Andorhal
The city of Andorhal [44, 69] (Andorhall)[1] is a destroyed human city located in the Western Plaguelands, formerly one of the largest cities in northern Lordaeron. After the ruined city was in the firmly grip of the Scourge with a population of 9,000 both the Alliance and the Forsaken started making major efforts to expel the Scourge from Andorhal.
Beneath Andorhal is the School of Necromancy, a sprawling subterranean labyrinth akin to the Undercity but on a much smaller scale.[2][1] The waters around Andorhal are contaminated by the Plague of Undeath.[3]
History
Scourge invasion
Andorhal was once the distribution center for all agricultural supplies in the northern provinces of Lordaeron east of Lordamere Lake before the Third War. It was used by Kel'Thuzad to spread the plague, infecting the grain there, which was sent to different northern towns. Andorhal was gripped by the original outbreak of the Plague of Undeath, but remained uncontrolled by Scourge agents. Kel'Thuzad was initially defeated by Arthas in Andorhal. However, Andorhal fell at the hands of Arthas when he returned here to claim the remains of Kel'Thuzad for reanimation, therefore falling under Scourge control.
Following the defeat of the Burning Legion and the consolidation of the Western Plaguelands by the Scourge, Andorhal became a regional bastion effectively separating the lands of the Lich King from those still under mortal control. Later, Andorhal became the headquarters of the lich Araj the Summoner who used the ruined city as the base of operations, from which he oversaw the use of the mighty plague cauldrons situated throughout the Western Plaguelands.
The roads leading north out of Andorhal were occasionally patrolled by forces of the Scarlet Crusade — either survivors of Andorhal or troops sent from nearby Hearthglen.
Failed Retaking of Andorhal
Scourge defending the city.
- Main article: Retaking of Andorhal
During the time of The Burning Crusade, Andorhal was invaded by Maddox and an army of mercenaries and the Argent Dawn. However, the army consisted of just 100 soldiers and they were easily beaten by the Scourge.[3]
Cataclysm
The Alliance reconstruction in Andorhal
The Forsaken outpost in the northeastern part of Andorhal
After the Shattering, both the Alliance and the Forsaken started making major efforts to expel the Scourge from Andorhal. The ruined city became a warzone between the Alliance under the command of Thassarian, and the Forsaken under the command of Koltira Deathweaver. The Alliance established a hold on the southwestern side of the city, reinforced by Chillwind Camp. The Forsaken obtained a strong front on the northeastern side of the town. Araj the Summoner leads what remains of the Lich King's forces in Andorhal, their power diminished by the death of their lord.
This major conflict in this war effort came to be known as the Battle for Andorhal, in which World of Warcraft players can participate. The combined forces relentlessly slaughtered Scourge and ultimately slayed Araj. Thassarian and Koltira exchanged pleasantries, and gave each other time before they had to ultimately come to battle with one another. Shortly after, battle was joined, with Alliance militiamen taking the field, having come North to reclaim and rebuild Lordaeron and in hope of farmland that was promised, but was actually unavailable. Despite this advantage, it was revealed that Sylvanas had been observing the battle, and would not have it lost. Using val'kyr, she turns the tide of battle, forcing the Alliance to flee the city.
Despite the Forsaken victory, Sylvanas Windrunner was displeased with what she perceived as weakness on Koltira's part, knowing of his long-standing comradeship with Thassarian and the truce they made in the field. Confronting him after the victory, Sylvanas had Koltira taken to the Undercity so that he can be made to serve the Horde - or, more specifically, the Forsaken - exclusively, without any regard for his prior service to the Knights of the Ebon Blade.
As of yet, there has been no new information concerning if Blizzard plans to eventually have the town fully transformed into a Forsaken settlement, if the Alliance will continue its attempts to retake and rebuild it, or if it will remain in its present state for good.
Notable Residents
In Cataclysm
Trivia
- A Warcraft III custom/multiplayer map exists called "Andorhal". The city had canals, and also goblin laboratories which provided faster transportation around the city.
- In the early parts of The Well of Eternity, the first book of Richard A. Knaak's War of the Ancients Trilogy, Andorhal is stated as the location in which the father and siblings of the mage Rhonin resided, and were killed, when the Scourge attacked.
- In the Warcraft III mission "The Cult of the Damned", Andorhal is vaguely oval-shaped, had a land bridge to the southwest, a stone bridge to the south east, and a single road leading north. It retains these features in the "Digging up the Dead" mission. This layout is much like the one seen in World of Warcraft.
Patch changes
Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Alliance and Forsaken rebuilt sections of the city have been added, as well as the ongoing battle between them. - Patch 1.7.0 (2005-09-13): The summoning crystals of Andorhal have been removed.
- Patch 1.4.0 (2005-04-19): Andorhal has been overhauled to improve framerate, navigability, and monster spawns.
Reference list
- ^ a b World of Warcraft The Roleplaying Game, pg. 21
- ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 111
- ^ a b Warcraft: Legends Volume 1, The Journey
ru:Андорал