- For the level 80 wing of the Caverns of Time, see Culling of Stratholme.
The city of Stratholme[27, 8] was the northernmost city of the Kingdom of Lordaeron, and is the city where the Order of the Silver Hand was founded.
The Scourge’s capital in Lordaeron, Stratholme is a city of evil and dark magic. Once a great human city, the mad Prince Arthas ravaged Stratholme in the Third War and the undead moved in soon after. Kel’Thuzad raised undead structures among the human ruins. Undead and necromancers control the city while gargoyles and frost wyrms patrol the sky. Noxious orange mist oozes from the buildings and poisons living creatures, transforming them into servants of the Scourge. Kel’Thuzad’s rule here is absolute, and from here he stretches his skeletal hands to control the surrounding plaguelands.Template:Cite
The largest city after Lordaeron's capital, Stratholme was destroyed by Arthas in the opening hours of the Third War, as he massacred the city's citizenry after they were infected by the Plague of Undeath. Stratholme burns to this day, and its districts have been split between the overzealous Scarlet Crusade led by Grand Crusader Dathrohan, and the Scourge forces led by the death knight Baron Rivendare.
History
Old Stratholme
Old Stratholme
Stratholme in Warcraft III
Stratholme burning
Stratholme in the Ashbringer comic
Second War
The second largest human city in Lordaeron, matched only by the capital. The original Stratholme was a port town built on the northeast edge of Darrowmere Lake. Stratholme was the chief source of Alliance Oil in the north. During the Second War, it was preparing to deliver massive amounts of Oil to the kingdoms in western Lordaeron. The Horde sabotaged its Refineries and Platforms to halt their shipment, and destroyed the city. With the destruction of Stratholme, the Alliance supply lines to Quel'thalas were severed.
At the beginning of the Second war, Stratholme, specifically Alonsus Chapel, was the location where the Archbishop Alonsus Faol founded the holy Order of the Knights of the Silver Hand, and indoctrinated it's first five members, including Uther the Lightbringer and Saidan Dathrohan.
Afterwards
Stratholme was apparently rebuilt in landlocked northern Lordaeron after the Second War. In its glory days, this jewel of humanity's largest and proudest nation housed nearly 25,000 people,[1] and included many well known buildings, from the glorious keep to Fras Siabi's famous tobacco shop.
The city was also where the one of the original paladins, Tirion Fordring, was tried for treason against the Alliance for defending the orc Eitrigg. The trial was conducted by Uther the Lightbringer himself and overseen by various leaders of the Alliance. Tirion was found guilty, stripped of his powers (unsuccessfully), and was excommunicated from the Alliance lands. The following day the city came under attack by a small but well trained band of orcs under the command of the young warchief Thrall, determined to save Eitrigg. Admist the chaos Tirion and Eitrigg escaped into the countryside.
Third War
Just before the third war the city's population was almost completely massacred by Arthas, who thought the only way of keeping the plagued (but not yet turned) citizens out of the hands of Mal'Ganis was by purging (killing) them; the majority of the survivors left with Jaina Proudmoore.
When Arthas was called back to Northrend, the lich overlord Kel'Thuzad established Stratholme as his capital and positioned his fortress, the Necropolis Naxxramas, above the ruined city.
Today
Stratholme is quite possibly the largest stronghold held by the Scourge in all of Lordaeron. Leading Scourge forces in the city below is a former noble turned death knight by the name of Baron Rivendare, who coordinates the efforts of the Lich King in the Plaguelands, where he constantly battles the force of the Argent Dawn.
Some consider Stratholme to be one of the most dangerous places in Azeroth outside of Northrend. Today the city houses a few hundred Scarlet Crusade warriors from the Crimson Legion who fight valiantly (or fanatically, depending on who you ask) against the thousands of undead.
From the World Dungeons page on the official World of Warcraft Community Site:
- Once the jewel of northern Lordaeron, the city of Stratholme is where Prince Arthas turned against his mentor, Uther Lightbringer, and slaughtered hundreds of his own subjects who were believed to have contracted the dreaded plague of undeath. Arthas' downward spiral and ultimate surrender to the Lich King soon followed. The broken city is now inhabited by the undead Scourge -- led by the powerful lich, Kel'Thuzad. A contingent of Scarlet Crusaders, led by Grand Crusader Dathrohan, also holds a portion of the ravaged city. The two sides are locked in constant, violent combat. Those adventurers brave (or foolish) enough to enter Stratholme will be forced to contend with both factions before long. It is said that the city is guarded by three massive watchtowers, as well as powerful necromancers, banshees and abominations. There have also been reports of a malefic Death Knight riding atop an unholy steed, dispensing indiscriminate wrath on all those who venture within the realm of the Scourge.
Geography
Maps
Atlas map showing various shops that were in Stratholme
- StratholmeMap.jpg
Fan-created Stratholme map by Kanaru
Subregions
| Alonsus Chapel • The Crimson Throne • Crusaders' Square • Elders' Square • Festival Lane • The Gauntlet • The Hall of Lights • The Hoard • King's Square • Market Row • The Scarlet Bastion • The Slaughter House • Slaughter Square |
Summary
The gates of Stratholme
- Found in: Eastern Plaguelands
- 5 Player Cap (Prior to Patch 1.10 it was a 15 Player cap)
On first entering Stratholme, the gate closes. Therefore, the only way out is to fight your way to the service entrance (the key to which is held by Magistrate Barthilas), also known as the "back door", or use a hearthstone or mage portal to get out. If someone is already at the service entrance, they can use the lever to open the gate and let others in.
Stratholme is basically divided into two parts, at least in the minds of players. Scarlet Side or "Live Side", which goes from the main entrance into the Scarlet Crusade-controlled citadel, and Scourge Side or "Undead Side", which can also be accessed from the main entrance, but more commonly through the Service Entrance (which requires a key or Lockpicking 300) to the Scourge slaughterhouse. However, both "sides" are part of the same instance and players can complete both tracks.
Engineers can blast their way through the Service Entrance using a 
[Powerful Seaforium Charge]. However, if you do, remember to take two charges with you, as there are two doors to open.
Scarlet side
The Scarlet Bastion
- Also known as: FD Strat, Strat Scarlet, Strat Light, Scarlet Strath, Strath Live, Living Strat, Liveside, Hu(man) Strat, West Strat, SM Strat
- Enemy Level Range: 55–62
- End Boss: Grand Crusader Dathrohan/Balnazzar
- Mini Bosses:
- Malor the Zealous
- Archivist Galford
- Cannon Master Willey
- Timmy the Cruel
- Hearthsinger Forresten
- The Unforgiven
- Skul
- The Stratholme Courier
- Triggered Boss
- Fras Siabi
- Opening up his tobacco box for the quest.
- Crimson Hammersmith
- Clicking on a parchment named "Blacksmith Plans" will trigger the Hammersmith. The plans can appear in at least 2 known locations:
- On the floor in the Hoard area before Cannon Master Willey
- On a bench in the alcoves occupied by Archivist Galford
- Clicking on a parchment named "Blacksmith Plans" will trigger the Hammersmith. The plans can appear in at least 2 known locations:
- Fras Siabi
Dungeon denizens
Scarlet Crusaders
- Crimson Conjuror: casts
[Scorch], 
[Frostbolt], [Frost Nova] and Summon Water Elemental - Crimson Battle Mage: casts [Immolate], [Blast Wave] and [Arcane Explosion]
- Crimson Defender: casts [Devotion Aura], [Hammer of Justice], [Divine Shield] and Holy Light
- Crimson Gallant: casts Holy Strike (inflicts holy damage to the target), [Crusader Strike] and [Retribution Aura]
- Crimson Guardsman: casts [Charge] (knockback attack)
- Crimson Initiate: casts [Mind Blast], [Flash Heal] and [Renew]
- Crimson Inquisitor: casts [Shadow Word: Pain], [Mind Flay], [Mana Burn] and [Shadow Protection]
- Crimson Monk: melees
- Crimson Priest: casts [Power Word: Shield], [Heal], [Smite] and [Holy Fire]
- Crimson Rifleman: casts Shoot (normal ranged attack)
- Crimson Sorcerer: [Frost Armor], Arcane Might (Magical damage increased by 50), Arcane Bolt (direct damage arcane spell), [Polymorph] and [Fire Blast]
Undead
- Skeletal Berserker: casts [Cleave]
- Skeletal Guardian: casts [Demon Armor],(a combination of the spells here) Arcane Bolt, [Frostbolt], Shadowbolt, [Arcane Explosion]
- Stiched Horror: Uppercut (target is knocked into the air)
- Mangled Cadaver: Change on hit to spread Cadaver Worms (150 shadow damage every 10 seconds, and reduces health regeneration by 100%. 10 min duration, disease).
- Ravaged Cadaver: spawns a Broken Cadaver upon death
- Broken Cadaver: explodes after a few seconds, dealing 600-700 damage to enemies around it
Neutral Undead
Quests
- [60] The Restless Souls (Part 1) Given by Caretaker Alen in Light's Hope Chapel, this is outside of the instance and can be done solo.
- [60D] The Restless Souls (Part 2) Given by Egan in Terrordale, enters Stratholme.
- [60D] Of Love and Family This is part eight of a ten part quest chain started by Tirion Fordring on the banks of the Thondroril River in the Eastern Plaguelands. Look for the painting in the room with Archivist Galford.
- [60D] The Great Fras Siabi Stand alone quest given by Smokey LaRue in Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands.
- [60D] The Archivist Given by Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff in Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands.
- [60D] The Truth Comes Crashing Down After you've turned in the quest to kill Archivist Galford, Balnazzar will drop his head when he is killed, starting this quest.
[60] Undead side
The Slaughterhouse - Where Baron Rivendare dwells
- Also known as: BD Strat, Undead Strat, Deadside, Scourge Strat, Baron side, UD Strat, Baron Run, Strat UD, East Strat, Strat Dead
- Enemy Level Range: 55–62
- End Boss: Baron Rivendare
- Mini Bosses:
- Balzaphon (Scourge Invasion only, disappeared after it ended)
- Magistrate Barthilas (drops key to Scourge side)
- Baroness Anastari
- Nerub'enkan
- Maleki the Pallid
- Ramstein the Gorger
- Stonespine (Rare Spawn)
- Triggered Boss
- Postmaster Malown
- Opening up various mailboxes with their corresponding keys.
- Black Guard Swordsmith
- The Black Guard Swordsmith is triggered by clicking on some blacksmithing plans on the floor to the right of the stairs of the First Ziggurat. Baroness Anastari is at the top of the stairs.
- Postmaster Malown
- Also contains the originally planned entrance Necropolis Naxxramas.
Dungeon denizens
Mindless Undead (Ghouls, Skeletons and Zombies)
- Skeletal Guardian (non-elite): Casts frostbolt, melees when runs out of mana.
- Skeletal Berserker (non elite): Can [Cleave]
- Stiched Horror: Uppercut (target is knocked into the air)
- Mangled Cadaver: Chance on hitted to spread a disease dealing 150 shadow damage every 10 seconds, and reduces health regeneration by 100%.
- Ravaged Cadaver: Spawns a Broken Cadaver upon death
- Broken Cadaver: Explodes when it attacks, dealing 600-700 damage to enemies around it
- Fleshflayer Ghoul: Casts Head Crack (Stamina reduced by 20)
- Plague Ghoul: Casts Ghoul Plague
- Ghoul Ravenner: Casts Ravenous Claw
Undead (Spiders, Banshees and Gargoyles)
- Rockwing Screecher: Casts [Silence], AoE [Fear] (lasts 3 secs)
- Rockwing Gargoyle: Casts Gargoyle Strike (direct damage nature spell)
- Shrieking Banshee: Casts [Silence], Banshee Wail (direct damage shadow spell)
- Wailing Banshee: Casts Anti-Magic Shield
- Crypt Beast: Casts Enveloping Web
- Crypt Crawler: Casts Enveloping Web and Shoot (fires scarabs at the target, doing damage)
Thuzadin Wizards
- Thuzadin Necromancer: Casts Soul Tap (drains 350 health and mana every 2secs for 12 secs), Summon Skeleton, Bone Armor (shields the target for a srt amount of damage)
- Thuzadin Shadowcaster: Casts Shadowbolt, Piercing Shadow (reduces the target's shadow resistance), Cripple
- Thuzadin Acolytes (non-elite): Melees
The Baron's Bodyguards
- Black Guard Sentry: Shadow Shock (Direct damage insant cast spell.)
- Bile Spewer: Casts spawn Bile Slime (non-elite add), spawns 4 Bile Slime on death
- Venom Belcher: casts an AoE Poison Spit, and casts Slow Poison
Quests
The streets of Stratholme
- [60] The Medallion of Faith To activate this quest, you need to have collected a [Medallion of Faith] from the strongbox behind Malor the Zealous on the Scarlet Side. Give this Medallion to Aurius in the chapel at the beginning of the Undead side. When you fight Baron Rivendare, Aurius will appear and help you in the fight. Once the battle is over, you'll be able to chose your reward.
- [60D] Doctor Theolen Krastinov, the Butcher Given by Eva Sarkhoff in Caer Darrow in the Western Plaguelands, takes you into the Scholomance.
- [60D] Krastinov's Bag of Horrors
- [60D] Kirtonos the Herald Upon completing this quest you will receive the [Spectral Essence], a trinket that allows you to speak with the ghosts at Caer Darrow. This offers several benefits, including the ability to purchase the recipe for Major Mana Potions, and the continuation of the quest chain.
- [60+] The Human, Ras Frostwhisper Given by Magistrate Marduke in Caer Darrow in the Western Plaguelands, takes you to Stromgarde in the Arathi Highlands.
- [60+] The Dying, Ras Frostwhisper Takes you to Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands.
- [60D] Menethil's Gift (Part 1) Given by Leonid Barthalomew the Revered, enters Stratholme. Once Baron Rivendare is dead, use the item in the symbol on the floor.
- [60+] Menethil's Gift (Part 2) Back to Barthalomew.
- [60+] Soulbound Keepsake Back to Marduke.
- [60D] The Lich, Ras Frostwhisper Back into the Scholomance.
- [60D] The Flesh Does Not Lie Given by Betina Bigglezink in Light's Hope Chapel. A simple collection quest. Almost any enemy in Undead Strat, and most undead on the scarlet side will drop the plagued flesh samples.
- [60D] The Active Agent This is the follow-up to The Flesh Does Not Lie. The reward upgrades your [Argent Dawn Commission] to offer you combat bonuses in addition to allowing the collection of Scourgestones.
- [60D] Above and Beyond This is a follow-up to The Truth Comes Crashing Down. It simply requires you to kill Baron Rivendare.
- [60D] Houses of the Holy Given by Leonid Barthalomew the Revered in Light's Hope Chapel. This requires you to pick up [Stratholme Holy Water], which is in crates around around both sides of the instance. Most crates are corrupted and will contain rats or maggots instead, which you will have to kill. If you have a dwarf in the group, they can use the Treasure Finding racial ability to determine which crates are not corrupted.
- [60D] Ramstein This quest becomes available from Nathanos Blightcaller after completing his first two sets of quests. You must kill the abomination Ramstein, who comes out of the slaughterhouse just before you fight Baron Rivendare. Loot the Head of Ramstein the Gorger from his body and hand it in to Nathanos.
- Template:Questclass - Given by Lady Liadrin in Silvermoon's Farstriders' Square, this quest is the last of the Blood Charger questline. Travel to the Alonsus Chapel and extinguish the eternal flame there. You must defeat Aurius and five ghostly paladins.
- [60D] Dead Man's Plea Given by Anthion Harmon just outside the instance, although you must have the [Extra-Dimensional Ghost Revealer] to interact with him. This step in the quests for the Dungeon Set 2 upgrades requires you to engage Baron Rivendare in 45 minutes. See the Baron in 45 guide. There is also a graphic map displaying what and where to pull to reach the baron using the least possible time.
[60D] 
Loot
See Stratholme loot.
Caverns of Time: Old Stratholme
The city's main cathedral, now called the Scarlet Bastion
Tigole recently announced at the gaming convention in Leipzig, Germany that Stratholme will be the premise of the fourth wing of the Caverns of Time, set approximately six years from the present in World of Warcraft. This is actually the setting of a Warcraft III Human campaign mission. In this new instance, you are part of Prince Arthas' forces as they arrive in Stratholme, shortly before the purging of the city that led - eventually - to Arthas' descent into madness.
Culling of Stratholme will be a level 80, 5-man wing, and the players will aid Arthas in destroying the town and killing its plagued denizens.[2]
Trivia
It is interesting to note that there is a Raid Instance portal at the end of the instance, outside the Slaughter Square. This cannot lead to Naxxramas, as it used to be floating above the city, though the teleporter may have once been meant to be inside the ruins. There are ruined flags carrying the insignia of Lordaeron inside the tunnel, which are not seen anywhere else inside Stratholme.
Additional Info
There has also been some controversy over the current state of Stratholme. Sense, Naxxramas used to be floating above it and had Kel'Thuzad commanding and constantly dumping the plague over the plaguelands, now it has moved to Northrend. So this leaves the question: With the Argent Dawn and the Scarlet Crusade fighting the undead cant they clense the plaguelands? There is a druid and a shaman (Rayne and Rimblat Earthshatter) in Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands who have proven that the land can be cured and now that Naxxramas has moved some people think that the plaguelands wont be the plaguelands for much longer.
References
- ^ Baxter, Rob; Tim Campbell, Bob Fitch, Luke Johnson, Seth Johnson, Mur Lafferty, Andrew J. Scott. in Ellen P. Kiley: Lands of Conflict: 188. ISBN 978-1-5884-6960-1.
- ^ http://www.mmo-champion.com/index.php?topic=736.0
External links
WowGroupings Group & Raid
Scheduler
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||
