Information About

Stormwind Keep




'', mislabelled 'Stonewind Keep'.]]


HISTORY

In Warcraft lore, the Kingdom Of Azeroth was one of the strongest nations in the World of Azeroth, and Stormwind was built as a symbol of this might. During the events of the First Great War, under the rulership of King Llane , the Orcish horde defeated Azeroth and forced the entire city to flee. Much of the populace was able to escape, however, thanks to the leadership of Lord Anduin Lothar . After the formation of the Alliance and the defeat of the Horde , Stormwind was reclaimed, although much of the city had been destroyed. After the humans of the Kingdom of Azeroth had reclaimed Stormwind, rebuilding had begun, and now is complete as seen in game.

The MMORPG '' World Of Warcraft '' reveals that Stormwind was unaffected by the ravages of the Undead Scourge that destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Lordaeron and now stands as one of the last bastions of human power. Stormwind was repaired by the Stonemason's Guild lead by the engineer Edwin VanCleef . However, the nobles of Stormwind refused to pay the Stonemasons. After being forcibly removed from the castle, VanCleef swore revenge and formed the bandit organization known as the Defias Brotherhood .

Facing corruption within the Nobles of Stormwind, many of the outlying towns and villages that once were part of the Kingdom of Azeroth, have broken their strong ties and have become loosely affiliated; Most notably would be the town of Darkshire. Many attribute the corruption to Lady Katrana Prestor , or better known as Lady Onyxia , a dragon of the Black Dragonflight. Her corruption of the Nobles has slowly let the human kingdom decline.

The child-king Anduin Wrynn has ruled Stormwind since the disappearance of his father, King Varrian Wrynn , who succeeded the assassinated King Llane.


UNDER STORMWIND


There is a way to get under Stormwind via a wall in the trade district, and another on the eastern side of valley of the heroes, as well as a hole located on top of the Stormwind cathedral -- It's not a hard thing to do, hints why many people know about it. There are several large holes under Stormwind: The biggest is a perfect square -- also called "The Death Hole" because if you enter it you will most likely die. Additionaly, there are also two holes that do not kill you: One drops you into the Wizard's sanctum and the other Drops you into the Warlock's Chamber.


STRUCTURE


The city is made up of roughly rectangular districts separated by canals:

  • ''The Valley of Heroes'' (causeway area in front of main gate with statues of famous heroes from the Second War)

  • ''The Trade District'' (just north of the main gate)

  • ''Cathedral Square'' (north from the Trade District)

  • ''Old Town'' (east from the Trade District)

  • ''The Mage Quarter'' (west from the Trade District)

  • ''The Park'' (northwest from the Trade District)

  • ''The Dwarven District'' (northeast of the Trade District)

  • ''Deeprun Tram'' (located in the Dwarven district, runs between Stormwind and Ironforge)

  • ''Stormwind Keep'' (northeast of the Old Town, Southeast of the Dwarven District, it is roughly northeast of the Trade District)

  • ''The Canals'' (between Trade District, Cathedral Square, Old Town, Mage Quarter, Dwarven District and the Park)



Valley of Heroes

The Valley of Heroes is just beyond the city's main gate, and is the first area of the city most visitors encounter (The other being the Dwarven District for those that come via the Deeprun Tram.) It contains the large stone statues of the , and never returned.


Trade District

The trade district is the first place most visitors encounter as it is located just behind the entrance. The gryphon master, the inn, the mail box, the auction house and the bank are here. If you want to make a guild or a guild tabard you can find the guild master in the Visitor's center.


Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square is named for the massive Cathedral of Light, which dominates the area. It is the center of the Religion of Light and is thus home to paladin and priest trainers as well as a first aid trainer, and it gives rise to the common human NPC greeting "Light be with you." The city's town hall is also located in Cathedral Square, where the day to day business of running the city is handled. The Cathedral of Light is where Archbishop Benedictus presides.


Mage Quarter

There is also a Mage Quarter, where mage and warlock trainers can be found along with tailoring, herbalism, alchemy and enchanting trainers as those professions are common among magic users. There also is a portal here, which can finally be used by the mage class to teleport themselves and party players to Stormwind. The Stockades dungeon is found near the center of the city, surrounded by canals.


The Dwarven District

The Dwarven District is home to hunter trainers as well profession trainers for mining, blacksmithing, and engineering. The district also has forges and anvils, and a smokey plume hangs perpetually overhead. The Stormwind end of the Deeprun Tram line is accessible through a tunnel on the east side of the district; it leads to the Tinker Town, the main concentration of gnomes in Ironforge following the loss of their underground city, Gnomeregan . There is also mage trainers and portal trainers along with a reagent store, robe store, hat vendor, and many more.


INSTANCES

Stormwind contains four Instanced areas:
  • The Stockade - Located to the immediate north east of the Mage District, The Stockade is one of Stormwind's two prison complexes, intended to hold lesser criminals. The Stockade has recently been overrun by its inmates, mostly captured Defias thugs, and the guards have been driven up to the surface. It takes the form of an instanced dungeon for characters of approximate levels 25-32, for whom there are six quests available for clearing the Stockade. Although it is possible for a horde player to enter the instance most horde players don't bother.


  • Champion's Hall - This was an instanced chamber accessible only to Alliance characters with a PvP rank of 6 or above, however after Patch 2.0.1 this chamber was opened to all players. The Hall of Legends is situated in the Old Town district, near the headquarters of the Stormwind Army; there is an equivalent Officers-only area for the Horde in Orgrimmar .


  • The Mystery Instance - This is an instance in the southeast section of Stormwind, between the Trade District and the Old Town district. The instance is inaccessible to regular players of the game, since the entrance is blocked by a gate. It was rumored to be a testing ground for GMs(Gamemasters), however through interviews with some developers it appears to be the location of the housing district if Blizzard ever decides to implement it. Currently, it is possible to get into the small tunnel behind it using exploit, but nothing is there; the forks of the tunnel both go into nowhere.


  • The Deeprun Tram - Located in the eastern section of the Dwarven District, it is a free mode of transportion between the Alliance cities of Stormwind and Ironforge. There is a quick and fun quest involving rats in this Instance. You must be lower level to receive it, but can be acquired at the Ironforge end of the Tram.



EVENTS


  • Childrens Week - Every year in the late spring there is an event which takes place in the Cathedral Square. It is a week dedicated to the orphans of Stormwind, and all over the Eastern Kingdoms and beyond for that matter. Any character can partake in this quest, but it only lasts for the one week until it is over. Each character is given a child to look after, who gives you numerous quests to sight see the world. You must venture around Azeroth and complete the childs request to receive your ending reward. After numerous requests, the child will be content to return home to Stormwind. Once returned you can choose between three special edition pets; a pig, turtle, or rat. If a pet doesn't meet your fancy, there is a handsome 5 gold monetary reward in store.



TRIVIA

  • In Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, Stormwind was sometimes referred to as Stonewind Keep.



EXTERNAL LINKS