Caer Darrow Caer Darrow is a keep ( now ruined ) on the Isle of Darrow , located on Darrowmere Lake in the Western Plaguelands . In the middle of Darrowmere Lake is a solitary island : the Isle of Darrow . " The keep of Caer Darrow , perhaps the oldest human monument in the world , stands upon this isle . The keep ’ s defenders abandoned it during the Third War . " The ruin may hold many wonders , but unforturtunately it crawls with undead and their few remaining demonic allies , including at least three dreadlord s . History . Ancient History . The island where the ruined town of Caer Darrow now sits was long ago the keeping place of an ancient runestone , known as the Runestone of Caer Darrow . The runestone served as an ancient monolith sacred to the high elves of Quel ' Thalas . The artifact is said to have been erected by elven druids , a description which provides the only indication in lore that any high elves ever followed a druidic path . Runestones were later changed to have served as a barrier so that the Burning Legion would be unaware of the high elves ' arcane magic . The island has also been the site of one or more human fortifications dating back to the days of the empire of Arathor . The Second War . During the Second War , the island was invaded by the Horde , the fortress sacked , and the sacred runestone captured . The stone was hewn into pieces which were used to create the Altars of Storms , arcane structures which allowed Gul ' dan to instill magic into the Horde ' s ogre allies . When Uther Lightbringer embarked for the isle on a mission of mercy to aid and comfort the survivors of the bloody raid , he was ambushed by privateers from Alterac . In the naval battle that followed , some of the sailors were captured ; during questioning in Lordaeron ' s capital , they confessed their nation ' s treachery to the Alliance , leading to Alterac ' s eventual ruin . The Barovs and Scholomance . Following the Second War , the fortress at Caer Darrow was restored ; the rule of the island by the Barov family dates back to at least this time . The Barovs were extremely wealthy , owning the land which comprised Caer Darrow , Brill , Southshore , and Tarren Mill . Not content with their enormous holdings , the Barovs entered into a deal with the human mage Kel ' Thuzad , leader of the Cult of the Damned . The once opulent House of Barov became the horrific Scholomance , a school of necromancy . The spirits of many of the island ' s inhabitants remain , seeking justice for the monstrous wrongs committed there . Fall of the town . The people of Caer Darrow survived within their small town for several months after the fall of Lordaeron . When the Scourge invaded Andorhal however , a large host attacked Caer Darrow . Aided by troops from Scholomance , it was then that the town finally came to an end . Current State . The island and surrounding lake have become lifeless and still . Only meager fish are still able to survive in the murky waters and the towering fortress seems to suck hope itself from the surrounding air . Every year or so new students can be seen entering the manor , or graduates grimly sulking out . Only ghosts of the town ' s former inhabitants remain , only visible with the spectral essence given by the manor ' s former servants . The townspeople seem to be cursed to re - live Caer Darrow ' s happiest day for all eternity , the visitation of Uther the Lightbringer . Specters of Caer Darrow . Note : you need to see the specters . Trivia . The prefix " caer " , Welsh for " castle , " is used in the names of several famous Welsh and Irish castles , such as Caerphilly and Caernarfon . The alpha of caer darrow included a Dark Portal in lieu of a castle .