they seem, for tonight, your eyes may not be trusted."
  • The Little Red Riding Hood - Starring the hungry Wolf himself.
  • The Wizard of Oz - Starring Dorothee and her dog Tito, Tinhead, Strawman, the lion Roar, and the evil Crone that tries to stop them on their way home!
  • Romulo and Julianne - A tale of forbidden love...
• After defeating Moroes, and all mobs up to the Opera Event, a mage could use [Invisibility] to stealth past everything to get up there and see what this is.
• When Karazhan was first announced, there were rumors that an upside-down version of the tower existed, extending down from the bottom floor, deep underground. Whether or not Blizzard actually plans to implement this "Lower Karazhan" remains unknown.
  • It is likely that this is a reference to The Last Guardian by Jeff Grubb, a novel which details the last weeks of (living) activity within the tower. Several references are made to an "inverse" of Karazhan which begins at the lowest level and works its way downward, with Medivh's secret chambers lying at the very bottom.
  • It is also possible that this rumor was a nod to the Konami game Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, wherein players could fight through an upside-down version of Dracula's Castle after completing the regular version.
  • There exists a building behind the nearby graveyard in which there is a stair downward towards a locked gate. One could (but no longer) go through this gate as a ghost and explore the large area beyond. This is likely to play a part in the future of Karazhan.
  • Karazhan could be based on The Dark Tower from the Stephen King novels.
• In the first room in the Guest Rooms there is a bed with two skeletons lying in it. Dead roses lay between them, and one has a knife stuck in it, while the other is holding a bottle. This is a reference to Romeo and Juliet.
• A curious easter egg is hidden below the tower outside the instance. If you can get under it, you can find a Smiley face on the ground.

The smiley under Karazhan

Karazhan gryphon roost

Screenshot taken by Natala.

The Karazhan gryphon roost is leftover from the planning phase of Karazhan. Before the teleport to Aran's room was implemented, the original plan was to have a flightpath that connected to the top of Karazhan for the convenience of groups who had already cleared most of the instance.^{[citation needed]}  There is currently no way to access the ledge with the roost, nor does its instance portal function.

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB

gsDKP Loot table (164 epic drops, including Tier 4 gloves and head set tokens)

Pillage Karazhan Guide Instance Guide

AlmostGaming Karazhan Raid Guide

Boss Slayers Instructional videos on all the KZ bosses.

MMOsite Chess event preview

New York Times First preview

Official World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Introduction

RealmHistory Guild Progression

WoW Guru Preview on the nearby crypt

Ask Apadwe Get Keyed For Karazhan Guide

WowGroupings Group & Raid Scheduler

World of Warcraft Insider Roost Article