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| − | {{fair use}} |
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| − | {{For|the 5-man instanced dungeon of the same name|Azjol-Nerub (instance)}} |
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{{Infobox zone |
{{Infobox zone |
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| − | |ss |
+ | |ss=Sholazarconc.jpg |
| + | |caption=Concept art of Sholazar Basin |
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| − | |name = Azjol-Nerub |
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| + | |name=Sholazar Basin |
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| − | |faction = Neutral |
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| + | |||
| − | |races = {{Race|Scourge}} (16,400)<br/>{{Race|Nerubian}} (3,400)<br/>{{Race|Dwarf}} (200) |
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| + | |races={{Race|Dwarf }}<br /> |
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| − | |pop = 20,000 |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | |loc = [[Dragonblight]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | |government = Monarchy |
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| + | {{RaceIconExt|Titan|Male|Small}}{{RaceIconExt|Titan|Female|Small}} [[Titanic watcher]] |
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| − | |ruler = [[Anub'arak]] |
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| + | |loc=Northwestern [[Northrend]] |
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| − | |major = '''Azjol-Nerub''' (was a city in itself) |
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| + | |level=76-78 |
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| − | |minor = [[Doorward]] (200) |
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| − | |affiliation = [[Scourge]] |
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}} |
}} |
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| − | {{Azjol-Nerub wings}} |
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| + | '''Sholazar Basin''' (pronounced SHOL-uh-zarh) is a tropical jungle basin in the midst of [[Northrend]]. It is found between [[Borean Tundra]] and [[Icecrown Glacier]]. The zone's climate and safety from the [[Scourge]] is maintained by pylons, erected by the [[Titan]]s.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://www.worldofwar.net/articles/413336/wotlk-report-may-2008/page6|title=WotLK Report May 2008}}</ref> Recently, one pylon in the east has fallen and the Scourge has taken this opportunity to invade from [[Icecrown]] to the north. They are now streaming down [[The Avalanche]]. |
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| − | '''Azjol-Nerub''' (pronounced "ah-ZHOL nuh-ROOB") (a.k.a. '''Spider Kingdom''' or '''Azjol Empire''')<ref>{{quest|The Lost Empire}}</ref> is the vast underground [[nation]]/[[empire]] of the arachnid-like [[Nerubian]]s, located on the icy continent of [[Northrend]]. The entrance to Azjol-Nerub can be found in the [[Pit of Narjun]] in the western reaches of the [[Dragonblight]]. Before its destruction by the [[Scourge]], Azjol-Nerub contained huge libraries of literature, philosophy, and arcane lore. |
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| + | Much like [[Kalimdor]]'s [[Un'Goro Crater]], the Sholazar Basin is an anomaly. It fills the northwest corner of the Borean Tundra, and is surrounded by a nasty ridge, requiring climbing to reach it. Those that reach the top of the ridge look down into a lush tropical jungle. Hot springs dot the basin and you have to watch out for steam vents and geysers — hot enough to cook flesh from bones in an instant if something gets caught in one. Thick vegetation fills the basin, and birds and small animals are everywhere. So are insects. It is an amazing place, and hard to believe it’s part of Northrend.<ref>''[[Lands of Mystery]]'', 93-94</ref> |
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| − | In ''[[Lands of Mystery]]'', Azjol-Nerub is described as being its very own [[region]] and located underground. The kingdom consists of two main sections, the [[Old Kingdom]] and [[Upper Kingdom]]. Part of the Upper Kingdom is controlled by [[Dwarves]], who control a small [[town]] known as [[Doorward]], while other areas are controlled by the [[Scourge]]. Deeper underground is the Old Kingdom which is controlled by [[Scourge|undead]] nerubians. [[Brann Bronzebeard]] claims it may be possible for an alliance with living nerubians if one is willing to help them clear out the Scourge from their empire. Still, some areas are controlled by [[Faceless One]]s. |
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| + | In Sholazar Basin, players will take part in a faction war between the [[wolvar]] ([[Frenzyheart Tribe]]) and the [[gorloc]]s (arctic cousins of [[murloc]]s). The various gorloc tribes have gathered together to form the group called the [[Oracles]]. Players are only able to choose one side, but are allowed to easily change to which faction they wish to be allied with. |
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| − | In ''World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King'', the in-game Azjol-Nerub is comprised of two 5-man [[dungeon]]s: [[Azjol-Nerub (instance)|Azjol-Nerub]] and [[Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom]], levels 72-75. [[Anub'arak]], the former king of Azjol-Nerub, is the final boss of the first dungeon. Azjol-Nerub stretches much further than people thought, as it appears that the [[Argent Crusade]] has built the [[Crusaders' Coliseum]] above the northern reaches of it. |
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| − | ==History== |
+ | == History == |
| − | [[ |
+ | [[Image:SBasin11.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Sholazar Basin in-game]] |
| + | A high elf scholar that once visited Kaskala believed that the titans used the Sholazar Basin as a testing ground. Some of their experiments, or at least the remains of those experiments, may still exist. Thus, the basin is a potential treasure trove of knowledge and power. Who knows what species the Titans left here, and what notes and tools?<ref>''[[Lands of Mystery]]'', 93-94</ref> |
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| − | The ancient kingdom of Azjol-Nerub was a result of the [[aqir]] split. The [[Gurubashi Empire|Gurubashi]] and [[Amani Empire|Amani]] [[troll]] empires managed to split the kingdom of [[Azj'Aqir]] into two: Azjol-Nerub and [[Ahn'Qiraj]].<ref>[[The Twin Empires]]</ref> |
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| + | {{clr}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | Azjol-Nerub was the center of [[nerubian]] civilization. It's unknown if the nerubians began here, but certainly most of their race, if not their entire, dwelled here. They left the rest of the world in peace and pursued their interests beneath the ground. Around 20 years ago, the nerubian civilization was still alive and strong. Azjol-Nerub was their kingdom, and the spider-men controlled all its tunnels. Their culture is almost as old as the [[dwarf|dwarves']], and every bit as attuned to life underground. The biggest difference is that the nerubians focus more on the cerebral and less on the physical; their society had more scholars and artists and fewer smiths and miners.<ref name="Lands of Mystery 88,91">[[Lands of Mystery]], 88,91</ref> |
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| + | === Maps === |
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| + | [[Image:WorldMap-SholazarBasin.jpg|left|thumb|350px|Map of Sholazar Basin.]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | [[File:The Gilded Gate.jpg|thumb|[[Gilded Gate|The Gilded Gate]].]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |[[The Avalanche]]{{·}} [[Bittertide Lake]]{{·}} [[Blight Line|The Blight Line]]{{·}} [[Bonefields|The Bonefields]]{{·}} [[Bones of Nozronn|The Bones of Nozronn]]{{·}} [[Bristlepine Den]]{{·}} [[Death's Hand Encampment]]{{·}} [[Dorian's Outpost]]{{·}} [[Frenzyheart Hill]]{{·}} [[Frenzyheart River]]{{·}} [[Glimmering Pillar|The Glimmering Pillar]]{{·}} [[Kartak's Hold]]{{·}} [[Lakeside Landing]]{{·}} [[Lifeblood Pillar|The Lifeblood Pillar]]{{·}} [[Lost Lands|The Lost Lands]]{{·}} [[Lost Passage|The Lost Passage]]{{·}} [[Makers' Overlook]]{{·}} [[Makers' Perch]]{{·}} [[Mistwhisper Refuge]]{{·}} [[Mosslight Pillar|The Mosslight Pillar]]{{·}} [[Nesingwary Base Camp]]{{·}} [[Path of the Lifewarden|The Path of the Lifewarden]]{{·}} [[Rainspeaker Canopy]]{{·}} [[Rainspeaker Rapids]]{{·}} [[River's Heart]]{{·}} [[Sapphire Hive]]{{·}} [[Savage Thicket|The Savage Thicket]]{{·}} [[Seabreach Flow|The Seabreach Flow]]{{·}} [[Skyreach Pillar|The Skyreach Pillar]]{{·}} [[Sparktouched Haven]]{{·}} [[Spearborn Encampment]]{{·}} [[Stormwright's Shelf|The Stormwright's Shelf]]{{·}} [[The Sundered Shard]]{{·}} [[Suntouched Pillar|The Suntouched Pillar]]{{·}} [[Swindlegrin's Dig]]{{·}} [[Waygate]]{{·}} [[Wildgrowth Mangal]]{{·}} [[Wintergrasp River]]{{·}} [[Savage Thicket]]{{·}} [[The Skyreach Pillar]]{{·}} [[The Stormwright's Shelf]]{{·}} [[The Suntouched Pillar]]{{·}} [[Wildgrowth Mangal]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | {{clr}} |
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| + | ===Travel Hubs=== |
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| + | [[Image:Sholazar.JPG|thumb|Sholazar Basin]] |
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| + | ;{{Neutral Icon Small}} [[Flight path]]s from [[Nesingwary Base Camp]] (only available after completing quest chain that starts with {{questlong|Neutral|76|Need an Engine, Take an Engine}}) |
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| + | *{{Neutral Icon Small}}[[River's Heart]], Sholazar Basin |
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| + | *{{Neutral Icon Small}}[[Death's Rise]], [[Icecrown]] |
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| + | *{{Alliance Icon Small}}[[Fizzcrank Airstrip]], [[Borean Tundra]] |
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| + | ;{{Neutral Icon Small}} [[Flight path]]s from [[River's Heart]] |
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| − | That was all before the [[Lich King]], of course. He saw immediately that the nerubians posed a major threat. None of the other races in [[Northrend]] had their numbers, their organization, or their discipline. In fact, the nerubians rarely ventured above-ground, but he couldn’t risk that chance. The Lich King eventually attacked; he chose to swarm the underground kingdom and wiped it clean during the [[War of the Spider]]. It was long and hard, and the nerubians almost won — They may prefer thought and art but they’re fearsome foes when roused. Unfortunately, the [[Scourge]] had an endless supply of warriors and every dead nerubian potentially added to its ranks. In the end the Scourge’s numbers prevailed, and the implacable undead swept through Azjol-Nerub and emptied its tunnels of defenders. The Lich King defeated the nerubians, killing most of them in the process and converting many of the survivors into [[crypt fiend]]s and other undead. Those who could, fled his touch. The Lich King conquered, and the nerubian civilization all but died. Now most of Azjol-Nerub lies in ruins. It’s still a fascinating place, and many of its murals, frescoes and columns stand intact. The Scourge doesn’t care about riches, material or scholarly, and rich tapestries still hang on the walls while impressive tomes line bookcases. One could spend months roaming the tunnels and still never see all of the great kingdom. |
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| + | *{{Neutral Icon Small}}[[Nesingwary Base Camp]], Sholazar Basin |
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| + | *{{Neutral Icon Small}}[[Death's Rise]], [[Icecrown]] |
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| + | *{{Alliance Icon Small}}[[Fizzcrank Airstrip]], [[Borean Tundra]] |
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| + | *{{Horde Icon Small}}[[Bor'gorok Outpost]], [[Borean Tundra]] |
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| + | ===Regions adjacent to Sholazar Basin=== |
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| − | [[Image:Naz'anak- The Forgotten Depths.jpg|thumb|[[Naz'anak: The Forgotten Depths]].]] |
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| + | {| class="darktable" |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | ! Zone Name |
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| + | ! Faction |
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| + | ! Level Range |
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| + | ! Direction |
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| + | ! Access |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | | [[Borean Tundra]] || {{Alliance Icon Small}}{{Horde Icon Small}} || 68-72 |
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| + | | Southwest || By foot, or by flight path |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | | [[Wintergrasp]] || {{Alliance Icon Small}}{{Horde Icon Small}} || PvP |
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| + | | South || By flight path |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | | [[Icecrown Glacier]] || {{Alliance Icon Small}}{{Horde Icon Small}} || 77-80 |
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| + | | Northeast || By flight path |
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| + | |} |
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| + | == Notable characters == |
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| − | Two years ago, [[Arthas Menethil]] and the mighty [[Anub'arak]] traveled through this area on their way to the [[Frozen Throne]]. Azjol-Nerub is a mystery waiting to be explored. It once held a powerful and advanced civilization, and many of its treasures still rest there undamaged. Great riches litter the lower halls, not only gems and magic items but art and literature and scholarly tomes. The Scourge infests this place, and [[forgotten one]]s seethe below, eager to return to the world above.<ref name="Lands of Mystery 88,91">[[Lands of Mystery]], 88,91</ref> |
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| + | {{main|Sholazar Basin NPCs}} |
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| + | Sholazar Basin is home to several characters of note. At [[Frenzyheart Hill]], [[High-Shaman Rakjak]] leads the [[Frenzyheart Tribe]] in the fight against local fauna and their hated enemies, [[the Oracles]], led by [[High-Oracle Soo-say]]. The [[wolvar]] are not the only new arrivals to the basin, as [[Hemet Nesingwary]] leads his band of hunters in search of new game, targeting [[Broodmother Slivina]] as the ultimate challenge to a hunter. [[Artruis the Heartless]] leads the [[Scourge]] attack on the region, but is continually held at bay by the mysterious [[Avatar of Freya]]. |
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| − | Despite the Lich King's victory over the Spider Kingdom, numerous pockets of nerubians remain, evading the wrath of [[Ner'zhul]], while at the same time coordinating hit-and-run strikes against the forces of the [[Scourge]]; however, it is currently unknown who leads the remaining nerubians, or if they even possess a centralized command at all. |
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| + | == Quests == |
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| − | Now dwarves are located near the main entrance to the city, keeping the gates shut in hopes that Scourge forces do not reach them. The undead hold many of the floors of the [[Upper Kingdom]]. The nerubian rebels hold floors in the [[Old Kingdom]]. Many of deepest areas are held by [[faceless one]]s. |
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| + | See the [[Sholazar Basin quests]]. |
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| − | == |
+ | == Resources == |
| + | [[File:Sholazar Basin Art Justin Kunz.jpg|thumb|400px|Artwork of the lush Sholazar Basin.]] |
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| − | [[File:NerubHive.jpg|thumb|"Once crafty engineers"<ref>{{ref game |title=Warcraft III |expansion=[[Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne|The Frozen Throne]] |campaign=[[Legacy of the Damned]] |mission=[[Into the Shadow Web Caverns]] |npc=Anub'arak |quote=We nerubians were crafty engineers in our time. }}</ref> just does not cut it.]] |
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| + | === [[Herbalism]] === |
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| + | * [[Adder's Tongue]] |
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| + | * [[Deadnettle]] |
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| + | * [[Goldclover]] |
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| + | * [[Tiger Lily]] |
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| + | === [[Mining]] === |
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| − | Most of Azjol-Nerub's once grand culture has been either destroyed or sublimated by the [[Scourge]]; they once were a proud race of scholars and artisans, rarely giving in to anger. Nowadays, they are a nervous, almost paranoid race; more commonly giving in to rage, violence, and grief. Since the invasion of the Scourge, they have changed their outlook, activities, and appearance to reflect the event. Most of the kingdom is in the icy grip of the Scourge, with its leader being a former [[nerubian]] (now turned [[Crypt Lord]]): [[Anub'Arak]]. |
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| + | * [[Rich Saronite Deposit]] |
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| − | A more temporary group has sprung up as well — the remains of [[Muradin Bronzebeard]]'s party, currently led by [[Baelgun Flamebeard]] and encamped at the main entrance to the ruined kingdom. There are precious few left, decimated by frequent skirmishes with the Scourge, and unable to hold back the full might of the assault, should one take place. They occasionally trade with what remains of the nerubians for food, information, tools or other goods. More an alliance of necessity, in the vein of "The enemy of my enemy is my friend", both honorable races are unlikely to devolve into backstabbing and trickery. |
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| + | * [[Saronite Deposit]] |
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| + | * [[Titanium Vein]] |
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| + | === [[Fishing]] === |
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| − | Yet a third race dwells in the mysterious deeps of the ancient kingdom: The [[Faceless Ones]]. Reports vary, with the most common form encountered being roughly humanoid, and bearing a squid-like face and misshapen tentacles where arms would be. Rumors abound that they have some relation to the [[Old Gods]] that were banished beneath the earth millennia ago.<ref name="Lands of Mystery 88-90">[[Lands of Mystery]], 88-90</ref> |
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| + | * [[Barrelhead Goby]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | * [[Nettlefish]] |
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| − | [[File:Hadronox's Lair.jpg|thumb|[[Hadronox's Lair]].]] |
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| + | * [[Pygmy Suckerfish]] |
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| + | == Wild creatures == |
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| − | Azjol-Nerub is entirely underground. It’s a fascinating place and stretches for miles. It may lie beneath most or all of [[Northrend]]. The rock there is predominately granite, mixed with some igneous stone where volcanoes once rose and where magma from deep beneath bubbled up long ago. The [[nerubian]]s were thorough artisans and left nary a corner untouched; every edge is smooth and faceted, every corridor planed and polished. They preserved the odd angles created by nature but straightened and widened tunnels into corridors and vaulted ceilings. |
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| + | Many fearsome and exotic beasts dwell in the steamy jungle of Sholazar Basin. Goretalon rocs glide through the Basin and Sapphire Hive wasps buzz and go about the business of protecting their hive. The gigantic and bad-tempered shardhorn rhinos graze while hardknuckle gorillas forage nearby. Sinuous emperor cobras and massive [[dreadsaber]]s stalk their prey through the undergrowth, both of which are deadly apex predators and more than a match for an unwary traveler in the Basin. Mangal crocolisks also make their home in the Basin's waters and should be treated with caution as well. |
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| + | The Basin has more than a few unique beasts of such singularly impressive size, strength and or beauty as to earn them the distinction of being named. Some of these include: |
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| − | Little lives in Azjol-Nerub now. Various lichen and fungi grow in corners and along the walls. The nerubians evidently nurtured certain phosphorescent and luminescent varieties to provide light, and these have since grown unchecked. Bats perch on door-frames and columns, as do [[spider]]s of varying size. Underground lakes teem with blind, silvery-white fish, and insects and worms crawl through the soft dirt alongside. Monsters prowl the deeper caves, and the less said about these the better. Adventurers should not approach them unless heavily armed and surrounded by friends. |
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| + | *The mighty dreadsaber [[Shango (dreadsaber)|Shango]]. |
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| − | [[File:Shimmering Bog.jpg|thumb|[[Shimmering Bog]].]] |
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| + | *The black-furred lion [[Pitch]]. |
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| + | *The towering green devilsaur [[King Krush]]. |
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| + | *The poisonous emperor cobra [[Venomtip]]. |
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| + | *The incredibly elusive and beautiful mate of Harkoa herself, the [[spirit beast]] [[Loque'nahak]]. |
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| + | *The fiercely protective protodragon [[Broodmother Slivina]]. |
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| + | Rare elite NPCs associated with the {{achievement|Northern Exposure}} achievement: |
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| − | Azjol-Nerub can be divided into two sections: the [[Ahn'Kahet: Old Kingdom|Old Kingdom]] and the [[Upper Kingdom]]. Azjol-Nerub has no separate settlements. Once it was a single unified kingdom. Now it is a shadow of its former self, controlled by the Scourge except where pockets of nerubian resistance lurk or where the dwarves hunker down or where even darker creatures roam unopposed. Azjol-Nerub is not a safe place for several reasons: First, the [[Scourge]] controls it. Second, creatures live below, including the strange [[faceless one]]s: Ancient monsters long imprisoned beneath the ice and recently loosed again. Yet, even uninhabited, this kingdom would be dangerous. The nerubians set all manner of traps there, including circular doors that must be moved just to avoid them crashing down on the person opening them; statues that release streams of frost at intruders and pits hidden beneath seemingly normal floor tiles. Many adventurers have ventured into this place, hoping for gold and other treasures, only to find death instead.<ref name="Lands of Mystery 90">[[Lands of Mystery]], 90</ref> |
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| + | *[[Aotona]] found in Wildgrowth Mangal. |
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| − | ==Implementation as a zone== |
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| + | *[[King Krush]] |
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| − | Azjol-Nerub was going to be ''World of Warcraft'''s first subterranean zone. "Buildings, temples -- a look and feel very similar to [[Naxxramas]], since the nerubians are where the Scourge stole that architecture from", says Stockton of Blizzard.<ref>http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?pager.offset=1&cId=3163178</ref> |
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| + | *[[Loque'nahak]] |
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| + | == Reputation == |
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| − | That plan was dropped and developers split the zone into two dungeon instances, [[Azjol-Nerub (instance)|Azjol-Nerub]] and [[Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom]]. |
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| + | Sholazar Basin is the home of both the [[Oracles]] and the [[Frenzyheart Tribe]]. Both are constantly at war with eachother, and players will choose to align with one faction at a time through one of the main quest chains of the area. Players can switch their chosen faction by repeating the last quest in the starting chain and killing/saving the character of the opposite faction ({{quest|A Hero's Burden}}). Sholazar Basin also has its own hidden reputation, which is currently unused, that will increase as faction dailies are completed, and will not decrease if a player decides to switch factions. |
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| − | |||
| − | However, Azjol-Nerub is a huge zone, with a lot of unrevealed secrets and [[lore location]]s, so the idea could return for a future expansion. |
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| − | |||
| − | ==Subregions== |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | |[[Azjol-Nerub (instance)|Azjol-Nerub]] — [[The Brood Pit]]{{·}} [[The Gilded Gate]]{{·}} [[Hadronox's Lair]]{{·}} [[Passage of Lost Fiends]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | |[[Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom]] — [[Befouled Terrace]]{{·}} [[Desecrated Altar|The Desecrated Altar]]{{·}} [[Fallen Temple of Ahn'kahet]]{{·}} [[Hall of the Conquered Kings]]{{·}} [[Shimmering Bog]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | |[[Icy Depths|The Icy Depths]]{{·}} [[Naz'anak: The Forgotten Depths]]{{·}} [[Pit of Narjun]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | ---- |
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| − | '''[[Lore location]]s'''<br/>[[Doorward]]{{·}} [[Inner Kingdom]]{{·}} [[Upper Kingdom]]{{·}} [[Shadow Web Caverns]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | == |
+ | == Notes == |
| + | *In ''[[Lands of Mystery]]'', this area was treated more as a subzone of the Borean Tundra. |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|Air}} [[Air elemental]]s |
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| + | *To open up the flight path at Nesingwary Base Camp, there is a 2-part quest chain from Weslex Quickwrench that you have to complete first. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | *Given Blizzard's fondness for pop-culture references, Sholazar may be a nod to the Savage Land of Marvel Comics. Both are tropical paradises formed in Arctic regions by a powerful race of creator-beings. |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|CryptFiend}} [[Crypt fiend]]s |
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| + | *At co-ordinates (38,37), a hatch with the numbers 5 9 16 17 24 43 can be found as a reference to the series Lost. |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|CryptLord}} [[Crypt lord]]s |
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| + | *The naming of subzone The Lost Lands is a reference to ''Land of the Lost'', which both Sholazar Basin and Un'Goro Crater are based on. |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|FungalMonster}} [[Bog beast]]s |
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| + | *The four crystals from Un'Goro make a comeback, and their roles are further solidified. The Red crystals of the Lifeblood Pillar stick to their protective roots ({{loot|uncommon|Crystal Ward}}), preventing the Scourge from entering Sholazar. The Green crystals (Previous example: {{loot|uncommon|Crystal Force}}) of the Mosslight are used to empower the Oracles as they attack Kartak's Hold. The Yellow crystals, ({{loot|uncommon|Crystal Spire}} {{loot|uncommon|Crystal Restore}}) dealing mostly with quantity back in Un'Goro, are sought after to create a fortune by the Venture Company at the Suntouched Pillar. The Blue crystals, ({{loot|uncommon|Crystal Spire}}) with the power to focus energy externally, are used by the Frenzyheart as they prepare to disrupt the Oracle shrines. Additionally, a new, white crystal is present at the Glimmering Pillar. As the crystals had no purpose previously, yet are used by Freya's Avatar as a force of destruction, it can be assumed this is infact their purpose. |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|Darkfallen|Male}} [[Darkfallen]] (one, [[Prince Taldaram]]) |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|Fire}} [[Fire elemental]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|FleshGiant}} [[Flesh giant]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|FacelessOne}} [[Faceless one]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|Undead|Male}}{{RaceIcon|Undead|Female}} [[Forsaken]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | *{{RaceIcon|Gnome|Male}}{{RaceIcon|Gnome|Female}} [[Gnome]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}}{{RaceIcon|Human|Female}} [[Human]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|Nerubian}} [[Nerubian]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|NerubianFlyer}} [[Nerubian flyer]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|NerubianSpiderling}} [[Nerubian spiderling]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|NerubianVizier}} [[Nerubian vizier]] (two, [[Elder Nadox]] and [[Krik'thir the Gatewatcher]]) |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|Orc|Male}}{{RaceIcon|Orc|Female}} [[Orc]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|PlagueEruptor}} [[Plague eruptor]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|Rat}} [[Rat]]s (critters) |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|Roach}} [[Roach]]es (critters) |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|Shade}} [[Shade]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|SkeletalMage}} [[Skeletal mage]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|Skeleton}} [[Skeleton]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|Spider}} [[Spider]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|Tauren|Male}}{{RaceIcon|Tauren|Female}} [[Tauren]] |
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| − | *{{RaceIcon|Troll|Male}}{{RaceIcon|Troll|Female}} [[Troll]]s |
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| − | *{{RaceIconExt|Water}} [[Water elemental]]s |
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| − | == |
+ | == Gallery == |
| + | <gallery> |
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| − | [[Anub'arak]] was formerly the king of the [[nerubian]]s, but was transformed into a mighty [[Crypt Lord]] by the [[Lich King]] after the [[Scourge]] destroyed Azjol-Nerub, and now serves the Lich King absolutely. Anub'arak was introduced in ''[[Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne]]'' as a secondary [[hero]] character. Unfortunately, he does not receive very much story line attention in ''[[Wrath of the Lich King]]''. |
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| + | File:SholazarNessingwaryCamp.jpg|Hemet Nessingwary's camp. |
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| + | File:Sholazar_Excavation.jpg|An excavation site. |
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| + | File:Sholazar_Basin_2..jpg|Waterfall in River's Heart. |
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| + | File:Sholazar Basin Flora Art Justin Kunz.jpg|Flora concept art. |
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| + | </gallery> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | His character, as portrayed in ''The Frozen Throne'', seems to be strong-willed, cold, calculating, intelligent, a little twisted and devoted to the Lich King's cause. He, as with the nerubians in general, has a distinctly mysterious aura about himself. |
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| + | {{reflist}} |
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| + | == External links == |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | {{Elinks-zone|3711}} |
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| − | *http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html;jsessionid=F586145C5E478BE2AFCF2771F02E3346.app05_07?topicId=8202381275&sid=2000 |
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| + | {{elink|icon=mmochampion|site=MMO-Champion|link=http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/wotlk/maps/sholazarlayered.jpg|desc=Sholazar Basin highlighted on Northrend map}} |
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| − | {{Reflist}} |
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| + | {{elink|icon=mmochampion|site=MMO-Champion|link=http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/wotlk/maps/sholazarbasin.jpg|desc=Annotated map}} |
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| + | {{elink|icon=worldofwar|site=WorldOfWar.net|link=http://www.worldofwar.net/blog/comments/darkers-wotlk-quest-guide-alliance-sholazar-basin|desc=Sholazar Basin Quest Guide}} |
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| + | {{Sholazar Basin}} |
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| + | {{Northrend}} |
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| + | [[fr:Bassin de Sholazar]] |
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| − | {{Dungeons}} |
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| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Jungles]] |
| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Northrend]] |
| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Sholazar Basin| ]] |
| + | [[Category:Lands of Mystery]] |
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Revision as of 16:48, 26 May 2011
 Sholazar Basin | |
|---|---|
| Level: 76-78 | |
 Concept art of Sholazar Basin | |
| Races |
  Titanic watcher |
| Location | Northwestern Northrend |
Sholazar Basin (pronounced SHOL-uh-zarh) is a tropical jungle basin in the midst of Northrend. It is found between Borean Tundra and Icecrown Glacier. The zone's climate and safety from the Scourge is maintained by pylons, erected by the Titans.[1] Recently, one pylon in the east has fallen and the Scourge has taken this opportunity to invade from Icecrown to the north. They are now streaming down The Avalanche.
Much like Kalimdor's Un'Goro Crater, the Sholazar Basin is an anomaly. It fills the northwest corner of the Borean Tundra, and is surrounded by a nasty ridge, requiring climbing to reach it. Those that reach the top of the ridge look down into a lush tropical jungle. Hot springs dot the basin and you have to watch out for steam vents and geysers — hot enough to cook flesh from bones in an instant if something gets caught in one. Thick vegetation fills the basin, and birds and small animals are everywhere. So are insects. It is an amazing place, and hard to believe it’s part of Northrend.[2]
In Sholazar Basin, players will take part in a faction war between the wolvar (Frenzyheart Tribe) and the gorlocs (arctic cousins of murlocs). The various gorloc tribes have gathered together to form the group called the Oracles. Players are only able to choose one side, but are allowed to easily change to which faction they wish to be allied with.
History
Sholazar Basin in-game
A high elf scholar that once visited Kaskala believed that the titans used the Sholazar Basin as a testing ground. Some of their experiments, or at least the remains of those experiments, may still exist. Thus, the basin is a potential treasure trove of knowledge and power. Who knows what species the Titans left here, and what notes and tools?[3]
Geography
Maps
Map of Sholazar Basin.
Travel Hubs
Sholazar Basin
Flight paths from Nesingwary Base Camp (only available after completing quest chain that starts with [76] Need an Engine, Take an Engine)
- [River's Heart], Sholazar Basin
- Death's Rise, Icecrown
- Fizzcrank Airstrip, Borean Tundra
- Nesingwary Base Camp, Sholazar Basin
- Death's Rise, Icecrown
- Fizzcrank Airstrip, Borean Tundra
- Bor'gorok Outpost, Borean Tundra
Regions adjacent to Sholazar Basin
| Zone Name | Faction | Level Range | Direction | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borean Tundra |   |
68-72 | Southwest | By foot, or by flight path |
| Wintergrasp | |
PvP | South | By flight path |
| Icecrown Glacier | |
77-80 | Northeast | By flight path |
Notable characters
- Main article: Sholazar Basin NPCs
Sholazar Basin is home to several characters of note. At Frenzyheart Hill, High-Shaman Rakjak leads the Frenzyheart Tribe in the fight against local fauna and their hated enemies, the Oracles, led by High-Oracle Soo-say. The wolvar are not the only new arrivals to the basin, as Hemet Nesingwary leads his band of hunters in search of new game, targeting Broodmother Slivina as the ultimate challenge to a hunter. Artruis the Heartless leads the Scourge attack on the region, but is continually held at bay by the mysterious Avatar of Freya.
Quests
See the Sholazar Basin quests.
Resources
Artwork of the lush Sholazar Basin.
Herbalism
Mining
Fishing
Wild creatures
Many fearsome and exotic beasts dwell in the steamy jungle of Sholazar Basin. Goretalon rocs glide through the Basin and Sapphire Hive wasps buzz and go about the business of protecting their hive. The gigantic and bad-tempered shardhorn rhinos graze while hardknuckle gorillas forage nearby. Sinuous emperor cobras and massive dreadsabers stalk their prey through the undergrowth, both of which are deadly apex predators and more than a match for an unwary traveler in the Basin. Mangal crocolisks also make their home in the Basin's waters and should be treated with caution as well.
The Basin has more than a few unique beasts of such singularly impressive size, strength and or beauty as to earn them the distinction of being named. Some of these include:
- The mighty dreadsaber Shango.
- The black-furred lion Pitch.
- The towering green devilsaur King Krush.
- The poisonous emperor cobra Venomtip.
- The incredibly elusive and beautiful mate of Harkoa herself, the spirit beast Loque'nahak.
- The fiercely protective protodragon Broodmother Slivina.
Rare elite NPCs associated with the 
Northern Exposure achievement:
- Aotona found in Wildgrowth Mangal.
- King Krush
- Loque'nahak
Reputation
Sholazar Basin is the home of both the Oracles and the Frenzyheart Tribe. Both are constantly at war with eachother, and players will choose to align with one faction at a time through one of the main quest chains of the area. Players can switch their chosen faction by repeating the last quest in the starting chain and killing/saving the character of the opposite faction (A Hero's Burden). Sholazar Basin also has its own hidden reputation, which is currently unused, that will increase as faction dailies are completed, and will not decrease if a player decides to switch factions.
Notes
- In Lands of Mystery, this area was treated more as a subzone of the Borean Tundra.
- To open up the flight path at Nesingwary Base Camp, there is a 2-part quest chain from Weslex Quickwrench that you have to complete first.
- Given Blizzard's fondness for pop-culture references, Sholazar may be a nod to the Savage Land of Marvel Comics. Both are tropical paradises formed in Arctic regions by a powerful race of creator-beings.
- At co-ordinates (38,37), a hatch with the numbers 5 9 16 17 24 43 can be found as a reference to the series Lost.
- The naming of subzone The Lost Lands is a reference to Land of the Lost, which both Sholazar Basin and Un'Goro Crater are based on.
- The four crystals from Un'Goro make a comeback, and their roles are further solidified. The Red crystals of the Lifeblood Pillar stick to their protective roots ([Crystal Ward]), preventing the Scourge from entering Sholazar. The Green crystals (Previous example: [Crystal Force]) of the Mosslight are used to empower the Oracles as they attack Kartak's Hold. The Yellow crystals, ([Crystal Spire] [Crystal Restore]) dealing mostly with quantity back in Un'Goro, are sought after to create a fortune by the Venture Company at the Suntouched Pillar. The Blue crystals, ([Crystal Spire]) with the power to focus energy externally, are used by the Frenzyheart as they prepare to disrupt the Oracle shrines. Additionally, a new, white crystal is present at the Glimmering Pillar. As the crystals had no purpose previously, yet are used by Freya's Avatar as a force of destruction, it can be assumed this is infact their purpose.
Gallery
- SholazarNessingwaryCamp.jpg
Hemet Nessingwary's camp.
An excavation site.
Waterfall in River's Heart.
Flora concept art.
References
- ^ WotLK Report May 2008.
- ^ Lands of Mystery, 93-94
- ^ Lands of Mystery, 93-94
External links
MMO-Champion Sholazar Basin highlighted on Northrend map MMO-Champion Annotated map
WorldOfWar.net Sholazar Basin Quest Guide
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