A Tour of Stormwind City - Observational Essay

                After the fall of the northern human kingdoms of Lordaeron, Gilneas and Stromgarde, the southern kingdom of Stormwind is the last bastion of human power on the planet Azeroth.  Its capital, Stormwind City, is nestled against a mountain range just north of the temperate, verdant Elwynn Forest. As one leaves the nearby village of Goldshire heading northwest, they find that the loose cobblestone road ends at the mighty outer gate, which is made of several layers of light-colored wood and reinforced with steel.  The protective gate serves as a symbol of safety to its wards, and a stern warning of strength to its enemies.

                Travelling through the gate, one finds the Valley of Heroes.  A grand bridge made of the same shining white stone found throughout Stormwind extends over a lake leading to the inner gate.  Many oil-burning street-lamps illuminate the bridge and highlight the four awe-inspiring, colossal white and gold statues commemorating The Alliance’s greatest champions.  General Hammond Clay stands sentinel at the inner end of the bridge beneath a fifth colossal statue commemorating General Turalyon, who is presumed deceased after leading the invasion of the orcish home-world of Draenor. The tranquil valley serves as a reminder of the peace these heroes fought and died for, and as a perfect memorial to their many sacrifices.

                The path splits at the end of the bridge into two identical paths, both leading to the inner gate: a massive, T-shaped stone tunnel lit by torches and bearing the blue and gold banners of The Alliance.  Four steel portcullises provide a final layer of protection for the citizens.

                As one emerges from the inner gate, they find themselves in the trade district, one of five conveniently color-coded districts of the city.  The cobblestone streets wind around the numerous shops selling all manners of goods and services. The buildings are a mish-mash of wood and stone, and they are capped by royal-blue shingled roofs. Auctioneers can be heard barking as citizens hawk their wares. Children chase one another along the brick sidewalks, weaving through older citizens who mutter curses about kids these days as they bump past. The hustle and bustle of the heart of Alliance commerce can be energizing, but it can also become exhausting.

                Separating the districts of Stormwind are the canals, featuring miscellaneous stores selling odd goods from wines to wands. The roads border each district and arched bridges connect one district to another. Small rowboats ferry passengers around the city, and fishermen take up posts on the many docks. The sound of quietly running water would be calming, if not for the fishermen’s angry outbursts over their escaped quarry. This area also houses two massive prison towers, which host both domestic criminals and prisoners of war.

                To the west of the trade district lies the peaceful mage quarter.  The buildings of this hilly area have violet shingled roofs, and the streets are more grass than cobblestone. The many trees and multi-colored wildflowers make it feel more like a park than a campus for students of magic and provide a relaxing atmosphere to contrast with that of the busy trade district. At the heart of the mage quarter lies the Wizard’s Sanctum, the center for magical study of The Alliance.

                 Traveling north from the mage quarter would place one on a terrace overlooking Stormwind harbor. From atop this perch the might of the Alliance navy can be seen in the form of its many battleships. The salty smell of the ocean breeze is rivaled only by the salty smell of the many sailors hauling cargo onto their ships for delivery to locations all over the world. Their incredibly diverse and foreign cultures provide a glimpse into the world beyond and inspire a yearn for adventure. Farther out into the sea, the Stormwind lighthouse sits atop an outcropping where it serves to protect incoming vessels from the rocky shore.

                Circling back to the east, one comes across Cathedral Square. This yellow-roofed district is dominated by the wondrous Cathedral of the Light, home to practitioners of the philosophy of the Holy Light. It is rectangular, has one pointed spire on each corner, one in the center of both long sides, and one massive spire in the center. The bell atop the center spire rings out each hour for the convenience of the citizens. Within its hallowed halls, one can hear the prayers of priests and the meditations of paladins. Children abound in this district as well, as this is the location of the city’s orphanage.

                Yet farther to the east lies the dwarven district. It is unclear whether the roofs of this district were always a muddy brown, or if they were made that way by an ever-present layer of smog resulting from the heavy local industry. Rather than oil-burning street lamps like the rest of the city, this district is illuminated by charcoal braziers which contribute to the dense, burning carbon smell emanating from the many metal-smelting furnaces. The noise of hammers hitting anvils is rivaled only by the noise of blacksmithing masters berating their lazy apprentices.

                South of the dwarven district lies the seedy, scarlet-roofed old town. Passing citizens eye one another warily, thinking either of stealing or being stolen from. Rats scurry freely through the streets, darting between crates and barrels left on the sidewalk. The streets feature many stores selling weapons and armor, but if one manages to find a way into the back alleys, they can find stores selling poisons and fences trying to offload their stolen goods. At the extreme south end of old town are the headquarters of SI:7, the Stormwind military intelligence agency.

                Finally, between old town and the dwarven district and across a drawbridge one can find Stormwind Keep, home to King Anduin Wrynn. The outer courtyard in front of the keep entrance proper features a hundred-foot-tall, round fountain adorned with a statue commemorating King Anduin’s father, King Varian Wrynn.  Further within the keep itself is the throne room. This domed room is supported by beautiful cerulean columns placed regularly around the circumference. The throne sits atop four lions made of solid gold, stands fifty feet tall and bears the insignia of The Alliance in a stained-glass motif at the top. The impregnable Stormwind Keep serves as a powerful symbol of strength for its people.