Lore ·
Who Are the Frostmane Trolls? Dun Morogh's Ice Trolls Explained
The Frostmane are a tribe of ice trolls who live in the hills of Dun Morogh and wage a guerrilla war against the dwarves of Ironforge, and in the original game's early quests they are among the enemies that new dwarf and gnome adventurers meet in Coldridge Valley. In World of Warcraft: Forever (WoW Forever), set in the first year of World of Warcraft (year 25 after the Dark Portal), Warcraft Tavern says dwarves and gnomes start in Dun Morogh, but no source I opened lists Frostmane-specific changes.
Quick answer: The Frostmane are ice trolls with pale skin who fight the dwarves. In the original game's early quests, Grelin Whitebeard sends you into their troll cave in Coldridge Valley, where Grik'nir the Cold holds a stolen journal, and Senir Whitebeard in Kharanos points you at Frostmane Hold.
Dun Morogh's first quests lead you into the troll caves of Coldridge Valley. Behind them is a long quarrel between the Frostmane and the dwarves of Ironforge.
Key facts
- Who they are: a tribe of ice trolls in Dun Morogh, at war with the dwarves (Warcraft Wiki, Engadget)
- Appearance: ice trolls have white or light blue skin (Engadget)
- Early quest giver: Grelin Whitebeard in Coldridge Valley (Warcraft Wiki, Ten Ton Hammer)
- Named troll: Grik'nir the Cold, who holds the Stolen Journal (Warcraft Wiki, Ten Ton Hammer)
- Hub: Senir Whitebeard in Kharanos, who gives the Frostmane Hold quest (Warcraft Wiki, Ten Ton Hammer)
- Forever status: Dun Morogh is the dwarf and gnome start zone (Warcraft Tavern); Frostmane quests there are not confirmed
Who are the Frostmane trolls?
The Frostmane are ice trolls, and ice trolls have few friends. Engadget's Know Your Lore on troll history (August 2007) says ice trolls live in Northrend and Dun Morogh, have white or light blue skin, and are the sworn enemies of the dwarves. Warcraft Wiki's Frostmane page calls them a tribe of ice trolls in Dun Morogh who fight a guerrilla war against the dwarves of Ironforge.
Sources differ on where they came from. Warcraft Wiki says the Frostmane were part of the Drakkari Empire and left Northrend after the Great Sundering to settle the Eastern Kingdoms. Engadget says ice trolls were exiled from the Zandalar tribe for being brutal and bloodthirsty. Both agree on the enemy: the dwarves. For the people they fight, read The dwarves of Ironforge explained.
Where do you meet the Frostmane in Dun Morogh?
You meet them within your first few levels. Warcraft Wiki's Dun Morogh questing guide and Ten Ton Hammer's 2006 region guide agree on the opening chain. In Coldridge Valley, Grelin Whitebeard sends you into the troll cave, and Ten Ton Hammer says to fight the Frostmane Troll Whelps one at a time to avoid pulling several aggressive mobs. Warcraft Wiki says Grik'nir the Cold is the troll to kill for The Stolen Journal, a level 5 quest, and Ten Ton Hammer places him in the cave's eastern, more open part and says a level 5 character can solo the cave's mobs by fighting them singly. Three troll camps across the frozen lake each hold one of Felix Whindlebolt's lost items, according to Ten Ton Hammer.
In Kharanos, Senir Whitebeard gives the Frostmane Hold quest. Ten Ton Hammer says completing it leads on to The Reports and a trip to Ironforge. Warcraft Wiki's guide places the Frostmane Hold troll cave southwest of Brewnall Village, where you clear Frostmane Headhunters. For the full route, read the Dun Morogh quest guide and the first 10 levels checklist.
What does the Frostmane's war with Ironforge mean for the story?
A tribe that cannot be beaten is a tribe that must be watched. Engadget calls the ice trolls the sworn enemies of the dwarves, and Warcraft Wiki's Dun Morogh guide has the dwarf Grelin Whitebeard send you after the trolls of the Coldridge Valley cave and Senir Whitebeard give you Frostmane Hold. Read Ironforge explained for the city behind them.
The free Lore Forever add-on adds readable background as you stand in each place, and the optional Willo voice companion lets you ask about the people you meet. Both are fan-made.
Warcraft Wiki's Frostmane page also says troggs have taken Frostmane Hold and the tribe now operates from Frostmane Retreat. The page does not date this, so the article does not rely on it.
What is not confirmed yet
- Warcraft Tavern's dwarf and gnome overviews describe Coldridge Valley and Dun Morogh as the start area but do not mention the Frostmane. No source I opened lists Forever-specific Frostmane quests or changes.
- Sources give different origins for the tribe: the Drakkari Empire (Warcraft Wiki) and exile from the Zandalar tribe (Engadget).
- Quest details here come from Warcraft Wiki's original-era guide and a 2006 Ten Ton Hammer guide, so levels and rewards may differ in Forever.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the Frostmane trolls in World of Warcraft?
The Frostmane are a tribe of ice trolls in Dun Morogh who fight the dwarves of Ironforge, according to Warcraft Wiki and Engadget.
Where are the Frostmane trolls in Dun Morogh?
Their cave and camps lie in Coldridge Valley, and Frostmane Hold lies southwest of Brewnall Village, according to Warcraft Wiki's quest guide. Senir Whitebeard in Kharanos sends you there.
Who is Grik'nir the Cold?
Grik'nir the Cold is a Frostmane troll in the Coldridge Valley cave who holds the Stolen Journal. Warcraft Wiki and Ten Ton Hammer both name him.
Are the Frostmane trolls in WoW Forever?
Dun Morogh is a Forever start zone, per Warcraft Tavern, but no source I opened confirms Frostmane-specific quests there.
Who is Senir Whitebeard?
Senir Whitebeard stands at the entrance of Kharanos and gives the Frostmane Hold quest, says Warcraft Wiki's guide. Ten Ton Hammer says he then gives The Reports, which sends you into Ironforge.
Sources
Reviewed October 27, 2026. This article covers history before and during Forever's setting and does not treat later events as Forever canon. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.