The Gates of Blackrock Mountain
Blackrock Mountain is a zone between the Burning Steppes and the Searing Gorge, linking the two areas. This zone is deceptively small, and appears empty when first entered - however, it is without doubt the most dangerous place in Azeroth, and it is hottly contested between the forces of Ragnaros and his Dark Iron servents and the black dragon Nefarian, and his minions.
It contains four high-level instances:
- Blackrock Depths - a 5-man instance, aimed for 50-60 levels. A prelude to Molten Core.
- Molten Core - a 40-man instance, the first 40-man instance in difficulty in the game.
- Blackrock Spire - a 10-man, 55-60 raid instance. A prelude to Blackwing Lair.
- Blackwing Lair - a 40-man instance, next in line after Molten Core in difficulty.
History
The mountain is actually a volcano that was created at the end of the War of the Three Hammers when the Dark Iron Dwarf Lord, Thaurissan, accidently summoned Ragnaros the Firelord from his prison beneath the earth. The power unleashed by his "rebirth" was so massive it shattered a large section of the Redridge Mountains, creating the areas now known as the Searing Gorge and Burning Steppes. Ragnaros enslaved the Dark Iron Dwarf tribe, and they have dug many tunnels and created a huge underground city in the depths of the mountain.
During the events of the First War, the Blackrock tribe of orcs have taken over the upper reaches of the mountain. Led by chieften Rend Blackhand, they have eventually struck a deal with the current head of the Black Dragonflight, Nefarian.
Both Ragnaros and Nefarian now wage a brutal war for supermacy and control of the mountain. Ragnaros controls his Dark Iron Dwarves and their various machines and golems, as well as an army of elementals, beasts and powerful lieutenants such as Baron Geddon, Garr and Sulfaron. Nefarian controls the Blackrock tribe of orcs, as well as small armies of trolls and ogres, as well as his dragon lieutenants and his latest invention into the Chromatic Dragon flight.
The two rivals both hope to raise a powerful army that can take over Azeroth. We are fourtune they spend most of their efforts fighting each other and not the mortal races, but then we will surely be doomed...
Maps
World of Warcraft
One of the realms in World of Warcraft is named after Blackrock Mountain.