Caer Darrow

Caer Darrow is an island and a ruined keep located on Darrowmere Lake in the Western Plaguelands. Kel'Thuzad established the headquarters of the Cult of the Damned under this ancient human fortress, in the catacombs that became Scholomance, a school of necromancy.

Ancient history
The fortress on Caer Darrow was built long ago by humans. It was also the site where an ancient high elven runestone was placed. At some point it became part of the kingdom of Lordaeron.

Second War
During the Second War, the island was invaded by the Horde, the fortress sacked, and the sacred runestone captured. The stone was hewn into pieces which were used to create the Altars of Storms, arcane structures which allowed Gul'dan to instill magic into the Horde's ogre allies.

When Uther the Lightbringer embarked for the isle on a mission of mercy to aid and comfort the survivors of the bloody raid, he was ambushed by privateers from Alterac. In the naval battle that followed, some of the sailors were captured; during questioning in Lordaeron's capital, they confessed their nation's treachery to the Alliance, leading to Alterac's eventual ruin.

The Barovs and Scholomance
Following the Second War, the fortress at Caer Darrow was restored. The manor was the Barov's primary residence amidst their far-reaching empire which comprised Caer Darrow, Brill, Southshore, and Tarren Mill, but as the years closed to the Third War, the aristocrats became depressed, greedy, and rageful. After decades of rule, in order to preserve their fortune and hold of the land well past their lifespan, the Barovs made a deal with Kel'Thuzad, leader of the Cult of the Damned. The once opulent keep of Caer Darrow secretly became the horrific Scholomance, a school of necromancy.

Six months passed and the keep became decrepit and inhabited by dark undead beings. Acolytes of the Cult learned their craft, while the family servants were used as experiments for the Plague of Undeath. Finally, while the Scourge did not even yet fully exist in Lordaeron, a devastating disease, which was not the Plague that the Scourge would employ later but an experience of Scholomance, was unleashed and ravaged Caer Darrow before a visit from Uther the Lightbringer was scheduled. None survived, while the plague variant compelled its victims to wander as ghosts. According Mathias Shaw, this variant of the plague of undeath is now extinct, but he still prefers to avoid sending his agents there.



World of Warcraft
After the Third War, the island and surrounding lake had already become lifeless and still. The spirits of many of the island's inhabitants remain, only visible with the spectral essence given by the manor's former servants. The ghosts are cursed to relive the last memory they had before the town was destroyed.

Weldon Barov has recently acquired the deed for it. Putridius guards the entrance to Scholomance.

Legion
While looking for clues to the Scepter of Sargeras' location, a warlock adventurer traveled to Caer Darrow, discovering members of the Shadow Council gathered there, led by Jergosh the Invoker. With the aid of Braelyn Firehand, the group located and found the Book of Medivh, likely by torturing the Cult of the Damned, but were killed before the book could be returned to.

Exploring Azeroth
Following the end of the Fourth War, Caer Darrow is still in the hands of the Cult of the Damned present in Scholomance, as Mathias Shaw stated that the Argent Crusade reported that some of the Barovs are still there and Darkmaster Gandling has many puppets to play with. This includes Jandice Barov and Rattlegore.

Specters of Caer Darrow


Note: you need Spectral Essence to see the specters. The Eye of Divinity also works.
 * Magnus Frostwake - Vendor of several blacksmithing recipes, and 2 alchemy recipes.
 * Magistrate Marduke - A quest giver that starts the Ras Frostwhisper quest chain
 * Artist Renfray
 * Joseph Dirte
 * Sammy
 * Melia
 * Baker Masterson - Vendor of basic foods & drinks.
 * Rory
 * Caer Darrow Horseman
 * Caer Darrow Guardsman
 * Caer Darrow Cannoneer
 * Caer Darrow Citizen


 * Eva Sarkhoff
 * Lucien Sarkhoff

In the RPG
Caer Darrow is located on the solitary Isle of Darrow, which in itself is found in the middle of Darrowmere Lake. The keep of Caer Darrow is perhaps the oldest human monument in the world and stands tall upon this isle. The keep's defenders abandoned it during the Third War. The ruin may hold many wonders, but unfortunately it crawls with undead and their few remaining demonic allies, including at least three dreadlords.

Trivia

 * The prefix caer, is Celtic (, and ) for "fort", is used in the names of several famous Scottish, Welsh, and Irish castles, such as Caerlaverock, Caerphilly and Caernarfon.
 * The crypt on the north-facing cliff (Kirtonos the Herald's area) is nearly identical to the tomb of King Barov and Queen Ravenovia from the campaign setting for . This is just one of several references connecting Scholomance to Ravenloft.

Speculation
Speculatively, with the keep being so old, Caer Darrow may have been built during the time of the empire of Arathor or before.