Wetlands (Classic)

Wetlands
Level: 20-25
Capital(s)	Menethil Harbor (12,000)
Population	25,000
Races	Human (7,500); Ironforge dwarf (7,500); Night elf ; Orc, Dragonmaw (7,500); Dark Iron dwarf (2,500); Red dragon; Gnoll; Murloc; Ogre; Ogre mage;
Affiliation	Alliance
Location	Northern Khaz Modan

For the lore of the zone and its status after the Cataclysm, see Wetlands.

The Wetlands is a large, wet zone below Stonewrought Dam and north of Loch Modan, covered with small rivers, lakes, and ponds. Bordered on three sides by mountains, the Wetlands are open to the ocean to the west. Adventurers seeking a route to the Wetlands must either come through sieged Dun Algaz from Loch Modan or cross the damaged Thandol Span from Arathi Highlands. The northern slopes of Wetlands are generally classed within mountains of Khaz Modan.

The Wetlands is a vast, cold swamp. Mists cloak the ground, and the overcast sky makes the land a uniform gray. Many Ironforge strongholds once stood in this region, but war has reduced them to rubble. Wild creatures, murlocs and renegade orcs now control the land. Menethil Harbor, a city on the west coast, is the Alliance’s only presence in this dreary region.^[1]

History[]

The Wetlands have been the site of many a battle through the times. Nestled among the mountains of Khaz Modan and open to the ocean as it is, it is a prime location for invading forces. It was historically part of the original dwarven kingdom while the three tribes were united, but after the War of the Three Hammers, it fell under control of the Wildhammer Clan. The Dark Irons invaded Grim Batol and almost succeeded in taking full control of it, but were driven back at the last minute. During the Second War, the bastion finally fell prey to the invading orcs, most notably by those of the Dragonmaw Clan.

Although the orcs took possession of Grim Batol for a time, they were subject to the wrath of the red dragonflight who, when freed of their enslavement from the orcs, destroyed their bases and burned their catapults, killing orcs en masse. The orcs who survived the onslaught fled south to the mountains, where they live to this day. Horde and Scourge forces devastated the Wetlands in the Second and Third Wars, forcing the Ironforge dwarves to retreat to Loch Modan and Dun Morogh.^[2]

Grim Batol is now under the control of the red dragonflight, who fiercely defend their lair from outsiders. Alliance forces have since established Menethil Harbor, but the area is still wild and untamed.^[2] The dwarves and allied humans built the port city on an island in Baradin Bay, which they named after King Terenas Menethil II — Menethil Harbor. The Wetlands is a buffer zone between inhabited Khaz Modan and Scourge-infested Lordaeron.^[2]

Getting there[]

Horde: From Hammerfall in the Arathi Highlands, run south/southwest to the bottom of the zone. Cross the ruined bridge.
Alliance: From Ironforge run east towards Loch Modan take the road in the Loch north through Dun Algaz pass and into the Wetlands. Or, take the boat from Auberdine (for night elves). Also, a lot of skill and well timed usage of a gnome's increased jump height can get you across to the Wetlands (starting at the mountains near Ironforge).

Geography[]

There are currently no instanced dungeons in the area, but the two micro dungeons Dragonmaw Gates and Dun Modr can be found in this zone. No battlegrounds exist in this area.

Maps and subregions[]

Angerfang Encampment • Baradin Bay • Black Channel Marsh • Bluegill Marsh

Deepwater Tavern • Direforge Hill • Dragonmaw Gates • Dun Algaz

Dun Modr • Great Sea • The Green Belt • Grim Batol

Ironbeard's Tomb • The Lost Fleet • Menethil Bay • Menethil Harbor

Menethil Keep • Mosshide Fen • Raptor Ridge • Saltspray Glen

Sundown Marsh • Thandol Span • Thelgen Rock • Whelgar's Excavation Site

Other

Thandol Valley (WC2)

A topographic map of the Wetlands.

Dungeons and elite areas[]

Dragonmaw Gates: Level 60+ elite red dragonflight roam the entrance to Grim Batol.

Travel hubs[]

Flight paths from Menethil Harbor

Boat destinations from Menethil Harbor

Adjacent regions[]

Zone Name	Level Range	Direction	Access subzone	Access method
Loch Modan	10-20	South	Dun Algaz	By foot or Alliance flightpath from Menethil Harbor to Thelsamar
Arathi Highlands	30-40	North	Thandol Span	By foot or Alliance flightpath from Menethil Harbor to Refuge Pointe
Dustwallow Marsh	35-45	West across the ocean	Baradin Bay	By boat from Menethil Harbor to Theramore Isle
Darkshore	9-25	West across the ocean	Baradin Bay	By boat from Menethil Harbor to Auberdine

Notable characters[]

Main article: Wetlands NPCs

The Wetlands are home to several characters of note. In Menethil Harbor, Captain Stoutfist sends promising young adventurers to end the threat of the Dragonmaw Clan. At Dun Modr, Rhag Garmason seeks to recover the besieged town from the dark iron dwarves. And in the Green Belt, the wise Rethiel the Greenwarden wishes to put an end to the gnoll incursion and the corruption of his lesser bog beast brethren.