Backpacking around Azeroth: Darkshire

Backpack Greetings Rawrcast fans,

In the run up to Hallows eve it seem appropriate that I find myself venturing into the murky depths of Darkshire. Planning permission for graveyards must have been rife in these parts as the Duskwood surroundings boasts the biggest number of graves per square inch, but with the world under the grip of the scourge this does bring some problems. The Undead wander restless amongst the thickets and if you thought an army of the dead was enough to contend with explorers will need to be on guard against ogres, spiders and the cursed worgen.

Darkshire is not for the faint-hearted!

Smothered in a perpetual blanket of darkness, Darkshire is inhabited by a hardy group of folk and defended by a militia known as the Night Watch. There base is found in the town of Duskwood, North-east of the zone. Watched over by Lord Ello Ebonlocke and fought for by his daughter Althea the town of Duskwood is poised on a knife edge but times were not always so grim. The town once known as Grand Hamelt was razed by an army of orcs that tore through the lands during the First War. The remnants were rebuilt and the townspeople returned but its proximity to Karazhan saw dark times fall upon them once again.

Speculation toils with a variety of ideas to explain the murky forestland. Some say that the evil began to spread following the death of a group of nobles in the banquet halls of Karazhan, the residence of a deranged Medivh. Since his death at the hands of the great apprentice, Khadgar, Karazhan has been sealed from the outside world. Recent disruptions to the ley lines suggest that the citadel is far from at peace as an evil presence has moved in and reports suggest that Medivh himself may not be at rest. Drawn to the mysterious fluctuations in the area Dark riders roam the lands searching for the Scythe of Elune, under the direction of Morganth (whom we met in Redridge) and Morbent Fel who can be found housed near Darkshire’s Raven Hill Cemetery.

These dark forces hunt for the scythe which is responsible for summoning the first worgen into Azeroth. Originally under the control of Velinde Starsong the worgen followed the elves into battle against the demons infesting Felwood. Velinde lost control of the scythe which was able to summon the worgen at will and as she searched for answers in Darkshire the scythe was lost. The worgen poured through the interdimensional tears and terrorized the inhabitants of Darkshire. As the scythe lay lost it continued to warp the very fabric of time and space which is what attracted a host of malevolent forces. It is said that Jitters and a group of fellow miners found the scythe but was set upon by the worgen. His diary offers insight to this discovery for those that are brave enough to venture back into the caves. As for where the scythe lies now… Recent reports place it somewhere in Grizzly Hills with suspicious activity noted amongst the trappers in this region.

In the far Western reaches of Darkshire adventurers will discover Raven Hill. Once populated by the finest minds in alchemy (in particular embalming) the town is now a deserted wreck that has succumbed to the ceaseless attacks of the undead. Jitters will share his sorry tale that ties in the worgen and dark riders already discussed in this article, one man does not deserve to see the horrors he has witnessed! Just north of the cemetry though a particular figure stands out. Abercrombie lives alone in a shack next to a recently dug grave. It is said that he called upon the dark arts to bestow his dead wife with his heart, granting her a second life but corrupting her as a result. Abercrombie was forced to bury his wife as she hungered for human flesh but are you the one to help him find himself after this sorry tale?

At the heart of darkshire is perhaps the most peculiar feature of all, eclipsing the worgen and tales of dark riders in the lands. At the Twilight Grove lies a portal into the Emerald dream guarded by any one of the ‘Dragons of Nightmare‘ and the Twilight corrupter. Tread carefully in this area as you would be foolish to invoke the wrath of a dragon driven mad by twisted nightmares. If you are lucky then you can explore a part of darkshire that shuns the dismal shadow that cloaks the rest of the zone, quite what magic is at work here is a mystery to me.

There is plenty to see and do in Darkshire and the residents here are always glad to welcome the keen blade of anyone seeking fame and fortune. Be on the lookout for dark riders and guard yourself against the cursed bite of the worgen. Seek out the chef in Duskwood who would gladly put to use any spider legs you quarry along the way, his cakes are perhaps the most peculiar thing you will ever taste in Azeroth.

Tread lightly friends.

Emeny.