Stratholme (Classic)

Main Gate
Skul (rare) Stratholme Courier Fras Siabi Hearthsinger Forresten (rare) The Unforgiven Timmy the Cruel Commander Malor Risen Hammersmith Willey Hopebreaker Instructor Galford Balnazzar	(lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore)
Service Entrance
Postmaster Malown Black Guard Swordsmith Baroness Anastari Stonespine (rare) Nerub'enkan Maleki the Pallid Magistrate Barthilas Ramstein the Gorger Lord Aurius Rivendare	(lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore)
NPCs
Crusade Commander Eligor Dawnbringer Master Craftsman Wilhelm Packmaster Stonebruiser Crusade Commander Korfax Archmage Angela Dosantos Argent Flight Commander Vahdat
Loot

File:Stratholme Graphic.jpg

The Stratholme graphic

The city of Stratholme was the northernmost city of the Kingdom of Lordaeron, and was the city where the Order of the Silver Hand was founded. The largest city after Lordaeron's capital, Stratholme was destroyed by Prince Arthas in the opening hours of the Third War as he massacred the city's citizenry after they were infected by the Plague of Undeath created by the Scourge. Stratholme burns to this day, and its districts have been split between the overzealous Scarlet Crusade led by Grand Crusader Dathrohan, and the Scourge forces led by the death knight Baron Rivendare.

It is interesting to note that there is a Raid Instance portal at the end of the instance, outside the building in which Baron Rivendare resides. This cannot lead to Naxxramas, as it is floating above the city, though the teleporter may have once been meant to be inside the ruins. There are ruined flags carrying the insignia of Lordaeron inside the tunnel, which are not seen anywhere else inside Stratholme.

According to information released by Tigole, a fourth Caverns of Time wing will be opened in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, and it will be set in Stratholme at the time shortly its destruction.

Characteristics

Instance Name Faction Races Level Range Location Stratholme Neutral Template:Race Icon Undead Male SmallTemplate:Race Icon Undead Female Small Undead Template:Race Icon Human Male SmallTemplate:Race Icon Human Female Small Human 56-61 Plaguewood, Eastern Plaguelands

History

The Destruction of Stratholme during the Second War

This article contains lore taken from Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal, the manuals, and/or official bonus maps.

File:Oldstrath.jpg

Old Stratholme

File:Oldstratholme.jpg

Old Stratholme just before it was destroyed.

The second largest human city in Lordaeron, matched only by the capital. The original Stratholme was a port town built on the northeast edge of Darrowmere Lake. Stratholme, was the chief source of Alliance Oil in the north, during the Second War, it was preparing to deliver massive amounts of Oil to the kingdoms in western Lordaeron. The horde sabotaged its Refineries and Platforms to halt their shipment, and destroyed the city. With the destruction of Stratholme, the Alliance supply lines to Quel'thalas were severed.

Recent History

Stratholme was apparently rebuilt in landlocked northern Lordaeron after the Second War. In its glory days, this jewel of humanity's largest and proudest nation housed nearly 25,000 peopleTemplate:Cite, and included many well known buildings, from the glorious keep to Fras Siabi's famous tobacco shop.

The city's population was almost completely massacred by Arthas, who thought the only way of keeping the plagued (but not yet turned) citizens out of the hands of Mal'Ganis was by purging (killing) them; the majority of the survivors left with Jaina Proudmoore. When Arthas was called back to Northrend, the lich overlord Kel'Thuzad established Stratholme as his capital and positioned his fortress, the Necropolis Naxxramas, above the ruined city.

Stratholme is the second largest stronghold held by the Scourge in all of Lordaeron, the first being Naxxramas. The disease which corrupts all of the Eastern Plaguelands comes from the city. Leading Scourge forces in the city below is a death knight known as Baron Rivendare, the former noble of Lordaeron who coordinates the efforts of the Lich King in the Plaguelands, where he constantly battles Argent Dawn forces.

Some consider Stratholme to be one of the most dangerous places in Azeroth outside of Northrend. Today the city houses a few hundred Scarlet Crusade warriors from the Crimson Legion who fight valiantly (or fanatically, depending on who you ask) against the thousands of undead.

From the World Dungeons page on the official World of Warcraft Community Site:

Stratholme is burning.

Stratholme

Once the jewel of northern Lordaeron, the city of Stratholme is where Prince Arthas turned against his mentor, Uther Lightbringer, and slaughtered hundreds of his own subjects who were believed to have contracted the dreaded plague of undeath. Arthas' downward spiral and ultimate surrender to the Lich King soon followed. The broken city is now inhabited by the undead Scourge -- led by the powerful lich, Kel'Thuzad. A contingent of Scarlet Crusaders, led by Grand Crusader Dathrohan, also holds a portion of the ravaged city. The two sides are locked in constant, violent combat. Those adventurers brave (or foolish) enough to enter Stratholme will be forced to contend with both factions before long. It is said that the city is guarded by three massive watchtowers, as well as powerful necromancers, banshees and abominations. There have also been reports of a malefic Death Knight riding atop an unholy steed, dispensing indiscriminate wrath on all those who venture within the realm of the Scourge.

Geography

Maps

Edited Atlas map showing also the various shops that were in Stratholme.

Sub-Regions

Alonsus Chapel	The Crimson Throne	Crusaders' Square	Elders' Square
Festival Lane	The Gauntlet	The Hall of Lights	The Hoard
King's Square	Market Row	The Scarlet Bastion	The Slaughter House
Slaughter Square

Summary

The streets of Stratholme

Map at Worldofwar.net

• Found in: Eastern Plaguelands
• 5 Player Cap (Prior to Patch 1.10 it was a 10 Player cap)

On first entering Stratholme, the gate is closed after one enters. Therefore, the only way out after entering via the main entrance is fight your way to the service entrance (the key to which is held by Magistrate Barthilas) or use a hearthstone or mage portal to get out.

Stratholme is basically divided into two parts, at least in the minds of players. Scarlet Side or "Live Side", which goes from the main entrance into the Scarlet Crusade-controlled citadel, and Scourge Side or "Undead Side", which can also be accessed from the main entrance, but more commonly through the Service Entrance (which requires a key or Lockpicking 275) to the Scourge slaughterhouse. However, both "sides" are part of the same instance and players can complete both tracks.

Scarlet Side

The Scarlet Bastion

• Also known as: FD Strat, Strat Scarlet, Strat Light, Scarlet Strath, Strath Live, Living Strat, Liveside, Hu(man) Strat, West Strat, SM Strat
• Enemy Level Range: 55–62
• End Boss: Grand Crusader Dathrohan/Balnazzar
• Mini Bosses:
  • Malor the Zealous
  • Archivist Galford
  • Cannon Master Willey
  • Timmy the Cruel
  • Hearthsinger Forresten
  • The Unforgiven
  • Skul
  • The Stratholme Courier
• Triggered Boss
  • Fras Siabi
    • Opening up his tobacco box for the quest.
  • Crimson Hammersmith
    • Clicking on a parchment named "Blacksmith Plans" will trigger the Hammersmith. The plans can appear in at least 2 known locations:
      1. On the floor in the Hoard area before Cannon Master Willey
      2. On a bench in the alcoves occupied by Archivist Galford

[Map at Worldofwar.net]

• Found in: Eastern Plaguelands
• 5 Player Cap (Prior to Patch 1.10 it was a 10 Player cap)

On first entering Stratholme, the gate is closed after one enters. Therefore, the only way out after entering via the main entrance is fight your way to the service entrance (the key to which is held by Magistrate Barthilas) or use a hearthstone to get out.

Stratholme is basically divided into two parts, at least in the minds of players. Scarlet Side or "Live Side", which goes from the main entrance into the Scarlet Crusade-controlled citadel, and Scourge Side or "Undead Side", which can also be accessed from the main entrance, but more commonly through the Service Entrance (which requires a key or Lockpicking 275) to the Scourge slaughterhouse. However, both "sides" are part of the same instance and players can complete both tracks. Lockpicking skill now required level 300.

Dungeon Denizens

Scarlet Crusaders

• Crimson Conjurer: casts [Scorch], [Frostbolt], [Frost Nova] and Summon Water Elemental
• Crimson Battlemage: casts [Immolate], [Blast Wave] and [Arcane Explosion]
• Crimson Defender: casts [Devotion Aura], [Hammer of Justice], [Divine Shield] and Holy Light
• Crimson Gallant: casts Holy Strike (inflicts holy damage to the target), [Crusader Strike] and [Retribution Aura]
• Crimson Guardsman: casts [Charge] (knockback attack)
• Crimson Initiate: casts [Mind Blast], [Flash Heal] and [Renew]
• Crimson Inquisitor: casts [Shadow Word: Pain], [Mind Flay], [Mana Burn] and Shadow Shield (shields the target for a set amount of damage)
• Crimson Monk: melees
• Crimson Priest: casts [Power Word: Shield], [Heal], [Smite] and [Holy Fire]
• Crimson Rifleman: casts Shoot (normal ranged attack)
• Crimson Sorcerer: [Frost Armor], Arcane Bolt (direct damage arcane spell), [Polymorph] and [Fire Blast]

Undead

• Skeletal Berserker: casts Cleave
• Skeletal Guardian: casts [Demon Armor],(a combination of the spells here) Arcane Bolt, [Frostbolt], Shadowbolt, [Arcane Explosion]
• Stiched Horror: Uppercut (target is knocked into the air)
• Mangled Cadaver: spawns a Broken Cadaver upon death
• Ravaged Cadaver: spawns a Broken Cadaver upon death
• Broken Cadaver: explodes after a few seconds, dealing 600-700 damage to enemies around it

Neutral Undead

• Ghostly Citizen:
• Spectral Citizen:

Quests

•  [60] The Restless Souls (Part 1) Given by Caretaker Alen in Light's Hope Chapel, this is outside of the instance and can be done solo.
  •  [60D] The Restless Souls (Part 2) Given by Egan in Terrordale, enters Stratholme.
•  [60D] Of Love and Family This is part eight of a ten part quest chain started by Tirion Fordring on the banks of the Thondroril River in the Eastern Plaguelands. Look for the painting in the room with Archivist Galford.
•  [60D] The Great Fras Siabi Stand alone quest given by Smokey LaRue in Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands.
•  [60D] The Archivist Given by Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff in Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands.
  •  [60D] The Truth Comes Crashing Down After you've turned in the quest to kill Archivist Galford, Balnazzar will drop his head when he is killed, starting this quest.

Undead Side

The Slaughterhouse - Where Baron Rivendare dwells

• Also known as: BD Strat, Undead Strat, Deadside, Scourge Strat, Baron side, UD Strat, Baron Run, Strat UD, East Strat, Strat Dead
• Enemy Level Range: 55–62
• End Boss: Baron Rivendare
• Mini Bosses:
  • Balzaphon (new with patch 1.11; will disappear when Scourge Invasion ends)
  • Magistrate Barthilas (drops key to Scourge side)
  • Baroness Anastari
  • Nerub'enkan
  • Maleki the Pallid
  • Ramstein the Gorger
  • Stonespine (Rare Spawn)
• Triggered Boss
  • Postmaster Malown
    • Opening up various mailboxes with their corresponding keys.
  • Black Guard Swordsmith
    • The Black Guard Swordsmith is triggered by clicking on some blacksmithing plans on the floor to the right of the stairs of the First Ziggurat. Baroness Anastari is at the top of the stairs.
• Also contains the originally planned entrance Necropolis Naxxramas.

Dungeon Denizens

Mindless Undead (Ghouls, Skeletons and Zombies)

• Skeletal Guardian (non-elite)
• Skeletal Berserker (non elite): casts [Cleave]
• Stiched Horror: Uppercut (target is knocked into the air)
• Mangled Cadaver: spawns a Broken Cadaver upon death
• Ravaged Cadaver: spawns a Broken Cadaver upon death
• Broken Cadaver: explodes after a few seconds, dealing 600-700 damage to enemies around it
• Fleshflayer Ghoul:
• Plague Ghoul:
• Ghoul Ravenner:

Undead (Spiders, Banshees and Gargoyles)

• Rockwing Screecher: casts [Silence], AoE [Fear] (lasts 3 secs)
• Rockwing Gargoyle: casts Gargoyle Strike (direct damage nature spell)
• Shrieking Banshee: casts [Silence], Banshee Wail (direct damage shadow spell)
• Wailing Banshee: casts Anti-Magic Shield
• Crypt Beast: casts Enveloping Web
• Crypt Crawler: casts Enveloping Web and Shoot (fires scarabs at the target, doing damage)

Thuzadin Wizards

• Thuzadin Necromancer: casts Soul Tap (drains 350 health and mana every 2secs for 12 secs), Summon Skeleton, Bone Armor (shields the target for a srt amount of damage)
• Thuzadin Shadowcaster: casts Shadowbolt, Piercing Shadow (reduces the target's shadow resistance), Cripple
• Thuzadin Acolytes: melees

The Baron's Bodyguards

• Black Guard Sentry:
• Bile Spewer: casts spawn Bile Slime (summons a few Bile Slimes to attack the target)
• Venom Belcher: casts an AoE Poison Spit

Quests

•  [60] The Medallion of Faith To activate this quest, you need to have collected a  [Medallion of Faith] from the strongbox behind Malor the Zealous on the Scarlet Side. Give this Medallion to Aurius in the chapel at the beginning of the Undead side. When you fight Baron Rivendare, Aurius will appear and help you in the fight. Once the battle is over, you'll be able to chose your reward.

•  [60D] Doctor Theolen Krastinov, the Butcher Given by Eva Sarkhoff in Caer Darrow in the Western Plaguelands, takes you into the Scholomance.
  •  [60D] Krastinov's Bag of Horrors
    •  [60D] Kirtonos the Herald Upon completing this quest you will receive the  [Spectral Essence], a trinket that allows you to speak with the ghosts at Caer Darrow. This offers several benefits, including the ability to purchase the recipe for Major Mana Potions, and the continuation of the quest chain.
      •  [60+] The Human, Ras Frostwhisper Given by Magistrate Marduke in Caer Darrow in the Western Plaguelands, takes you to Stromgarde in the Arathi Highlands.
        •  [60+] The Dying, Ras Frostwhisper Takes you to Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands.
          •  [60D] Menethil's Gift (Part 1) Given by Leonid Barthalomew the Revered, enters Stratholme. Once Baron Rivendare is dead, use the item in the symbol on the floor.
            •  [60+] Menethil's Gift (Part 2) Back to Barthalomew.
              •  [60+] Soulbound Keepsake Back to Marduke.
                •  [60D] The Lich, Ras Frostwhisper Back into the Scholomance.

•  [60D] The Flesh Does Not Lie Given by Betina Bigglezink in Light's Hope Chapel. A simple collection quest. Almost any enemy in Undead Strat, and most undead on the scarlet side will drop the plagued flesh samples.
  •  [60D] The Active Agent This is the follow-up to The Flesh Does Not Lie. The reward upgrades your  [Argent Dawn Commission] to offer you combat bonuses in addition to allowing the collection of Scourgestones.
•  [60D] Above and Beyond This is a follow-up to The Truth Comes Crashing Down. It simply requires you to kill Baron Rivendare.
•  [60D] Houses of the Holy Given by Leonid Barthalomew the Revered in Light's Hope Chapel. This requires you to pick up  [Stratholme Holy Water], which is in crates around around both sides of the instance. Most crates are corrupted and will contain rats or maggots instead, which you will have to kill. If you have a dwarf in the group, they can use the Treasure Finding racial ability to determine which crates are not corrupted.
•  [60D] Ramstein This quest becomes available from Nathanos Blightcaller after completing his first two sets of quests. You must kill the abomination Ramstein, who comes out of the slaughterhouse just before you fight Baron Rivendare. Loot the Head of Ramstein the Gorger from his body and hand it in to Nathanos.
•  [60D] True Masters of the Light(3) - Given by Lady Liadrin in Silvermoon's Farstriders' Square, this quest is the last of the Blood Charger questline. Travel to the Alonsus Chapel and extinguish the eternal flame there. You must defeat Aurius and five ghostly paladins.
•  [60D] Dead Man's Plea Given by Anthion Harmon just outside the instance, although you must have the  [Extra-Dimensional Ghost Revealer] to interact with him. This step in the quests for the Dungeon Set 2 upgrades requires you to engage Baron Rivendare in 45 minutes. See the Baron in 45 guide. There is also a graphic map displaying what and where to pull to reach the baron using the least possible time.

Resources

Unknown

Dungeon Denizens

• Abominations
• Banshees
• Beetles
• Crypt fiends
• Death knights (one, at least)
• Dreadlords (one, at least)
• Gargoyles
• Ghosts
• Ghouls
• Humans
• Maggots
• Rats
• Skeletons
• Wights (one, at least)
• Wraiths
• Zombies

Notes, Tips, & Additional Info

• Also known as Strat or Strath.
• A popular joke is that although the buildings in instanced Stratholme constantly appear to be aflame, if the fires were started when Arthas sacked the city in Warcraft III, the city would long since have burnt to the ground. Also if you look at Stratholme from outside the actual instance, you don't see any smoke or fire. The city just looks like regular ruins.

NEW!

• From Tigole during the Leipzig Games Convention: "There are a few things that we did not talk about at BlizzCon. The most important thing is the new Caverns of Time instance Stratholme. We wanted to return to the Caverns of Time concept because it is one of the coolest things we released for World of Warcraft: and we wanted to persue what the Bronze Dragon is up to. We want to show you some of the coolest moments of Warcraft. And now we chose Stratholme. Players of World of Warcraft already know Stratholme and many hardcore players are great fans of the old Stratholme instance. Warcraft 3 players however know Stratholme from a singleplayer mission, in which Arthas travels to the city and sets all buildings on fire, kills the citizens and fights Mal'Ganis. In Wrath of the Lich King you fight at Prince Arthas' side, by travelling through the Caverns of Time. We are giving you the opportunity of meeting Arthas at a time at which he was not a great villain yet. You are "cleaning" Stratholme and igniting buildings!"

Summary: - 5 man, lvl 80 dungeon - Fight along with Arthas - Ignite buildings to activate the purge - Get to see NPC from the living Stratholme era