Stratholme

Long before its downfall, Stratholme stood as a cornerstone of northern civilization. Emerging centuries ago from the Arathi expansion into the Eastweald, it flourished into Lordaeron's second-largest settlement, renowned for holy shrines and sacred water capable of resisting dark sorcery. Prior to the Second War, Archbishop Alonsus Faol gathered at the city's chapel to establish the Order of the Knights of the Silver Hand, ordaining legends like Uther the Lightbringer. Throughout that war, Stratholme served as a vital port, supply hub, and northern oil refinery for the Alliance of Lordaeron, enduring an assault by the Old Horde before rebuilding in victory.

Stratholme's fate was sealed when the Cult of the Damned funneled shipments of infected grain from Andorhal into the city's markets. Unaware, thousands ate the tainted flour. When Prince Arthas arrived alongside Uther and Jaina Proudmoore, he discovered the infection had spread too far to cure. Deeming slaughter the only way to deny Mal'Ganis an entire army, Arthas ordered the purge of every citizen—an atrocity that drove Uther and Jaina away and began the prince's descent into madness. The city was put to the torch, and in the aftermath, the Scourge moved into the smoking ruins to make it their regional capital.