Journey into the Azure Span, an ancient frost-touched land, where you’ll aid Kalecgos as he ventures into the Azure Archives on a mission to reclaim the Azure Oathstone.
When you first arrive in the Azure Span, you’ll be greeted with snowy peaks, mist-covered forests, and icy tundra. The Azure Span stretches from coastal tuskarr villages through sprawling forest tundra to looming spires of ice and snow. Regal blue dragons once roamed these lands, but with the passage of time, several tribes of tuskarr, gnolls, and furbolg now call these ancient lands their home.
Cold Comfort
The Azure Span is one of the largest zones created in World of Warcraft to date and offers the greatest visual elevation change players will see in the Dragon Isles.
Much of the inspiration for this zone comes from one of our favorites in Wrath of the Lich King, Grizzly Hills, along with the California Bay area’s coastal fogs and redwoods. Though, there’s more than just redwoods to be found throughout Azure Span, as you’ll learn when you trek through this diverse wilderness. Much of the zone is filled with varied biomes covered in snow and ice, giant frozen waterfalls, ice rivers, and forests shrouded in mist that beckon eager heroes hungry for adventure.
Adventure Lies Ahead in the Dungeons of the Azure Span
Brackenhide Hollow
Brackenhide Hollow is the largest gnoll settlement in the Dragon Isles, and home tounspeakable danger. Decay seeps from the Hollow, spreading among the gnoll tribes of the Azure Span and threatening to rot away all life. In the heart of the Hollow lies the leader of the Brackenhide, and the knowledge she gleefully shares with her withered kin.
- Hackclaw’s War-Band: Rira Hackclaw and her compatriots, Gashtooth and Tricktotem have risen up as a deadly warband among the Brackenhide. Their tactics are the reason tuskarr never travel alone, and their strength is the reason Wratheye has them guarding the gate to the Hollow.
- Treemouth: Withered by decay, this once proud ancient has been dubbed Treemouth by the gnolls. As the rot settled into its branches, so too did it settle in the poor creature’s mind, leaving a creature bent on nothing more than the need to feed and spread decay.
- Gutshot: This sharpshooting gnoll has mastered the art of hunting, trapping, and killing her prey. Impressed by her abilities and cunning, the Decatriarch has assigned Gutshot to oversee and train the other hunters…and take out any interlopers that might venture too far into Brackenhide.
- Decatriarch Wratheye: Wratheye discovered decay magic in her thirst for power, and declared herself the Decatriarch after mastering it. She now builds the strength of the Brackenhide by spreading her dark magic among her tribe so the tuskarr, and all of the Azure Span, will rot in its wake.
The Azure Vault
Long ago, Malygos created the Azure Vault as a place for Sindragosa to catalogue and store away curious magical artifacts he found. Locked away and deserted millenia ago, the Vault has since fallen into disrepair, leaving it vulnerable to attacks from without… and within.
- Leymor: Leymor was born of a humble seedling that Malygos found in a pool of ley energy. Once but a small sprout in Sindragosa’s garden, over millenia Leymor has shot up like a weed. Left to its own devices, the looming giant would surely overrun the entirety of the Azure Vault.
- Azureblade: As security for the Vault, Azureblade refused to leave when it was sealed, choosing duty over safety. When the blue dragons failed to return, her bitter resignation drove her to eventual madness. Extending her own life with the magics she was sworn to protect, Azureblade now claims ownership over all the blue dragonflight left behind.
- Telash Greywing: Furious at the blue dragonflight, Telash Greywing is determined to find the secrets that Sindragosa has been hiding in the Arcane Vault. Together with the Sundered Flame, he is certain he will discover more about the origins of the dracthyr… and incriminating evidence against the blue dragonflight.
- Umbrelskul: Millenia ago, Umbrelskul unwittingly meddled with raw arcane power. Riddled with crystalline growths, he was taken to the Azure Vault until a cure could be found. Sadly, the Vault was sealed away before the research was completed, leaving Umbrelskul sleeping in stasis… until now.
Azure Span’s Denizens
As you progress on your adventures, you’ll encounter many inhabitants of this snow-touched biome who have made the icy peaks, forests, and shores their homes. Here are some that you’ll meet on your journey.
Tuskarr
Like their Northrend relatives, the tuskarr of the Dragon Isles are fishers and traders and have inhabited the land since the days when blue dragons roamed the Azure Span. Their tribes can be found throughout as they aid Kalecgos.
Blue Dragons
The Dragon Isles have been rejuvenated, but many blue dragons are still scattered across Azeroth. Kalecgos will need all the help he can get to reunite them—and an unexpected source appears to offer that aid.
Gnolls
A savage clan of shamanistic gnolls that have harnessed the power of decay, darkening their wetland home with vile pockets of thorns and roots. They are a force to be reckoned with.
Furbolg
The forest-dwelling furbolg are dealing with conflicts that have splintered their clans. Many have been lured with the promise of being able to bend the elements to their will.
Check WorldofWarcraft.com/news for updates and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
See you in the Dragon Isles!
Thaldraszus, a wonderous mountain region in the Dragon Isles, is the cradle of dragon civilization. From formidable structures to complex waterways, titan and dragon influence can be found throughout its diverse biomes.
The sense of history in this region is palpable, and it feels alive with the spark of possibility.
Mysteries of the Past Await
The bronze dragons used the Temporal Conflux as a seat of power. Its vast libraries of knowledge contain the secrets of the timeways, as well as the Bronze Oathstone that symbolizes their calling to protect all time.
While titan-forged spaces bear distinctive architecture, the places established by the dragons reflect the most cultured aspects of dragon society. The dragons built vast structures, the most glorious of which was Valdrakken. From the top of this grand city, the Aspects passed laws and directed their protection of Azeroth.
Also nestled in the heart of Thaldraszus is Tyrhold, home to the Halls of Infusion. A mysterious place that has been locked away for millennia and holds the secrets that Tyr left behind.
Adventure Lies Ahead in the Dungeons of Thaldraszus
Whether you’re looking for loot, a new challenge, or to learn more about this ancient land, you’ll need to gather your courage— and your allies— for the trials ahead.
Halls of Infusion
Deep beneath Tyrhold lies the Halls of Infusion. Its structure was built upon an ancient wellspring, the waters of which were channeled by Keeper Tyr to feed the Life Pools of the red flight. Now that the Dragon Isles have reawakened, Primalist forces have invaded these halls. Have they come to destroy the facility…or to reveal secrets that Tyr left behind?
- Watcher Irideus: Tasked by Tyr to protect and maintain the Halls of Infusion, Watcher Irideus has performed his duties to perfection…until now. Caught off guard by the Primalists’ incursion, he was overwhelmed by the elemental forces they unleashed. A mistake he does not intend to make again.
- Gulping Goliath: Deep within the caverns of the halls of Infusion lurks the Gulping Goliath. Sire to countless generations of hornswogs, the Goliath and his brood have thrived upon the unprocessed waters of the wellspring. Driven by an insatiable hunger, he will eagerly devour any creature that strays too close to his lair.
- Khajin the Unyielding: Khajin the Unyielding seethes with hatred for Keeper Tyr for tampering with the ancient wellspring beneath Tyrhold. Waters that once flowed with the eternal essence of Azeroth have been polluted by Order magic. Khajin would see the world freed from the malignant legacy of the titans…at any cost.
- Primal Tsunami: Infuser Sariya is driven to restore the world to what it once was: a primal elemental landscape of unfettered power. She has used all her will and cunning to summon the Primal Tsunami, an elemental being mighty enough to topple Keeper Tyr’s facility and return the waters of the wellspring to their natural state.
Algeth’ar Academy
Long ago, the great Algeth’ar Academy was a place of higher learning for all dragons. Though it fell dormant with the rest of the Isles, it has reopened and is back under the guidance of Headteacher Doragosa. In a series of exciting, new changes, the Academy is currently seeking new students from all walks of life, not just dragons, as well as volunteers, to help get it back to the bustling halls of education it once was. Those who walk the Academy grounds are sure to learn something new.
- Vexamus: As one of the most tenured professors in the academy, Maxdormu uses his powers as a bronze dragon to help bring his history lessons to life.
While this proves to be quite an educational and fun experience, it can occasionally go awry. Vexamus is one of Professor Maxdormu’s favorite lessons, but if any historical detail is inaccurate, he will be quick to scold any rowdy students. - Overgrown Ancient: Professors Mystakria and Ichistrasz have used just a touch too much magic in an effort to clear the botany labs. Now they have a big, leafy problem on their hands in the form of an Overgrown Ancient that threatens to undo all their hard work.
- Crawth: The Lish Lirath, or Talon Toss, arena is quite literally for the birds these days. Crawth has taken up residence in the center of the arena and has no immediate plans to move out soon. Let’s see if we can get her to play ball…and leave.
- Echo of Headteacher Doragosa: Headteacher Doragosa thought of everything when it came to Algeth’ar Academy. Including a complex simulacrum of herself to take care of any day-to-day tasks and upkeep while the isles lay dormant. Now that the Academy is open once again, perhaps she can use it to help keep track of all the new students. It’s done a fine job in the interim and is absolutely the one spell that did not degrade after all these years. Perfectly stable and helpful. Right?
Inhabitants of Thaldraszus
Check WorldofWarcraft.com/news for updates and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
See you in the Dragon Isles!