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{{Infobox zone
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{{for|the instance|Abyssal Maw (instance)}}
  
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|name=Icecrown
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{{infobox instance
  
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|name=Abyssal Maw
  
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|aka=AM
  
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|ss=Abyssal-Breach.jpg
  
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|caption=
  
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|loc=[[Vashj'ir]]
  
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|race=[[Water elemental]]s, [[Kraken]]
  
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|type=Dungeon
  
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|level=81-83
  
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|players=5
  
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|bosses=
  
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|key=
  
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}}<!--
  
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{{for|the 5-man instanced dungeon|Abyssal Maw (instance)}}-->
  
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{{Abyssal Maw wings}}
  
   
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|ss=Icecrowncitadel.jpg
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The '''Abyssal Maw''' is the [[Elemental Plane]] of Water.
  
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|caption=Icecrown Citadel lies silent, it's new king slumbering... for now.
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|level=77-80
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}}
   
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'''''UNDER CONSTRUCTION''''' related to [[User:GoldenYak/Spider_Kingdom_Expansion_Concept|Spider Kingdom Expansion Concept]]
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==Background==
  
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{{RPG-section}}
  
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Surrounding the land and constantly assaulting it with waves and storms sprawls the great ocean of the [[Elemental Plane]]. The water is vast and in many places very deep, sometimes nearly reaching the realm of fire far below. The liquid itself is constantly changing — sometimes salty or murky, other times fresh and clear. Creatures of the element abound, along with some large beasts such as the [[kraken]], but the seas are otherwise curiously devoid of life.
  
   
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'''Icecrown''' is a [[zone]] composed of mostly [[Icecrown Glacier]] and the immediate area around it. Icecrown is surrounded by mountains to the south. The ground is neither frozen earth nor covered with snow; it is solid ice. Hence, nothing grows here.
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[[Neptulon|Neptulon the Tidehunter]] lives within the depths of the seas, jealously protecting his realm from any threat. His kingdom is called the Abyssal Maw. He constantly battles with [[Ragnaros|Ragnaros the Firelord]], who is always trying to break through to smite the ocean with his heat. The Tidehunter keeps the seas surging and in constant motion, battering at the earthly realm with waves and storms. A wise and powerful being, Neptulon keeps many secrets, for reasons only a creature of water can truly understand.
  
   
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==History==
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The surface of the [[Elemental Plane]]'s ocean is dotted with a few small islands of rock that yet resist [[Neptulon]]'s endless assault on the land. At the point farthest from [[Therazane]]'s domain there floats a mile-wide shelf of solid ice known as the [[Frostland]]. Like an immense iceberg, the [[Frostland]] extends far underneath the surface, almost to the ocean floor. Smaller chunks of ice break free occasionally and drift across the seas, slowly melting as they come nearer to [[Deephome]]. Some of these bergs are occupied by [[ice elemental]] [[Elemental conglomerate|conglomerates]] or other creatures.
  
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Once the seat of power for [[Lich King|Arthas Menethil]], the previous Lich King, Icecrown was a dark and imposing realm, virtually lifeless, populated by thousands upon thousands of the tormented undead. With the death of Arthas, a new [[Bolvar_Fordragon|Lich King]] has come to dominate, and his iron will holds the undead Scourge in dreamless slumber, keeping the rest of Azeroth safe.
   
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[[Image:Icecrown-Wrath-Login.jpg|thumb|The gates of Icecrown Citadel, held fast now by the [[Ashen Verdict]].]]
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Traveling beneath the waves, within the Abyssal Maw itself, can be troublesome, and not just because of the need to breathe underwater. Vortices occasionally form of their own accord, creating tremendous tidal forces that threaten to tear apart their victims. Violent temperature shifts also move upward through the waters like bubbles rising from the ocean floor, subjecting travelers to bone-numbing cold. Parts of the Abyssal Maw are thousands of feet deep — so far down that even light doesn't reach the ocean floor. Traveling beneath the surface in these areas subjects travelers to intense pressure.
  
   
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The [[Ashen Verdict]], an order composed of paladins from the [[Argent Crusade]] and death knights from the [[Knights of the Ebon Blade]], have become the new inhabitants of [[Icecrown Citadel]], watching over the newly crowned Lich King and ensuring that none disturb his unholy slumber, lest the dark power he now wields overtake him and unleash a new evil upon the world.
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Traveling on the surface of the Abyssal Maw can be very dangerous. Visitors rarely have cover, and Neptulon will have no trouble spotting unwelcome travelers. Furthermore, both Neptulon and [[Al'Akir]] contest the border between the Maw and the Skywall, so anyone floating upon the waves can be subjected to the attacks of either realm.<ref>''[[Shadows & Light]]'', 139-141</ref>
  
   
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==World of Warcraft: Cataclysm==
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==Cataclysm==
 
{{cata-section}}
  
{{cata-section}}
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In ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' it is a dungeon hub called '''Abyssal Maw: Abyssal Maw''' and located in [[Vashj'ir]].
  
   
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The roof of the world itself was rent asunder by [[Deathwing|Deathwing's]] [[Cataclysm]]. The power struggle in Northrend will come to a head at the very doorstep of the [[Lich King]].
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It contains one 5-man instance, [[Throne of the Tides]], for level 80-81 players and was revealed at the official Vashj'ir preview.<ref>http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/features/vashjir.html</ref>
  
   
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*The [[Scourge]] forces on the surface of Icecrown have been reduced to mindless undead. Most of the Scourge forces along the great gates have been replaced by [[User:GoldenYak/Twilight's_Hammer_of_Northrend|Twilight's Hammer]] forces.
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The second wing, known simply as Abyssal Maw, was announced at [[BlizzCon 2009]], but [[BlizzCon 2010]] revealed it will be released in the first major content patch of the expansion and will continue where the storyline left off in Throne of the Tides. It will be completely set underwater and will feature 4 bosses.
  
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*The [[blue dragonflight]] has secured [[Sindragosa's Fall]] from the Scourge remnants, but the [[twilight dragonflight]] has begun to attack. Twilight's Hammer forces are attempting to excavate more [[blue dragon]] remains to create [[User:GoldenYak/Spider_Kingdom_Bestiary#Wychwyrm|wychwyrms]].
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*The [[Argent Coliseum]] has collapsed into the [[Icy Depths]]. [[Nerubians]] are swarming through the tournament grounds. The [[Ashen Verdict]] have reunited to battle them back. The coliseum [[Trial_of_the_Champion|dungeon]] and [[Trial_of_the_Crusader|raid]] have been removed.
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*[[User:GoldenYak/Death_Queen_Angerboda|Death Queen Angerboda]] has taken over the [[vrykul]] holdings in Icecrown. Her forces and the [[User:GoldenYak/The_Scourge_Remnants#Amal.27thazad_and_the_Cult_of_the_Endless_Cold_Scourge|Cult of the Damned]] are clashing with the Twilight's Hammer and other Scourge remnants in the area. [[User:GoldenYak/Vidar_Ymironson|Vidar Ymironson]] has arrived with his forces, and plans to take down Angerboda once and for all.
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*Portions of [[Icecrown Glacier]] have collapsed, exposing the [[User:GoldenYak/Spider_Kingdom_Expansion_Concept|Spider Kingdom]] and releasing nerubians and [[Faceless Ones]] to the surface.
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*In [[Icecrown Citadel]]'s courtyard, Twilight's Hammer forces are clashing with the Ashen Verdict.
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*The Twilight's Hammer have seized the quarry that once held [[Malykriss]], the Saronite Necropolis. The fearsome structure's whereabouts are unknown.
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*The [[Icecrown Citadel]] raid has been removed.
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*The [[Forge of Souls]], the [[Pit of Saron]], and the [[Halls of Reflection]] have been revised to feature Twilight's Hammer and Scourge Remnant enemies. The Twilight's Hammer storyline will be resolved here, leading into the [[User:GoldenYak/Spider_Kingdom_Expansion_Concept|Spider Kingdom]] content.
   
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==Geography==
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{{elink|type=wowus|prefix=From the official|link=http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/features/abyssalmaw.html|desc=Cataclysm &mdash; Site:}}
  
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[[Image:WorldMap-IcecrownGlacier.jpg|thumb|Icecrown map]]
   
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Icecrown Glacier fills the valleys of this region, an impenetrable wall of black ice... impenetrable until the [[Cataclysm]] tore Azeroth apart. Great rents have appeared in the glacier, and earthquakes have caused portions of the Spider Kingdom to rise up from the depths, breaking through the ice and exposing the ancient ruins to the surface. Hordes of nerubians are swarming forth from the exposed ruins, blanketing Icecrown in spidery bodies.
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:'' '''Azeroth's native elementals wreaked havoc across the world while they were under the influence of the [[Old God]]s.'''
 
   
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===Subregions===
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:''To keep Azeroth safe from these threats, the [[titans]] imprisoned the Old Gods underground and banished the savage elementals to the titan-constructed Elemental Plane, a secure dominion where the elementals could dwell without harming Azeroth.
  
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{| class="darktable"
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|[[Aldur'thar: The Desolation Gate]]{{·}} [[Argent Vanguard|The Argent Vanguard]]{{·}} [[Argent Tournament Grounds]]{{·}} [[Balargarde Fortress]]{{·}} [[Battlescar Spire]]{{·}} [[Blackwatch]]{{·}} [[Bombardment|The Bombardment]]{{·}}[[Breach|The Breach]]{{·}}[[Broken Front|The Broken Front]]{{·}} [[Cathedral of Darkness]]{{·}} [[Circle of Suffering|The Circle of Suffering]]{{·}} [[The Conflagration]]{{·}} [[Corp'rethar: The Horror Gate]]{{·}} [[Court of Bones|The Court of Bones]]{{·}} [[Crusaders' Pinnacle]]{{·}} [[Death's Rise]]{{·}} [[Deathspeaker's Watch]]{{·}} [[First Legion Forward Camp]]{{·}} [[Fleshwerks|The Fleshwerks]]{{·}} [[Hall of Horrors]]{{·}} [[Halls of the Ancestors]]{{·}} [[Hidden Hollow|The Hidden Hollow]]{{·}} [[Icecrown Citadel]]{{·}} [[Icecrown Glacier]]{{·}} [[Ironwall Dam]]{{·}} [[Ironwall Rampart]]{{·}} [[Jotunheim]]{{·}} [[Kul'galar Keep]]{{·}} [[Malykriss: The Vile Hold]]{{·}} [[Mord'rethar: The Death Gate]]{{·}} [[Naz'anak: The Forgotten Depths]]{{·}} [[Njorndar Village]]{{·}} [[Onslaught Harbor]]{{·}} [[Rise of Suffering]]{{·}} [[Sanctum of Reanimation]]{{·}} [[Saronite Mines]]{{·}} [[Savage Ledge]]{{·}} [[Scourgeholme]]{{·}} [[Shadow Vault|The Shadow Vault]]{{·}} [[Silent Vigil]]{{·}} [[Sindragosa's Fall]]{{·}} [[Ufrang's Hall]]{{·}} [[Underhalls|The Underhalls]]{{·}} [[Valhalas]]{{·}} [[Valley of Echoes]]{{·}} [[Valley of Fallen Heroes|The Valley of Fallen Heroes]]{{·}} [[Valley of Lost Hope|The Valley of Lost Hope]]{{·}} [[Weeping Quarry]]{{·}} [[Ymirheim]]
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|}
   
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===Instances===
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:''Four domains were created within this primordial realm to serve as ideal environments for each type of elemental. For ages since, the elementals of air, water, earth, and fire have engaged in endless strife with each other, waging titanic battles in the confines of their realm. One of the Elemental Plane's domains, a vast ocean known as the Abyssal Maw, is home to the [[Elemental#Water Elemental|water elementals]]. Legend says that [[Neptulon the Tidehunter]], the powerful being who rules over the aquatic realm, possesses a potent weapon that allows its owner to control the very seas of Azeroth. Thus far, the artifact has remained secure inside the water elementals' domain... but that will soon change.
  
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{| class="darktable zebra"
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! Instance name
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! Level range
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! Group size
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! Approximate run time
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|-
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| {{portal|User:GoldenYak/Forge_of_Souls|wotlk|Frozen Halls: Forge of Souls}} || 80
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| 5-player
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| 20–30 minutes
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|-
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| {{portal|User:GoldenYak/Pit of Saron|wotlk|Frozen Halls: Pit of Saron}} || 80
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| 5-player
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| 1 hour
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|-
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| {{portal|User:GoldenYak/Halls of Reflection|wotlk|Frozen Halls: Halls of Reflection}} || 80
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| 5-player
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| 30 min
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|-
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|}
   
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== Quests ==
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:''Within [[Deepholm]], the domain of the earth elementals, the malefic Dragon Aspect [[Deathwing]] is on the verge of executing a catastrophic act: to burst forth from the Elemental Plane into [[Azeroth (world)|Azeroth]]. Doing so will ravage the surface of the world and breach the barrier that separates Azeroth from the elementals' realm. Whether Neptulon and his subjects have entered into an alliance with Deathwing remains unknown. Regardless, if Deathwing's actions create an opening into the Abyssal Maw, nefarious and honorable factions alike will seek out the fabled weapon carried by Neptulon. Whoever secures the artifact will have control over the world's seas, a power that perhaps no one, not even members of the [[Horde]] or the [[Alliance]], should possess.
  
   
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The major storylines of the revised Northrend content will be resolved in Icecrown quests.
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==Geography==
  
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*[[Frostland]]
  
   
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==Twilight's Hammer Storyline==
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==Creatures of the Abyssal Maw==
  
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*[[Water elemental]]
  
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===Twilight Arcanist Zin'fanel===
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*[[Sprite|Frost sprite]]
  
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*[[Mephit|Water mephit]]
  
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The blue dragonflight retrieved Sindragosa's remains from Icecrown Citadel in the wake of the Lich King's defeat. They returned her bones to where they had fallen, and with the help of the Kirin Tor have constructed a memorial-fortress to protect the area called Sindragosa's Rest. Together they watch over the fallen blue matriarch and her children. The Twilight's Hammer, led by Arcanist Zin'fanel and her brother, Thaumaturge Fin'zanel, have established a camp nearby and are plotting to bring down Sindragosa's Rest and secure the blue dragon remains, so they may resurrect them as wychwyrms under the Hammer's control. The blue dragons at Sindragosa's Rest will also task players with protecting the re-interred remains of slain frost wyrms from the influence of the Malevolence, which is growing in power in the region.
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*[[Tojanida]]
  
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*[[Ice revenant]]
  
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Players will ride blue dragons into battle against the Twilight's Hammer after Zin'fanel and Fin'zanel manage to create a powerful wychwyrm named Thundragos. Soon after his creation, Thundragos falls under the control of the Malevolence, destroying the Twilight camp and forcing Zin'fanel and Fin'zanel to retreat. Players must destroy Thundragos before he can attack Sindragosa's Rest and raise the rest of the fallen dragons there as more wychwyrms.
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*[[Ice elemental]]
  
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*[[Kraken]]
  
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===Dark Master Zorc===
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The Crusader's Coliseum was destroyed in the Cataclysm, and it's remains have fallen into the Icy Depths, a region located on the outskirts of Azjol-Nerub. Ashen Verdict forces in the region seek to retake the territory from the nerubians now infesting it. They will launch their assault on what is now Crusader's Ruin from the eastern graveyard. Before long, the nerubians begin to receive support from the Twilight's Hammer, who have occupied Deathspeaker's Watch to the west. Before the nerubians are able to rally, the Ashen Verdict must push through their weakened ranks at Crusader's Ruin and attack Deathspeaker's Watch, where Dark Master Zorc commands the Twilight's Hammer.
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After defeating Zorc and forcing him to retreat, daily quests in the region will become available, supporting the Argent Crusade against the nerubians infesting the coliseum ruins, or supporting the Knights of the Ebon Blade in driving the Twilight's Hammer out of Deathspeaker's Watch for good.
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===Confrontation at Aldur'thar===
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[[Image:IronwallRampart.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Aldur'thar:_The_Desolation_Gate|Desolation Gate]] was destroyed in the [[Cataclysm]].]]
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A scene takes place at the ruins of Aldur'thar: the Desolation Gate. Both the Twilight's Hammer and Angerboda's forces are attempting to repair the bridge, each seeking to attack the other. Players can observe a scene between Death Queen Angerboda and Twilight Master Velius at the precipice of the shattered bridge. Velius informs Angerboda that the remaining Scourge Remnants, the combined faction led by Amal'thazad and Prince Theraldis, have sworn alliegence to the Hammer and have become Velius' subordinates. He invites Angerboda to become one as well, but she vows to crush the Hammer and slaughter Velius personally. Velius responds only with laughter and withdraws.
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===Twilight Lord Urizen===
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The Shadow Vault is still in the hands of the Ebon Blade, but has come under assault from Faceless Ones led by Urizen. Though Urizen has become trapped between dimensions after his defeat in Zul'drak, he has managed to manifest himself as a spectre in the physical world and draw many Faceless Ones to the surface. The Faceless are coming from the Weeping Quarry to the south, a region that has become infested by Undying Tendrils. Players will need to rely on the aid of the Ebon Blade's enforcers in the region to drive back the Faceless and seal their tunnels in the Quarry. Urizen will fade away once his minions are vanquished.
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===Battle at the Horror Gate===
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The Ashen Verdict occupied Icecrown Citadel and most of the surrounding regions after the fall of the Lich King. However, the potent mystical defenses of the Horror Gate have begun to fade without the Lich King and his loyalist liches to maintain their power. As the blue flames of the Horror Gate fade, the Hammer and their nerubian allies march upon Icecrown Citadel.
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Phasing quests are present here, as the Ashen Verdict is steadily pushed back from the Horror Gate, the Cathedral of Darkness, and the Graving, until they rally at the Court of Bones and hold at the very gates of Icecrown Citadel itself. The surrounding regions are all captured by the nerubians and the Twilight's Hammer. Twilight Master Velius himself will finally appear in the flesh to lend his formidable power to the Hammer. Forgemaster Balehammer, Twilight Lord Xarosan, and Amal'thazad join him.
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===Forgemaster Balehammer===
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Forgemaster Balehammer has seized the Graving, the site of the former Lich King's greatest weapons foundry. Here the Scourge once laboured to construct Malykriss, a necropolis constructed of pure saronite. The terrifying Malykriss construct no longer darkens the skies overhead, but the foundry is still operational - Balehammer is using it to produce Iron Dwarves and Iron Giants, using saronite extracted from sites all over Northrend. The Ashen Verdict will require aid in driving out Balehammer and his new forces. As the battle progresses, it becomes obvious that the iron dwarves Balehammer has created are flawed - they are much weaker than the ones that once served Loken. Balehammer retreats with the saronite crystal he extracted from the corpse of Yogg-Saron before he can be slain.
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While scouting the area's new foundries and iron dwarf forges, players will spy a conversation between Balehammer and a image of Velius, learning that Velius is searching for where Malykriss ended up after it was moved from the Graving.
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===At the Gates of the Citadel===
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The Ashen Verdict and the Twilight's Hammer are locked in combat all across the Court of Bones, with Velius having captured the Cathedral of Darkness as his stronghold, renaming it the Basilica of Twilight. Several of the Hammer's top lieutenants, including Xarosan, Zin'fanel, and Dark Master Zorc join him at the Basilica, along with Prince Theraldis and Amal'thazad from the Scourge remnants who now serve the Hammer. Players will have the opportunity to spy on the Hammer's leaders to gather intel, learning that Velius is seeking something hidden within Icecrown Citadel he calls 'the vessel'.
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The end of the questchain in the region involves a final push by the Hammer to take Icecrown Citadel, with Darion Mograine himself leading the Ashen Verdict in their defense. Only with the aid of the players are the Ashen Verdict able to hold - barely. With the gates of the Citadel at their backs, it seems like the Hammer will smash all resistance. At the last second, the Kirin Tor and the blue dragonflight arrives, leading the Wyrmrest Accord and forces from four other dragonflights - red, bronze, green, and the netherwing flight.
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===Aftermath===
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Darion Mograine, Madragos, Tyrigosa, Jorad Mace, Chromie, and the netherdragon Jianaku, together with their forces from the Ashen Verdict, Kirin Tor, and the Wyrmrest Accord are able to end the Twilight's Hammer assault and hold the gates of the Citadel. The Hammer still holds most of the outer structures, and have moved many of their strongest forces into the Frozen Halls, but Icecrown Citadel and the Frozen Throne remain secure.
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Players will end the Twilight's Hammer questchain with a flight via dragon to the top of Icecrown Citadel, to the Frozen Throne itself, where Bolvar Fordragon will complete the final quest and offer rewards. Phasing will place Ashen Verdict guards around the Frozen Throne, while the sky will be filled with dragons from all the Wyrmrest Accord flights. Velius and his Hammer leaders have moved from the Basilica of Twilight to the Frozen Halls, where they can be confronted in the three dungeons there.
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==Death Queen Angerboda Storyline==
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===Marching into Icecrown===
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The Argent Vanguard was overrun with Angerboda's Scourge Remnants, and players will join Vidar Ymironson and his forces just outside Icecrown before marching to retake it. Renaming the camp Queenskorne, Vidar leads his forces onwards to capture Scourgeholm. Players will aid Vidar in marching across Mord'rethar and ousting all of the Scourge Remnants that occupy it. Vidar secures the bridge as an avenue of attack against Angerboda's stronghold at Ymirheim, and will then dispatch the players deeper into Icecrown to meet him later. Players can use blue proto-dragons tamed by the hyldnir allied with Vidar to move around the region.
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===Jotunheim===
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Many of the vrykul at Jotunheim follow Angerboda, and Vidar will need help in rallying support to overthrow her. After wresting control of the region from Angerboda, quests will carry players towards the former site of Balagarde Keep. The massive fortress has been torn down to expose the vrykul hibernation crypts located underground, where Angerboda is slaughtering the slumbering vrykul to raise them as her undead slaves.
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===The Fleshwerks===
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This region is contested by Angerboda's forces and the Twilight's Hammer. Vidar's vrykul will take advantage of the chaos to drive both enemies out, securing the region as another avenue of assault against Ymirheim by crossing Corp'rethar, the Horror Gate. With the upper bridges of Mord'rethar and Corp'rethar secure, Vidar can launch a two-pronged attack against Ymirheim and finally confront Angerboda directly.
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===Assault on Ymirheim===
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Vidar finally leads the charge against Angerboda, moving his forces towards Ymirheim and assaulting the undead vrykul that are fortified there. Quest phasing will change the region as Vidar's forces advance. Finally, Vidar and the players will break through Angerboda's strongest minions, confronting the Death Queen directly. Vidar vows to end Angerboda's mad bid for power, showing that her forces have been almost defeated by his. As the questchain's climax, players will aid Vidar in battling the Death Queen. With defeat imminent, Angerboda strikes at the player, but Vidar intercepts the spell, becoming gravely injured. Angerboda seizes the chance and captures Vidar, teleporting with him to Utgarde Pinnacle. A boss encounter involving Angerboda and Vidar Ymironson will replace the battle with King Ymiron as Utgarde Pinnacle's final encounter.
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===Aftermath===
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In the aftermath of the battle, Ymirheim becomes a maelstrom of carnage, as Vidar's living clash constantly with Angerboda's forces. The skies are darkened by blue proto-dragons and undead proto-wyrms, while warriors both living and dead battle on the ground below. Neither side can gain an advantage with both of their leaders gone. Daily quests will be offered by Vidar's vrykul for aiding in their struggle in the region. Players can choose Faction Tokens as their reward to raise their reputation with various Northrend factions.
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== Other Quests in Icecrown ==
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The [[Scarlet Onslaught]] forces at [[Onslaught Harbor]], now called '''Westwind's Folly''', have all become undead, restlessly patrolling their place of slaughter. These '''Scarlet Unrisen''' appear to have gone completely insane, and will attack anyone who approaches. The [[Ashen Verdict]] have a presence on the island itself, but are in dispute about what to do with the wretched Unrisen. The death knights of the [[Ebon Blade]] want to wipe them out, while the members of the [[Argent Crusade]] wish to find a way to help the Unrisen cope with their fates. Players will be able to choose a path to follow - aiding the Ebon Blade in exterminating the Unrisen, or aiding the Argent Crusade in their efforts to rehabilitate them. Different daily quests will become available depending on which path a player chooses. Players can choose a different path once a week.
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The [[kvaldir]] have completely occupied [[Hrothgar's Landing]], having constructed heavy defenses and entrenched themselves completely. The naval forces of the [[Alliance]] and the [[Horde]] have been destroyed. The kvaldir are revealed to be searching for a [[tuskarr]] artifact hidden on the island. The artifact, a large, richly decorated sea shell, is revealed to be the prison of a powerful and evil [[water elemental]] that the tuskarr defeated centuries ago. The kvaldir release the elemental, '''Fathomfury - Lord of Dark Water''', intending to use him against an enemy they refer to as '''The Maw of Mists'''. Fathomfury intends sink the island as a celebration of his release, and must be destroyed before he drowns the players.
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==Changes to Instances in Icecrown==
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*The Forge of Souls has been updated to reflect the final confrontation with [[User:GoldenYak/The_Scourge_Remnants#Amal.27thazad_and_the_Cult_of_the_Endless_Cold_Scourge|Amal'Thazad]] and [[User:GoldenYak/The_Scourge_Remnants#The_San.27layn_and_the_Sin_Scourge|Prince Theraldis]].
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*The Pit of Saron has been updated to reflect the final battle with several of the [[User:GoldenYak/Twilight's_Hammer_of_Northrend|Twilight's Hammer]] sub-commanders, including [[User:GoldenYak/Twilight's_Hammer_of_Northrend#Twilight_Arcanist_Zin.27fanel|Arcanist Zin'fanel]], [[User:GoldenYak/Twilight's_Hammer_of_Northrend#Dark_Master_Zorc|Dark Master Zorc]], and [[User:GoldenYak/Twilight's_Hammer_of_Northrend#Forgemaster_Balehammer|Forgemaster Balehammer]].
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*The Halls of Reflection have been updated to reflect the final battle against [[User:GoldenYak/Twilight's_Hammer_of_Northrend#Twilight_Master_Velius|Twilight Master Velius]], and the Twilight's Hammer of Northrend.
   
 
==Gallery==
  
==Gallery==
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<gallery widths="120" captionalign="left">
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<gallery>
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File:Mord'Rethar.jpg|[[Mord'rethar:_The_Death_Gate|Mord'rethar]] has been seized by [[User:GoldenYak/Vidar_Ymironson|Vidar Ymironson]] and his forces, who are using it to assault [[Ymirheim]], [[User:GoldenYak/Death_Queen_Angerboda|Angerboda's]] seat of power in Northrend.
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File:ABMaw2.jpg
  
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File:Aldur'thar.jpg|[[Aldur'thar:_The_Desolation_Gate|Aldur'thar]] is in the grip of the Twilight's Hammer. From there, they strike out at [[User:GoldenYak/Death_Queen_Angerboda|Angerboda]] and her Scourge Remnants.
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File:ABMaw3.jpg|Art of the Abyssal Maw raid
  
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File:Corp'retharthehorrorgate.jpg|[[Corp'rethar:_The_Horror_Gate|Corp'rethar]] remains in the hands of the [[Ashen Verdict]], but the Hammer has fallen hard, and they cannot hold for much longer.
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File:ABMaw7.jpg
  
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File:Argent_Tournament_Grounds.jpg|Devastated by the [[Cataclysm]], the [[Argent Coliseum]] has collapsed into the depths of the [[Azjol-Nerub|Spider Kingdom]].
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File:ABMaw6.jpg|Artwork of Neptulon's Rise
  
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File:Ymirheim.jpg|[[User:GoldenYak/Death_Queen_Angerboda|Death Queen Angerboda]] controls the remains of the [[Scourge]] at Ymirheim. Besieged by the [[Ashen Verdict]], the [[User:GoldenYak/Twilight's_Hammer_of_Northrend|Twilight's Hammer]], and her [[User:GoldenYak/Vidar_Ymironson|own son]], will she finally fall... or conquer them all?
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File:ABMaw4.jpg
  
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File:Shadowmourne_Preview_01.jpg|[[User:GoldenYak/The_Scourge_Remnants#Amal.27thazad_and_the_Cult_of_the_Endless_Cold_Scourge|Amal'thazad's]] insane bid for power has failed, but he will not surrender without a fight.
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File:ABMaw5.jpg
  
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File:Pit_of_Saron.jpg|The subcommanders of the [[User:GoldenYak/Twilight's_Hammer_of_Northrend#Sub-Commanders|Twilight's Hammer]] have captured the [[saronite]] quarries surrounding Icecrown Citadel. They must be stopped, once and for all.
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File:Abyssal Maw raid art.jpg|Art of the Abyssal Maw raid
  
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File:HallsofReflection_Scene.jpg|[[User:GoldenYak/Twilight's_Hammer_of_Northrend#Twilight_Master_Velius|Velius]], leader of the Twilight's Hammer, awaits in the [[Halls of Reflection]]. Learn the ultimate goals of the Twilight's Hammer in [[Northrend]], and how they will affect all of [[Azeroth]].
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File:Abyssal Maw 2.jpg
  
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File:Cataclysm Abyssal Maw.jpg
  
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File:Abyssal Maw layout.jpg|Early map of Throne of the Tides
  
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File:Abyssal Maw raid layout.jpg|Early map of the Abyssal Maw raid
  
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File:Abyssal Maw 1.jpg
  
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File:Abyssal Maw S&L.jpg|From ''Shadows & light''
  
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File:Sea Goblin.jpg|A [[Gilgoblin]]
  
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File:Abyssal-Breach.jpg|Entrance into Abyssal Maw
  
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File:Abyssal-Maw-Hub.jpg|Abyssal Maw hub
  
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File:Abyssal-Maw-Hub-Underwater.jpg|Water Underneath the Abyssal Maw hub
  
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
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==References==
  
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{{reflist}}
  
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==External links==
  
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{{elink|type=wowus|link=http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/features/abyssalmaw.html|desc=The Abyssal Maw}}
  
   
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[[Category:Fan fiction| ]]
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{{Abyssal Depths}}
  
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{{Warcraft Universe}}
  
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{{Instancefooter|Cataclysm}}
  
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[[es:Abyssal Maw]]
  
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[[Category:Abyssal Maw| ]]
  
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[[Category:Waters]]
  
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[[Category:Seas]]
  
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[[Category:Shadows & Light]]
  
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[[Category:Future zones]]
  

Revision as of 08:21, 16 February 2011

NeutralIcecrown
Level: 77-80
Icecrowncitadel
Icecrown Citadel lies silent, it's new king slumbering... for now.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION related to Spider Kingdom Expansion Concept

Icecrown is a zone composed of mostly Icecrown Glacier and the immediate area around it. Icecrown is surrounded by mountains to the south. The ground is neither frozen earth nor covered with snow; it is solid ice. Hence, nothing grows here.

History

Once the seat of power for Arthas Menethil, the previous Lich King, Icecrown was a dark and imposing realm, virtually lifeless, populated by thousands upon thousands of the tormented undead. With the death of Arthas, a new Lich King has come to dominate, and his iron will holds the undead Scourge in dreamless slumber, keeping the rest of Azeroth safe.

Icecrown-Wrath-Login

The gates of Icecrown Citadel, held fast now by the Ashen Verdict.

The Ashen Verdict, an order composed of paladins from the Argent Crusade and death knights from the Knights of the Ebon Blade, have become the new inhabitants of Icecrown Citadel, watching over the newly crowned Lich King and ensuring that none disturb his unholy slumber, lest the dark power he now wields overtake him and unleash a new evil upon the world.

Cataclysm

Cataclysm This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

The roof of the world itself was rent asunder by Deathwing's Cataclysm. The power struggle in Northrend will come to a head at the very doorstep of the Lich King.

Geography

WorldMap-IcecrownGlacier

Icecrown map

Icecrown Glacier fills the valleys of this region, an impenetrable wall of black ice... impenetrable until the Cataclysm tore Azeroth apart. Great rents have appeared in the glacier, and earthquakes have caused portions of the Spider Kingdom to rise up from the depths, breaking through the ice and exposing the ancient ruins to the surface. Hordes of nerubians are swarming forth from the exposed ruins, blanketing Icecrown in spidery bodies.

Subregions

Aldur'thar: The Desolation Gate · The Argent Vanguard · Argent Tournament Grounds · Balargarde Fortress · Battlescar Spire · Blackwatch · The Bombardment · The Breach · The Broken Front · Cathedral of Darkness · The Circle of Suffering · The Conflagration · Corp'rethar: The Horror Gate · The Court of Bones · Crusaders' Pinnacle · Death's Rise · Deathspeaker's Watch · First Legion Forward Camp · The Fleshwerks · Hall of Horrors · Halls of the Ancestors · The Hidden Hollow · Icecrown Citadel · Icecrown Glacier · Ironwall Dam · Ironwall Rampart · Jotunheim · Kul'galar Keep · Malykriss: The Vile Hold · Mord'rethar: The Death Gate · Naz'anak: The Forgotten Depths · Njorndar Village · Onslaught Harbor · Rise of Suffering · Sanctum of Reanimation · Saronite Mines · Savage Ledge · Scourgeholme · The Shadow Vault · Silent Vigil · Sindragosa's Fall · Ufrang's Hall · The Underhalls · Valhalas · Valley of Echoes · The Valley of Fallen Heroes · The Valley of Lost Hope · Weeping Quarry · Ymirheim

Instances

Instance name Level range Group size Approximate run time
Instance portal Frozen Halls: Forge of Souls 80 5-player 20–30 minutes
Instance portal Frozen Halls: Pit of Saron 80 5-player 1 hour
Instance portal Frozen Halls: Halls of Reflection 80 5-player 30 min

Quests

The major storylines of the revised Northrend content will be resolved in Icecrown quests.

Twilight's Hammer Storyline

Twilight Arcanist Zin'fanel

The blue dragonflight retrieved Sindragosa's remains from Icecrown Citadel in the wake of the Lich King's defeat. They returned her bones to where they had fallen, and with the help of the Kirin Tor have constructed a memorial-fortress to protect the area called Sindragosa's Rest. Together they watch over the fallen blue matriarch and her children. The Twilight's Hammer, led by Arcanist Zin'fanel and her brother, Thaumaturge Fin'zanel, have established a camp nearby and are plotting to bring down Sindragosa's Rest and secure the blue dragon remains, so they may resurrect them as wychwyrms under the Hammer's control. The blue dragons at Sindragosa's Rest will also task players with protecting the re-interred remains of slain frost wyrms from the influence of the Malevolence, which is growing in power in the region.

Players will ride blue dragons into battle against the Twilight's Hammer after Zin'fanel and Fin'zanel manage to create a powerful wychwyrm named Thundragos. Soon after his creation, Thundragos falls under the control of the Malevolence, destroying the Twilight camp and forcing Zin'fanel and Fin'zanel to retreat. Players must destroy Thundragos before he can attack Sindragosa's Rest and raise the rest of the fallen dragons there as more wychwyrms.

Dark Master Zorc

The Crusader's Coliseum was destroyed in the Cataclysm, and it's remains have fallen into the Icy Depths, a region located on the outskirts of Azjol-Nerub. Ashen Verdict forces in the region seek to retake the territory from the nerubians now infesting it. They will launch their assault on what is now Crusader's Ruin from the eastern graveyard. Before long, the nerubians begin to receive support from the Twilight's Hammer, who have occupied Deathspeaker's Watch to the west. Before the nerubians are able to rally, the Ashen Verdict must push through their weakened ranks at Crusader's Ruin and attack Deathspeaker's Watch, where Dark Master Zorc commands the Twilight's Hammer.

After defeating Zorc and forcing him to retreat, daily quests in the region will become available, supporting the Argent Crusade against the nerubians infesting the coliseum ruins, or supporting the Knights of the Ebon Blade in driving the Twilight's Hammer out of Deathspeaker's Watch for good.

Confrontation at Aldur'thar

File:IronwallRampart.jpg

The Desolation Gate was destroyed in the Cataclysm.

A scene takes place at the ruins of Aldur'thar: the Desolation Gate. Both the Twilight's Hammer and Angerboda's forces are attempting to repair the bridge, each seeking to attack the other. Players can observe a scene between Death Queen Angerboda and Twilight Master Velius at the precipice of the shattered bridge. Velius informs Angerboda that the remaining Scourge Remnants, the combined faction led by Amal'thazad and Prince Theraldis, have sworn alliegence to the Hammer and have become Velius' subordinates. He invites Angerboda to become one as well, but she vows to crush the Hammer and slaughter Velius personally. Velius responds only with laughter and withdraws.

Twilight Lord Urizen

The Shadow Vault is still in the hands of the Ebon Blade, but has come under assault from Faceless Ones led by Urizen. Though Urizen has become trapped between dimensions after his defeat in Zul'drak, he has managed to manifest himself as a spectre in the physical world and draw many Faceless Ones to the surface. The Faceless are coming from the Weeping Quarry to the south, a region that has become infested by Undying Tendrils. Players will need to rely on the aid of the Ebon Blade's enforcers in the region to drive back the Faceless and seal their tunnels in the Quarry. Urizen will fade away once his minions are vanquished.

Battle at the Horror Gate

The Ashen Verdict occupied Icecrown Citadel and most of the surrounding regions after the fall of the Lich King. However, the potent mystical defenses of the Horror Gate have begun to fade without the Lich King and his loyalist liches to maintain their power. As the blue flames of the Horror Gate fade, the Hammer and their nerubian allies march upon Icecrown Citadel.

Phasing quests are present here, as the Ashen Verdict is steadily pushed back from the Horror Gate, the Cathedral of Darkness, and the Graving, until they rally at the Court of Bones and hold at the very gates of Icecrown Citadel itself. The surrounding regions are all captured by the nerubians and the Twilight's Hammer. Twilight Master Velius himself will finally appear in the flesh to lend his formidable power to the Hammer. Forgemaster Balehammer, Twilight Lord Xarosan, and Amal'thazad join him.

Forgemaster Balehammer

Forgemaster Balehammer has seized the Graving, the site of the former Lich King's greatest weapons foundry. Here the Scourge once laboured to construct Malykriss, a necropolis constructed of pure saronite. The terrifying Malykriss construct no longer darkens the skies overhead, but the foundry is still operational - Balehammer is using it to produce Iron Dwarves and Iron Giants, using saronite extracted from sites all over Northrend. The Ashen Verdict will require aid in driving out Balehammer and his new forces. As the battle progresses, it becomes obvious that the iron dwarves Balehammer has created are flawed - they are much weaker than the ones that once served Loken. Balehammer retreats with the saronite crystal he extracted from the corpse of Yogg-Saron before he can be slain.

While scouting the area's new foundries and iron dwarf forges, players will spy a conversation between Balehammer and a image of Velius, learning that Velius is searching for where Malykriss ended up after it was moved from the Graving.

At the Gates of the Citadel

The Ashen Verdict and the Twilight's Hammer are locked in combat all across the Court of Bones, with Velius having captured the Cathedral of Darkness as his stronghold, renaming it the Basilica of Twilight. Several of the Hammer's top lieutenants, including Xarosan, Zin'fanel, and Dark Master Zorc join him at the Basilica, along with Prince Theraldis and Amal'thazad from the Scourge remnants who now serve the Hammer. Players will have the opportunity to spy on the Hammer's leaders to gather intel, learning that Velius is seeking something hidden within Icecrown Citadel he calls 'the vessel'.

The end of the questchain in the region involves a final push by the Hammer to take Icecrown Citadel, with Darion Mograine himself leading the Ashen Verdict in their defense. Only with the aid of the players are the Ashen Verdict able to hold - barely. With the gates of the Citadel at their backs, it seems like the Hammer will smash all resistance. At the last second, the Kirin Tor and the blue dragonflight arrives, leading the Wyrmrest Accord and forces from four other dragonflights - red, bronze, green, and the netherwing flight.

Aftermath

Darion Mograine, Madragos, Tyrigosa, Jorad Mace, Chromie, and the netherdragon Jianaku, together with their forces from the Ashen Verdict, Kirin Tor, and the Wyrmrest Accord are able to end the Twilight's Hammer assault and hold the gates of the Citadel. The Hammer still holds most of the outer structures, and have moved many of their strongest forces into the Frozen Halls, but Icecrown Citadel and the Frozen Throne remain secure.

Players will end the Twilight's Hammer questchain with a flight via dragon to the top of Icecrown Citadel, to the Frozen Throne itself, where Bolvar Fordragon will complete the final quest and offer rewards. Phasing will place Ashen Verdict guards around the Frozen Throne, while the sky will be filled with dragons from all the Wyrmrest Accord flights. Velius and his Hammer leaders have moved from the Basilica of Twilight to the Frozen Halls, where they can be confronted in the three dungeons there.

Death Queen Angerboda Storyline

Marching into Icecrown

The Argent Vanguard was overrun with Angerboda's Scourge Remnants, and players will join Vidar Ymironson and his forces just outside Icecrown before marching to retake it. Renaming the camp Queenskorne, Vidar leads his forces onwards to capture Scourgeholm. Players will aid Vidar in marching across Mord'rethar and ousting all of the Scourge Remnants that occupy it. Vidar secures the bridge as an avenue of attack against Angerboda's stronghold at Ymirheim, and will then dispatch the players deeper into Icecrown to meet him later. Players can use blue proto-dragons tamed by the hyldnir allied with Vidar to move around the region.

Jotunheim

Many of the vrykul at Jotunheim follow Angerboda, and Vidar will need help in rallying support to overthrow her. After wresting control of the region from Angerboda, quests will carry players towards the former site of Balagarde Keep. The massive fortress has been torn down to expose the vrykul hibernation crypts located underground, where Angerboda is slaughtering the slumbering vrykul to raise them as her undead slaves.

The Fleshwerks

This region is contested by Angerboda's forces and the Twilight's Hammer. Vidar's vrykul will take advantage of the chaos to drive both enemies out, securing the region as another avenue of assault against Ymirheim by crossing Corp'rethar, the Horror Gate. With the upper bridges of Mord'rethar and Corp'rethar secure, Vidar can launch a two-pronged attack against Ymirheim and finally confront Angerboda directly.

Assault on Ymirheim

Vidar finally leads the charge against Angerboda, moving his forces towards Ymirheim and assaulting the undead vrykul that are fortified there. Quest phasing will change the region as Vidar's forces advance. Finally, Vidar and the players will break through Angerboda's strongest minions, confronting the Death Queen directly. Vidar vows to end Angerboda's mad bid for power, showing that her forces have been almost defeated by his. As the questchain's climax, players will aid Vidar in battling the Death Queen. With defeat imminent, Angerboda strikes at the player, but Vidar intercepts the spell, becoming gravely injured. Angerboda seizes the chance and captures Vidar, teleporting with him to Utgarde Pinnacle. A boss encounter involving Angerboda and Vidar Ymironson will replace the battle with King Ymiron as Utgarde Pinnacle's final encounter.

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the battle, Ymirheim becomes a maelstrom of carnage, as Vidar's living clash constantly with Angerboda's forces. The skies are darkened by blue proto-dragons and undead proto-wyrms, while warriors both living and dead battle on the ground below. Neither side can gain an advantage with both of their leaders gone. Daily quests will be offered by Vidar's vrykul for aiding in their struggle in the region. Players can choose Faction Tokens as their reward to raise their reputation with various Northrend factions.

Other Quests in Icecrown

The Scarlet Onslaught forces at Onslaught Harbor, now called Westwind's Folly, have all become undead, restlessly patrolling their place of slaughter. These Scarlet Unrisen appear to have gone completely insane, and will attack anyone who approaches. The Ashen Verdict have a presence on the island itself, but are in dispute about what to do with the wretched Unrisen. The death knights of the Ebon Blade want to wipe them out, while the members of the Argent Crusade wish to find a way to help the Unrisen cope with their fates. Players will be able to choose a path to follow - aiding the Ebon Blade in exterminating the Unrisen, or aiding the Argent Crusade in their efforts to rehabilitate them. Different daily quests will become available depending on which path a player chooses. Players can choose a different path once a week.

The kvaldir have completely occupied Hrothgar's Landing, having constructed heavy defenses and entrenched themselves completely. The naval forces of the Alliance and the Horde have been destroyed. The kvaldir are revealed to be searching for a tuskarr artifact hidden on the island. The artifact, a large, richly decorated sea shell, is revealed to be the prison of a powerful and evil water elemental that the tuskarr defeated centuries ago. The kvaldir release the elemental, Fathomfury - Lord of Dark Water, intending to use him against an enemy they refer to as The Maw of Mists. Fathomfury intends sink the island as a celebration of his release, and must be destroyed before he drowns the players.

Changes to Instances in Icecrown

Gallery

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