Altar of Storms



Altars of Storms are structures of great power used by both the Old Horde and Thrall's Horde during the Second and Third Wars, respectively.

Second War


Carved from the runestone at Caer Darrow, the Altar of Storms channelled dark and arcane energies through the bronze figures that towered above it to pervert the innate elven magic of the runestone. These energies, lost when the orc warlocks were destroyed by the Doomhammer, were now used to create the powers of the ogre magi. It is here that the ogre magi were imbued with new spells and skills to aid them in their fight against the Alliance. The Altars were avoided by the rest of the Horde as the intense energies that emanated from their cold surfaces could be... unhealthy.

The elves, knowing that their sacred artifact had been defiled, had sworn to destroy all of the unholy Altars across the Eastern Kingdoms. Some Altars were also built on Draenor, notably at the mystic sanctum of Fortress Shadowmoon.

Third War


Once used to channel the demonic energies of the Burning Legion, these Altars have been retooled by troll masons. Using the rediscovered elemental abilities of the shamans, these Altars serve as a kind of "gate" to revive fallen warriors. When a hero dies, his spirit can be recalled at these Altars to continue service for the Horde.

World of Warcraft


Only three of the original Altars remain to this day:
 * The Altar of Storms in the Burning Steppes lies in the shadow of Blackrock Mountain to the northwest. The Blackrock clan still uses it for their rituals. Ner'gosh the Shadow can be found here.
 * Another Altar of Storms can be found in the Blasted Lands. Cultists controlled the Altar since the death of Lady Sevine.
 * The Altar of Twilight in the Twilight Highlands was called the "Last Altar of Storm" by Cho'gall. Skullcrusher the Mountain is fought here.

A new Altar of Storms was built in Ar'gorok during the Battle for Stromgarde to summon heroes, though it uses a different design.

Another Altar of Storms was built during the Battle for Darkshore by the goblins. It was staffed by Mizzyk.

Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans
In the canceled Warcraft Adventures, one scene had Thrall standing before Orgrim Doomhammer, Kargath Bladefist, and Kilrogg Deadeye on an Altar of Storms at Grim Batol in a meeting to reunite the Horde.

In the RPG
An Altar of Storms stands in the Searing Gorge. Orc warlocks in the Second War invented a method to grant intelligence and magical powers to their ogre allies. This method involved arcane edifices such as this Altar of Storms, one of the few remaining from the Second War. They are now relics. The Alliance destroyed several such Altars in the Second War. The Searing Gorge altar is cracked and scarred, but its remaining energies draw elementals and ogre magi to the area. A dangerous place.

Trivia

 * In the alpha of World of Warcraft, troll Altars of Storms were used as early graveyards for the Horde, similarly to how Alliance players used Altars of Kings.