|
Despite sharing its name with the entire mortal realm, the continent of Azeroth makes up a fairly small fraction of the world's land surface. Only Northrend is smaller. Azeroth is home to the mighty Dwarves of Ironforge, who live in the northern border region of Khaz Modan. Ironforge itself is a mighty Dwarven city, nestled in the wintry peaks of Dun Morogh. Steadfastly pledged to the failing Alliance, the Dwarves often consult with the neighboring Human Kingdom of Azeroth, ruled by the young and dynamic King Wrynn.
The Kingdom of Azeroth lies south of Khaz Modan, amongst the rich green forests of Elwynn Forest. The capital city of Stormwind was rebuilt after the Second War, and with the fall of Lordaeron, stands as one of the few remaining bastions of Human power.
South of Elwynn lies Duskwood, a once-rich farming community that has fallen upon hard times since the Second War. Mostly abandoned, Duskwood still contains a few isolated human settlements, as well as bandits and thieves of all types.
South-west of Stormwind lies Westfall. Once the bread basket of the kingdom of Stormwind, the land of Westfall has now grown fallow from years of conflict and neglect. Crops are no longer cultivated in the fields, and the once abundant mines have been deserted. Even the former defenders, the Stormwind Garrisons, pulled stake and abandoned the lonely realm when the cost of upkeep became too great. Due to this lack of military protection, Westfall has been all but destroyed by the rebel Defias Brotherhood and its demi-human minions. The Brotherhood, composed of thieves and bandits, have made Westfall their refuge. Employing everything from local superstitions to mechanical Harvest Golems, the Brotherhood will stop at nothing to scare away trespassers and protect their malicious schemes from being unraveled.
Duskwood lies just south of Stormwind, to the east of Westfall. Once the lush southern belt of Elwynn Forest, the land of Duskwood has transformed into a dark and mysterious land. Many speculate that its proximity to the mysterious Deadwind Pass brings monstrous horrors out at night. Others wonder if an ancient curse has been cast upon the land. No matter the reason, Duskwood has become a land of terror and superstition. The Human farmers who once toiled over the rich land have become dark and brooding - unwilling to leave their ancestral home but unable to lift the terrible cloud that has settled over their lives. Bordered by the fallow fields of Westfall to the west and the dark, treacherous Deadwind Pass to the east, Duskwood has become a tainted realm where shadows and evil permeate the atmosphere even during the brightest hours of day.
Stranglethorn Vale is a vast jungle south of Duskwood. Once the extended homeland of the mysterious Jungle Trolls, Stranglethorn is now dotted with ancient ruins and crumbling Troll cities. In recent years, the Humans of Stormwind attempted to forge trade routes through this savage jungle. Though they did manage to establish the small port town of Blackwater Cove, they were quickly overwhelmed by a crazed pack of Trolls and driven back to their homeland. In the wake of the Humans' departure, the crafty Goblin Trade Princes arrived on the jungle's shores and quickly set up their mining and deforesting operations. The Goblins have maintained a tenuous hold over these remote facilities, but they remain threatened by the Jungle Trolls' growing obsession with purging their ancient lands of any and all foreign invaders.
|