Desolace

Desolace, originally known as Mashan'she, is a large, arid region on the western coast of Kalimdor, nestled between the Stonetalon Mountains in the north and the jungles of Feralas in the south. The homeland of the barbarous centaur, Desolace was once nothing but a massive grey desert, filled with dead trees and skulls of dead kodo, along with warring centaur tribes and the malevolent, demon-worshipping Burning Blade clan.

After the Cataclysm, the area has become far more fertile, with grass, trees, and increased settlement by the Horde, Alliance, and Cenarion Circle. Despite this, conflict continues to rage between various factions, including the Horde and Alliance. The Magram, Kolkar and Gelkis tribes of centaur continue to fight, whilst the demonic Burning Legion gathers in Mannoroc Coven. With the Burning Blade to the north in Thunder Axe Fortress, satyrs in the northeastern ruins, and naga on the northwest coast, Desolace remains a harsh environment even with the Cenarion Circle's best efforts. The sacred Centaur grounds of Maraudon are the only instance in the area.

History
1,100 years before the Dark Portal, Desolace, then known as Mashan'she ("Loom of the Earth Mother" in Taur-ahe) was a fertile grassland frequented by the shaman of the nomadic tauren tribes. Drawn by faint elemental whisperings, the tauren became convinced that somewhere beneath the meadows, the Earth Mother herself dwelled. After decades of attempting to rouse her from her slumber, the shaman eventually succeeded, but to their horror they realized that what they had awakened was not the benevolent Earth Mother, but the enormous earth elemental Princess Theradras, daughter of Therazane the Stonemother. The newly awakened Theradras reached out to the verdant surroundings for sustenance and consumed their energies in order to regenerate her weakened form. The tauren would later name this now barren land "Desolace".

The sudden monumental loss of life sent ripples throughout all of Azeroth and even the Emerald Dream. Zaetar, son of the forestlord Cenarius, traveled to Desolace to investigate, but though he had decided to imprison Theradras, he instead fell in love with her. Theradras requited Zaetar's affection, and the two became mates. From this forbidden and unnatural union, the centaur were born. After having brutally murdered their father, the half-horse creatures quickly proliferated and spread out across Kalimdor, driving the tauren of Desolace from their homes and igniting a long and dark period of war between the two races that would come to last for many centuries.

The remote plains of Desolace were once home to a unique breed of horse too proud and wild to countenance riders. Yet it is precisely this willful conceit that enticed the elders of the Shadow Council to bind these majestic steeds to their service with dark rituals too horrific to perform by any but the most depraved of warlocks. Although they retain their imposing forms, these newly-christened felsteeds have become twisted with infernal energies, treading flames and breathing fire.

World of Warcraft
In recent times Horde, Alliance, the Burning Blade, the Cenarion Circle, Satyr and Naga have set up outposts in the desolate land, and only four of the five tribes control Desolace. With the centaur kept in check, more species of animals occupy the land than before. Adventures are directed to beat back the Satyr, Burning Blade, and Naga forces at the behest of their respective factions and the Cenarion Circle. At the same time the Horde and Alliance seek to take advantage of the Magram-Gelkis feud by picking a side in order to gain an ally in the region.

Theradras loved the centaur, and she was worried that the Horde's rise to power might eventually drive them to extinction. After years of hostilities with the orcs and their allies, she acted to save her progeny. She infused the centaur with her power, driving them to make war and claim new territories outside Desolace. The centaur warbands stormed out of Desolace and laid waste to the surrounding regions. Horde forces sent by Thrall quickly discovered that the centaur were slaughtering their other tribes just as much as they were attacking outsiders. When they investigated further they met Warug, who told them of the origins of the centaur and Theradras's recent actions. The Horde united with Warug and his Magram clan, who held no loyalty to Theradras unlike the other clans, to suppress the other tribes. They then entered Maraudon and slew Theradras. Their victory halted the spreading corruption in Desolace and stopped the violent bloodlust in the centaur. With the Horde's blessing, the Magram became the leaders of the united centaur and led them to an age of tranquility. Yet none knew how long they would stay on the path of peace.

Cataclysm
Areas affected by the Cataclysm:
 * Ethel Rethor – small blood elf Horde camp near entrance with Flight Master called Furien's Post; Cenarion Researcher Korrah from the Cenarion Circle replaces Azore Aldamort as a quest giver – includes a neutral flight path
 * Kodo Graveyard – half collapsed into a deep chasm; chasm stretches from Graveyard to the shore in the west; other half of Graveyard is lush and green
 * Kolkar Village – taken over by the Magram and fortified; north of here is a small camp where you will find Cenarion Embassador Thunk (Thunk's Abode), a member of the Cenarion Circle that offers quests and a neutral flight path
 * Magram Village – taken over by the Burning Blade and renamed Shok'Thokar; also has a tower in it now
 * Mannoroc Coven – relatively unchanged, but there are green fireballs that now plummet from the sky on occasion
 * Ranazjar Isle – an elite elemental, Lord Hydronis, now roams this isle, killing Naga he encounters; due south there is a large island with a ruined temple that has been pushed up from the ocean, full of Naga
 * Sar'theris Strand – islands have been pushed up from the ocean full of Naga and Giants
 * Sargeron – relatively unchanged, but now the Satyr are siphoning off energy from several artifacts of Elune (these artifacts give quests)
 * Thargad's Camp - a new Explorer's League outpost.
 * Valley of Spears – the northern hills, just beyond the horn, have collapsed into the ocean
 * Other – the center of Desolace is now the Cenarion Wildlands and is lush and green with a giant tree at the center; it includes Kormek's Hut, the Kodo Graveyard, Ghost Walker Post, and Scrabblescrew's Camp; there is a full-fledged Cenarion Circle camp in the Wildlands called Karnum's Glade, complete with flight master and inn.

Twilight of the Aspects
Some time after the Cataclysm and the death of Cho'gall, Alexstrasza ventured to Desolace in order to end her life because of the loss of Korialstrasz and how evidence seemed to indicate he was a traitor working with the Twilight's Hammer. However Thrall, thanks to receiving a vision of Korialstrasz's final moments, realized the truth and was able to share it with Alexstrasza. Thus by this act Alexstrasza gained new hope and the will to live once more.

Aftermath
At some point, the centaur clans united under High Khan Aratas who served a new elemental in Maraudon. The Garad'kra of the Horde came here to deal with the new leader as well as to free orc slaves near Maraudon.

The ship Wavestrider came to Desolate to trade with the Grimtail clan of gnolls as well as to visit the hidden Flayers' Point.

Following the Argus Campaign, Magni Bronzebeard arrived to Desolace in order to speak with the centaur about Azeroth.

Getting there

 * Alliance:From Stonetalon Peak in the Stonetalon Mountains, head southwest through the Charred Vale. There is a pass at the southern border of the vale leading into Desolace. Nijel's Point can be found in the northern mountains, east of the pass.
 * Horde:From Sun Rock Retreat, go up the trail west into the Charred Vale, then south into Desolace. The Horde flight path is in Shadowprey Village in the southwestern corner of the zone, on the coast.

Geography
Desolace is a gray, rocky wasteland littered with bones. It seems almost under a supernatural curse, its skies always black and stormy, with lightning and high winds a constant within the interior. Pools of yellow, polluted water cover the landscape.

The Grimtail clan of gnolls led by Cackle live in Desolace It contains a forest area known as the Last Forest where the Grimtail gnolls, tauren of Old Ironhoof and some scattered orcs, trolls, goblins and nomadic quilboar tribes make their home. There is also a busy but isolated trading post and port named Flayers' Point that used to be a skinning camp. The destination isn't on any map.

The mountainous barriers of the Stonetalon Mountains lie to the north and Feralas to the south and southeast, isolating Desolace from much of the rest of Kalimdor. The grasslands and mesas of Mulgore stand directly east, and the land runs rugged and open to the storm-tossed coast to the west. The winds create waterspouts against the lowland hills along the shore. The western coastline of Desolace is lush in sad contrast to the wasteland of its interior, with the airy inn of Shadowprey Village allowing travelers to wake up to a beautiful view of the waterline.

Central to any study of the geography of Desolace are the four centaur tribes. The smallest and least influential of these is the Kolkar whose ancestral grounds lie along the eastern mountains. Not far south of the Kolkar are the Magram tribe whose yurts and pavilions are haphazardly scattered among acrid pools of brackish water near the juncture of the eastern and southern ranges. Just west of the road leading from Feralas, not far from the coast are the Gelkis. The Gelkis centaur inhabit a large ravine and surrounding environs. A cave entrance in the rocky cliff face can only be accessed by crossing a treacherous rope bridge and houses the Gelkis leadership. Finally, the Maraudine tribe inhabit the canyons and cliffs pinched between the coast of the Veiled Sea to the west and the Kodo Graveyard to the east. The entrance to dreaded Maraudon lies in the heart of Maraudine territory.

As the goblins of the Venture Co. know, it is often the most dire situations and environments which present the richest opportunities, and so there are a few neutral quests they offer for those willing to do some legwork for them. Hunting in Desolace is both challenging and profitable, with potential prey including kodo, thunder lizards, elementals, basilisks and powerful scorpids and vultures. Those brave or foolhardy enough who seek an even greater challenge can also hunt giants and the various otherworldly monsters which inhabit the demon-infested Mannoroc Coven.

The surrounding mountains form a significant barrier to travel, a key reason why the centaur have never established more than a sporadic presence elsewhere on Kalimdor.

The centaur-inhabited Maraudon is a 5-man instance located in this zone. No other dungeons, micro dungeons, or battlegrounds can be found here.

Maps and subregions


Topographic map of Desolace

Travel hubs
Flight paths from Nijel's Point

Flight paths from Thargad's Camp

Flight paths from Furien's Post

Flight paths from Shadowprey Village

Flight paths from Karnum's Glade

Notable characters
Desolace is home to several characters of note. At Ghost Walker Post, Maurin Bonesplitter and Takata Steelblade seek aid in the battle against the Burning Blade. In Shadowprey Village, Taiga Wisemane attempts to cleanse the demonic taint that the Burning Legion has brought with it. And at Nijel's Point, Kreldig Ungor sends bold adventurers to the wide corners of the land in search of mystical items and treasure. In addition, Rexxar used to wander these lands with his bear companion Misha until the Dark Portal reopened.

Other inhabitants
In addition to the centaur, Burning Blade cultists maintain an extensive presence in Desolace, with their outposts of Thunder Axe Fortress, Shadowbreak Ravine and Mannoroc Coven. There is also an extensive demonic infestation, particularly in the areas of Mannoroc Coven and Sargeron.

Both the Alliance and the Horde have started occupying Desolace, with the Horde constructing two notable settlements: the Darkspear trolls established Shadowprey Village on the western coast and the tauren have established Ghost Walker Post on the hills above the Kodo Graveyard. An Alliance town has been built at Nijel's Point among the night elven ruins, deep within the mountain ridge to the north that separates Desolace from the Stonetalon Mountains region.

The relative success of the Horde's expansion into Desolace has raised a number of concerns throughout the political elites of both Kalimdor and Azeroth, but particularly among the Alliance. These concerns stem mainly from the fact that the Horde's colonization appears to be proceeding seemingly unhindered by the extensive presence of the Burning Blade cult. Allegations have emerged that the Horde has forged an agreement of sorts with the cultists. Determined to dispel these allegations and demonstrate to the Alliance that the Horde no longer consorts with demons, Warchief Thrall has commanded Keldran in Orgrimmar to take any steps necessary to remove the Burning Blade from the region.

Quests
See also Desolace storyline and Desolace storyline (Classic) for a summary of the quests in this zone.

Questing in Desolace usually takes place between levels 30-35. Some notable quests in the area include a series of quests to befriend one of the centaur clans, accomplished first by killing their enemies and then by performing quests for them.

Resources

 * Herbalism
 * Stranglekelp
 * Goldthorn
 * Wild Steelbloom
 * Kingsblood
 * Liferoot
 * Gromsblood (One of the few regions where you can gather it.)


 * Mining
 * Silver Ore
 * Iron Ore
 * Gold Ore

Wild creatures

 * Air elementals
 * Basilisks
 * Carrion birds
 * Crabs
 * Doomguards
 * Felbeasts
 * Felguards
 * Ghosts
 * Hyenas
 * Infernals
 * Kodos
 * Lashers
 * Makrura (Lobstrok)
 * Orcas
 * Satyr
 * Scorpids
 * Sea giants
 * Sharks
 * Skeletons
 * Succubi
 * Thunder lizards

History
Legends claim that the centaur are descendants of a dark union between one of the demigod Cenarius's sons and a princess of the chaotic earth elementals. When the first khans were born of their union, it is said that they murdered their father, for shame of their misshapen appearance. They were born filled with rage and savagery and have not calmed in the centuries that followed. The first of their kind, the first khans, gave rise to the five tribes of the centaur. The race swept across Desolace and soon became legendary for its brutality. The diligent night elves held them in check for ages until the Burning Legion rained its destruction upon the world. The night elves left the centaur out of necessity for their own survival during the wars, allowing the twisted race to assume control of Desolace. Though fortunate enough not to be scorched into oblivion in the demon wars, Desolace was savaged nonetheless due to the centaur's ceaseless aggression. No longer threatened by night elves, the tribes plagued other plains races - chiefly, the peaceful tauren. This struggle endured for generations until recently, when the tauren were at last driven from Desolace. The centaur were never content with controlling just Desolace and have followed their tribal khans in a series of clashes with other races throughout southern and central Kalimdor.

The mountainous barriers of the Stonetalons lie to the north and Thousand Needles to the southeast, isolating Desolace from much of the rest of Kalimdor. The grasslands and mesas of Mulgore stand directly east, and the land runs rugged and open to the storm-tossed coast to the west. The winds create waterspouts against the lowland hills along the shore. The western coastline of Desolace is lush in sad contrast to the wasteland of its interior. Desolace is a gray, rocky wasteland littered with bones. It seems almost under a supernatural curse, its skies always black and stormy, with lightning and high winds a constant throughout the realm. The surrounding mountains form a significant barrier to travel, a key reason why the centaur have never established more than a sporadic presence elsewhere on Kalimdor. Five barbarous centaur tribes dominate the entire region with the strength of overwhelming numbers and unequaled ferocity. Each tribe is led by one of the dreaded khans and is known by a distinctive tribal color - Black, Brown, Green, Red, and Yellow. Members use the color to mark their weapons and their faces. The khans who lead each tribe rarely have contact with each other except in times of war. There are no other cultures of any note in all of Desolace, for the centaur have run them all down in their unceasing lust for conquest. The only animals that can sustain themselves in the arid and violent land were beasts such as lions, raptors, sand serpents, and harpies.

There's a demon cult here called the Marapor.