BlizzCon 2015: Stormheim Preview, the Vrykul, and the Valkyr

by Magistrate - 8 years ago show comments

Stormheim, stronghold of the Valkyr, waits on the eastern coast of the Broken Isles for battle-hardened adventurers. This post breaks down the different sub zones, points of interest, lore, and models that bring the zone to life.

Stormheim is a rugged and treacherous land. Its myriad cliffs and crags make its very geography part of its hostility, and its this spirit of danger that the teams attempted to capture–a mimicry of the Vrykul that live there.

Players are dropped off in Stormheim after the dual-faction scenario, which is presumably the 40-man intro scenario for the Broken Isles mentioned in the BlizzCon opening ceremony.

Threats

We will explore ancient Vrykul ruins laid down thousands of years ago when they sailed from Northrend to find their true gods.

One of these, the God King Skovald (uncertain on spelling), represents a threat to players, who will cross paths with him several times in a race to reach the Halls of Valor, a new dungeon in Legion. He also has some connections with the Burning Legion, who have further empowered this ferocious king of combat.

The Halls of Valor and Helheim, two dungeons themed around Vrykul lore, are considered by the team to be two of the best dungeons they’ve ever created.

Design, Models, and Art

A major focus of Stormheim is digging deeper into the lore of the Vrykul, Kvaldir, and Valkyr. Along these lines, we’ll see not only dangerous, mountainous terrain and sprawling forests, but also ancient ruins, Valkyr fortresses, Vrykul villages, and more.

We’ll see new Vrykul structures–solid homes, towers, and other buildings that contrast with the tents and camps we’ve seen in Northrend.

New varieties of these familiar races will also appear, such as the Ascendant Valkyr and Vrykul Mystics seen below.

Other creatures, such as the new Storm Dragons, will appear throughout the land. The Storm Dragons, described as a fledgling dragon flight, nest in the mountains of Stormheim, as well as Suramar nearby.

Overall, the aim for Stormheim is a mix of fall colors, edgy cliffs, harsh silhouettes, and a larger-than-life adventure that will keep every hero on their toes.