Elwynn Forest

Elwynn Forest, the Forest of ElwynnThe Last Guardian, chapter 1 or simply Elwynn, is a vast woodland of stately hardwoods nestled just below the foothills of the Burning Steppes to the north. The idyllic Redridge Mountains lie to the east, and to the south, across the Nazferiti river is where Duskwood is located. It is the heartland of the human Kingdom of Stormwind and consequently is the starting point of all human characters.
Marshal Dughan serves as the municipal law enforcer for Goldshire and Marshal McBride serves as the municipal law enforcer for Northshire Valley. Though much of the forest was burned down during the First War, trees and lush glades have grown anew.The World of Warcraft Townhall/World Map#Elwynn Forest Stormwind City lies northwest of the forest and is heavily patrolled by the Stormwind guards.
==History==
Little is known of Elwynn's history before Stormwind was founded centuries ago by the Arathi bloodline of Stromgarde in Lordaeron.
Centuries ago, throughout the Eastern Kingdoms, the disparate human nations flourished, among them the smallest and most isolated of the kingdoms was Stormwind. Over the years, it found prosperity through the farmsteads that dotted the surrounding fertile region, and as its population grew, small towns sprang up in the nearby regions, notably in Elwynn Forest, and ever since humans first settled in the forest, it has thrived under their stewardship.
Long ago, Elwynn Forest was populated with a group of spiders that lived peacefully amid the woods. Yet when the curse fell over Duskwood and turned the once peaceful woodland into a realm of terror, the spiders began to mutate and grow to monstrous proportions, and entered the shadowed land.The World of Warcraft Townhall/Beastiary#Venom Spider
Elwynn Forest was captured by the Horde during their bloody campaign to Stormwind in the First War. The resources culled from the bountiful woods helped fuel the Horde's war machine. Much of the forests were razed as the orcs marched across Elwynn. The town of Goldshire and the Abbey at Northshire were both tragically destroyed by the Horde. When Stormwind fell to the orcs and Anduin Lothar led the humans to Lordaeron, the Stormreaver and Twilight's Hammer clans assumed domains in Elwynn forest. When the humans of Stormwind finally retook their city at the end of the Second War, they regained Elwynn as well. It cost the kingdom of Stormwind a significant amount of gold and resources to rebuild their broken homeland. As a result, the kingdom's economy has flagged since it was rebuilt. Many of the middle and lower classes became fed up with high taxes and unpaid labor in service of the kingdom. Many of these dissidents defected to form the Defias Brotherhood (led by the Stonemasons Guild, the architects who reconstructed Stormwind and weren't paid anything). Still, against all the odds, Elwynn has returned to much of its former majesty and glory. Northshire Abbey was rebuilt and has become a recruiting center of sorts for the Stormwind army. Goldshire and its famous Lion's Pride Inn have returned to their former glory as a bustling hub of activity. Today, the only reminders of the Horde's occupation are a few scattered orcish catapults, broken and rotting. Meanwhile, the humans of Stormwind rejoice as Elwynn once again becomes the pride of the Kingdom of Stormwind.
After Azeroth had been victim to massive mystic struggles, which tore magic currents from once stable channels, the mages of the Wizard's Sanctum struggled to determine the effects these changes had caused, and some of them feared the worst. When the flow of magic in Stormwind City and Elwynn Forest was somehow altered, they sent a mage adventurer to Mirror Lake, in order to test its water for magical properties before those who drank from it would be adversely affected.Mirror Lake (quest)
During the Scourge Invasion, Elwynn Forest was attacked by the Scourge.
The Cataclysm has cracked the once natural defenses buffering the kingdom from its enemies and left openings that were taken advantaged of. The Blackrock orcs have managed to sneak into Northshire through a break in the southern Elwynn Mountains. Stormwind Infantry and patrolling Stormwind Royal Guards were deployed to defend Elwynn Forest. The Stormwind Army has also put a bounty on Hogger and incarcerates him to the Stockades in the aftermath of his defeat.WANTED: "Hogger"
During Death Rising, Elwynn Forest came under attack from the Scourge. To fight against the undead, troops of the Stormwind Army and the Argent Crusade were mobilized in order to protect the region and its inhabitants.
==People and culture==
The humans have lived in Elwynn for centuries, but members of all Alliance races can be frequently seen traveling and residing in Elwynn due to its proximity to the capital, Stormwind City. Most residents of Elwynn are involved in one of its major industries: logging, farming, fishing or mining. They are also renowned for the breeding of their Evendales: steeds especially prized by adventurers for their loyalty and steadiness in the face of danger. The people are hardy and hard-working and for all its pomp and grandeur, Stormwind wouldn’t last long without a constant stream of food and supplies to support the city’s population.http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/race/human
This exchange has become increasingly threatened by kobold invasions, vicious feuds among farmers, and attacks from wild animals. The Defias Brotherhood once terrorized these lands, but Elwynn became more tranquil after their downfall. Northshire Abbey remains dedicated to recruiting and training any adventurers brave enough to help keep the peace. Likewise, the Blackrock orcs are gathering their forces in the nearby Redridge Mountains. With Stormwind’s militia stretched thinner than ever, these renegade orcs stand ready to finally annihilate their old human enemies in Elwynn Forest.
The region organizes its festivals and celebrations around the planting calendar, its two biggest parties being the planting and harvesting festivals. It also hosts the burning of the Wickerman. Elwynn is also visited periodically by the famous, traveling Darkmoon Faire.
==Geography==
Elwynn lies below the southern foothills of Blackrock Mountain. The Forest is a labyrinthine mixture of rushing rivers, various lakes, and forests of magnificent trees and lush glades. Its rich farmland is a result of frequent rains. Recently several of the lakes have been found to be inhabited by hostile murlocs. Stormwind City itself sits proudly in the northwestern hills of the region, its gates opening down onto the Forest. East of Stormwind and behind a thick wall lies the peaceful Northshire Valley and its Abbey. Northshire was the pride of Stormwind's vineyards until Defias bandits drove off the farmers and occupied the farm and fields. Though the Defias were eventually taken down, Northshire couldn't catch a break: after the Cataclysm it was invaded by goblin assassins and Blackrock orcs, who ate the grapes and burned the vineyards. The formerly kobold-infested Echo Ridge Mine has been closed up.
Bears, wolves, spiders, and boars constitute the bulk of the region's large wildlife. The creatures are hostile everywhere except for Northshire. The roads leading from Stormwind and Northshire converge to the southeast just north of Goldshire. Goldshire is Elwynn's largest settlement besides Stormwind itself. Second to Goldshire is the Eastvale Logging Camp in the east near the border with Redridge Mountains. Eastvale is the center of Elwynn's lumber industry. On the road from Goldshire to Eastvale is the Tower of Azora where mages conduct arcane experiments in seclusion. On the road to Westfall from Goldshire is the imposing Westbrook Garrison. This barracks and surrounding grounds house a number of the Stormwind Guard and protects Elwynn's western border. Dotted throughout the forest are small farmsteads growing crops such as wheat, pumpkins, melons, and grapes. 
Kobolds infested the Jasperlode Mine and Fargodeep Mine. Gnolls have erected camps in the Forest's Edge region and the northern rim of Stone Cairn Lake. It is rumored that both the kobolds and gnolls are somehow associated with the Defias Brotherhood. Murlocs have taken up residence in and around Stone Cairn Lake and Crystal Lake. Defias presence in the region has been growing and their people have holdings at Mirror Lake Orchard, Northshire Vineyards, the Brackwell Pumpkin Patch, Jerod's Landing and Stone Cairn Lake, until they were taken down.
===Maps and subregions===
*Brackwell Pumpkin Patch
*Crystal Lake
*Eastvale Logging Camp
*Fargodeep Mine
*Forest's Edge
**Hogger Hill
**Westbrook Garrison
*Goldshire 
**Lion's Pride Inn
*Goldtooth's Den
*Jasperlode Mine
*Jerod's Landing
*The Maclure Vineyards
*Mirror Lake
**Mirror Lake Orchard
*Ridgepoint Tower
*Stone Cairn Lake 
**Heroes' Vigil
*The Stonefield Farm
*Stormwind Gate
** Stormwind City
*Thunder Falls
*Tower of Azora
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;Northshire Valley
*Echo Ridge Mine
*Northshire Abbey
**Hall of Arms
**Library Wing
**Main Hall
*Northshire Vineyards
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;Undisplayed locations
*Agee Tyler's farm
*Darkmoon Faire Staging Area
*Nazferiti river
*Northshire River
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;Removed locations
*Darkhollow Mine
*Stormwind Mountains
*Thieves Camp
----
; Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
*Sunnyglade (presumed)
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; Warcraft RPG
*Westridge
Topographic map of Elwynn Forest
Detailed area map (lists all creatures)
===Dungeons===
Dungeon Name	Level Range	Group Size	Approximate Run Time
 	22-30 	5-man 	20–30 minutes
*Please note that the Stockade is in Stormwind City.
===Travel hubs===
===== Flight paths from Stormwind=====
* Goldshire, Elwynn Forest
* Ironforge, Dun Morogh
* Furlbrow's Pumpkin Patch, Westfall
* Sentinel Hill, Westfall
* Lakeshire, Redridge Mountains
* Darkshire, Duskwood
* Rebel Camp, Northern Stranglethorn
* Booty Bay, Cape of Stranglethorn
* Thorium Point, Searing Gorge
* Morgan's Vigil, Burning Steppes
* Nethergarde Keep, Blasted Lands
===== Flight Paths from Goldshire=====
* Stormwind, Elwynn Forest
* Eastvale Logging Camp, Elwynn Forest
* Darkshire, Duskwood
===== Flight Paths from Eastvale Logging Camp=====
* Goldshire, Elwynn Forest
* Lakeshire, Redridge Mountains
===Adjacent regions===
Zone name 	Faction	Level range	Direction	Access
Duskwood 	 	20 - 60 	South 	By east bridge, swimming south across the Nazferiti river, or flight path.
Redridge Mountains	 	15 - 60 	East 	By foot or by flight path.
Westfall 	 	10 - 60 	Southwest	By west bridge, swimming west across the Nazferiti river, or flight path.
Darkmoon Island 	 	- 	Inside 	By taking the portal in Goldshire when the Darkmoon Faire is up.
===Quest and travel hubs===
Place name 	Faction	# of quests	Flight path	Notable character
Eastvale Logging Camp	 	?? 	Yes 	??
Goldshire 	 	?? 	Yes 	??
Northshire Valley 	 	?? 	No 	??
==Notable characters==
Elwynn Forest is home to several humans of high status. From the Northshire Abbey Marshal McBride recruits promising young humans into the Army. In Goldshire, Marshal Dughan leads the effort to reclaim Elwynn from the kobolds and other vile threats, and from his post near Eastvale Logging Camp, Guard Thomas seeks to eradicate the foothold the murlocs have established in the forest. Deputy Rainer is currently the leader of the Westbrook Garrison and protects the border from the Riverpaw gnolls.
==Quests==
After their heroic victory against the Lich King, the humans of Stormwind see new threats arise closer to home. As the Cataclysm rips across the world, the trading routes of Elwynn Forest are threatened by kobolds taking over the gold mines, feuds between families, attacks from wild animals, farms being overrun by bandits, and the Blackrock orcs invading through the north. The whole zone deals with an investigation, for these seemingly unrelated threats could all have the same cause behind it, and with the army stretched thin, and Stormwind's economy on the brink of collapse, it falls to its citizens to defend their kingdom and restore the peace.
Stormwind City is the capital of the humans, and of the Alliance. There can be found all-level quests that draw adventurers to other zones.
==Resources==
* Cloth:
** Linen Cloth
* Herbalism
** Peacebloom
** Silverleaf
** Earthroot
* Skinning
** Ruined Leather Scraps
** Light Leather
* Mining
** Copper Ore (mostly in the mines)
*Fish - Fishing skill 25 needed to fish open water without catching junk
**Raw Brilliant Smallfish
**Raw Longjaw Mud Snapper
**Bloated Smallfish
**15 Pound Mud Snapper
==Battle pets==
*Small Frog
*Silver Tabby Cat - Vendor
*Cornish Rex Cat - Vendor
*Bombay Cat - Vendor
*Sinister Squashling - Hallow's End only
*Spring Rabbit - Noblegarden only
*Feline Familiar - Hallow's End only
*Black Lamb
*Orange Tabby Cat - Vendor
*Rabbit
*Squirrel
*Fawn
*Cat
*Chicken
*Stormwind Rat
*Fangs 
*Slither 
==Wild creatures==
* Bears
* Boars
* Gnolls
* Kobolds
* Murlocs
* Spiders
* Wolves
==In the RPG==
Elwynn is a gorgeous span of fertile land and thick forests. The weather is brightly sunny and cheerful during the day and silent and peaceful at night. Unlike Duskwood, it is close enough to Stormwind to enjoy considerable Alliance guardianship. Home to many farmers, loggers, and miners, Elwynn Forest is a tranquil region with several friendly places to stop. Little troubles this region; kobolds infiltrate some mines, and murlocs have moved inland to reside in some lakes and rivers, but overall it is safe. One should stick to the roads though, as the forest is home to many fearsome and territorial creatures. Those who can defend themselves are not in any danger, but others may not be so lucky. Elwynn enjoys consistently good weather, warm and humid with few stormy days. Gentle rain falls just enough to make everything grow full and lush.Lands of Conflict, pg. 48
This woodland is pleasant and tranquil. Loggers and fishers fuel Stormwind’s economy, and a diligent militia keeps it safe from the kobolds and murlocs that occasionally surface. The Defias Brotherhood, a group of robbers and bandits wearing red masks, has recently become a growing menace in the region.World of Warcraft The Roleplaying Game, pg. 16 The Brotherhood reaches into Elwynn Forest from time to time, preying on lone travelers, although their main center of operations lies somewhere in Westfall. Some say they have a case against Stormwind, as they weren’t paid for their work rebuilding the city; others say they are whiners who charged too much in the first place. Others (such as Brann Bronzebeard) did their work and were paid, and don’t understand the problems.Lands of Conflict, pg. 49
Elwynn Forest is under guardianship of the kingdom of Stormwind but has its own democratic government.
True criminals in the area are usually sent to Stormwind for trial and punishment in the Stockade, as most people care more for their jobs than housing criminals. Goldshire has a small holding area for drunks and pickpockets, but few stay in the clink for very long. Elwynn’s towns will welcome most any travelers, especially those who want to shop or trade to help the local economies. They are especially kind to those willing to lend a hand in a tough spot.
==Film universe==
Elwynn Forest is depicted close to its World of Warcraft incarnation. It contains the communities of Goldshire and Northshire Abbey.
A murloc can be seen and the laughter of a gnoll can be heard in the forest.
==Notes and trivia==
*Bimble Longberry fruits come from the forests of Elwynn.
*The farms of the Blackridge, Woodring, and Liam's families are located near Goldshire. The Defias Brotherhood kidnapped the Blackridges and moved them to the Deadmines at some point.Legends Volume 4, Bloodsail Buccaneer
*There was an Alliance ship named the Elwynn.
*Horde players enjoy attacking Goldshire, Northshire and Tower of Azora. It won't be surprising if you see a huge battle going on in either of these places.
*The two rival farmsteads, The Stonefield Farm and Maclure Vineyards, may be a reference to the real-world Hatfield/McCoy feud.
*Elwynn Forest is prominently featured in South Park's "Make Love, Not Warcraft" episode.
*This starting zone is usually the highest populated due to Stormwind and the Goldshire dueling phenomenon.
*Following the Cataclysm, a small sheep farm in the mountains around Northshire Valley are inhabited by a gnome named Agee Tyler, a reference to the Blizzard employee Tyler Agee.
*On most servers, Goldshire is an Alliance player hangout with people everywhere dueling and talking.
*Elwynn Forest has been listed as a possible battleground in Heroes of the Storm.
==Gallery==
File:Warcraft I - Map of Azeroth.jpg|Elwynn Forest on the Azeroth map of the First War.
File:WarCraft-Orcs&Humans-Humans-Scenario5-ElwynnForest.png|Elwynn Forest during the First War.
File:WarCraftII-BeyondTheDarkPortal-Humans-Mission01-Alleria'sJourney.png|Elwynn Forest during the Invasion of Draenor.
File:WoWCE - Elwynn Forest.jpg|Elwynn Forest in an early WoW map.
File:WoW Town Hall Elwynn concept art 4.jpg|Elwynn Forest WoW concept art. 
File:WorldMap-Elwynn-beta.jpg|Early map of Elwynn Forest during the beta.
File:Fargodeep Mine.jpg|Fargodeep Mine.
==Videos==
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==Patch changes==
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==References==
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Category:Forests
Category:Human territories
Category:Starting areas
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