Stormwind City Stormwind City ( a . k . a . New Stormwind or simply Stormwind ) is located north of Elwynn Forest on the Eastern Kingdom ' s northwest coast , and is the capital city of the kingdom known as Stormwind and the largest human city of Azeroth . However the city - state also controls or influences other territories , which include Elwynn Forest , Northshire Valley , the Redridge Mountains , Westfall , and Duskwood . The city is named for the occasional sudden squalls created by a ley line pattern in the mountains around the glorious city , and is one of the last great human cities . The city itself has been rebuilt at least once , and is a marvel of human design and engineering . Its guards keep the peace within the city ' s walls . Stormwind firmly backs the Alliance , and its knights , priests , paladins , and mages 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 gnomes dwell here as well . Stormwind City is the home of the Academy of Arcane Sciences , the only remaining school of wizardry in the east , and the Cathedral of Light , the philosophical capital for those who follow the Holy Light . These edifices draw healers , priests , paladins , and mages to the city , all of whom bolster Stormwind ’ s military . King Varian Wrynn rules from Stormwind Keep . Rumor has it that Wrynn employs a secret society , the Stormwind Assassins , who are spies and saboteurs wielding royal " carte blanche " . " Unaffected by the ravages of the Scourge in the north , Stormwind still faces its own threats , both from without and within . " Recent events have led to the return of King Varian Wrynn to his homeland and his rightful throne . In his absence , his son Anduin Wrynn was temporarily crowned king . Due to his young age , Highlord Bolvar Fordragon was made regent until Varian returned home or Anduin came of age . Along with Bolvar ' s aid , the mysterious Lady Katrana Prestor helped the child king rule the city . History . First War . It was the humans ' main base of operations and the last city to fall to the Orcish Horde ' s offensive during the First War . Anduin Lothar took what was left of the people and led their exodus to Lordaeron . Reconstruction . The city was reconstructed and named New Stormwind , rebuilt on the same location as original Stormwind City . It is not common to call the city New Stormwind by the time of " World of Warcraft " , but usually simply Stormwind City . People and culture . Stormwind is the jewel of the Alliance in Azeroth . The grandest human city left , it has weathered three wars , ransacking by the orcs , and invasions by the Alliance to take it back . Although mostly a human city , Stormwind does house dwarves , high elves , night elves , worgen , pandaren , and other Alliance races . It opens its gates to all Alliance members to participate in trade within the city limits . Most of the city ' s coffers are filled with the taxes taken from merchants in the busy market . Every night at sunset the Cathedral of Light rings a solitary bell whose sweet pitch reaches the entire city . This is for the night elves , who are unaccustomed to living within cities . A day of mourning is set aside for the high elves , remembering Dalaran ' s destruction . The ale pours free for every dwarf in the city during the holy birthday of Anvil Stormglaive . It also holds celebrations for the Third War veterans , to honor the citizens of all Alliance races who fought in the war . Stormwind ' s climate is warm , the skies clear , and the seasons generally temperate . Thus , clothes in the city are composed of light fabric for the most part . Color choices usually are bold : whites , reds , blues , oranges , and yellows . Although one might assume the climate would call for as little clothing as possible , the inhabitants of Stormwind prefer light fabric , but lots of it . Humans usually wear long - sleeved tunics , billowy trousers , leather boots , and sometimes even ridiculously large , floppy hats for excessively sunny days . The high elves generally copy the humans ' fashions here , though there are some high elves who prefer to set themselves apart . Although Stormwind is well - defended , the city guard usually wears only light armor to handle the occasional thief or bandit . The paladins will don their full plate during ceremonies and when they ride out of the city on business defending Elwynn Forest or the surrounding areas , but around the city they wear nothing more than the breastplate that identifies them as paladins . A third force in the city is dedicated to maintaining the peace . In addition , a guild of assassins works behind the scenes with the blessings of the king and the Stormwind ruling council . When solving an " inconvenient " problem would go against the tenets of the Holy Light , the Stormwind Assassins are called . They deal with matters quickly and efficiently , and few questions are asked . The city ' s nobility strive for power , while manipulating others and shrouding their sins in secrecy . A few exceptional nobles , however , do try to tend to the city the best they can . The priests , meanwhile , uphold the tenets of the Holy Light , although some have become more political than religious . The guard is generally uncorrupted and has a close relationship to the carefree citizens of Stormwind . Opposition to the Horde , Scourge , Burning Legion , and Shadow are near requirements to live in the city . Anyone who speaks out in support of these groups , or even suggests it , is likely to be hanged or driven out , for these beliefs are enforced like law by the will of the common man . Most citizens of the city are practitioners of the Holy Light , and nearly all at least respect it . The religion is tied closely to the government , for the church has enough political influence to directly impact the actions the King decides to take . Those criminals who survive arrest and trial reside in one of the city ' s two prisons . Common criminals from pickpockets to murderers stay in the Stockade . More dangerous types — demons , rogue mages , and the like — are left to rot in the Vault , which is surrounded on all sides by water . Notable characters . King Varian Wrynn , having recently returned , rules from his throne in Stormwind Keep with his son , Anduin Wrynn , by his side . By the time of Varian ' s return , Lady Prestor ' s true identity has been fully uncovered and brave adventurers have already dispatched her . Highlord Bolvar Fordragon , former regent of Stormwind , was sent off to Northrend to command the main Alliance forces stationed there . Grand Admiral Jes - Tereth is the officer in charge of the kingdom ' s fleet . In the Cathedral of Light , Archbishop Benedictus once presided over the clergy of Light . In the Valley of Heroes General Marcus Jonathan stands sentinel on his horse , flanked by his topmost commanding officers , Major Mattingly and Field Marshal Afrasiabi . Other guild masters include High Sorcerer Andromath and Master Mathias Shaw , in charge of Stormwind wizards and thieves guilds , respectively . Places and people . The city is made up of roughly rectangular districts separated by canals . Stormwind is the largest of the surviving human kingdoms remaining on Azeroth . Connected through both sea access and the newly - built underground railroad , Stormwind proudly swings its doors wide open for adventurers of the entire Alliance . Humans , dwarves , gnomes , high elves , worgen , pandaren , and night elves all have their own little niche in the capital city , making Stormwind a true melting pot of cultures . Valley of Heroes . Stormwind City ' s great gates tower over the treetops of Elwynn Forest . Beyond them lies The Valley of Heroes , a beautiful natural basin spanned by a majestic bridge leading to the city ' s trade district . The bridge is lined with enormous statues depicting some of the greatest heroes of the Second War — the brave men , high elves , and dwarves who stepped into the Dark Portal to bring an end to the war in the scarred land of Draenor itself . These brave fighters are all the more legendary due to their inconclusive fate — did they perish behind the portal , or do they still live in the shattered lands beyond ? Many who see the monuments lament the loss of these great heroes and wonder if Azeroth will ever be graced by bravery as steadfast as theirs . Deathwing damages towers . When Deathwing made his return to the world he made a short stop at Stormwind ' s Valley of Heroes . The towers at the entry to the great city still bear the molten marks of his claws , and the statue of Danath Trollbane was sheared from its pedestal . Workers argue even now about the best possible way to repair the damage . " It bustles with trade from across the continent and beyond . " Trade District . The Trade District lies in the center of Stormwind City and is always bustling with activity . The city ' s bank , auction house , gryphon master , and inn are all located within . In addition , consumers find plenty of outlets for their coin in the various equipment shops nearby , such as repair shops which also sell armor . For those with a taste for the delectable , the Trias and Gallina families run cheese and wine shops out of the Trade District as well . Old Town . To the east of the Trade District is Old Town , the resurrected remains of the small village that was once clustered around the base of Stormwind Keep back in the days before the First War . Though quaint , this district is a bit more rough around the edges . Pickpockets , beggars , and the impoverished try to make a living in its alleys . Though all businesses are honest , their inventories can be a bit exotic - poisons , venoms , assassin ' s daggers , and potent alcohol are all on the menu in Old Town . Fortunately , the Stormwind guard barracks are located along the edges of Old Town , so those traveling through have little reason to worry . However , the barracks share their edifice with , a guild of assassins and rogues . Whether the Stormwind guards enjoy the presence of their neighbors is difficult to figure out . Old Town after the Cataclysm . This district has now transformed into a version of its former self , the Command Center and SI : 7 buildings now located in a small but lush area of their own . Riding stables have even been added , much to the joy of those just learning their riding , for they no longer need to make the long trek to the Eastvale Logging Camp . Training dummies can also be found just outside the entry to SI : 7 for those who want to hone their skills , whether they use spell or sword . To the west of the Trade District is the Mage Quarter . Though Stormwind had a handful of able mages among its ranks during the Second War , the arrival of the dispossessed wizards of Dalaran signaled Stormwind ' s importance as the world ' s new center of magical study . The Academy of Arcane Arts and Sciences stands proudly in the center of the district , and the tower is so packed with students that it is often on fire , encased in ice , or half - hidden behind a curtain of sparkling arcane energy . The rest of the district is filled with tailoring shops , warehouses storing magical artifacts and reagents , and bustling coffeehouses and bars filled to the brim with mages and warlocks . During the First War , Stormwind utilized the services of the mysterious conjurer s , but they no longer have any presence in the city . Since the Cataclysm , efforts have been made to increase navigability , new paths wending their way through the district rather than only around its outskirts . Lion ' s Rest . This area ( formerly the park ) has been rebuilt and re - titled as Lion ' s Rest . Features include a fountain , stone pathways , memorial monuments to Varian Wrynn , and the other souls who gave their lives at the Battle for Broken Shore . North of The Mage Quarter is what remains of the Park ( now rebuilt as Lion ' s Rest ) . Though there was once a time when this area was merely a park , it used to serve as the home for the biggest concentration of night elves in the Eastern Kingdoms . Though the other Alliance races have a long way to go before understanding the strange ways of the night elves , it was not a rare sight to see them all mingling in Stormwind ' s park . At its center the Park contained a Moonwell , one of only a handful in the Eastern Kingdoms . Strangely , this moonwell did not visibly glow like those found in other locations , although it still possessed sufficient power to purify felcloth . The remains of the Park after Cataclysm . Deathwing not only scarred the Valley of Heroes , he also irrevocably scarred Stormwind by utterly destroying the Park . Where once it stood is now only a deep chasm that plunges into the sea . Even the moonwell is no more . A number of people lost their lives with this callous display of power , though some of the night elves managed to escape . They are now considering a return to their homeland of Darnassus rather than staying in the city . To the north of the Trade District is Cathedral Square , the religious mecca for all followers of the Holy Light . Though Stormwind Keep is the biggest structure in Stormwind City , many believe the most awe - inspiring is the Cathedral of Light . Even the druidic night elves are filled with wonder when they look upon its tall white towers and imposing architecture . Within the cathedral are the most faithful and true paladins and priests of the human race . The bishops at the cathedral are on a lifelong quest to bring the light to the darkest places on Azeroth , and all are welcome within the cathedral ' s walls as long as their journey is one of good and not evil . Other notable locations in the square include the city ' s orphanage ( inhabited by many sons and daughters of families who lost their lives during the three wars ) and the city census , where Stormwind ' s architects and researchers try to find ways to improve the quality of life in the human city . Cathedral Square . Changes to Cathedral Square . Despite the destruction of the Park and damage suffered to the Valley of Heroes , great work has been done to the square . A large cemetery has been added behind the Cathedral housing the most important of the dead down to the most common citizen . In addition , there ' s a new garden complete with a gazebo , perfect for sunny , warm wedding days . A new danger lurks beneath the Cathedral in the catacombs , and able heroes plunge into its depths on their way to pursuing the Twilight ' s Hammer clan into the Twilight Highlands . To the east of Cathedral Square is the Dwarven District , where the dwarves and gnomes of Ironforge carve a slice of Stormwind life out for themselves . The air is thick with smoke and sparks , and the ground trembles with the pounding of anvils , but to many it feels just like a home should . A trove of weapon and armor shops line the streets , and blacksmiths create masterpieces out of common metals in the many open - air plazas . Many adventurers pass through the Dwarven District on their way to the Deeprun Tram , a marvel of gnomish engineering and fast transport to the city of Ironforge . The massive spinning cog that frames the entrance to the tram tunnel cannot be missed . Dwarven District . Post - Cataclysm expansion . The Dwarven District has been expanded to include a bank and auction house . The northern wall has been removed to allow access to the Stormwind City Outskirts , which include areas such as Olivia ' s Pond , the Wollerton Stead , and the Eastern Earthshrine . Canals and the prisons . Each district is bordered by shimmering blue canals and linked by bridges spanning over them . Anglers fish from the many docks in the city , the freshwater fish within perfect quarry for the beginning fisherman . There are two fortifications that rise from the waters in Stormwind - both are prisons for the lawless and evil . The Stockade is accessible from the Mage Quarter and holds murderers , thieves , and corrupted stonemasons . Recently , riots have begun to break out within the Stockade , the most recent of which resulted in the hasty evacuation of all the Stormwind guards within . The city now actively seeks adventurers to enter the prison and end the riots . A similar prison , The Vault , is surrounded by water on all sides and seems to be holding out fine - for now . It is unknown if the demons , mages , and undead within will one day rise up as well . Finally , the crown of Stormwind City remains Stormwind Keep . Rising high between the Dwarven District and Old Town , the keep is an architectural triumph for the ages . Within are many librarians , nobles , and representatives of the human peoples as well as the Battlemasters who organize adventurers of the Alliance into armies ready to march on the Battleground s . It is home to King Varian Wrynn , who has recently returned after being kidnapped by the Defias while on a diplomatic mission to Kalimdor . In the absence of his father , Anduin Wrynn watched over the city in his fathers stead . Lady Katrana Prestor and Highlord Bolvar Fordragon aided the ten - year - old king in his rule , though many remain critical of Stormwind ' s interim government . Accusations of corruption within the House of Nobles ultimately led to the source of this discord , and the dispatching of the shadowy Lady Prestor by brave heroes . After his return and due to the devastating events of the Cataclysm , King Varian ordered that the Keep be fortified with a redesign of the exterior entry . Now instead of a hall leading to the throne , it ' s a grand pathway with a statue of Varian paired with a giant fountain . Stormwind Harbor . The harbor is located in the most northern area bordering the Great Sea , with the access point set between the Park and Cathedral Square . Stormwind City towers over the harbor , with cannons stationed all along the walls . A major transportation hub , the docks are teeming with all sorts of activity . Both of the most outer docks are currently in use , connecting to Valiance Keep in the Borean Tundra and replacing the Menethil Harbor ↔ Auberdine line connecting the Eastern Kingdoms to Northern Kalimdor . Siege engine s are also dotted throughout the area , and at the northern tip one can find a large shipyard . If you are friendly enough , Thargold Ironwing will grant you a free aerial tour through the entire region . " The Assurance " can be found permanently docked here as well , offering repair , reagents , food , and drink . The Stormwind City Outskirts are located just beyond the Dwarven District and were added in the Cataclysm . The main area utilized by players is the Eastern Earthshrine , which contains portals to all the Cataclysm zones as well as Tol Barad . Points of interest . " Note : Coordinates are not exact . General locations shown . Click to enlarge maps . " Changes in Mists of Pandaria . In Mists of Pandaria , Pandarens who joined the Alliance such as Aysa Cloudsinger and Jojo Ironbrow are on an island in Stormwind City , this is also were you can buy the Dragon Turtle mounts and teleport to Paw ' don Village .