style="color: rgb(29, 66, 136); font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">The
Lore of Naxxramas

Overview

Naxxramas is an ancient Nerubian ziggurat that
once resided in the Eastern Plaguelands. The Lich
King Ner'zhul, tore this ziggurat from the earth for his new servant
Kel'Thuzad to use as a vessel. Kel'Thuzad, the once loyal mage of the Kirin
Tor, was assigned to be the Lich King's ambassador
to the living. From the floating ziggurat of Naxxramas,
he extends the Lich King's influence on Azeroth.
After Kel'Thuzad's defeat in the Eastern Plaguelands,
the fortress moved across the ocean to Northrend
where it now levitates above the fields of Dragonblight.
Within Naxxramas, Kel'Thuzad's minions protect
the inner sanctum from four different quarters. Before the Lich King
tore Naxxramas free from the ground he told
Kel'Thuzad:

You will go forth
and bear witness to my power.
You will be my ambassador to the living, and assemble a group of
like-minded people to further my plans. Through illusion, persuasion,
sickness, and force of arms, you will establish my hold upon Azeroth.

As Naxxramas was ripped from the soil
and ascended into the sky, the Lich King's words to Kel'Thuzad rang out
stating:

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longdesc="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/67124">

Nerubians

The Nerubians are a race of arachnid-like creatures that long ago
resided in the kingdom of Azjol'Nerub in Northrend.
The kingdom existed for thousands of years, until the Lich King came to
extend his influence in Northrend. A long war was
waged between the Nerubians and the Lich King known as the War
of the Spider. The Nerubian race proved to be tactful and a
difficult challenge for the Lich king to overcome, but he eventually
defeated the Nerubians with the help of the dreadlords. In a final act
of desecration, the Lich King resurrected some of the fallen Nerubians
to serve the scourge. Among some of the damned were Anub'Rekhan, one of
the greatest Spider Lords and Anub'Arak, the former king of
Azjol'Nerub. Though the Nerubians appeared resistant to the plague that
converted many races to the Scourge, they were still susceptible to the
Lich King's necromantic powers.

Anub'Rekhan

Anub'Rekhan is of the Nerubian race. The Nerubians once lived in Northrend
but have since been enslaved by the Lich King and made to serve as part
of the scourge through the Lich king's necromantic powers. Anub'Rekhan
was once a general under the command of Anub'Arak, the former spider
king of Azjol-Nerub. The Lich King defeated the Nerubians in the War
of the Spider with the aid of the dreadlords. In a final
act, the Lich King resurrected Anub'Rekhan and Anub'Arak to serve him
in death. Anub'Rekhan now watches over the halls of the Arachnid
Quarter of Naxxramas.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer recounts the history of
Anub'Rekhan:

Anub'Rekhan, one
of the finest Spider Lords of
Azjol'Nerub, was brought under the control of the Scourge when he and
his former commander, Anub'arak, were finally defeated by the Lich King
many years ago. It is said that he was the most loyal of Anub'arak'
commanders.

Grand
Widow Faerlina

Grand Widow Faerlina is known as a botanist and breeder of spiders in Naxxramas.
She serves the Lich King from the Arachnid Quarter of
Naxxramas where she aids in developing poisons and
watching over the beloved spiders. The story behind Faerlina is
recounted by Commander Eligor Dawnbringer:

"The Grand Widow
Faerlina, a botanist in life,
breeder and caretaker of arachnids in death, she oversees the spider
wing, developing the most potent of poisons for the Lich King."

Maexxna

Maexxna lives within the Arachnid Quarter of Naxxramas.
This large spider gives birth to her brood, feeding them any
unfortunate adventurers who make the mistake of getting caught in her
web. One can assume that Grand Widow Faerlina keeps watch over this
large arachnid. Some of Maexxna's story is recounted by Commander
Eligor Dawnbringer:

"Maexxna - born
deep within the mountains of
Northrend many ages ago, she was captured within the dread citadel
Naxxramas, where she gives birth to her brood, feeding them the corpses
of all who dare venture too deeply into Naxxramas."

Noth the
Plaguebringer

Noth was once an alchemist of Dalaran. However,
like Prince Arthas, Noth was haunted by the call of the Lich King. He
turned his back on his allies and the city of Dalaran
to join the Lich King and serve as a member of the Scourge. Commander
Eligor Dawnbringer tells of Noth:

"Behold, Noth
the Plaguebringer. Responsible for
the creation of the process that distills the souls of the living and
places them within the cold cage of undeath, Noth was observed to be
refining this process even now."

Heigan
the Unclean

Heigan the Unclean is credited with turning certain areas of Azeroth
into waste filled plaguelands. His dark magic did not stop there. Deep
within Naxxramas, this vile creature has
continued his work of turning normal areas into deadly plague infested
landscapes in the Plague Quarter. It is rumored
that Heigan has even converted parts of Naxxramas
to fit his plagued view of the world. Adventurers should pay close
attention to the green tainted plague that inhabits the various areas
of Naxxramas.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer tells of Heigan's dark magic:

"Observe, Heigan
the Unclean. The mastermind
behind the plague cauldrons that turned the wilderness of Azeroth into
the Plaguelands. It is said that Heigan has rigged the very walls and
floors of Naxxramas itself with a vast a array of traps,
which he can trigger at will.

Loatheb

Loatheb is a fungal monster that came to be as a result of bog beast
and living plague combinations. The result was a terrible monster known
as Loatheb. This creature now stalks the Plague Quarter
of Naxxramas, guarding its halls from intruders.
Commander Eligor Dawnbringer tells how this creature came to be:

"Loatheb. The
hideous result of fusing the
living plague of the Plaguelands with the bog beasts of Azeroth,
Loatheb is said to control the power of healing itself."

Instructor
Razuvious

Instructor Razuvious is responsible for training new Death Knights in
the Military Quarter of Naxxramas
to serve the Lich King. He was appointed by Kel'Thuzad himself and he
teaches a strict discipline of power that only his disciples can
follow. Commander Eligor Dawnbringer tells of Razuvious instruction
methods:

"Pay attention.
This is Instructor Razuvious,
Kel'Thuzad's appointed trainer of all death knights. It is said that
his own technique is so potent, only a disciple of his could possibly
withstand his might."

Gothik
the Harvester

Gothik is a necromancer capable of raising an army of dead to serve
him. This necromancer resides within the Military District
of Naxxramas. Those that have seen his lair tell
of a two sided room. One side is a normal room and the other has the
appearance of a graveyard. Commander Eligor Dawnbringer recounts tales
of the conjurer:

"Gothik, the
Harvester. A master of necromancy
and conjuration, Gothik is said to be able to beckon forth legions of
the undead at a moment's notice. It is with his guidance that even the
weakest of Death Knights can raise the dead."

The Four
Horsemen

The Four Horsemen are said to be the four most powerful Death Knights
in Kel'Thuzad's service. These four were originally known by the names
of Highlord Alexandros Mograine 'The Ashbringer', Thane Korth'azz, Lady
Blaumeux, and Sir Zeliek, but different circumstances landed them in
the service of the necromancer Kel'Thuzad.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer states:

"The most
powerful death knights within
Naxxramas are the four horsemen. They represent the pinnacle of
Kel'Thuzad's guard. The first, Thane Korth'azz, holds the power of
flame. The next, Lady Blaumeux, calls forth the power of shadows,
drawing the souls of the living into the voracious embrace. Sir Zeliek,
a paladin in life, so strong in his faith, that even in undeath, the
power of the light still heeds his call, smiting his foes in battle.
The final death knight, Lord Mograine, was the finest warrior that the
death knights had ever seen. However, after the events of Azeroth, he
vanished without a trace. Kel'Thuzad has appointed Baron Rivendare in
his place."

Highlord
Alexandros Mograine

Highlord Alexandros Mograine (The Ashbringer) was once a leader of the
Silver Hand and said to be one of the founders of the Scarlet Crusade.
However, he was betrayed and murdered by his son. During the war
against the Lich King, Mograine was led to Stratholme
by his son, Renault. Unfortunately, all that awaited Mograine and his
ally, High Inquisitor Fairbanks, in Stratholme was an army of undead.
Renault fled the battle, leaving his father and Fairbanks to deal with
the undead that awaited them. Fairbanks was the first to fall, but
despite being alone, Mograine managed to defeat all the undead that
pushed the attack against him. Exhausted, he dropped his sword. It was
at that moment, his son, Renault, returned and took up his father's
sword and cut him down with it. Mograine's body was then raised by the
necromancer Kel'Thuzad to serve as a Death Knight in his service. After
events in Azeroth, Mograine disappeared and Kel'Thuzad appointed Baron
Rivendare as his replacement to the Four horsemen.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer states:

Thane
Korth'azz

Thane Korth'azz was once a dwarvish paladin. It is believed that Thane
fell to the scourge sometime after the death of Uther the Lightbringer.
Thane was later risen from the dead and now serves as one of the Four
Horsemen.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer states:

Thane Korth'azz,
holds the power of flame.

Lady
Blaumeux

Lady Blaumeux survived the first siege of Naxxramas.
Later, she returned as one of the Four Horsemen, keeping guard over the
Death Knights Quarter of Naxxramas.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer states:

Lady Blaumeux,
calls forth the power of shadows,
drawing the souls of the living into the voracious embrace.

Sir
Zeliek

Sir Zeliek, like Lady Blaumeux, survived the first Naxxramas
raid in the Eastern Plaguelands. After which the
necropolis was relocated to Dragonblight. Sir
Zeliek took up his position as one of the mighty Four Horsemen of Naxxramas.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer states:

"Zeliek is, "so
strong in his faith, that even in
undeath, the power of the light still heeds his call, smiting his foes
in battle."

Baron
Rivendare

Baron Rivendare was once a wealthy land owner who was corrupted his
friend Kel'Thuzad. After he was corrupted, he pledged his services as a
Death Knight for the Lich King. He was placed in charge of rounding up
and killing human survivors. He and his patrols did this in
coordination with the Lich king's assaults. After Highlord Mograine
vanished, he was assigned a position with the Four Horsemen of Naxxramas.

Patchwerk

Patchwerk is an oversized abomination that wonders the Construct
Quarter of Naxxramas. This creature
possesses great power and hurls putrid slime.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer states:

"Behold,
Patchwerk. When word of his existence
first reached the ears of the Brotherhood, none believed the tales of
an abomination with such immense speed and strength. Fewer still
believed it when he fell the first time..."

Grobbulus

Grobbulus resides in the Construct Quarter of Naxxramas. This creature
was the first of what was to be an army of plague carrying flesh giants.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer states:

"Grobbulus, the
first of what was to be an army
of flesh giants. It carried the plague slime of Naxxramas within its
body, injecting the living ooze into the bodies of its foe. The
recipient of this foul injection would usually flee to his allies,
bringing them down with him."

Gluth

Gluth is a huge creature that resides in the Construct Quarter of
Naxxramas. This beast has a voracious appetite that normal eating of
humans can't satisfy. Tales of this beasts appetite are discussed by
Commander Eligor Dawnbringer who states:

"Gluth, the foul
plague-dog of Naxxramas, was
said to have an appetite so voracious that even the living were not
enough to satisfy his hunger. Feugen was said to feed him an army of
zombies daily, recycling the remains of undead too weak to use in
combat."

Thaddius

Thaddius is forged from the torment of others. This creature is said to
be made from the body parts of women and children. Their souls forged
together to makeup this evil construct.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer states:

"Thaddius, built
from the flesh of women and
children, it is said that their souls are fused together - eternally
bound within that foul prison of flesh."

Sapphiron

Sapphiron was once a noble blue dragon servant of Malygos. When Dragonblight
fell to the Lich King, Sapphiron continued to guard his treasures in
the frozen north. When Arthas returned to Northrend
to save his ailing master, Ner'zhul. He slew Sapphiron and raised the
dragon as an undead wurm. With Sapphiron's help, Arthas was able to
destroy the dwarf and blood elf forces blocking access to Azjol-Nerub.
Sapphiron now keeps watch over Naxxramas,
protecting the lair of the necromancer Kel'Thuzad.

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer states:

Kel'Thuzad

Kel'Thuzad was once a member of the Kirin Tor in the city of Dalaran.
Like Arthas, Kel'Thuzad heard the mental call of the Lich King,
Ner'zhul. Unhappy with the fact that the Kirin Tor blocked his attempts
to learn the art of necromancy. Kel'Thuzad eventually began hearing the
call of the Lich King in his head as Arthas did. He later sought out
and pledged his allegiance to the Lich King. The Lich King then tore
the Nerubian ziggurat of Naxxramas from the earth
for Kel'Thuzad to use as his vessel. The story of Kel'Thuzad's fall to
darkness is recounted in the tale 'The Road to Damnation'.
Kel'Thuzad once made the mistake of thinking he could learn enough from
the Lich King and catch him at an unaware moment. Shortly after he had
that thought, the Lich King's voice rang in his head:

You
will never catch me unaware, for I do not
sleep, and as you should have already guessed, I can read your thoughts
as easily as you might read a book. Nor can you hope to defeat me. Your
puny mind is incapable of handling the energies I manipulate on a whim.

Kel'Thuzad learned a valuable lesson that day and has since
served the Lich King loyally. He later returned in secret to Lordaeron
and began recruiting members of the kingdom for his dark faith. They
became known as the Cult of the Damned. Ner'zhul
poured his dark energy into Plague Cauldrons and had them sent to
various villages within the kingdom. The cauldrons corrupted several of
the farmlands, and as villagers died, they would rise again in the
service of the Lich King as part of the Scourge.

Kel'Thuzad later carried out the infection of Brill.
It was there he first met href="http://www.tentonhammer.com/wow/lore/arthas"
target="_blank">Prince Arthas Menethil. Shortly
after their meeting, Kel'Thuzad fled to Andorhal.
Prince Arthas caught up to the necromancer in the village and slew him.
Later, when Arthas began to serve the Lich King, he was sent to
retrieve Kel'Thuzad's remains for resurrection. At this point,
Kel'Thuzad began speaking to Arthas in his mind. He aided Arthas in his
campaign within Lordaeron and eventually rescued Arthas from the freed
banshee, target="_blank">Sylvanas Windrunner.

Kel'Thuzad now resides in the necropolis known as Naxxramas.
He has grown in power and with the blessing of the Lich King, he is one
of the more formidable foes and master of Naxxramas.

Lore Resources:

href="http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/1p11/roadtodamnation.html"
target="_blank">The Road to Damnation

WoWWiki

target="_blank">World of Warcraft

Warcraft
3: Reign of Terror

Warcraft
3: The Frozen Throne