Dun Morogh Dun Morogh is a snowy region located between the magma - strewn wasteland of the Searing Gorge to the south , the gentle ridges of Loch Modan to the east , and the swampy Wetlands to the north . Dun Morogh is home to both the gnome s of Gnomeregan and the Ironforge dwarves and is the location of the major city of Ironforge . The Khaz Mountains surround Dun Morogh on all sides , making it accessible only by certain passes that are currently watched over by dwarven troops . The center of dwarven culture and ingenuity , Dun Morogh holds the capital of Ironforge . The region is snow - swept and forested , with gray , craggy mountains and slinking wolves . Troggs recently overran Gnomeregan , the gnomes ’ former capital , and drove its citizens to Ironforge . Frostmane trolls menace dwarven patrols . Several villages and towns dot the landscape , and though the trade routes can be perilous , dwarven mountaineers and warriors keep their settlements safe . Homeland of the Ironforge dwarves and ruled by mighty Bronzebeard Clan , Dun Morogh is the center of dwarven culture and ingenuity . The capital city of the dwarven realm , Ironforge , lies within Ironforge Mountain in Dun Morogh ’ s iced heart . Dwarves and their allies range out from Ironforge , trying to hold a diminishing protectorate against encroaching enemies on all sides ( Troggs , Trolls , Dark Irons ) . Dun Morogh is a high altitude region , covered with constant snowfall and great pine trees . Winds howl through the peaks in symphony with the wolves that prowl the crags . Southwest of Ironforge is Coldridge Valley , which hosts the dwarven smithing enclave of Anvilmar . Northwest of Ironforge ’ s massive stone battlements is the ancient city of Gnomeregan . This ruined city was once home to the Ironforge gnomes , but savage Caverndeep troggs devastated the populace and drove the survivors away to Ironforge as refugees . Gnomeregan is now a wild place of adventure and mystery . To Ironforge ’ s west is Frostmane Hold , home of the aggressive Frostmane ice trolls . Crime is almost nonexistent in dwarven lands , as dwarves know that they must stick together against their myriad enemies . Murder and treason are capital offenses , while lesser crimes result in exile or prison . History . Centuries ago , the Dark Iron dwarves split from their Ironforge brethren , summoning Ragnaros and devastating the land in the process . The warriors of Ironforge drove the Dark Irons to near extinction , and the few survivors fled deep underground in the Blackrock Mountain to their fiery lord . In the fourth year since the opening of the Dark Portal , Dun Morogh ’ s dwarves and gnomes joined the Lordaeron Alliance in the Second War . Ironforge dwarves and gnomes were key in the Old Horde ’ s defeat , and many nurse grudges against orcs to this day . Not long ago , gnomes in Gnomeregan unearthed the mythic troggs . These tribal creatures slaughtered city of Gnomeregan ’ s populace and drove the gnomes to Ironforge , where they hide and nurse their wounds . This catastrophe explained why Ironforge gnomes did not take part in the Third War . The troggs also prove an excellent distraction for Ironforge ’ s forces , allowing the Frostmane trolls to invade Dun Morogh in an attempt to reclaim their ancient lands . The snowy peaks of Dun Morogh have been the home of the dwarves and gnomes for centuries . The two races have generally lived on friendly terms , trading between their own respective cities , Ironforge and Gnomeregan . During the Second War , both races joined the Alliance of Lordaeron after the orcs invaded Khaz Modan . Their service proved invaluable to Alliance forces , and between dwarven brawn and gnomish brains , the orc s never succeeded in taking either capital . During the intervening period between the wars the gnomes and dwarves grew closer together , working jointly on a number of major projects . Since the destruction of Gnomeregan , the remaining gnomes have been forced to flee and seek protection within Ironforge . This peaceful region is now threatened by the troggs who have begun appearing all over the area . Attempt to retake Gnomeregan . The gnomes of Ironforge rallied their forces after many years of exile from the homeland of Gnomeregan . Under the command of Gelbin Mekkatorque , Alliance forces pushed into Gnomeregan in an effort to reclaim it from Mekgineer Thermaplugg during . Though the forces ultimately failed in reclaiming the entirety of the area , they did manage to take the surface and transformed it into a beginning area for potential gnome adventurers . Some enemy territories changed hands during the upheaval of the Cataclysm . Frostmane Hold , for instance , was taken by the trogg s , while the Frostmane tribe itself expanded their holding upon Shimmer Ridge and erected a settlement within the Tundrid Hills called Frostmane Retreat . Helm ' s Bed Lake has been overrun with hostile water elemental s that have chased the troggs away . Iceflow Lake is swarming with Crush - cog Sentry - Bots . Ironforge Airfield is under attack from the dark iron dwarves . In response to this , the dwarves have added more troops to the areas of Kharanos , Misty Pine Refuge , and Steelgrill ' s Depot . They ' ve added a camp to Helm ' s Bed Lake to counter the elemental problem and more soldiers to the airfield . People and culture . Ironforge dwarves , the most prominent race in Dun Morogh , are a hearty , good - natured people who enjoy working with their hands , drinking ale , and firing blunderbusses . Dwarves are ingenious , and about half of all technological devices in Azeroth are dwarven - made . Ironforge dwarves are particularly adept at crafting and wielding firearms , and their riflemen proved an invaluable help in the Third War . Feisty and strong , Ironforge dwarves possess a strong sense of humor and a forgiving nature . All who dwell in Dun Morogh , be they dwarf , gnome , or visitor , wear layers of clothing to stave off the cold . Long , thick cloaks of blue or green are common . Ironforge dwarves take pride in their beards and wear them long . When patrolling Dun Morogh , dwarves carry axes , rifles and other weaponry and wear heavy armor . Gnomes rarely leave Ironforge , but those who do so are similarly equipped . Like dwarves , gnomes are adept tinkers and engineers and often walk about with safety goggles on their foreheads and various gadgets strapped to their belts . Geography . The snow - swept land of Dun Morogh is covered with forest and craggy mountains . Dun Morogh is a high , mountainous region and is cold , windy and wet . Snowfall is common , and a white blanket constantly covers the ground . The region is quite large , and distinctly sticks out of the Eastern Kingdoms . However the ocean is not visible as great mountains carpet the coastline . Great wolves and snow leopards stalk the forests , and troggs and Frostmane trolls find many ambush spots . Ferocious bears are known to live in many of the shadowy dens that are riddled into the mountainside . Dwarves used to have to battle few monsters in their own homeland , but things have changed . Dun Morogh has not seen true peace in decades . Ironforge is the capital of the dwarven realm and provides protection and succor for its citizens . Though the dwarves ’ enemies have multiplied in recent years , several smaller villages also stand against the burgeoning evils . Changes in Cataclysm . The biggest change to Dun Morogh lies on the border between it and the Searing Gorge . Here , the ground has been split asunder , resulting in a deep chasm . The road leading northwest of Ironforge has been buried by an avalanche . The gnomes , having retaken the surface area of Gnomeregan , have established their own area of New Tinkertown and have erected a gnome - themed gate to the entrance of Chill Breeze Valley . Dun Morogh contains no raid dungeons , micro dungeons , or battlegrounds . Gnomeregan , an instanced dungeon for adventurers levels 24 to 34 , can be found in the western part of the zone , beyond Brewnall Village . Dun Morogh is the starting area for the dwarves and gnome s , and so it contains a very sheltered 1 - 5 leveling area for dwarves - Coldridge Valley - and another starting area for gnomes - New Tinkertown . The dwarven city , Ironforge , can also be found in this zone , and is one of the major Alliance trade and travel hubs . Travel . Getting there . The closest connected zone is Loch Modan , and players can take either North Gate Pass or South Gate Pass to enter Dun Morogh . Following the main road will take travelers to Kharanos . Lower - level Horde players will have an especially tough time with this , as both Passes are heavily guarded by dwarven troops , and both territories are Alliance - controlled . Resources . " Note : Though there are no pools to fish from , open water requires a minimum skill level of 25 to fish successfully from . " Notable characters . Dun Morogh is home to several dwarves and gnomes of status . From the base camp in Coldridge Valley , Grelin Whitebeard sends promising young dwarves and gnomes out into the world . In Brewnall Village , Rejold Barleybrew leads the effort to discover the best recipe for ale , and in Kharanos , Senir Whitebeard seeks to eradicate the foothold the ice trolls have established in the region . Quests . Since Dun Morogh is the starting zone for dwarves and gnome s , the quest range here is level 1 - 12 . Quests in Dun Morogh include explorations from Brewnall Village in the west to the North Gate Outpost and South Gate Outpost in the northeast . There are battles against leper gnomes near Gnomeregan and trogg s in Gol ' Bolar Quarry . There is range of things to do from the fun of replacing a to the danger in a dangerous yeti . Coldridge Valley is the starting subzone with the level 1 - 5 quests . Kharanos is the central village for those following most zone quests . Ironforge is the capital city with quests geared towards leading to other zones . Areas of interest . Unnamed areas . The Sledders ' Cave is a cave atop and behind Ironforge that connects to the some sled runs on the side of the mountain peak . This cave has a small fire in the center , a few , and two large ale kegs . Judging by the tools outside , this may have have been an old blacksmithing storage area utilized by the dwarves .