Howling Fjord | |
---|---|
Level: 68 - 72 | |
Entering Howling Fjord | |
Location | Southeastern Northrend |
UNDER CONSTRUCTION related to Spider Kingdom Expansion Concept
The Howling Fjord is a zone located in southeastern Northrend. Ripped into the southern coastline lies Daggercap Bay, where the forces of Arthas originally landed on the continent. Stranded by the young prince, the 5,000-strong expedition set up the outpost of Valgarde. The small settlement has since become the center of Alliance activity on Northrend.
The majestic fortress known as Utgarde is located in the center of this zone; it is a dungeon complex and one of its sections, Utgarde Keep, is one of the two first instances (the other one being the Nexus) that players encounter when first arriving to Northrend.
Introduction
Howling Fjord has dark forests, open plains, treacherous rocks, and what used to be the only city — and port — on the continent. The north edge of the Howling Fjord has low hills and thick forest. The land smooths out to the south, however, and the trees fade back, to be replaced by grain and a few hardy fruits and vegetables. Daggercap Bay dominates the southern end, which is all rock. Most people live in Valgarde or in a semicircle above it. The fjord has its share of wildlife. Bears, wolves and other creatures prowl the forests, and small animals sneak through the farmland as well. Birds roost in the trees and steal grain and seeds, and the warmer climate and rich soil draws insects and other vermin as well.
Howling Fjord received its name because the wind that races in from the sea on all three sides produces a constant howl, like a maddened beast seeking its prey. Other than the noise, Howling Fjord is pleasant. It's not as heavily forested as the Grizzly Hills, or as hilly, but the temperature here is a little milder; between that and the flatter terrain it’s an ideal place to grow grain and other crops. Small farms dot the landscape, particularly down south near Valgarde. To the north the trees begin again, and creatures roam there from the hills above, making it more dangerous but also an excellent place for hunters.
With the death of the Lich King, the Scourge forces in the area have fallen. Bereft of their death god, the vrykul have turned to new leadership. The queen of the vrykul, Angerboda, was slain in the service of the Lich King, but was resurrected shortly before the fall of the Scourge's master. Retaining her free will, independent of the new Lich King, Angerboda has seized control of the vrykul and the Cult of the Damned in Howling Fjord. She continues the vrykul efforts to excavate the catacombs underneath Utgarde Keep and other vrykul holdings, awakening the living and raising the dead to serve in her new army.
History
Howling Fjord was a favorite on Northrend from the first time explorers reached the continent through the Daggercap Bay. The natural harbor provided an ideal launching point for expeditions throughout the continent. After the Lich King arrived, the Scourge swept across the continent, conquering most of its races and claiming many of the towns and citadels. During the Third War, Prince Arthas Menethil of Lordaeron arrived with his soldiers to destroy the dreadlord Mal'Ganis and punish him for the plague unleashed in his homeland. Arthas and the dwarven noble Muradin Bronzebeard joined forces against Mal’Ganis, who they thought to be the Lich King's lackey. When Arthas’s father summoned him home again, the prince responded by hiring mercenaries to burn his own ships, and blaming only them for the act of treachery, thus forcing his men to stay and fight. He searched for and obtained the cursed blade Frostmourne in the nearby region of Dragonblight, killing Muradin in the process. He used Frostmourne to defeat Mal'Ganis but lost his soul to the Lich King as a result. Arthas staggered away alone after the battle, and his men were left behind, stranded on Northrend. These humans and dwarves founded Valgarde. They also built the fortifications that protect it to this day. 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.[1]
With the Cataclysm wreaking havoc across the world, the Howling Fjord has suffered manay changes. The Twilight Hammer have arrived to exploit the holdings of the Iron Dwarves, former pawns of the Old God Yogg-Saron. Dark forces beneath the surface of Northrend have been stirred up by the breaking of the world, and they have begun to creep out onto the surface to spread terror and destruction.
Areas affected:
- The Iron Dwarves are in full retreat, having abandoned their dig sites. They have been replaced by Twilight Hammer forces.
- The vrykul once loyal to the Lich King now follow a new undead leader - Death Queen Angerboda, wife of the fallen King Ymiron. Scourge forces have been replaced by Angerboda's vrykul and Cult of the Damned followers.
- Many younger vrykul have rejected the Lich King and Queen Angerboda, and follow Vidar Ymironson, son of Ymiron and Angerboda.
- Kamagua and Scalawag Point were flooded and destroyed. The ruins are overrun with kvaldir. The pirates and tuskarr survivors have joined forces to resist them.
- Whispering Gorge has become a Twilight Hammer stronghold. The Horde Apothecary Camp has become fortified against them.
- Fort Wildervar has been overrun with nerubians. Alliance forces have regrouped at Giant's Run.
- The elementals are more restless than ever around Camp Winterhoof. Yetis have been completely driven off.
- The Frost Nymphs have reclaimed the Twisted Glade, transforming it into the Vibrant Grove, a neutral town and quest hub.
- Something dark is rising beneath Gjalerbron...
- Valgard and the lake surrounding Utgarde Keep have collapsed into the underworld, exposing the max level raid instance Utgarde Catacombs. New Agamand was destroyed - the Forsaken have moved north to Halgrind.
Geography
For the Alliance, there is a boat port connecting the town of Valgarde with Menethil Harbor in the Wetlands. For the Horde, a zeppelin connects the town of Vengeance Landing with the Undercity in Tirisfal Glades.
Maps and subregions
Instances
Instance Name | Level Range | Group Size | Approximate Run Time |
---|---|---|---|
Utgarde Keep | 70-72 | 5 man | 30 min - 45 min |
Utgarde Pinnacle | 80 | 5 man | 45 min - 1 hour and half |
Utgarde Catacombs | Max | 10/25 | Unknown |
Travel hubs
- None
- Amberpine Lodge, Grizzly Hills
- Fort Wildervar, Howling Fjord
- Westguard Keep, Howling Fjord
- Kamagua, Howling Fjord
- Flight paths and boats from Valgarde
- Fort Wildervar, Howling Fjord
- Menethil Harbor, Wetlands (steam boat)
- Westguard Keep, Howling Fjord
- Explorers' League Outpost, Howling Fjord, but only from McGoyver <Pro>
- Kamagua, Howling Fjord
- Amberpine Lodge, Grizzly Hills
- Fort Wildervar, Howling Fjord
- Wintergarde Keep, Dragonblight
- Kamagua, Howling Fjord
- Camp Winterhoof, Howling Fjord
- Conquest Hold, Grizzly Hills
- New Agamand, Howling Fjord
- Kamagua, Howling Fjord
- Apothecary Camp, Howling Fjord
- Camp Oneqwah, Grizzly Hills
- New Agamand, Howling Fjord
- Vengeance Landing, Howling Fjord
- Flight paths and zeppelins from New Agamand
- Apothecary Camp, Howling Fjord
- Camp Winterhoof, Howling Fjord
- Vengeance Landing, Howling Fjord
- Venomspite, Dragonblight
- Kamagua, Howling Fjord
- Undercity, Tirisfal Glades (zeppelin)
- Camp Oneqwah, Grizzly Hills
- Camp Winterhoof,Howling Fjord
- New Agamand, Howling Fjord
- Flight paths and boats from Kamagua
- Valgarde, Howling Fjord
- Westguard Keep, Howling Fjord
- Apothecary Camp, Howling Fjord
- New Agamand, Howling Fjord
- Moa'ki Harbor, Dragonblight (turtle boat)
Adjacent regions
Zone Name | Faction | Level Range | Direction | Access |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tirisfal Glades | 1-12 | Southeast across the ocean | By zeppelin from Vengeance Landing only | |
Wetlands | 20-30 | Southeast across the ocean | By boat from Valgarde only | |
Dragonblight | 71-75 | West across the sea | By giant turtle from Kamagua to Moa'ki Harbor | |
Grizzly Hills | 73-75 | Northwest | By foot, or by flight path |
Notable characters
The Howling Fjord will reputedly see several famous faces on the front against the Scourge, including Sylvanas Windrunner, Tirion Fordring, and the legendary weapon Ashbringer.
Quests
- Main article: Howling Fjord quests
There are well over 140 quests in the Howling Fjord.
Players who are making the Fjord their first stop in Northrend had better be prepared to defend themselves. It is a zone riven by territorial disputes: In the east, the Alliance and the Horde continue their heated rivalry in an attempt to gain the coast. In the west, the Alliance is harried by the Northsea Freebooters. Running up the center of the land mass, both factions struggle with fiercely entrenched vrykul forces.
Most of the major questlines are shared by Horde and Alliance, with only the quest NPCs and their locations being unique. This should produce elevated levels of conflict on PvP servers, as competition for quest mobs and target locations will be tight.
Regardless of who they are, players should expect to gain notoriety in the tuskarr and pirate bands as dark spiritual influences become increasingly apparent. What secrets are held by the giant races of the land? Are they best left unrevealed?
Resources
Wild creatures
Rare Elite NPCs associated with the Northern Exposure achievement.
Gallery
More screenshots can be found on the various subzone pages.
The dock at Valgarde, where Alliance players arrive when taking the boat from Menethil Harbor.
Valgarde, the Alliance town of the zone.
Daggercap Bay, the bay outside Valgarde.
Nifflevar, a Viking-inspired community.
Westguard Keep, a dwarven town.
Vengeance Landing, the small settlement Horde players arrive at when taking the zeppelin from Tirisfal Glades.
New Agamand, the main Horde base in the Howling Fjord, held by the Forsaken.
- Howling fjord 2.jpg
Westguard Keep, an Alliance settlement in the north.
A bridge to Wintergarde Keep a small Alliance settlement in the northeastern mountains.
An island in the Howling Fjord, possibly in Lake Cauldros.
Ember Clutch, a scorched part of the zone with hovering dragons. Note the new flame effects.
- OfficialArtworkOfSomeVrykulBuilding.jpg
Official artwork image of what appears to be a vrykul building located in the cave close to Valgarde.
Official artwork image of Nifflevar.
Trivia
Due to the topography and climate of the zone, it is quite possible that the Fjord is Azeroth's version of a Norwegian fjord.
References
External links