This article's name is unofficial.
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The northern islands is an archipelago north and slightly east of the Maelstrom, usually close to Tirisfal Glades in the Eastern Kingdoms and Northrend. They appeared on most world maps, dating back to the Warcraft III manual, but have yet to have names or significant information.
The islands do resemble the Broken Isles from Warcraft III, however, the Broken Isles are very close to the Maelstrom while the northern islands are further away. Moreover, they may have been shown as different things on at least one very early concept map.
In Wrath of the Lich King, these isles were removed from the overworld map, as they occupied the same area as Northrend, albeit, they are still present in the cosmic map, which also includes the northern continent. It is possible that they were simply there to help fill an empty map, but their former consistency was notable.
As of Legion, it seems that the Broken Isles indeed match the former location of these islands. However, the northern islands and the islands that the RPG called the Broken Isles have seemingly been on the map at the same time since Warcraft III, though that island may be Balor or the Darkspear Islands instead.
In Shadowlands, an archipelago known as the Exile's Reach appears roughly in a position where the northern islands once were.
Gallery[]
- In-game maps
In-game world map in the World of Warcraft alpha. Note the original Dragon Isles separately north of the Western Plaguelands.
Patch 2.4.0, last time the islands were depicted in the overworld map.
On the pre-Cataclysm Eastern Kingdoms Flight Map.
On the original cosmic map.
- Other maps
World of Warcraft World Map poster publication.
Map seen from a ceiling at the Hall of Explorers in Ironforge.
In the Hall of Legends in Orgrimmar.
- Identification
Early concept art depicting a hybrid northern islands/Dragon Isles separate from the "TOS" on the Broken Isles
A likely false negative from the non-canonical Lands of Mystery, depicting the Broken Isles as the nameless island southeast of the Maelstrom (as seen above)
South Seas map from Chronicle, removing the nameless island southeast of the Maelstrom outright