Howling Fjord
To the east is the lush Howling Fjord, proving that Northrend isn’t purely ice. Reached through Daggercap Bay (where Arthas first arrived), the Alliance stops in at Valgarde by boat from an unknown (as of yet) location, and the Horde reaches New Agamand - named after the Agamand Family found in the undead starter zone Tirisfal Glades, thus inspiring the new Tim Burton-style Forsaken architecture. With verdant areas at water’s edge, moving up into snowy vistas and pine forests that have been set ablaze - it’s a beautiful area. Both Horde and Alliance will be called to deal with a bunch of newly awakened half-giant Vrykul, attacking from the village of Nifflevar and the instanced content at Utgarde Keep.

Drak’Tharon Keep
This two-part instance leads in from two zones, The Grizzly Hills (leading to the 72-74 wing) and Zul’Drak (leading to the 74-76 wing). This former Ice Troll citadel has become home to the Scourge, so there’ll be some undead Troll action just waiting for you. This keep also formerly held Frostmourne, the runeblade that turned Arthas into a Death Knight, and drove him insane.

Grizzly Hills
The Grizzly Hills are like Ashenvale meets the Hinterlands, populated with all manner of Furbolgs, Ice Trolls, and even the ever-present threat of the Venture Co., seeking to turn a hasty profit in the war against the Scourge. The Dwarven camp of Thor Modan stands to the northeast, giving the Alliance respite from the cold and the constant bear attacks. Expect giant trees, rolling hills, and a big PvP fight, much like the Arenas in Hellfire Peninsula. Bordering the zone is the lower-level (72-74) part of the instanced Drak’Tharon Keep.

Utgarde Keep
Leading in from the Howling Fjord, the Keep (similar in many ways to Hellfire Citadel) is populated by the Vrykul, notably the Dragonflayer Clan, who are arming themselves to do battle with the Alliance and Horde. Made up of three wings, the keep has content for the higher 10 levels, such as the Catacombs (levels 70-72), Pinnacle (level 80), and the third wing is pure raid content, in all likelihood placing you in battle with King Ymiron, king of the Vrykuls. And local Scrabble champion.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the last of our tasty Lich King tidbits.

Jan 31, 2008