The cunning crypt fiends were once the lords of the ancient spider kingdom of Azjol-Nerub that spanned the entirety of Northrend in ancient times. However, the crypt fiends' power base was destroyed by the Lich King, Ner'zhul, when he and his undead Scourge took control of the frozen continent. The nerubians that had fallen in the war were resurrected as slaves for the Lich King's army. These reanimated insectoids became known as the crypt fiends because they still wear the tattered remains of the linens in which their corpses were mummified. These aberrant creatures are capable of summoning swarms of vile insects and projecting web-like strands to incapacitate and harm their enemies.[1]
The crypt fiends appear in many places around Northrend, fighting for the Scourge. Crypt fiends also appear scattered throughout the Ghostlands and the Plaguelands, defending territory claimed by the Scourge. Weaker crypt fiends called Nerubis Guards can be found at the destroyed village of Suncrown Village. There is a bounty on their leader, Anok'suten. The Scourge's stronger crypt fiends defend Deatholme.