The scattered wastes of Outland are all that remain of Draenor, the once beautiful homeworld of the orcs. Following the Second War, the Alliance invaded Draenor by crossing through the Dark Portal. To their horror, they discovered that Ner'zhul - the dark warlord of Horde - had constructed a series of new gateways that could lead the beaten Horde to newer, unspoiled worlds. As the Alliance forces closed in around him, Ner'zhul opened his gateways as a means of escape. However, the gateways' clashing energies resulted in a catastrophic explosion that ultimately ripped the world of Draenor apart.

Nearly thirteen years later - towards the end of the Third War - the fallen night elf, Illidan, discovered that huge chunks of Draenor still existed - floating upon the astral winds of the Twisting Nether. After his defeat at the hands of the evil Prince Arthas, Illidan fled to the remnants of Draenor and dubbed them Outland. He quickly seized control of the chaotic region and sealed the last of Ner'zhul's cursed gateways.

Though he is the undisputed ruler of the ravaged land, Illidan lives in fear that he will be discovered by his powerful enemies - most notably Arthas, the new Lich King, and the remaining Lords of the Burning Legion. Currently, Outland is home to a number of scattered draenei tribes, primitive orcs and the powerful, arcane creatures of the Nether itself. Agents of the Burning Legion have also targeted the region as a vital strategic location in their unending Burning Crusade to scour all life from the universe.

But it was not always so...

Medivh, the Last Guardian, made his home in Deadwind, in the bright tower of Karazhan. Though he was the greatest wizard of his day (and humanity's intended custodian) Medivh was secretly possessed by the dark spirit of Sargeras, the Destroyer of Worlds. Through Medivh, Sargeras opened the Dark Portal and allowed the orcs to wage war upon the mortal kingdoms of Azeroth.

As the war progressed, Medivh fought against Sargeras' control. The raging conflict within him finally drove the wizard irrevocably insane. His childhood friend and the king's lieutenant-at-arms, Anduin Lothar, suspected the mage of treachery. With the aid of Medivh's young apprentice, Khadgar, Lothar stormed Karazhan and killed his one-time comrade. Since that day, a terrible curse has pervaded both the tower and the lands around it - casting a dark pall over Deadwind Pass and the region that is now known as Duskwood

In recent years, nobles of Darkshire ventured into Deadwind Pass to investigate the blight that had settled over the region. They entered the dark tower – but never emerged. In fact, witnesses maintain that the dread spirits of the nobles now reside within Karazhan's walls, cursed to revel in the tower's crumbling opera house for eternity. Yet far more perilous spirits reside within Medivh's macabre study, for it was there that demonic entities responded to the deranged wizard's summons.

Despite the myriad terrors that lie within, adventurers are still drawn to Karazhan - tempted by rumors of unspeakable secrets that may be found within the tower's arcane libraries. It is said that the vast, magical halls house the powerful spellbooks of Medivh himself.

...you may never find your way out.

The decrepit tower of Karazhan once housed one of the greatest powers Azeroth has ever known: the sorcerer Medivh. Within its halls and corridors, he summoned all manner of otherworldly beings, researching magics no other would dare touch. Karazhan now stands abandoned; with its master gone, the monstrous things and untamed powers have grown unchecked, waiting to pounce on whoever is brave or foolish enough to enter its halls. Forge a group of ten stalwart adventurers and journey to the wasted land between Duskwood and the Swamp of Sorrows known as Deadwind Pass, where the mystical tower lies. Only the strongest need apply: only those who have achieved level 70 are skilled enough to face what lies within. Prepare for:

• Boss encounters scripted to unveil the mysteries of Karazhan and challenge your skill as a team;
• Dozens of new items from the vaults and experiments within the tower;
• Brand new monsters, the likes of which Azeroth has never seen;
• And much more!

In the blasted world of Outland, within the heart of Hellfire Peninsula stands Hellfire Citadel, a nearly impenetrable bastion that served as the Horde's base of operations throughout the First and Second Wars. For years this gargantuan fortress was thought to be abandoned...

Until recently. Though much of Draenor was shattered by the reckless Ner'zhul, the Hellfire Citadel remains intact– inhabited now by marauding bands of red, furious fel orcs. Though the presence of this new, savage breed presents something of a mystery, what's far more disconcerting is that the numbers of these fel orcs seem to be growing.

Despite Thrall and Grom Hellscream's successful bid to end the Horde's corruption by slaying Mannoroth, reports indicate that the barbaric orcs of Hellfire Citadel have somehow managed to find a new source of corruption to fuel their primitive bloodlust.

Whatever authority these orcs answer to is unknown, although it is a strongly held belief that they are not working for the Burning Legion. Perhaps the most unsettling news to come from Outland are the accounts of thunderous, savage cries issuing from somewhere deep beneath the citadel. Many have begun to wonder if these unearthly outbursts are somehow connected to the corrupted fel orcs and their growing numbers. Unfortunately those questions will have to remain unanswered.

At least for now.  

Hellfire Citadel, a five-person dungeon located in Outland on Hellfire Peninsula, is one of the first new dungeons that players will encounter in World of Warcraft's upcoming expansion, The Burning Crusade. A challenge for any player seeking adventure and fortune in the low level-60 range, this new dungeon will include:

• Three complete dungeon wings
• An exciting raid encounter
• All-new monsters, including highly scripted boss encounters
• Never-before-seen items for players to discover