Stratholme (original)

For the Cataclysm version, see Stratholme.

For the level 80 wing of the Caverns of Time, see Culling of Stratholme.

Stratholme
Strat Live and Strat UndeadScarlet Strat and Strat UDStrat
Stratholme loading graphic
Location	Plaguewood, Eastern Plaguelands
Population	25,000 (almost all undead)
Race(s)	Human  Cultist  Scourge
End boss	Balnazzar (Main Gate) Baron Rivendare (Service Entrance)
Instance info
Advised level	56-61
Minimum level	45
Player limit	5
Key	[The Scarlet Key] (Scarlet Crusade side) [Key to the City] (Eastwall Gate Service Entrance)
Bosses
Scarlet Stratholme Skul (rare) Balzaphon (Scourge Invasion) Stratholme Courier Fras Siabi Atiesh (summoned) Hearthsinger Forresten (rare) The Unforgiven Postmaster Malown (summoned) Timmy the Cruel Malor the Zealous Crimson Hammersmith (summoned) Cannon Master Willey Archivist Galford Balnazzar Jarien and Sothos (summoned) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) Stratholme loot Undead Stratholme  Race (Undead Stratholme (original)) unknown

The city of Stratholme

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(pronounced ˈstrathːhɔlm) was the northernmost and second most populous city of the kingdom of Lordaeron, and is the city where the Order of the Silver Hand was founded. Today, Stratholme is the Scourge's capital in Lordaeron. Prince Arthas ravaged and set fire to Stratholme in the Third War to "purge it" and the undead moved in soon after. Stratholme burns to this day, and its districts have been split between the overzealous Scarlet Crusade led by Grand Crusader Dathrohan, and the Scourge forces led by the death knight Baron Rivendare.

History

Stratholme on the map from the Warcraft II manual

Stratholme as seen in Warcraft II

Stratholme in Warcraft III.

Stratholme burning

Stratholme in the Ashbringer comic.

Stratholme was the second largest human city in Lordaeron, matched only by the capital. At the beginning of the Second War, Stratholme, specifically the Alonsus Chapel, was the location where the Archbishop Alonsus Faol founded the holy Order of the Knights of the Silver Hand, and indoctrinated its first five members, including Uther the Lightbringer and Saidan Dathrohan.

In Warcraft II (Second War)

This section concerns content exclusive to Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness.

In Warcraft II Stratholme is shown to be located on the northeast edge of Darrowmere Lake. Stratholme was the chief source of Alliance oil in the north. During the Second War, it was preparing to deliver massive amounts of Oil to the kingdoms in western Lordaeron. The Horde sabotaged its refineries and platforms to halt their shipment, and destroyed the city. With the destruction of Stratholme, the Alliance supply lines to Quel'Thalas were severed. This siege and Stratholme's role, although of vast importance strategically, is not mentioned in the World of Warcraft Chronicle and have not made it into canon. The reason behind this is probably that Stratholme's location was retconned for Warcraft III and World of Warcraft.

Between wars

In later games Stratholme lays farther to the north from Darrowmere lake, on the edge of Quel'Thalas. In its glory days, it housed nearly 25,000 people, and included many well known buildings, from the glorious keep to Fras Siabi's famous tobacco shop.

The city was also where the one of the original paladins, Tirion Fordring, was tried for treason against the Alliance for defending the orc Eitrigg. The trial was conducted by Uther the Lightbringer himself and overseen by various leaders of the Alliance. Tirion was found guilty, stripped of his powers (unsuccessfully), and was exiled from the Alliance lands. The following day the city came under attack by a small but well trained band of orcs under the command of the young warchief Thrall, determined to save Eitrigg. Admist the chaos Tirion and Eitrigg escaped into the countryside.

Third War

Just before the Third War the Plague reached Stratholme in infected shipments of grain, most likely from Andorhal. The populace, unaware of the plague, baked and consumed the infected grain. The dreadlord Mal'Ganis was silently overseeing the operation.

Soon after, as the first undead started to rise, Prince Arthas and a contingent of soldiers arrived at Stratholme, but realized that the city had already been infected. Arthas thought that the only way of keeping the plagued (but not yet turned) citizens out of the hands of Mal'Ganis was by killing them. Most of the soldiers, including Uther the Lightbringer and Jaina Proudmoore chose not to help Arthas, thinking his purge was madness. Arthas and some soldiers, however, went on, and the city's population was almost completely massacred by them, along with the undead. Arthas confronted Mal'Ganis inside the city, but the dreadlord told him to seek him out in Northrend, fleeing from the site. The majority of the few survivors left with Jaina Proudmoore.

Stratholme was later taken under the control of the Undead Scourge. After the end of the war, when Arthas was called back to Northrend, the lich overlord Kel'Thuzad established Stratholme as his capital and positioned his floating fortress, the Necropolis Naxxramas, above the ruined city.

Today

Stratholme is quite possibly the largest stronghold held by the Scourge in all of Lordaeron. Leading Scourge forces in the city below is a former noble turned death knight by the name of Baron Rivendare, who coordinates the efforts of the Lich King in the Plaguelands, where he constantly battles the force of the Argent Dawn. Kel'Thuzad raised undead structures among the human ruins. Undead and necromancers control the city while gargoyles and frost wyrms patrol the sky. Noxious orange mist oozes from the buildings and poisons living creatures, transforming them into servants of the Scourge. Kel'Thuzad's rule here is absolute, and from here he stretches his skeletal hands to control the surrounding plaguelands.

Some consider Stratholme to be one of the most dangerous places in Azeroth outside of Northrend. Today the city houses a few hundred Scarlet Crusade warriors from the Crimson Legion who fight against the thousands of undead.

From World Dungeons on the old WoW site:

Once the jewel of northern Lordaeron, the city of Stratholme is where Prince Arthas turned against his mentor, Uther Lightbringer, and slaughtered hundreds of his own subjects who were believed to have contracted the dreaded plague of undeath. Arthas' downward spiral and ultimate surrender to the Lich King soon followed. The broken city is now inhabited by the undead Scourge -- led by the powerful lich, Kel'Thuzad. A contingent of Scarlet Crusaders, led by Grand Crusader Dathrohan, also holds a portion of the ravaged city. The two sides are locked in constant, violent combat. Those adventurers brave (or foolish) enough to enter Stratholme will be forced to contend with both factions before long. It is said that the city is guarded by three massive watchtowers, as well as powerful necromancers, banshees and abominations. There have also been reports of a malefic Death Knight riding atop an unholy steed, dispensing indiscriminate wrath on all those who venture within the realm of the Scourge.

Geography

Maps and subregions

Living side

Undead side

Atlas map showing various shops that were in Stratholme.

Dungeon denizens

Stratholme pre-Cataclysm bosses

• Abominations
• Banshees
• Beetles
• Crypt fiends
• Death knights (one, Baron Rivendare)
• Demonhunters (formerly one, Atiesh)
• Dreadlords (one, Balnazzar)
• Gargoyles
• Ghosts
• Ghouls
•  Humans
• Liches (formerly one, Balzaphon)
• Larvae (critters)
• Rats (critters)
• Skeletal warriors
• Skeletons
• Wights (one, Magistrate Barthilas)
• Wraiths
• Zombies

Encounters

Bosses	Monsters
King's Square Balzaphon (Scourge Invasion) Fras Siabi (Summoned) Postmaster Malown (Summoned) Stratholme Courier Skul (rare)	Broken Cadaver Eye of Naxxramas Ghostly Citizen Mangled Cadaver Patchwork Horror Plague Ghoul Plagued Insect Plagued Maggot Plagued Rat Ravaged Cadaver Rockwing Gargoyle Skeletal Berserker Skeletal Guardian Spectral Citizen Spiteful Phantom Undead Postman Wrath Phantom
Market Row Hearthsinger Forresten (Rare) Postmaster Malown (Summoned) The Unforgiven	Broken Cadaver Eye of Naxxramas Ghostly Citizen Mangled Cadaver Patchwork Horror Plague Ghoul Plagued Insect Plagued Maggot Plagued Rat Ravaged Cadaver Rockwing Gargoyle Skeletal Berserker Skeletal Guardian Spectral Citizen Spiteful Phantom Undead Postman Vengeful Phantom Wrath Phantom
Crusaders' Square Postmaster Malown (Summoned) Timmy the Cruel	Crimson Conjuror Crimson Gallant Crimson Guardsman Crimson Initiate Plagued Insect Plagued Maggot Plagued Rat Skeletal Berserker Skeletal Guardian Summoned Water Elemental
The Scarlet Bastion Archivist Galford Malor the Zealous	Crimson Conjuror Crimson Guardsman Crimson Initiate Crimson Inquisitor Crimson Monk Crimson Sorcerer Skeletal Berserker Skeletal Guardian Summoned Water Elemental
The Hall of Lights	Crimson Battle Mage Crimson Conjuror Crimson Gallant Crimson Guardsman Crimson Initiate Skeletal Berserker Skeletal Guardian Summoned Water Elemental
The Hoard Cannon Master Willey	Crimson Defender Crimson Gallant Crimson Priest Crimson Rifleman Crimson Sorcerer
The Crimson Throne Balnazzar Grand Crusader Dathrohan Jarien and Sothos (Summoned)
Festival Lane Atiesh <Hand of Sargeras> (Atiesh quest chain) Postmaster Malown (Summoned) Skul (rare)	Broken Cadaver Eye of Naxxramas Ghostly Citizen Mangled Cadaver Patchwork Horror Plague Ghoul Plagued Insect Plagued Maggot Plagued Rat Ravaged Cadaver Rockwing Gargoyle Skeletal Berserker Skeletal Guardian Spectral Citizen Spiteful Phantom Undead Postman Wrath Phantom
Elder's Square Magistrate Barthilas Postmaster Malown (Summoned)	Mangled Cadaver Plagued Insect Plagued Maggot Plagued Rat Ravaged Cadaver Skeletal Berserker Skeletal Guardian Undead Postman
Alonsus Chapel Aelmar the Vanquisher (Summoned) Aurius (Summoned) Gregor the Justiciar (Summoned) Nemas the Arbiter (Summoned) Vicar Hieronymus (Summoned)
The Gauntlet Baroness Anastari Black Guard Swordsmith (Summoned) Magistrate Barthilas Maleki the Pallid Nerub'enkan Stonespine (Rare)	Crypt Beast Crypt Crawler Eye of Naxxramas Fleshflayer Ghoul Ghoul Ravener Plague Ghoul Plagued Insect Plagued Maggot Plagued Rat Rockwing Gargoyle Rockwing Screecher Shrieking Banshee Skeletal Servant Thuzadin Necromancer Thuzadin Shadowcaster Undead Scarab Wailing Banshee
Slaughter Square Ramstein the Gorger	Bile Spewer Bile Slime Black Guard Sentry Mindless Undead Venom Belcher
The Slaughter House Baron Rivendare	Mindless Skeleton

Summary

The gates of Stratholme.

On first entering Stratholme through the main entrance, the gate closes. Therefore, the only way out is to fight your way to the service entrance (the key to which is held by Magistrate Barthilas), also known as the "back door", or use a hearthstone or mage portal to get out. Teleporting out is also possible through the dungeon finder, if it was used to form your group. If someone is already at the service entrance, they can use the lever to open the gate and let others in. Another way to do this is duel, then aggro nearby hostiles (or just aggro monsters from the start), slip through the door in ghost form, and resurrect on the other side.

Stratholme is basically divided into two parts, though the boundaries are somewhat vague. Scarlet Side or "Live Side", which goes from the main entrance into the Scarlet Crusade-controlled citadel, and Scourge Side or "Undead Side", which can also be accessed from the main entrance, but more commonly through the Service Entrance (which requires a key or Lockpicking 300) to the Scourge slaughterhouse. However, both "sides" are part of the same instance and players can complete both tracks. When using the dungeon finder the end boss, and thus the side of Stratholme your party needs to clear, is determined by the entrance you are ported to. The main gate will lead to the Live Side, while the service entrance will lead to the Undead Side. Players can complete the other side as well, but will not earn credit for completing the dungeon until they destroy the end boss of the appropriate side. The  Stratholme achievement requires completion of both sides, but this can be accomplished during separate runs.

Engineers can blast their way through the Service Entrance using Seaforium ([Powerful Seaforium Charge] or better), and blacksmiths a skeleton key ([Arcanite Skeleton Key] or better). However, if you do, remember to take two charges with you, as there are two doors to open.

To get to Baron Rivendare, the 3 Ash'ari Crystals must be toppled. These Crystals are guarded by 3 of the bosses: Baroness Anastari, Nerub'enkan and Maleki the Pallid. Kill them, and all the trash mobs inside the ziggurats they guard, and the Crystals will be toppled, allowing you entry to the Slaughterhouse where Baron Rivendare waits.

Scarlet side

The Scarlet Bastion

• Also known as: FD Strat, Strat Scarlet, Strat Light, Scarlet Strath, Strath Live, Living Strat, Liveside, Hu(man) Strat, West Strat, SM Strat
• Enemy Level Range: 55–62
• End Boss: Grand Crusader Dathrohan/Balnazzar
• Mini Bosses:
  • Malor the Zealous
  • Archivist Galford
  • Cannon Master Willey
  • Timmy the Cruel
  • Hearthsinger Forresten
  • The Unforgiven
  • Skul
  • Stratholme Courier
  • Balzaphon (Scourge Invasion only, disappeared after it ended)
• Triggered Boss
  • Fras Siabi
    • Opening up his tobacco box for the quest.
  • Postmaster Malown
    • Opening up various mailboxes with their corresponding keys.
  • Crimson Hammersmith
    • Clicking on a parchment named "Blacksmith Plans" will trigger the Hammersmith. The plans can appear in at least 2 known locations:
      1. On the floor in the Hoard area before Cannon Master Willey
      2. On a bench in the alcoves occupied by Archivist Galford
  • Atiesh (Atiesh quest chain, removed)
    • Summoned by using [Atiesh, Greatstaff of the Guardian] on "consecrated earth." Atiesh is a boss-level NPC unlike the other bosses in Stratholme.

Quests

•  [60] The Restless Souls Given by Caretaker Alen in Light's Hope Chapel, this is outside of the instance and can be done solo.
  •  [60D] The Restless Souls Given by Egan in Terrordale, enters Stratholme.
•  [60D] Of Love and Family This is part eight of a ten part quest chain started by Tirion Fordring on the banks of the Thondroril River in the Eastern Plaguelands. Look for the painting in the room with Archivist Galford.
•  [60D] The Great Fras Siabi Stand alone quest given by Smokey LaRue in Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands.
•  [60D] The Archivist Given by Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff in Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands.
  •  [60D] The Truth Comes Crashing Down After you've turned in the quest to kill Archivist Galford, Balnazzar will drop his head when he is killed, starting this quest.

Undead side

Festival Lane

The Slaughterhouse — where Baron Rivendare dwells.

• Also known as: BD Strat, Undead Strat, Deadside, Scourge Strat, Baron side, UD Strat, Baron Run, Strat UD, East Strat, Strat Dead
• Enemy Level Range: 55–62
• End Boss: Baron Rivendare
• Mini Bosses:
  • Magistrate Barthilas (drops key to Scourge side)
  • Baroness Anastari
  • Nerub'enkan
  • Maleki the Pallid
  • Ramstein the Gorger
  • Stonespine (Rare Spawn)
• Triggered Boss
  • Postmaster Malown
    • Opening up various mailboxes with their corresponding keys.
  • Magistrate Barthilas
    • If entering through the Service Entrance, he will run to the end of the Gauntlet and be fought there, instead of Elder's Square where he is fought when entering through the Main Gate.
  • Black Guard Swordsmith
    • The Black Guard Swordsmith is triggered by clicking on some blacksmithing plans on the floor to the right of the stairs of the First Ziggurat. Baroness Anastari is at the top of the stairs.
  • Aurius, Aelmar the Vanquisher Gregor the Justiciar, Vicar Hieronymus and Nemas the Arbiter
    • Aurius turns hostile when using [Extinguishing Mixture] for the Horde quest, True Masters of the Light, and the other paladins are summoned during the encounter.

Quests

The streets of Stratholme.

•  [60] The Medallion of Faith To activate this quest, you need to have collected a Medallion of Faith from the strongbox behind Malor the Zealous on the Scarlet Side. Give this Medallion to Aurius in the chapel at the beginning of the Undead side. When you fight Baron Rivendare, Aurius will appear and help you in the fight. Once the battle is over, you'll be able to chose your reward.

•  [60D] Doctor Theolen Krastinov, the Butcher Given by Eva Sarkhoff in Caer Darrow in the Western Plaguelands, takes you into the Scholomance.
  •  [60D] Krastinov's Bag of Horrors
    •  [60D] Kirtonos the Herald Upon completing this quest you will receive the Spectral Essence, a trinket that allows you to speak with the ghosts at Caer Darrow. This offers several benefits, including the ability to purchase the recipe for Major Mana Potions, and the continuation of the quest chain.
      •  [60+] The Human, Ras Frostwhisper Given by Magistrate Marduke in Caer Darrow in the Western Plaguelands, takes you to Stromgarde in the Arathi Highlands.
        •  [60+] The Dying, Ras Frostwhisper Takes you to Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands.
          •  [60D] Menethil's Gift Given by Leonid Barthalomew the Revered, enters Stratholme. Once Baron Rivendare is dead, use the item in the symbol on the floor.
            •  [60+] Menethil's Gift Back to Barthalomew.
              •  [60+] Soulbound Keepsake Back to Marduke.
                •  [60D] The Lich, Ras Frostwhisper Back into the Scholomance.

•  [60D] The Flesh Does Not Lie Given by Betina Bigglezink in Light's Hope Chapel. A simple collection quest. Almost any enemy in Undead Strat, and most undead on the scarlet side will drop the plagued flesh samples.
  •  [60D] The Active Agent This is the follow-up to The Flesh Does Not Lie. The reward upgrades your Argent Dawn Commission to offer you combat bonuses in addition to allowing the collection of Scourgestones.
•  [60D] Above and Beyond This is a follow-up to The Truth Comes Crashing Down. It simply requires you to kill Baron Rivendare.
•  [60D] Houses of the Holy Given by Leonid Barthalomew the Revered in Light's Hope Chapel. This requires you to pick up Stratholme Holy Water, which is in crates around around both sides of the instance. Most crates are corrupted and will contain rats or maggots instead, which you will have to kill. If you have a dwarf in the group, they can use the Treasure Finding racial ability to determine which crates are not corrupted.
•  [60D] Ramstein This quest becomes available from Nathanos Blightcaller after completing his first two sets of quests. You must kill the abomination Ramstein, who comes out of the slaughterhouse just before you fight Baron Rivendare. Loot the Head of Ramstein the Gorger from his body and hand it in to Nathanos.
• [60D] True Masters of the Light - Given by Lady Liadrin in Silvermoon's Farstriders' Square, this quest is the last of the Blood Charger questline. Travel to the Alonsus Chapel and extinguish the eternal flame there. You must defeat Aurius and five ghostly paladins.
•  [60D] Dead Man's Plea Given by Anthion Harmon just outside the instance, although you must have the Extra-Dimensional Ghost Revealer to interact with him. This step in the quests for the Dungeon Set 2 upgrades requires you to engage Baron Rivendare in 45 minutes. See the Baron in 45 guide. There is also a graphic map displaying what and where to pull to reach the baron using the least possible time.

Loot

Main article: Stratholme loot

Caverns of Time: Old Stratholme

The city's main cathedral, now called the Scarlet Bastion.

Stratholme is the premise of the fourth wing of the Caverns of Time, set approximately six years from the present in World of Warcraft. This is actually the setting of a Warcraft III Human campaign mission. In this instance, players are part of Prince Arthas' forces as they arrive in Stratholme, shortly before the purging of the city that eventually led to Arthas' descent into madness.

Culling of Stratholme is a level 80, 5-man wing, and the players will aid Arthas in destroying the town and killing its plagued denizens.

Trivia

• A map called Ruins of Stratholme exists for Warcraft III. Stratholme was once a bastion of Alliance power, but now it stands as a burning testament to the evil of the Scourge. Only the bravest of heroes would dare enter this ruined city, for the undead armies of Kel'Thuzad still hold sway over the haunted capital.
• It is interesting to note that there is a raid Instance portal at the end of the instance, outside the Slaughter Square. This cannot lead to Naxxramas, as it used to be floating above the city, though the teleporter may have once been meant to be inside the ruins. There are ruined flags carrying the insignia of Lordaeron inside the tunnel, which are not seen anywhere else inside Stratholme.
• The Ghostly Citizens and Spectral Citizens in the instance will emote back things like /wave and /dance.
• It should be noted that [Stoneskin Gargoyle Cape] drops in this instance. This particular item is white and longer than your Averagecloak.

Videos

WoW Pro Lore The Scourge of Lordaeron-0

Arthas purges Stratholme

Patch and hotfixes

• Patch 1.10.0 (28-Mar-2006): Cap changed from 10 to 5 players.
  
• Patch 1.6.0 (12-Jul-2005):
  • Several spawns removed from Stratholme. This should make for a more enjoyable 5 player experience. Also, you will now be able to make additional attempts at Ramstein and/or Baron Rivendare should your initial attempt fail.
  • The trapped chests in Stratholme will now show up for Detect Traps and can be disarmed. In addition, the number of creatures that come out of the trapped chests has been reduced.
  • Many creatures in Stratholme have gained Detect Invisibility/Stealth.
    
• Patch 1.4.0 (2005-05-05):
  • 26 new Rare items have been added to Stratholme.
  • Several Uncommon items have been upgraded to Rare quality.
  • There is a new load screen for Stratholme.
    
• Patch 1.3.0 (07-Mar-2005):
  • Capped at ten players.
  • Lengthened the respawn time of many of the creatures in Stratholme.
  • Crimson Conjurers will no longer roam in pairs.
  • Changed the way the Gauntlet area works. The Crystals no longer respawn.
  • The Crystals no longer fire ribbon of souls (this was causing in-combat issues).
  • Fixed a bug that was causing monsters to leave combat in mid-fight, thus regaining all their health.
    

External links

• Wowhead
• Thottbot
• WoWDB

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