Vrykul Attack

While Gazlowe directed the construction of Maim Harbor, Rend did not sit idle. This was the best time to formally explore Howling Fjord. Since Rend had prepared in advance, the Blackrock Expeditionary Force arrived far earlier than the Alliance Expedition. The Alliance Expedition was still gathering supplies, while the Blackrock Expeditionary Force had already reached Howling Fjord!

Howling Fjord was the most habitable and fertile region in Northrend. Its northern reaches held dense forests rich with wildlife.

To the south of Stormheim, warmed by ocean currents, the forests gradually thinned out, replaced by cold-resistant fruits and vegetables. For this reason, colonists from Lordaeron and Kul Tiras had settled in Stormheim long ago, though they had never developed it into a new kingdom.

Later, it was attacked by the Lich King's Scourge. Most human colonial towns and villages in Northrend were destroyed by the Scourge, and their inhabitants were transformed into undead.

Today, the largest human settlement in Howling Fjord was Valgarde, the port camp Arthas, prince of Lordaeron, had established when pursuing the Dreadlord Mal'Ganis.

Because Arthas had burned the ships he had brought with him in a show of resolve, Valgarde lost contact with the outside world. None of the Alliance nations knew that such a resilient human territory still existed in Howling Fjord.

The more than five thousand Lordaeron soldiers Arthas had left behind, together with Muradin Bronzebeard's Dwarf troops, built Valgarde and gathered the human colonists who had narrowly escaped disaster throughout Howling Fjord. Valgarde had now developed into a port city with nearly one hundred thousand residents.

Another purpose of Rend's exploration of Howling Fjord was to find Valgarde before the Stormwind Alliance did.

Above Maim Harbor, beside a bay in Howling Fjord, stood an ancient lift—the Westwind Lift. Because the Vrykul had gone into hibernation,