Orgrimmar

Orgrimmar is the capital city of the orcs, and the Horde as a whole. Found at the northern edge of Durotar, the imposing city was once home to Warchief Vol'jin, as well as several of those who held the title before him. As with all capital cities, it has banks, class and profession trainers and auction houses.

After the Third War
Orgrimmar has been the central hub of the orc community since the end of the Third War. The city was founded by Thrall and named after his friend and mentor, the former Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer. It is a fortified complex guarded by stout walls, massive gates, and tall towers. The mountainous ranges of northern Durotar form a natural barrier to the rear of the fortress, and parts of the complex are carved into the mountain itself.

Thrall led the orcs to the continent of Kalimdor, where they founded a new homeland with the help of their tauren brethren. Naming their new land Durotar after Thrall's murdered father, the orcs settled down to rebuild their once-glorious society. The demonic curse on their kind ended, the Horde changed from a bloodthirsty, warlike juggernaut into more of a loose coalition, dedicated to survival and prosperity rather than conquest. Aided by the noble tauren and the cunning trolls of the Darkspear tribe, Thrall and his orcs looked forward to a new era of peace in their own land.

From there, they began the creation of the great warrior city, Orgrimmar. Named after the former Warchief, Orgrim Doomhammer, the new city was constructed in a short amount of time, with the aid of goblins, tauren, trolls, and the Mok'Nathal Rexxar. Despite having some problems with the centaur, harpies, enraged thunder lizards, kobolds, evil orcish warlocks, quilboars, Orgrimmar prospered in the end and became home to the orcs and Darkspear Trolls.

Although Rexxar decided not to go back to Orgrimmar right after the death of Daelin Proudmoore, but instead chose to wander again, he returned to the city when he brought the injured fisherman Byrok to the city.

World of Warcraft
Named in honor of the legendary Orgrim Doomhammer, Orgrimmar was founded as the capital city of the orcs' new homeland. Built within a huge, winding canyon in the harsh land of Durotar, Orgrimmar stands as one of the mightiest warrior cities in the world. Behind Orgrimmar's immense walls, elderly shaman pass their knowledge on to the Horde's newest generation of leaders, while warriors spar in the gladiatorial arena, honing their skills in preparation for the trials that await them in this dangerous land.

Today, Orgrimmar lies at the base of a mountain between Durotar and Azshara. A warrior city indeed, it is home to countless amounts of orcs, trolls, tauren, and an increasing amount of Forsaken are now joining the city, as well as the blood elves and Bilgewater Cartel goblins who have more recently been accepted into the Horde.

During the first Scourge Invasion, the city was attacked by the Scourge. Prior to the start of the invasion of Outland, the gates of Orgrimmar were invaded by a group of Burning Legion demons led by Highlord Kruul.

Wrath of the Lich King
The city was once again attacked by the Scourge during the duel between Thrall and Garrosh. The duel was interrupted as orcs and some other leaders of the Horde went to defend the city.

During the War against the Lich King, Putress betrayed the Forsaken. Sylvanas and her loyal Forsaken took refuge in Orgrimmar. From there, Sylvanas, Thrall and horde adventurers returned and liberated Undercity. During that time, all merchants and services were shut down as the Warchief prepared for an unavoidable conflict.

Stormrage
As the whole of Azeroth fell into the mists of the Emerald Nightmare, so too did Orgrimmar and its citizens.

Elemental Unrest
Orgrimmar was attacked by raging elements but the attack was successfully repelled.

Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm
After the War against the Lich King and War Against the Nightmare were over, a great celebration was held in honor of Garrosh and those who died and survived on Northrend. Nevertheless, raging fire elements burned plenty of buildings in Orgrimmar and the city needed to repair. Thrall asked Gazlowe to do so and determined to set off to Nagrand in order to help raging elements. Before leaving, in Grommash Hold Thrall appointed Garrosh to lead the Horde.

Cataclysm
When Garrosh assumed leadership of the Horde, he instituted an enormous redesign of Orgrimmar, opening up new areas to settlement and moving or repurposing existing buildings. The redesign was done with fortification and safety in mind, with new iron and stone buildings built to be far less susceptible to fire and enemy attacks. The orc capital became a more militant and martial city, with an increasingly aggressive attitude toward the world. Orgrimmar's fortresses now rank among the most imposing on Azeroth. Spiked metal towers line the city's streets and the red-and-black banners of the Horde wave from every post. Most of the various races have separated into their own districts, from the tauren in the Valley of Wisdom to the trolls in the Valley of Spirits. Grommash Hold towers over all else, allowing Garrosh Hellscream to keep a close watch on his people. There is also a district known as the "Goblin Slums" near the Valley of Spirits. There is also a rear gate leading to Azshara. The Valley of Honor has also become the second trade district, with its own bank, auction house and inn.

Areas affected:
 * Valley of Strength – the inn is much bigger and now has a well-stocked bar; Gamon is still here; Auction House redesigned and run by Goblins; Grommash Hold is in place of the bank, and the bank has been moved closer to the entrance, also run by goblins; on the NW side there is now a proper building containing a forge and anvil; on the north side there is now a tunnel running to the Cleft of Shadow and Valley of Wisdom
 * The Drag – now open-air, parts of which seem to be under construction; also a small pond near the center with a dock.
 * Valley of Honor – the lake has lost its secluded corner; a second major Auction House is near the lake; where the Engineering trainer used to be is now a waterway, and all trainers are now condensed into the remaining, expanded buildings; Engineering trainer is now in the Drag; near the back end of the valley is the path leading to Azshara; there is now a proper building for Hunter trainers.
 * Valley of Wisdom – the Tauren district, complete with Tauren architecture, a single Auctioneer, single Banker, and an Inn in place of Grommash Hold.
 * Grommash Hold – moved to the Valley of Strength where the bank used to be.
 * Valley of Spirits – the watery Troll district, complete with Troll architecture, an Auctioneer, a Banker, and an Inn; there is a nearby tunnel that connects this valley with the Valley of Wisdom; connected to the south of this is the new Goblin district, the Goblin Slums, which also has its own Inn, Bank, and Auction House.
 * Cleft of Shadow - not much has changed; the portal to the Blasted Lands is now located here.
 * Other – the zeppelin towers to the Undercity/Grom'gol Base Camp, Northrend/Thunder Bluff, as well as the flight master, flying mount trainer/vendor have been moved to a high plateau called Orgrimmar Skyway, between the Valley of Strength and Valley of Wisdom.

Tides of War
With the Cataclysm over and the threat of Deathwing subsided, a summit of the Horde's leaders was held in Orgrimmar. Here, Garrosh informed his allies about his desire to forcibly expel the Alliance from Kalimdor, and claim the continent for the good of the Horde. Garrosh intended to scour Theramore from the continent and stunt the Alliance's military presence. With that done, he then aims to take the night elves' land.

After the successful destruction of Theramore, the battle force returned to Orgrimmar to celebrate their victory. Many cheers rose to Garrosh's victory.

Mists of Pandaria
Over the course of Mists of Pandaria, Garrosh becomes increasingly crazed and tyrannical, turning the Horde against him and Orgrimmar changes to reflect this.

Escalation
Orgrimmar is effectively put under martial law, as Garrosh continues to oppress the non-orc members of the city. All non-orc districts of the city lose most of their supplies and are heavily guarded by the Kor'kron, under suspicion that they might be working with the rebels. The supply lines to Orgrimmar from the Northern Barrens are cut off and Vol'jin has taken the strategic settlement of Razor Hill from Garrosh's loyalists, essentially putting the city under threat of siege from the rebellion to the south as well as the Alliance armada amassing to the east.

Siege
During the Siege of Orgrimmar, the city is put under siege by the forces of the Horde rebels and the Alliance. Kor'kron barricades block access to most of the city's districts. Vol'jin's revolutionary forces have entrenched themselves along the main road, launching a frontal assault on the city's gates to break into the Valley of Strength. Alliance frigates storm the Bladefist Bay and landing parties attempt to capture the docks around Orgrimmar. Invading forces discover a massive underground compound constructed by Garrosh's forces for his own purposes. Skirmishes at the gates occurred before a full-scale battle erupted between the forces led by Vol'jin and the defenders still loyal to Garrosh. Despite Vol'jin's attempts to ram the gate and attack the walls with siege engines, the walls could not be breached. The arrival of a combined rebel and Alliance armada under the command of Lor'themar Theron, Varian Wrynn, Jaina Proudmoore, and Sylvanas Windrunner disabled Orgrimmar's naval defenses. Eventually, the Kor'kron were pushed back into the gates and the arrival of Night Elf reinforcements under Tyrande Whisperwind. Night Elf glaive throwers brought the gate down, and the allied forces charged into Orgrimmar. The Valley of Strength was quickly liberated, and the death of General Nazgrim brought the upper city under Alliance/rebel control. The Underhold eventually fell when adventurers defeated and imprisoned the Warchief Garrosh. Vol'jin was quickly nominated and initiated as the new Warchief by Thrall and the other Horde leaders. Alliance forces left the city, and the rebels began rebuilding the damage that was done during the siege.

Warlords of Draenor
Following the deposition of Garrosh, rebel forces began rebuilding the damage done to Orgrimmar during the siege and members of the Horde of all races began moving back to the city. The trade routes previously blockaded during the siege have been restored and all areas of Orgrimmar were freed from Kor'kron control. As such Orgrimmar is now fully operational and can be considered to have returned to normalcy.

The newly elected Warchief Vol'jin has also taken up residence in Orgrimmar, ruling the Horde from Grommash Hold, while members of all races have formed a new city guard.

Though the arsenal hidden within the Underhold was destroyed, the exact status of the Underhold and whether or not is it still being used under the Horde's new management is unknown.

Legion
Before and after the disastrous first battle on the Broken Shore, many of Orgrimmar's citizens were seen in the streets worrying. In response, Vol'jin opened the Underhold to provide the shelter for the citizens. After being mortally wounded on the Broken Shore the dying Vol'jin was returned to Orgrimmar. After receiving a vision by the loa he declared that Sylvanas Windrunner would succeed him as Warchief of the Horde. Following Vol'jin's funeral, a group of Illidari were granted permission to establish a camp within the Orgrimmar Skyway.

Varok Saurfang now leads Orgrimmar as leader of the orcs.

Following the Argus Campaign, a new embassy was opened replacing the Goblin Slums. The city also hosted a parade led by Warchief Sylvanas.

Battle for Azeroth


While the civil war against Garrosh Hellscream had proved that Orgrimmar could be cracked, High Overlord Saurfang spent a considerable time in beefing up Orgrimmar's defenses. Despite this, however, 7 spies, in response to the end result Gathering, were able to sneak into the city. While the sheer numbers and sightings of the Alliance spies forced the guards of Orgrimmar into a state of paranoia, Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner used their presence to her advantage by tricking the Alliance into believing that the Horde intended to conquer Silithus. Believing the information to be genuine, Tyrande Whisperwind sent the Sentinels to prevent this from occurring and with the bulk of the night elf military away the Horde focused on their true target - the conquest of Teldrassil itself.

After the destruction of the Undercity, Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner would come to reside within Grommash Hold and Forsaken refugees would set up home within the city with the Gates of Orgrimmar becoming home to a sizable group of them.

During the Fourth War, the Horde was constructing Azerite doomsday weapons in the city. Several Horde's Island Expeditions made transits from Orgrimmar. One portal was maintained between Orgrimmar and the Blood Coast in Nazmir for the Honorbound during the Assault on Nazmir.

Later, Thrall, Varok, Jaina Proudmoore, Mathias Shaw, and adventurers infiltrated the city and entered the Underhold to free Baine Bloodhoof.

Over the course of the war, the Horde split between Sylvanas Windrunner loyalists and Varok Saurfang's revolutionaries. Sylvanas and her loyalists were quick to seize Orgrimmar as their base of operations to the point of arresting Eitrigg for siding with Saurfang and burning anti-propaganda that dissidents within the city were spreading. To further strengthen Sylvanas's strength, Nathanos Blightcaller called for the citizens of Orgrimmar to be rallied to their army. While Sylvanas was seizing Orgrimmar, Saurfang's revolutionaries had allied with the Alliance and sought to strike at Orgrimmar from Razor Hill.

However, before the battle could commence, Saurfang, recognizing Sylvanas's loyalists as his brothers and sisters in the Horde and unwilling to spill more Horde blood, challenged Sylvanas to Mak'gora, which ended in his death and her abandonment of the Horde. In the aftermath, the Horde reunited once more with her former loyalists defecting to his revolution. Saurfang's funeral was subsequently held in front of Grommash Hold, where many heroes of the Horde and even a few of the Alliance attended. Sometime following Saurfang's funeral, those who refused to renounce Sylvanas were placed in chains, while others would be looked down upon causing people like Gazlowe, First Arcanist Thalyssra, and Baine Bloodhoof to defend them by stating that they were now loyal to the Horde, and if they asked for forgiveness, it should be given, as the Horde needed to be united now more than ever. The streets of Orgrimmar were also patrolled by Geya'rah and Liadrin and their troops to maintain order among the citizens.

In the aftermath of N'Zoth's death and the end of the Fourth War, the leaders of the Horde gathered at the Orgrimmar Embassy and forewent selecting a new warchief in favor of a council-style leadership. Thus the Horde Council, a conglomerate of leaders who would represent their people's interests, was created to lead the Horde.

Shadows Rising
The Horde Council held a meeting within Orgrimmar that was derailed by a failed assassination attempt on Talanji, the Zandalari queen and a key ally, which forced the council to act. They empowered the young troll shaman Zekhan, still grieving the loss of Varok Saurfang, with a critical mission to aid Talanji and help uncover the rising threat against her.

After the Alliance sent word that they were aware of the unrest in Zandalar, their belief that Talanji was working with Sylvanas, and that they had requested to speak with the council, another meeting was held in the city. This meeting ended with a unanimous vote for Thrall and Ji Firepaw meeting with Jaina Proudmoore and Anduin Wrynn, in the hopes that this meeting would lead to the capture of Sylvanas.

First Arcanist Thalyssra later teleported the armies of the Horde from Orgrimmar to Zandalar in order to unite with the Zandalari and fight against the Widow's Bite and the Banshee loyalists.

Shadowlands
Sometime afterward, Rokhan took up residence within Grommash Hold, where he took up leadership of Orgrimmar.

The council convened atop of Grommash Hold where they informed Horde champions of the return of the Scourge and the abduction of Thrall and Baine. These champions were subsequently sent to unite with the Knights of the Ebon Blade and the Argent Crusade in order to combat the returning enemy. Following the death of Herald Dalora, they returned to Orgrimmar to inform the council about the events that occurred in Icecrown and the dark powers that Sylvanas had allied with.

Geography
Orgrimmar is periodically wracked by the fierce "razor-winds", powerful enough to tear off the roofs of improperly constructed buildings.

Valleys
The city is divided into natural valleys and shaped around the curving terrain of northern Durotar. The central valley is usually considered the economic heart of the region. This area is teeming with all sorts of activity, due to the proximity of both the auction house, bank, city inn and flight master.


 * Valley of Strength (area immediately beyond the main gate)
 * The Drag (northeast from the Valley of Strength)
 * Valley of Honor (northeast from the Drag)
 * Ring of Valor (Unusable PvP ring, under construction)
 * Hall of the Brave (Warrior guild)
 * Cleft of Shadow (Rogue and Warlock guilds, west from the Drag)
 * Ragefire Chasm (a low-level instance)
 * Valley of Wisdom (Tauren populated, northwest from the Drag)
 * Miwana's Longhouse (an inn within the Valley of Wisdom)
 * Western Earthshrine (portal hub)
 * Valley of Spirits (Troll populated, west from the Valley of Strength)
 * Orgrimmar Embassy (A new embassy, near the Valley of Spirits)

In Siege of Orgrimmar there is also a massive underground compound named the Underhold, which is located deep within Ragefire Chasm, used by the Kor'kron Guard as their headquarters. Garrosh Hellscream has his own inner sanctum there.

Points of interest

 * There are several Banks in Orgrimmar, nearly one in every valley.
 * There are several Auction Houses in Orgrimmar, nearly one in every valley.
 * The Wind Rider Master stands near a hut located on the Skyway just north of the Valley of Strength.
 * The Pathfinder's Den within the Gates of Orgrimmar and the Western Earthshrine contain portals to various locations on Azeroth and beyond.
 * The Hall of Legends is situated on the precipice overlooking the Valley of Strength just east from the Goblin Slums.
 * There are 35 mailboxes throughout Orgrimmar.

Notable characters
Warchief Thrall used to rule from Grommash hold, within the Valley of Wisdom, prior to the appointment of Garrosh Hellscream as Warchief and the subsequent movement of the hold to the Valley of Strength. Vol'jin, then chieftain of the Darkspear tribe, also spent much time within Grommash hold during Thrall's reign, before leading his people from the city after Garrosh took control.

From his throne in the Valley of Strength, Warchief Garrosh used to rule with the continuing support of the blood knight Master Pyreanor, the warrior Eitrigg, and formerly the wise shaman Sauranok the Mystic. In this Garrosh and his advisers planned on how to deal with the Alliance, Scourge, and Burning Legion forces. Though formerly Warchief Thrall allowed Human traders and sailors to visit the city, Garrosh had declared an all-out war with the humans and other Alliance races. Garrosh, with the help of the goblins of the Bilgewater Cartel and the prominent Boss Mida, reshaped Orgrimmar into a city of war, bringing in various goblin machinery to be used in both attack and defense of the city.

After the Siege of Orgrimmar and the displacement of Garrosh, Vol'jin, the newly appointed Warchief of the Horde, returned to live within Grommash Hold.

Vol'jin succumbed to a mortal wound received upon the Broken Shore within Grommash hold, and his body was carried out by the other Horde leaders. Sylvanas was appointed Warchief within the hold. While the newly christened Warchief ruled from the Undercity, High Overlord Saurfang presided as representative of the orcs within Grommash Hold. Following the aftermath of the Battle for Lordaeron, Sylvanas officially ruled the Horde from Grommash Hold up until the Horde split between her loyalists and Varok Saurfang's revolutionaries. In the ensuing conflict, Saurfang challenged Sylvanas to Mak'gora which ended with Saurfang's death and Sylvanas's abandonment of the Horde.

Sometime after, Rokhan took up residence and leadership of Orgrimmar from within Grommash hold.

Travel connections
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Flight

 * Thunder Bluff
 * Bloodvenom Post
 * Valormok
 * Splintertree Post
 * The Crossroads
 * Brackenwall Village
 * Everlook
 * Gadgetzan

Zeppelin

 * Tirisfal Glades
 * Grom'gol Base Camp
 * Warsong Hold
 * Thunder Bluff
 * }
 * }

Portal

 * Dark Portal, Blasted Lands
 * Nordrassil, Mount Hyjal
 * The Immortal Coil or Silver Tide Hollow, Vashj'ir
 * Temple of Earth, Deepholm
 * Ramkahen, Uldum
 * Dragonmaw Port, Twilight Highlands
 * Hellscream's Grasp, Tol Barad Peninsula
 * Honeydew Village, Jade Forest
 * Stair of Destiny, Hellfire Peninsula
 * The Nighthold, Suramar
 * Thunder Totem, Highmountain
 * Zuldazar, Zandalar

In the RPG


Orgrimmar is located in the far north of Durotar, at the foothills of the mountain range that separates Durotar from Azshara. Several valleys have been dug out from the mountain and provide a way of naturally dissecting the city into various zones, including the Valley of Spirits, Valley of Strength, Valley of Wisdom, and the Valley of Honor. Several specialty shops are found in the Drag, a dark pathway that leads from the Valley of Strength to the Valley of Honor. Those searching for potions or training in the darker arts of the rogue or warlock find a tunnel leading down to the Cleft of Shadow from the Drag. Orgrimmar is openly hospitable to all members of the Horde and is an important center of commerce. Visitors may fly into the city by way of zeppelin or wyvern, or simply walk through the fortress's main gates.

Ogrik Wolfclaw and his family live in Orgrimmar.

Notes and trivia

 * Varok Saurfang's quarters are located in one of Orgrimmar's highest towers.
 * In the mountains above Orgrimmar, there are oaks. From the lumber the orcs made their ships.
 * It's standard regulation that all torches and pyres must be lit at all times.
 * At some point, the night elves, which included the Sentinels, visited Orgrimmar as a part of a diplomatic entourage.
 * The Quartermasters of the Darkspear Trolls, Orgrimmar, and Bilgewater Cartel reside near the Flight Master.
 * Following the Battle for Lordaeron the Quartermaster and mount vendor for the Undercity can be found atop the Gates of Orgrimmar.
 * There seems to be a charity organization called the Widows of Warriors.
 * At 34 mailboxes, Orgrimmar has the highest amount of mailboxes of all the major cities.
 * After Orgrimmar was rebuilt by Garrosh, Cairne Bloodhoof likened the city to Hellfire Citadel.
 * Orgrimmar is the first Capital City in the game to be featured in a raid.
 * During the Siege of Orgrimmar, it was revealed that Garrosh had built a massive underground complex known as the Underhold in Ragefire Chasm, beneath Orgrimmar. Following the siege, it was unknown what happened to it until Battle for Azeroth.
 * One of the classic game boards in Hearthstone is themed around Orgrimmar.
 * Orgrimmar features in the Blizzard World map in Overwatch.
 * The Orgrimmar Tunnels are a series of underground tunnels below Durotar, starting just outside of Orgrimmar.

Patch changes