Lore › Orgrimmar

Capital

Orgrimmar

The story

Orgrimmar is the fortress capital of the orcs and the beating heart of Thrall's New Horde. Carved directly into the towering red-rock canyons of northern Durotar, the fortified city stands as a monument to orcish perseverance and an unyielding sanctuary for trolls, tauren, and Forsaken allies alike.

Following the Third War, Warchief Thrall led the orcs to the arid coasts of Kalimdor to build a homeland free from demonic corruption and human bondage. Naming the harsh region Durotar after his father, Thrall established Orgrimmar in memory of his fallen mentor, Orgrim Doomhammer. Raising the city required blood and sweat; aided by the tauren, the Darkspear trolls, goblin engineers, and the Champion Rexxar, the Horde drove back encroaching centaur, harpies, and ferocious thunder lizards to secure the canyon stronghold.

Questions, answered

Who rules Orgrimmar?

Warchief Thrall rules the city from his seat in Grommash Hold. He leads the New Horde with a focus on honor, survival, and shamanistic heritage, supported closely by Darkspear chieftain Vol'jin and veteran commander Varok Saurfang.

Why is the city named Orgrimmar?

Thrall named the city in honor of Orgrim Doomhammer, the legendary former Warchief who broke the shadow council's hold on the Old Horde and passed his warplate and the Doomhammer to Thrall before dying in battle.

Who lives in Orgrimmar besides orcs?

While founded by orcs, the city is a haven for the Darkspear troll tribe—who occupy the Valley of Spirits—and hosts visiting tauren ambassadors in the Valley of Wisdom. An emissary contingent of Forsaken has also established a presence following their recent entry into the Horde.

What is the Cleft of Shadow?

The Cleft of Shadow is a dim, cavernous fissure tucked beneath the canyon bluffs off The Drag. It houses the city's rogue and warlock guilds, keeping their illicit trade and dangerous demonic invocations secluded from the civilian districts.

What threats exist inside the city?

Directly below the Cleft of Shadow lies Ragefire Chasm, a treacherous network of subterranean volcanic fissures infested with troggs, searing elementals, and treacherous warlocks seeking to undermine Thrall's rule from the depths.

How do you travel to other continents from Orgrimmar?

Goblin-engineered zeppelins dock atop towers outside the main gate, providing regular flights across the Great Sea to Tirisfal Glades near Undercity and south to Grom'gol Base Camp in Stranglethorn Vale.

Sources

Look it up

In Orgrimmar

Places 10

Characters 4

Quests 62

Related

Report a problem with this line

What's wrong?