- This article is about the shattered world known as Outland. For its history before its destruction, see Draenor. For the alternate universe's counterpart of Draenor/Outland, see Draenor (alternate universe).
 Outland | |
|---|---|
| Level: 10 - 30 Battle Pet Level: 17 - 21 | |
 Loading screen as of patch 4.0.3a | |
| Type | Shattered world |
| Capital(s) | Various |
| Races | Various |
| Ruler(s) |
Sha'tar Kurenai Ashtongue Mag'har |
| Location | Twisting Nether[1][2] |
Outland (sometimes mistakenly called "the Outland"[3] or "the Outlands"[4][5]) is the shattered floating remnants of the destroyed world of Draenor, the homeworld of the orcs and ogres and refuge of the draenei. After the sundering of Draenor, Outland was thrown partially towards the Twisting Nether, and is now in a constant state of degradation.[6]
After it's creation Outland became inhabited by demons and become the domain of the pit lord Magtheridon who ruled it for the Burning Legion. Magtheridon was eventually deposed and replaced by Illidan Stormrage who brought the blood elves and naga to the world. As Kazzak reopened the Dark Portal to Outland from Azeroth letting new demons enter Azeroth expeditions from the Horde and Alliance battling back the demons entered the world in the invasion of Outland. In the conflict, the Alliance and the Horde also came into conflict with Illidan's forces, which would end Illidan's rule with his death at the Black Temple.
Outland was originally featured in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne and is the theater of the World of Warcraft expansion The Burning Crusade. From a gameplay point of view, Outland used to be accessed from Azeroth through the Dark Portal in the Blasted Lands but after the Warlords of Draenor expansion it became accessible via mage portals in Orgrimmar and Stormwind City.[7]
History[]
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This section is a lore stub. |
Outland landscape and the Twisting Nether.
Outland following Draenor's destruction.
“A world shattered?" His tone told her that he thought her words a gross understatement. "Terrible hardly begins to describe it. We thought the world was ending. The sky burned. The continents ripped apart. Lava flowed. Wild magic danced from mountain peak to mountain peak. Sometimes the tips of mountains rose into the air and floated away. Sometimes they crashed down and killed thousands.”
Outland was created when Draenor became the focus of an attack, via the Dark Portal, of an Alliance expedition aiming to end the orcish threat to Azeroth once and for all. In the midst of the ensuing battle, the elder shaman Ner'zhul attempted to allow the remaining orcs on Draenor to escape to other worlds by opening other dimensional portals; however the presence of so many portals tore the planet apart, launching torn fragments of the former world towards the Twisting Nether, and the barely-habitable remnants were renamed Outland. Most life on Draenor was wiped out in the explosion, and the surviving continent was drastically reshaped; most of the remaining wildlife became sickly or corrupt.[9] Due to the planet's destruction, the barriers between Draenor and the Twisting Nether collapsed, and the shredded reality left open paths to all various corners of the cosmos. Outland had become one of the most important strategic places. Many of Ner'zhul's portals were permanently open and the world now acted as a crossroads for any force that wished to travel quickly from one end of the universe to the other.[10] Despite this plenty of the species on the planet survived, with some even being transformed by the creation of Outland.
Some time after a pit lord named Magtheridon rallied the surviving orcs (with the exception of the Mag'har) and took control of Outland. Using the remaining dimensional gates, he drew demons from the rest of the Twisting Nether to aid him.
Most draenei that remained in Outland have become horribly mutated, and bear only a passing resemblance to their former selves.
The Lord of Outland[]
Outland before the invasion of the Alliance and Horde expeditions in Chronicle Volume 3.
The night elf demon Illidan Stormrage and many of the naga and blood elves fled to Outland and succeeded in defeating Magtheridon and conquering the wasteland. After their defeat in Northrend at the hands of Prince Arthas, they returned and established permanent settlements there.
Since then, both the forces of the Light and the Shadow have realized Outland's usefulness. It can serve as a launching pad for the invasions of the Burning Legion, or as the staging ground to the forces who fight against the Legion. In response, both the naaru and the Legion have sent their agents to secure the world for their own purposes.
Now, the Alliance and the Horde must battle the forces of the maddened Illidan and the murderous followers of the Legion to safeguard Azeroth from Kil'jaeden's Burning Crusade.
Plant life still flourishes in places such as Sylvanaar in Blade's Edge Mountains and the Cenarion Thicket in Terokkar Forest. The main base of the Cenarion Circle's expedition is from Cenarion Refuge in Zangarmarsh.
Invasion of Outland[]
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This section is a lore stub. |
- Main article: Invasion of Outland
The invasion of Outland[11] was the combined invasion of Outland by the Alliance and the Horde after the Burning Legion's third attempt of invading Azeroth. The goal of the war was to prevent the Legion from securing a foothold on Outland to further their attacks on Azeroth through the Dark Portal.
Aftermath[]
At the time of the war against the Lich King, Vindicator Maraad explained to his grandnephew Med'an that the crossing between the two worlds was safer, as the armies of Azeroth have scoured much of the demons in Outland. Since the invasion of Outland, the forces of the Burning Legion were much diminished, and the Dark Portal is still under surveillance to prevent their incursions into Azeroth.[12]
During the Cataclysm, Thrall traveled to Nagrand in Outland to converse with the elements there and turned to Aggra for shamanic instruction.
Years later, Xaraax imprisoned Greydon Thorne in the Hidden citadel in Hellfire Peninsula, and Makasa Flintwill led an army from Azeroth and invaded it.[13]
Following Illidan's death, Akama reclaimed the Black Temple. The warlocks Kanrethad Ebonlocke and Jubeka Shadowbreaker of the Council of the Black Harvest infiltrated the temple to harness its energy.[14]
At the time of the war in Draenor, Archmage Vargoth mentioned that the current state of Outland was constantly degrading.[6]
During the third invasion of the Burning Legion, Nikki the Gossip described Outland as a dangerous place.[15]
Kor'vas Bloodthorn and an Order Hall leader clashed with the forces of Highlord Kruul at the Stair of Destiny.[16] The Burning Legion and the champions of Azeroth briefly clashed in the Arcatraz during the offensive on Argus.[17]
At the time of the Fourth War, a few ethereal arcanists of the Consortium have been hired by the Horde and the Alliance to maintain portals to Shattrath City within the Pathfinder's Den and the Wizard's Sanctum,[18] respectively in Orgrimmar and Stormwind City.
When Varok Saurfang was talking with Thrall in his friend's new home in Nagrand, he spoke about how good the world looked. But that it felt wrong, as Outland was broken and falling apart. After Varok touched Nagrand's grain, it crumbled.[19]
Geography[]
Nagrand overseen by a Mag'har.
Before Draenor was torn apart by the portal rifts, it was a vast planet of continents and seas, much like Azeroth. When the world was destroyed it was tossed towards the Twisting Nether. It no longer had its sun, but its moon, the Pale Lady still hovered looking far larger than it ever did before. Other spheres now existed as well, including a rosy one, and a smaller light blue one.[20] This may be partially wrong as the sun and sunlight[21] were later described to be present.[22]
The damage to the world had sundered reality, gravity, space, and even time may not even function properly.[20]
Location[]
Chris Metzen stated that Outland was floating in the Twisting Nether[23] and the official overview stated that Outland was "floating upon the astral winds of the Twisting Nether" as well. This can also be seen in-game when flying near the edges of the continent or between each region. Netherstorm also heavily features the Nether and its energies.
In World of Warcraft: Illidan however, Illidan describes Outland as "a tiny speck in the infinity of the Great Dark Beyond".[24]
This may just have been an oversight as previous sources and the game put Outland fully shrouded by the Twisting Nether. Later, World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3 described the state of Outland with barriers between Draenor and the Twisting Nether being collapsed, leaving open paths to all the various corners of the cosmos.[25] However, it is also worth to note that demons that died in Outland (such as Kazzak and Ambassador Hellmaw) did not die permanently as they should when dying in the Nether. As such, it can be speculated that Outland is not fully shrouded in the Nether.
Zones[]
Map of Outland.
Outland currently consists of seven large zones that connect to each other but differ sharply in environment.
Hellfire Peninsula (10 - 30)- Zangarmarsh (10 - 30)
- Terokkar Forest (15 - 30)
- Nagrand (15 - 30)
- Blade's Edge Mountains (20 - 30)
- Netherstorm (20 - 30)
- Shadowmoon Valley (25 - 30)
Lore locations[]
Maps[]
Dungeons[]
- Main article: Instances by continent
Battlegrounds[]
- Main article: Battleground
Arenas[]
- Main article: Arena
- Ring of Trials - Nagrand
- Arena Floor - Nagrand (non-instanced)
- Circle of Blood Arena - Blade's Edge Mountains
- Circle of Blood - Blade's Edge Mountains (non-instanced)
Notable leaders[]
| History | Rise of the Horde | Invasion of Draenor | Third War | War in Outland | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruler | Gul'dan | Ner'zhul | Magtheridon | Illidan Stormrage | A'dal | |
Inhabitants[]
Natives
- Sapient
- Sand gnomes
- Ancients
- Colossus
- Arakkoa
- Draenor's giants †
- Orcs
- Half-ogres
- Bogstroks
- Rock flayers
- Fungal giants
- Sporelings
- Creatures
- Frogs
- Spiders
- Carrion birds
- Kaliris
- Ravens
- Tallstriders
- Eels
- Frenzies
- Fireflies
- Larvae
- Moths
- Ravagers
- Boars
- Clefthooves
- Talbuks
- Wolves
- Worgs
- Sabers
- Lynxes
- Elekks
- Rats
- Skunks
- Bog beasts
- Fungal monsters
- Lashers
- Orchids
- Basilisks
- Devilsaurs
- Diemetradons
- Raptors
- Hydras
- Snakes
- Wind serpents
- Worms
- Bone worms
- Sand worms
- Chimaeras
- Nether rays
- Mana wyrms
- Warp stalkers
- Spore walkers
- Sporebats
Outsiders
Official site info[]
From Outland from the Burning Crusade section of the Official site: The scattered wastes of Outland are all that remain of Draenor, the once beautiful homeworld of the orcs. Following the Second War, the Alliance invaded Draenor by crossing through the Dark Portal. To their horror, they discovered that Ner'zhul - the dark warlord of Horde - had constructed a series of new gateways that could lead the beaten Horde to newer, unspoiled worlds. As the Alliance forces closed in around him, Ner'zhul opened his gateways as a means of escape. However, the gateways' clashing energies resulted in a catastrophic explosion that ultimately ripped the world of Draenor apart.
Nearly thirteen years later - towards the end of the Third War - the fallen night elf, Illidan, discovered that huge chunks of Draenor still existed - floating upon the astral winds of the Twisting Nether. After his defeat at the hands of the evil Prince Arthas, Illidan fled to the remnants of Draenor and dubbed them Outland. He quickly seized control of the chaotic region and sealed the last of Ner'zhul's cursed gateways.
Though he is the undisputed ruler of the ravaged land, Illidan lives in fear that he will be discovered by his powerful enemies - most notably Arthas, the new Lich King, and the remaining Lords of the Burning Legion. Currently, Outland is home to a number of scattered draenei tribes, primitive orcs and the powerful, arcane creatures of the Nether itself. Agents of the Burning Legion have also targeted the region as a vital strategic location in their unending Burning Crusade to scour all life from the universe.
Cataclysm[]
Elemental Rifts briefly appeared during patch 4.0.1 and 4.0.3a during the Cataclysm world event.
Questions have been raised about the continuity of the Burning Crusade storyline following the Cataclysm, and blue-poster Bornakk has addressed this issue:
You have to consider the changes with some form of leniency, while technically you could say that if the story progresses then we need to remove a bunch of the content from Outland and Northrend as those are over - but for numerous reasons, you can probably see why that would be a bad idea. This is the same type of thing that happens by just having a persistent world, just because one quest was completed where something was killed doesn't mean it vanishes from your sight forever. While a level 80 doesn't need to return to the locations of Outland and Northrend and can focus on the new stories - a new character hasn't helped defeat the villains in those areas so they still need to answer the call and fight them off (or in the terms people are tossing around, they need to level). [1]
Warlords of Draenor[]
The portal to the Blasted Lands in capital cities now leads directly to Hellfire Peninsula.
Legion[]
Following patch 7.3.5, level scaling was implemented in Outland, with maximum zone level being 80 (originally 70).
In the RPG[]
Outland consists of one large, central landmass with smaller chunks and debris floating all around it. Black chains connect some of these islands; adventurers can walk across these chains (they must be careful to avoid an unpleasant tumble into the Twisting Nether), fly, or in some cases jump to other islands. Outland is mostly bare and lifeless, like Draenor before its demise. The orcs built huge, black fortresses across their world, and some of them still stand. Burning Legion encampments and wretched draenei communities are scattered across the isles.[26]
Although Outland lies within and is part of the Twisting Nether, in many sources its properties are different than the Nether itself. Outland is described as having normal gravity, normal time, and finite shape and size. Although it is still alterably morphic, and many of its rocks defy gravity.[27][28]
Druids have magically replanted some locations on the central landmass of Outland that were formerly desolate, describing the areas as "Green Havens".[26]
Notes and trivia[]
- Draenei Refugees were teleported by Kum'isha the Collector to Outland from the Blasted Lands during vanilla.
- Outland has been damaged in ways beyond what eyes can see. Even the passage of time feels different to members of the bronze dragonflight.[29]
- In order for Argus to appear above Azuremyst Isle, Bloodmyst Isle, and Quel'Thalas, Argus was placed on the Outland map, which allows players to see Argus (or the "star" that remained) from Shattrath City, Terokkar Forest, and Zangarmarsh.
- Outland is also a melee tileset in The Frozen Throne. It is mostly accurate to the Hellfire Peninsula area.
- There are three multiplayer maps (Deadlands, Devil's Cauldron and Haven of the Damned) of Warcraft III set in Outland.
- Outland was originally planned to ship as part of vanilla World of Warcraft.[30] A single-zone version was made, then abandoned early on.
- The initially planned setting for WoW's first expansion was not Outland, but rather the South Seas on Azeroth. However, due to server limitations, the developers were unable to add more zones to the existing Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor and instead decided to use Outland for the expansion, as it would be on a separate realm.[31]
- The background music in many areas of Outland, including Honor Hold in Hellfire Peninsula and Allerian Stronghold in Terokkar Forest, is Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 1 orchestrated, Official Website Forum
- According to Dave Kosak it was considered by Blizzard to set an expansion in Outland but adding new landmasses during the discussions that lead to the Warlords of Draenor expansion.[32]
- Chris Metzen, a Game Designer, revealed some data on the evolution of the other Portals found in Outland apart from the Dark Portal which is the only one that remains active: "The Portals were closed by Illidan. However, some of the new quests in the TBC expansion have you reopen the portals leading to new dimensions, fighting the legion in new worlds. No portals to new worlds have been opened in the expansion so far, but they may be added in future patches."[citation needed]
- Removed
- Interactive map secret on official site: If you click the following areas on the Official Website Interactive Map, the OUTLAND words begin to glow. A few moments later, the blood elf does a /dance move. Click the areas in this order: Shadowmoon Valley, Blade's Edge Mountains, Nagrand, Netherstorm, Zangarmarsh, Hellfire Peninsula, Terokkar Forest.
Gallery[]
- In-game maps
The Burning Crusade release
The Burning Crusade Flight Map
Patch 3.1.0 Flight Map
Patch 8.1.5 Flight Map
Patch 8.1.5 Flight Map, when zoomed in
On the Cosmic map in patch 2.0.3
On the Cosmic map in patch 6.0.2
On the Cosmic map in patch 9.0.1
- Sky of Outland
Some kind of nebula-like object in the Twisting Nether.
Another nebula like object in the Twisting Nether. Perhaps the small bright blue sphere that appeared after Outland entered the Twisting Nether?[20]
Outland exists in the Twisting Nether, an ethereal dimension of undulating green "nether" which connects worlds.
One of the new spheres in the skies of Outland.
Likely the rosy sphere and the small bright blue sphere that appeared after Outland entered the Twisting Nether.[20]
One of the spheres of the Twisting Nether around Outland.
![Another nebula like object in the Twisting Nether. Perhaps the small bright blue sphere that appeared after Outland entered the Twisting Nether?[20]](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wowpedia/images/4/4d/Another_sun.png/revision/latest?cb=20080810134716)
![Likely the rosy sphere and the small bright blue sphere that appeared after Outland entered the Twisting Nether.[20]](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wowpedia/images/f/fc/More_moons.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20230115015710)
- Other
Outland from Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.
Outland at the time of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.
Screenshot of the earliest work on the Outland zone that was going to be shipped with the original World of Warcraft.
Minimap of Outland in the pre-TBC game files.
On a pre-TBC wallpaper.
On a pre-TBC wallpaper.
Concept art — Outland orc dwellings in Nagrand.
An early map of Outland.[33]
Textless version of the early map.
Loading screen from patch 2.0.1.
Loading screen from patch 3.0.2.
Loading screen from patch 3.3.0.
Outland spinning.
![An early map of Outland.[33]](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wowpedia/images/b/b2/WorldMap-Outland-Early.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20180628160532)
- Fan art
Fan-made composite map by Subthermal
Fanmade composite map of Outland (slightly incomplete)
References[]
- ^ Archive lore tweets from loreology: "While normally imperceptible to mortals, the Twisting Nether bleeds into the physical realm. That’s because Outland is truly devastated. Those seen in Outland are most likely other (far away) worlds that you see and not “local” celestial bodies."
- ^ The zone between the regions is labeled "Twisting Nether"
- ^ Magistrix Erona#Quotes
- ^ Privateer Groy#Quotes
- ^ [60-62] A Dragon's Day Off
- ^ a b [40] The Staff of Archmage Vargoth
- ^ WarcraftDevs: "Outland is still accessible via mage portals in the same way that you can port there yourself. (2/2)"
- ^ World of Warcraft: Illidan, chapter 10
- ^ Dave Kosak on Twitter (2014-04-11). Retrieved on 2020-04-05. “Yes, most of Outland's wildlife was sickly/corrupt.”
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 12 - 13
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 151
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Comic, Issue 23: The Gathering
- ^ Traveler: The Spiral Path
- ^ Pursuing the Black Harvest
- ^ [10-45] A More Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy
- ^ [45] Between Worlds
- ^ [45] Foiling the Legion's Jailbreak
- ^ Thrallmar Mage: "If you're looking to return to Outland, our allies amongst the ethereals have opened a portal to Shattrath City."
- ^ Safe Haven
- ^ a b c d Beyond the Dark Portal, pg. 418
- ^ Traveler: The Shining Blade, chapter 35
- ^ World of Warcraft: Illidan, chapter 4
- ^ BlizzCon 2005 - Lore Panel
- ^ World of Warcraft: Illidan, chapter 9: He saw that Outland was but a tiny speck in the infinity of the Great Dark Beyond.
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 12
- ^ a b Shadows & Light, pg. 150
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 24
- ^ Shadows & Light, pg. 149
- ^ Zephyr § Quotes
- ^ Blizzard Museum - https://twitter.com/gopherstick/status/607598598440632320 "Originally Outland was to be a zone that shipped with the original World of Warcraft."
- ^ MMO-Champion 2018-09-24. John Staats Interview - The World of Warcraft Diary (18:27). YouTube. Retrieved on 2018-09-24.
- ^ "Why Draenor?" segment of the Behind-the-Scenes DVD of the World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor Collector's Edition
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade - Map of Outland. Blizzard Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2008-05-12. Retrieved on 2018-06-28.
[60-62] 
[10-45] 
External links[]
- "Dreenor" appears in Man of Two Worlds — An old book by Brian and Frank Herbert (of the "Dune" series of books). Maybe Draenor was inspired by this name.
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