Azshara


 * For the naga after whom this region was named, see Queen Azshara.

Azshara is located in northeastern Kalimdor, east of Ashenvale, south of Winterspring, and north of Durotar. It is a beautiful coastal area cloaked in eternal autumn. The trees and other flora are tinged in brilliant oranges and reds, and nearer the coast, great cliffs and sandy beaches line the ocean. The region's inhabitants can make life hard for the nature lover, however. Enraged ghosts, vicious satyr, stalking naga and ferocious wildlife can quickly put an end to those who venture too far from the road.

A shattered stretch of coastline on Kalimdor’s northeast, Azshara was once the greatest night elf metropolis. The city fell millennia ago in the War of the Ancients, but a few ragged buildings perch on the cliffs overlooking similar ruins among the coral. The Horde has established a small outpost, Grim Ulang, in the area, but naga are a constant danger.

History
Before the Great Sundering, this shattered stretch of coast along Kalimdor's northern border was once a part of the night elves' capital of Zin-Azshari. Then came the demons' expulsion from the world. The land was rent asunder and the sea thundered in, making the region into a watery grave and leaving naught but ruins of the once great city. The night elves who survived named this region - once glorious, now nothing but a shattered relic - Azshara, after their queen driven mad by demon influence. Since that time, this place of rocky islands, jagged cliffs, and coral -choked seas has given birth to many tales.

Some night elves suggest that not all of the demons were banished, lurking even now beneath the glittering waters of the Coral Sea and awaiting the time to strike back. Others claim that Queen Azshara was not drowned, but transformed into a hideous aquatic thing who will someday lead her accursed followers to retake the surface world. A few whisper that the Dark Portal that first brought the demons to Azeroth yet remains and rests under the sea waiting for someone to reopen it. Still others assert that the ancient Sundering awakened something that dwelled in the deepest part of the ocean, something that will eventually burst forth in a tidal wave of destruction. Whatever the truth, night elves agree that the region is cursed.

Getting There

 * Alliance: From Forest Song in Ashenvale, follow the road east into Azshara. The Alliance outpost Talrendis Point is just over the river.
 * Horde: From Splintertree Post in Ashenvale, travel along the road east into Azshara. The Horde encampment Valormok is against the mountains, north of ruined Haldarr Encampment.

Geography
A river separates the primordial wood from what land there is. The terrain beyond the river is little more than a strip of green above fragmented cliffs that rise high over a stretch of ivory beach. The waves of the shallow Coral Sea sweep against this beach, and islands- little more than spires of jagged rock - jut from the water. A twisted expanse of reef creates a labyrinth of coral beneath the ocean surface, making sea travel here virtually impossible.

The night elves consider the place cursed, and most other races find the constant storms unpleasant. There is but a single known habitation in Azshara, the orc trading village of Grim Ulang, its residents telling of creatures flitting about the ruins of Zin-Azshari further along the cliffs and murlocs and naga swimming in the Coral Sea. Bands of undead have appeared along the beach and at the fringes of the Ashenvale Forest. As well, the dark chants of demon cultists have echoed along the cliffs in counterpoint to the thunder of storms. Steady rumors and sightings have led to frequent night elf patrols and an increased martial presence in Grim Ulang.

There are no instances in this zone, though the micro dungeon Lake Mennar can be found here. In addition, the battleground Azshara Crater will be located in this zone if/when it is implemented.

Maps and subregions


Topographic map of Azshara

Microdungeons

 * Lake Mennar

Battlegrounds

 * Azshara Crater (not yet implemented)

Flight paths from Talrendis Point, located at

 * Auberdine, Darkshore
 * Ratchet, the Barrens
 * Theramore Isle, Dustwallow Marsh
 * Talonbranch Glade, Felwood
 * Everlook, Winterspring

Flight paths from Valormok, located at

 * Orgrimmar
 * Thunder Bluff
 * The Crossroads, The Barrens
 * Splintertree Post, Ashenvale
 * Bloodvenom Post, Felwood

Notable Characters


Azshara is home to several characters of note. At the Azshara Tower, Archmage Xylem aids mages and rogues in achieving their full potential. On the cliffs below, Ogtinc assists experienced hunters and priests, and on a small island far to the east, Duke Hydraxis pits heroes of all calibers against their elemental foes, sending them deep into the very core of the earth in search of retribution. Lastly, the Gadgetsprings provide their services to Engineers by selling the very rare Deepdive Helmet schematic, among other things.

Resources

 * Fish
 * Stonescale Eel
 * Darkclaw Lobster
 * Herbs
 * Stranglekelp
 * Goldthorn
 * Khadgar's Whisker
 * Purple Lotus
 * Sungrass
 * Golden Sansam
 * Dreamfoil
 * Mountain Silversage
 * Leather
 * Worn Dragonscale (Skinning level 40-60 whelps/wyrmkin)
 * Blue Dragonscale (Skinning level 50-60 elite whelps and wyrmkin)
 * Ore
 * Gold Ore
 * Mithril Deposit
 * Truesilver Deposit
 * Rich Thorium Vein

Wild Creatures

 * Dragonspawn
 * Furbolgs
 * Hippogryphs
 * Ghosts
 * Hydras
 * Infernals
 * Makrura
 * Mountain Giants
 * Naga
 * Oozes
 * Satyr
 * Sea Giants
 * Sharks
 * Stags
 * Turtles
 * Water Elementals

Notes, Tips & Additional Info

 * Azshara is one of the most common spots for gold farmers, who feast upon the large collection of thorium veins in the zone.
 * Azshara is well-known for its beautiful fall-like vegetation. In a game without much in the way of weather and seasons, Azshara is a gorgeous and very unique departure from the WoW-norm.
 * Azshara was supposed to be the location of the game's fourth battleground, Azshara Crater. This was put on ice when the issues with the current battlegrounds became too much to handle at the same time.