Overview of the Grizzly Hills
by Alex Ziebart 
May 10th 2008 at 6:45PM
- The Grizzly Hills will be a low to mid 70s zone. The setting is very much like a redwood forest, Warcraftified.
- Home of the Grizzlemaw Furbolgs, one of the largest furbolg tribes in Azeroth. The furbolgs seem to be under attack on a few fronts. The first front being...
- The Venture Co. This organization, founded by a bunch of jerk goblins, is working endlessly to clearcut the great Grizzly Hills forest. Second, the furbolgs are also having trouble with...
- Corruption from the Old Gods. Or maybe just one Old God, we're not sure. I would be willing to guess this is the Old God in Azjol-Nerub.
- The dwarves of Ironforge have set up shop at Thor Modan, where they seek to learn what they can about the evil Iron Dwarves, so they may discover what they can about their origins. Thor Modan will reveal a new chapter in the story of the Titans, and the city seems to be under siege by Giants.
- Archmage Arugal left Shadowfang Keep behind and has relocated to the Grizzly Hills, raised from the dead to serve the Lich King with his army of worgen. Level 80 elite Sons of Arugal? We can only hope.
- Zul'Drak, the home of the Drakkari Ice Trolls, can be found here. It seems the Drakkari have been mostly conquered by the Scourge and they now serve the Lich King. The Grizzlemaw Furbolgs seem to be having some trouble with these guys, too.
- The Drakkari aren't unopposed, however. The Argent Dawn returns to knock the trolls down a peg.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Expansions, Lore, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chai May 10th 2008 6:59PM
One thing I am more interested about, in the 10 minute video for the zones, it looked like Zul'Drak had a *shudders at the thought* Avatar of Hakkar like flying snake. -_-v
However the return of Arugal and Worgen = A++
Sanaje May 10th 2008 7:28PM
Yea, the Hakkar thing gave me some bad vibes too. ;/ But eh, Hakkar's 'death' was rather open-ended, and there's a lot of old villains making their return as well; wouldn't be surprised if he came jumping out yelling: "Tah-dah!"
Would be fun if he'd drop the next step to "Destroyer of .."
But back to the zone. I'm digging the scenery and atmosphere pictured so far, but can't help but notice it seems incredibly packed with stuff, even more-so than the other zones previewed.
At least it gives us some good hopes as to what we'll run into at Icecrown or the Stormpeaks.
Kyle May 10th 2008 7:58PM
I thought Zul'Drak was a zone by itself. Says it is on the wiki page you link to, too.
Anyway, from the original overview of Grizzly Hills, I was rather underwhelmed. It looked pretty enough, though I was reminded of Stonetalon with the Venture Co. there, and I hated that area with a passion. However, the new overview of it has me more excited, especially with the Worgen.
One thing I found interesting was the note that some Worgen made a home in that giant fallen tree. In the vide, we can see the village, and it looked almost...peaceful. Makes me wonder if some Worgen will actually be peaceful (or at least tolerating).
Can-O-War May 12th 2008 5:59PM
I believe they were Furbolgs, not Worgen.
Ametrine May 10th 2008 8:51PM
Here's to hoping for a friendly "renegade faction" of Worgen, not just Arugal's pet watchwolves.
Tomah May 11th 2008 8:36AM
WAS that the Worgen? I thought it looked more like a furbolg village, especially since it's their zone.
Sanaje May 11th 2008 4:14AM
Its the furbolg capital, not a worgen town.
Zakk May 10th 2008 9:59PM
"evil Iron Dwarves"
Aw, I thought they were good guys that were just a little closer to the Titans than the regular Dwarves =( Oh well, they're still super cool lookin' =D
Onatel May 10th 2008 10:25PM
Zul'Drak looks cool, kinda like the temples in southeast Asia (think Angkor Watt) meets the Mayan influences Troll architecture usually has. Every time Blizzard ads a new Troll themed instance I can't imagine how they can make it look original compared to all the other Troll instances, but every time they manage to give the instance its own vibe.
JollyBjolly May 11th 2008 1:58AM
"Release your rage!"
I personally can't wait to enter Grizzly Hills. If Arugal is a dungeon boss that would be amazing. Think of new mechanics they could add to his fight. 4000k shadow bolts, turns 4 out of 5 players into worgen and it turns into a mini kite phase of survival (red riding hood fight).
It would be pretty cool. Can't wait.
dlinn May 10th 2008 11:08PM
there's video of this zone out there...
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/18749
kr3wman May 10th 2008 11:25PM
Is it me, or does it seems like every city/camp/society in Northrend is under siege and needs help?
James Stevenson May 11th 2008 1:42PM
ooohh can't wait
Kadamon May 11th 2008 3:50AM
How can Arugal come back if we've taken his friggin' head off and handed it over as a quest? Are they gonna retcon that or something?
Maybe it'll involve that NElf Priestess that helped summon the Worgen over in Duskwood?
Fendrieon May 11th 2008 4:06AM
Well remember that ST (Temple of Atal'Hakkar) was full of undead trolls, so it doesn't seem all that far-fetched to make a connection between Hakkar, Trolls, and the undead (even if not exactly the scourge). Maybe Hakkar is one of the Old Gods influencing events up North.
Simon May 11th 2008 6:27AM
Red Forest? Awesome. I want more variety on areas please!
Rabbit May 11th 2008 8:38AM
This snap of the concept art brings the movie The 13th Warrior to mind--great lodge on the top of a hill , the trees are that awesome northern forest look and there is a mist...I hope the Fire Wyrm doesn't come tonight!!
Tomah May 11th 2008 8:37AM
Maybe it's not even Hakkar, could just be a huge Wind Serpent god avatar thing killed and rezzed by the Scourge, and the trolls simply locked it out on a balcony instead of killing it.