- For the instance, see Grim Batol (instance).
 Grim Batol | |
|---|---|
 The halls of Grim Batol | |
| Type | City ruins |
| Races |
    Orc Skardyn C'Thrax Black dragon Red dragon Twilight dragon Stone troggOther races... |
| Government |
None Tribal chiefdom (formerly) Monarchy (formerly) |
| Ruler(s) | Unknown |
| Former ruler(s) |
 Warlord Zaela † General Umbriss † Erudax † Nekros Skullcrusher † Khardros Wildhammer |
| Affiliation | None |
| Former affiliation(s) | Dragonmaw clan, Twilight's Hammer, Old Horde, Red dragonflight, Wildhammer clan |
| Location | Northwestern Twilight Highlands, near the Wetlands |
| Status | Cursed and ruined |
Grim Batol is a mountain fortress located in the eastern Wetlands (now western Twilight Highlands). It has great walls and spires that reach toward a steel-gray sky, but the stronghold's bulk is underground. It was founded by Wildhammer dwarves and later captured by orcs for a time, but during the Cataclysm this place is once more a war area with the Twilight's Hammer using it as a military base.
History
War of the Three Hammers
After losing a three way civil war between the Bronzebeard, and the Dark Iron clan's. Khardros of the Wildhammer clan, led his people north through the barrier gates of Dun Algaz, and founded their own kingdom within the mountain of Grim Batol.
After years of bitterness, Thaurissan, leader of the Dark Iron clan, launched a double-sided attack from his city in the Redridge Mountains against both Ironforge and Grim Batol in hopes of taking all of Khaz Modan. Thaurissan led his forces against Ironforge while his sorceress wife, Modgud, attacked Grim Batol.
The Bronzebeards were able to push back the Dark Iron assault which had been led by Thaurissan at Ironforge. As Thaurissan withdrew to Redridge, Modgud's forces began to break through the gates of Grim Batol. Modgud then used her sorceress powers to call for the shadows from the earth to attack the Wildhammers within their own fortress. The Wildhammers viciously fought back against the shadows and the Dark Iron forces. Finally, Khardros was able to push through the invading onslaught and slay Modgud. Modgud's curse was caused by 
[Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire],[1] and some Dark Iron dwarves became skardyn.
Leaderless, the remaining Dark Irons began a hasty retreat to Redridge only to be intercepted by the Bronzebeard army which had come from Ironforge to assist Grim Batol. The remaining Dark Iron forces were crushed between the Wildhammer and Bronzebeard armies.
Following the total defeat of Thaurissan, the Wildhammers returned to their home in Grim Batol. What they had found was that the death of Modgud had left an evil taint in their fortress. The Wildhammers found Grim Batol uninhabitable and founded a new home in Aerie Peak.[2]
Second War
During the Second War, Grim Batol was the primary base of the Horde refining operations in Khaz Modan. The refineries were protected by the Bleeding Hollow clan,[3] and after a personal inspection Cho'gall declared that they were well maintained and fulfilling their quotas.[4][5]
The mountain fortress itself was the domain of the Dragonmaw clan.[6]
Aftermath of the Second War
Alexstrasza breaks free of Nekros.
Grim Batol was also the main base of the Horde's dragon breeding program, where Alexstrasza the Red was kept captive and forced to produce red dragons to be used as mounts for orc dragonriders. The Horde used the Demon Soul and Dark Iron chains to control the red brood. Grim Batol remained in orc hands long after the collapse of the Horde and the destruction of the Dark Portal, largely due to the power of their dragons. Eventually, thanks to the efforts of a band of unlikely heroes led by the mage Rhonin, Alexstrasza was freed. The dragon queen immediately set about incinerating every orc she could find, utterly destroying the power of the Dragonmaw clan (in Azeroth) and killing the orc warrior (former warlock/former shaman) Nekros Skullcrusher.[7]
World of Warcraft
The mountaintop fortress of Grim Batol.
Grim Batol was initially a subzone in the southeastern Wetlands. The fortress itself was inaccessible, consisting solely of a mountain road leading to a massive, closed door. The surrounding area was populated by various elite level 60+ red dragonkin and Axtroz, a mighty red drake.
The entrance was at [72, 47], where one followed a path curving south to get to it at [73, 70]. It was inadvisable to try to enter from southeast Wetlands near its position on the map; one must take the north entrance, as there is a cliff wall.
The ruins of the orc caravan that tried to escape the fortress can still be seen strewn around the entrance and along the road outside of the Dragonmaw Gates.
Night of the Dragon
Please add any available information to this section.
Sintharia, Deathwing's consort, used Grim Batol and tunnels beneath it as her base of operations while conducting experiments that led to the creation of the twilight dragonflight.
It was implied that Deathwing was deep under Grim Batol.[8] This was changed with Cataclysm.
Cataclysm
The arrival of the Twilight's Hammer, a sinister cult who worshiped Azeroth's malefic Old Gods, seduced by Deathwing's thirst for absolute domination over Azeroth, has claimed the Twilight Highlands as its base of operations. The black dragonflight has driven off the agents of the red dragonflight who guarded Grim Batol (now at [19, 54]) so that it may be used as a fortress for training Deathwing's minions. The halls of Grim Batol run so deep into the highlands that it is unknown to what twisted end the Twilight's Hammer is using this doomed dwarven marvel.
Called to action by the red dragonflight in the Twilight Highlands, adventurers will be charged with putting a decisive end to the foul machinations developing within. The army within is lead by General Umbriss.
Grim Batol is now considered part of the new the Twilight Highlands zone and features as a 5-man dungeon, Grim Batol.[9]
War Crimes
After the defeat of the Twilight's Hammer, Grim Batol became abandoned. After the Siege of Orgrimmar, Zaela led her Dragonmaw clan to the fortress to use as a base of operations. Zaela operated out of the room where Alexstrasza was tortured. After she succeeded in helping Garrosh Hellscream escape his trial at the Temple of the White Tiger, Zaela, Shokia, Harrowmeiser, and Thalen Songweaver returned to the fortress. After Zaela's demise in Upper Blackrock Spire, it is unknown who, if anyone, is in control of Grim Batol.
Battle for Azeroth
The stone troggs kept digging, far deeper and further than even the red dragonflight thought possible. Doing so, they unearthed thousands of hidden twilight dragon eggs.[10]
Sections
Maps and subregions
Instance map of Grim Batol.
In the RPG
Members of the red dragonflight were left behind to keep watch over and command Grim Batol, and for years they successfully guarded its desolate halls from further intrusion, citing that they were "guarding a secret that living creatures are not meant to know." The red wyrm Garshilan leads the fortress' defenses, aided by the young Acridistrasz and the Dragonspawn Baleflame.[11] A flight of red dragons now commands Grim Batol. The dragons guard a secret power within the fortress and let no one near.[12]
Alexstrasza the Life-Binder herself was involved with Grim Batol, making her too busy to do things such as work on rejuvenating the Sunwell.[13]
Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans
Grim Batol in Warcraft Adventures.
In the canceled Warcraft Adventures, Grim Batol was a ruined Old Horde base from the Second War which still contained an Altar of Storms, a Temple of the Damned, as well as a stronghold, fortress and barracks. Thrall had to learn some dark magics inside the Temple of the Damned and the Altar of Storms was used as a meeting points for the scattered clans of the Horde.
It was said to be in the Badlands of Khaz Modan. Next to the base was a foul swamp populated by phosphorescent eels, vultures and tentacle beasts.
Notes
- Before Cataclysm, Grim Batol was notably guarded by Scalebane Royal Guards, indicating that their queen Alexstrasza may have ordered them to guard there.
- There are forges beneath Grim Batol.[14] Possibly Khardros' Anvil.
- Skardyn are the cursed descendants of Dark Iron dwarves who had survived the siege of Grim Batol near the end of the War of the Three Hammers. They were supposed to appear in the dungeon but got replaced by troggs.
- The Twilight dragonflight seems to still exist in Grim Batol to this day.[15]
- Warcraft II implied that Grim Batol was a hidden fortress built by the Horde instead.
Gallery
Grim Batol's position in Warcraft II.
The refineries around Grim Batol during the Second War.
The first inner gate.
Grim Batol in the noon sun.
The mountain fortress by night.
"HELP".
Grim Batol before Cataclysm.
The city gates of Grim Batol following Cataclysm.
The Condemned Halls.
The Condemned Halls.
The Condemned Halls.
Khardros' Anvil.
Khardros' Anvil.
Khardros' Anvil.
Grim Batol seen in a cinematic.
Grim Batol instance loading screen.
Patch changes
- Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Now considered part of the Twilight Highlands zone rather than Wetlands. Instance portal added.
References
- ^ Word of the Conclave
- ^ War of the Three Hammers (History of Warcraft)
- ^ Grim Batol (WC2 Human)
- ^ The Badlands (WC2 Orc)
- ^ The Fall of Stromgarde (WC2 Orc)
- ^ Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Clans of the Horde, Dragonmaw Clan
- ^ Day of the Dragon
- ^ Night of the Dragon, chapter 24
- ^ http://www.wow.com/2009/08/22/blizzcon-2009-cataclysm-dungeons/
- ^ [10-50] Battered Twilight Scale
- ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 73, 74
- ^ World of Warcraft The Roleplaying Game, pg. 17
- ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 115
- ^ Rotgath Stonebeard#Quotes
- ^ [Twilight Avenger]
[10-50] 
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