#large setting

[open-world-azeroth]

Location: Stormrage Barrow Dens

Zone: Moonglade

Notes: It doesn’t matter how old you are; places like this will still make you feel young and like you have seen nothing. 

Unless you’re a draenei, I guess. Those guys have seen a lot.

Beautiful elven ruins slowly being reclaimed by nature guard a trio of barrow dens, two of which are free to explore unhindered. Try not to get lost in them!

Caveats/accessibility: None, but flying (or being a druid) makes getting there much easier.

Coordinates: 

[open-world-azeroth]

Location: Gale’s Rest

Zone: Stormsong Valley

Notes: Well, it’s called Gale’s Rest, but the gales don’t seem to be resting much. The wind howls about this hilltop lit by an old runic standing stone, a shrine just below offering little insight into the history of this place. Despite the chaotic winds, the energy here is peaceful, and the view breathtaking.

Caveats/accessibility: BfA content. Should be accessible to all.

Location: 

[open-world-azeroth]

Location: Dazar Falls

Zone: Zuldazar

Notes: Alas, not a single one has a cave behind it. But they are beautiful regardless, overlooking the golden ruins as they feed the reservoir around it. A small path weaves between the falls; a scenic hike perfect for forgetting about grand cosmic wars.

Caveats/accessibility: BfA content

Coordinates: 

[open-world-azeroth]

Location: Fetid Passage

Zone: Vol’dun

Notes: Even without any Old Gods around to corrupt everything they touch, the lingering eldritch mold problem is going to take years to fix. Bring a filter mask and a lot of fire if you plan on going artifact hunting in these particular ruins, and consider... not jumping into the ominous blood red pool. DISCLAIMER: This blog is not responsible for any respiratory infections, hallucinations, or loss of bodily control to parasitic fungi experienced while exploring these ruins.

Caveats/accessibility: BfA content, HORDE ONLY, may require quest completions. The pictured location is free of NPCs, but there are a few very sparse hostile mobs in the area beyond (not pictured). If the interruption is not a problem, the entire passage is a fairly unique location to use!

Coordinates: 

[open-world-azeroth]

Location: Speaker’s Step

Zone: Zuldazar

Notes:  This is not a place for treasure hunting or sightseeing; the Loa’s presences hang watchfully over this temple even as defilers continue to spoil its lower reaches. You’ll have some competition with them if you want to use this sacred place, hopefully with better intentions.

Caveats/accessibility: BfA content, possible phasing issues depending on quest progression (and faction? Alliance, let me know how you see this place)

Coordinates: 

[open-world-azeroth]

Location: Bloodmoon Isle

Zone: Grizzly Hills

Notes: Another place that I was hesitant to post for not entirely fitting, but like the pit beneath Icecrown, I have participated in and ran multiple amazing events here. The unique tower follows a simple but harrowing path to the top, bones scattered and gore splattered. Arugal’s cult tower does still crawl with wolfcultists, but hopefully no one is foolish enough to travel here alone.

Caveats/accessibility: WotLK content, some level-appropriate hostile mobs, although they are not very dense and won’t cause much of an issue for leveled players.

Coordinates: 

[open-world-azeroth]

Location: Stormshield Command 

Zone: Ashran

Notes: Introducing the (sort of) recently deserted Ashran with the spot that reminded me to screenshot it in the first place! Thanks to the few people who mentioned it on the ask requesting an Alliance command center.

Here’s another one for you, anon! Military guilds rejoice. With a barracks, command table, armory, and jail for villains to keep breaking out of you have everything you need!

Caveats/accessibility: WoD content. Not alliance exclusive, but you know what? It’s getting the tag.

Coordinates: It’s Ashran. I’m breaking tradition and not bothering to crop the coords.

[open-world-azeroth]

Location: Dark Practitioner’s Lodge

Zone: Drustvar

Notes: Oh, look! My necromancer’s lair. He’s fine with timesharing though. Just don’t use his plates or silverware.

An inconspicuous little cabin in the yeti-covered mountains of Drustvar hides a big secret! While you unfortunately can’t access the mechanism to open the hidden door, you can still squeeze behind the house to reveal the twisting cavern housing ancient ruins and someone’s little workshop of what can only be misdeeds. This is a big, excellent location to lead players through an encounter.

Caveats/accessibility: As with all BfA zones, Alliance and Horde view things differently. I do not know if this is occupied by mobs for Alliance, so please let me know so I can mark it Horde Only!

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