Stormwind ( region ) Stormwind is the name of a region ( land or area ) , it is a small , coastal zone west of the Burning Steppes , south of Dun Morogh and northwest of Elwynn Forest , on the western coast of the Eastern Kingdoms . This region includes an area north of the Stormwind City and the city itself . Today , with the collapse of Lordaeron and Stromgarde , Stormwind is the brightest bastion of humanity on Azeroth . Background . The Stormwind region itself does not go much beyond the boundaries of Stormwind City ; it begins at the Valley of Heroes and extends into the mountains north of Stormwind City . Stormwind City stands firm on Azeroth ' s northwest coast and is the capital of both the Stormwind region and kingdom , and contain one of the few remaining great human cities . Stormwind firmly backs the Alliance ; its knights , priest s , paladin s , and mage s served in the three wars against the Horde . Primarily a human settlement , a fair number of high elves , Ironforge dwarves , and even a few night elves and gnome s dwell here as well . Stormwind still exists as the strongest unified human force in the world , but enemies and wilderness now surround it . Stormwind holds out on the west coast . Geography . The region is known as Stormwind and is the location of Stormwind City , as established in " Lands of Conflict " and " Warcraft The Roleplaying Game " . The mountains around the glorious city of Stormwind Keep have an impressive ley line pattern that is responsible for the occasional sudden squalls that give Stormwind its name . Wild beasts including harpies and dire wolves inhabit this area . A grand city with new construction that still gives a nod to human and dwarven architecture of old , one can move about Stormwind on foot , rent one of many mounts or even have a small boat take them through the several canals that bisect the city . The mountains north hold some nastier sorts of beasts that will sometimes venture south to see what they can pick from the road . The passage is no stranger to harpy attacks , and even dire wolves are spotted north of the city . The locals assume the creatures have escaped from the Blackrock orcs in the Burning Steppes . Aside from the rebuilt settlements lay evidence of the constant warring of recent years . Hard - edged debris of wartime fortresses stand softened by wind and rain . Grapevines entwine abandoned siege machines , and battlefields are carpeted in wildflowers . Wolves stalk herds of wild pigs around the stumps produced by decades of harvesting and among the saplings that now grow to take their place . Even as the humans rebuilt , much of Stormwind reverted to wilderness , closer to the world ' s natural state than in a thousand years . The tribes of forest trolls and the ogre lords emerge to stake claims on the wild lands , resulting in rising clashes between all races . A reasonably large shipyard lies on the northwestern part of the city and provides the Alliance with naval craft . The lush valley of heroes lies south of the city and all visitors must pass through it , as it is the only entrance to Stormwind on foot . With all the rebuilding efforts in the past thirty years , the city has several notable structures . These include : the Academy of Arcane Sciences , Cathedral of Light , Pig and Whistle , Stockade and Vault , and Stormwind Keep . The mighty walls surrounding Stormwind are somewhat invulnerable to small scale attacks . Crossbowmen can be stationed upon the ramparts , heavy ballistae keep watch for enemy artillery , and of course waves of guards are willing to sacrifice their lives to defend the city .