Blackfathom Deeps

Blackfathom Deeps (or just Blackfathom) is a former, partially underwater temple to the moon goddess Elune that was once known as Lathar'Lazal. It was thought to have been destroyed during the Sundering, and lost beneath the ocean. Millennia later, members of the Twilight's Hammer cult were drawn by whispers and foul dreams to what is now a series of watery caverns located beneath Ashenvale, near the ancient night elven city of Zoram.

After sacrificing untold numbers of innocents, the cult was rewarded with a new task: to protect one of the Old Gods' most cherished creatures, a pet that was in need of nurturing before it could unleash his dark powers on the world, the monstrous hydra Aku'mai the Devourer.

Blackfathom was one of the three old-world dungeons that were updated in Warlords of Draenor, alongside Razorfen Downs and Razorfen Kraul, in order to receive storyline progression.

Adventure Guide
''Once dedicated to the night elves' goddess Elune, Blackfathom Deeps was thought to have been destroyed during the Sundering, lost beneath the ocean. Millennia later, members of the Twilight's Hammer cult were drawn to the temple by whispers and foul dreams. After sacrificing untold numbers of innocents, the cult was rewarded with a new task: to protect one of the Old Gods' most cherished creatures, a pet that is still in need of nurturing before he can unleash his dark powers on the world.''

Ancient Kalimdor
Lathar'Lazal (meaning "Seat of the Sky" in Darnassian) was a night elven temple dedicated to Elune, built on the western edge of ancient Kalimdor. The temple was a sprawling expanse of gem-encrusted bridges and effervescent lakes, the construction of which was overseen by Queen Azshara herself. The temple also hosted a moonwell.

As masons constructed the temple, Azshara shaped the waters around it with the scepter Sharas'dal. She spoke the names of the rivers and the seas, and they moved at her command. Salt water from the roaring ocean and fresh water from the mountain streams trickled to Azshara's side. With the flick of her wrist, the queen partitioned them into great lakes that hugged Lathar'Lazal's sturdy foundation.

Creatures of all kinds populated these waters, and they were at Azshara's beck and call. Whenever she walked the bridges of Lathar'Lazal, nearby schools of exotic fish would array themselves in colorful patterns. She even kept a colossal sea giant bound to one of the lakes. She used her scepter to make him perform tricks and feats of strength, much to the delight of the watching Highborne. Curious night elves from the far corners of the empire journeyed to Lathar'Lazal to study the mythical creature and his habits.

The Great Sundering shattered the glorious temple, sinking it beneath the waves of the Veiled Sea.

Modern times
Recently, the corruption of an Old God seeped up from beneath the earth and tainted the sacred moonwell. Aku'Mai, servant of the Old God, rose from the waters, taking residence within the temple's ruins. The cult known as the Twilight's Hammer came to bask in Aku'mai's evil presence. Empowered by the ancient rites of the chaotic Old Gods, the cultists, led by Twilight Lord Kelris, strove to bring about the return of their dark patrons and spread death and terror across the world. They also sacrificed innocents to Aku'Mai for power. Naga and satyr, drawn by the ruins' ancient power, eventually emerged as well to plumb the secrets of what is now known as the Blackfathom Deeps.

When the Twilight's Hammer cult arrived, its followers roused and imprisoned one of the last peaceful creatures living in Elune's temple. The cult delighted in tormenting the giant turtle for years, flaying its mind and body until it succumbed to madness. Naming the beast Ghamoo-Ra, the cultists attempted to use its savagery to protect their lair. Heroes interrupted the ritual before the Twilight Storm Menders could bend the creature's will however, unleashing the great turtle's fury upon its masters.

The Twilight's Hammer granted Lady Sarevess her own private cove within Blackfathom Deeps, continuously sending her fresh sacrifices. The cultists hope dthat her rituals and research would result in magical protection that would allow them to worship the terrifying hydra at the deeps' core without fear of becoming his next meal.

The murloc Gelihast answered the call of the Old Gods, forcing his way into Blackfathom and slaughtering nearly a dozen surprised Twilight's Hammer cultists with his twin swords. Impressed by his ferocity and brutality, the cult allowed him to stay, and he built his own shrine to offer sacrifices and receive blessings from the ominous presence in the temple ruins.

Many of the creatures swimming beneath the Moonshrine Ruins were killed for food after the Hammer took up residence, but Old Serra'kis, the largest thresher in the water, proved to be uncatchable, and those who persisted in hunting it inevitably died in the attempt.

When the cultists found a strange three-headed creature in the belly of Blackfathom Deeps, Twilight Lord Kelris was convinced the hydra was a herald of the Old Gods' return to Azeroth and his ticket to immortality. Kelris personally supervised the growth of the monster, even feeding him his own subjects to satisfy his wild hunger.

The ancient evil Aku'mai, Princess of the Deep, carried within her a small measure of the Old Gods' power. The three-headed hydra was greatly feared for her mindless savagery and insatiable hunger for living flesh, but the Twilight's Hammer worshiped her as a divine sign that the Old Gods will soon return.

The Argent Dawn also sent forces to investigate the rumors about the union between the Hammer and the naga. Dawnwatcher Shaedlass came to collect as much information as possible, and sent Scout Thaelrid to check on the activity within Blackfathom. Since he had not reported back in weeks, an adventurer was sent to seek him out. He was found mortally wounded, but before passing, he revealed the truth of what was happening within the watery caverns. The cultists had allied with the naga and started amassing in great numbers within the depths of Blackfathom, where they offered sacrifices to Aku'mai. The brave heroes, among which was the blood elf Ashra Valandril, fought against the evil within the Deeps and slew Kelris.

Cataclysm
The Twilight's Hammer once more returned to the watery caverns. Members of the shamanic order of the Earthen Ring rushed to oppose the cultists within Blackfathom Deeps, knowing that where the Old Gods are invoked, dangers to the whole of Azeroth couldn't be far behind.

Warlords of Draenor
Twilight Lord Bathiel assumed control of Blackfathom Deeps, with his first order being to throw Lord Kelris into the hungry maw of Aku'mai. Then, this elemental ascendant commited the depths of his unfathomable power to raising the beast of the Old Gods and covering the world in black.

When Lady Sarevess failed to provide magical protection, Domina sacrificed the naga to empower her own dark ritual. Unlike her predecessor, Domina, Mistress of the Dark, had no fear of Aku'mai and hand-fed the beast countless innocents in order to curry favor with the Old Gods. As Aku'mai's power grew, the need for more sacrifices increased. Executioner Gore was in charge of dragging screaming innocents to their death.

The Twilight's Hammer commanded their powerful enforcer, Subjugator Kor'ul, to cleanse the caves of anything not under their control.Gelihast was first to fall under the crushing strength of Kor'ul, who then seized control of the cave-dwelling murlocs. Kor'ul left Gelihast's twisted corpse on display as proof of his dominance and then used the murlocs to horde the possessions of those who perished in these caves.

Underneath the cursed Moonshrine Ruins, ancient creatures battled for territory. Old Serra'kis was driven from the ruins by the Guardian of the Deep who was seeking new spawning grounds. It watched over the thousands of eggs until they could hatch, and spread throughout the waterways of Azeroth. The ogre lord Thruk slew the Guardian of the Deep, believing that it would reveal vast hordes of gold.

The heroes that ventured into Blackfathom to fight off the growing forces of the Hammer unfortunately arrived too late. As Twilight Lord Bathiel died under their assault, the ancient evil Aku'mai emerged from the depths. The Old Gods themselves whispered into the champions' minds, telling them they had earned the honor of being the first that would be devoured.

Battle for Azeroth
Following the Burning of Teldrassil, the Alliance and Horde both took an interest in Blackfathom and fought against each other there. The Alliance had discovered the presence of Twilight's Hammer remnants harvesting Azerite.

Achievements

 * Blackfathom Deeps (achievement)
 * Blackfathom Deeps Guild Run

Resources

 * Herbs
 * Bruiseweed
 * Stranglekelp
 * Ore Veins
 * Tin Ore

In the RPG
Black Fathom Deeps are a series of ruins and caverns built into the side of a cliff directly south of Black Fathom Bay. Many dangerous creatures lurk within — including, if tales at the Fish Eye Tavern are to believed, ghosts of heroes that fell to some nastiness while within the Deeps. Others suggest that this place, once a night elven temple to Elune, is now the headquarters of the vile warlocks known as the Shadow Council. The naga here seem to be searching for something. The Twilight's Hammer, a foul cult dedicated to the Old Gods, works with the naga in the underground ruins for an unknown purpose.

Notes and trivia

 * During early development of World of Warcraft, Blackfathom Deeps was once planned to be located in northern Darkshore. A structure identical to Blackfathom Deeps' entrance can still be found in the Ruins of Mathystra.