Place · Durotar
Valley of Trials
The story
Tucked away behind the rugged red cliffs of southern Durotar, the Valley of Trials serves as the testing ground for new recruits of the Horde. Young orcs and their Darkspear troll allies come here to prove their strength and earn their place among the warriors of Kalimdor. Those who survive the valley's harsh wildlife and hidden threats depart ready to defend their fledgling nation.
The Valley of Trials is designed to weed out the weak before they ever set foot in the broader reaches of Durotar. Overseen by chieftains and trainers stationed in the carved cliffside shelter known as The Den, young fighters are thrust into the sun-scorched gulch to hunt scorpids, culled aggressive boars, and enforce discipline among lazy peons harvesting scarce timber. The trial is uncompromising: those who prove their mettle earn the right to venture forth as true soldiers of the Horde, while those who fail are left to bleach beneath the desert sun.
Questions, answered
What is the purpose of the Valley of Trials?
It is the traditional proving ground for recruits of the Horde, primarily young orcs and Darkspear trolls. Within its sheltered canyons, new adventurers complete rigorous tasks to demonstrate their martial skill, survival instinct, and loyalty before being permitted to leave for the rest of Durotar.
What is The Den?
The Den is a cave carved into the cliffs roughly in the center of the valley. It houses class trainers, vendors, and overseers like Gornek who direct new recruits, equip them, and monitor their progress during their initial trials.
Why are there demons in a beginner's training ground?
Cultists belonging to the Burning Blade have established a secret coven in the northern caves. Although trainers use their weak familiars to test recruits, the cult's presence suggests shadowy forces like the Shadow Council are seeking a foothold right on Durotar's doorsteps.
Who is Sarkoth?
Sarkoth is an unusually large, venomous scorpid residing in the rocky heights of the valley. Due to his aggression and lethality, instructors task promising recruits with hunting him down to test their courage and bring back his mangled claw as proof.
Sources
- Wiki Adapted from the Warcraft Wiki article Valley of Trials (CC BY-SA 4.0)