The urban developers that is.

Karazhan, it seems, often goes overlooked. it is not the destination of any quests, none start there and you don’t get anything good there. It’s situated out of the way in Deadwind Pass, which is populated with 55-60’s and is situated between two lower zones, so the first time you go there, you’re just looking to get through it as quick as you can. After that, you’re probably just flying over it and never think to go back there for anything.

Karazhan is, of course, the location of the Tower of Medivh and when the expansion hits, it’ll likely be a hoppin’ joint as it’ll be one of the new instances. Several, actually. The area, however, is plenty fascinating right now and it won’t be that way much longer.

The place is a ghost town in more ways that one. Ironically so, for in non-lore game terms, the place has yet to be alive to then become dead. The town sits in the shadow of the Tower and is populated by a great many ghostly apparitions (levels 59 and 60). It’s got a spooky vibe.

So does the barren Tower, which has an instance portal at the top as well as what will surely be a flight path point.

What’s more fascinating is what lies underneath the town. There are two stairways set in the foundation of two building by the boarded up in. Both are labeled The Master’s Cellar. One leads down into a vast cavern (again populated with ghostie-types). It’s cool and has a peculiar entrance. The basement floor has given way, leaving a mob stranded opposite. You can shoot him, but can’t access him any other way, nor he you. You climb down the collapsed floor.

The opposite side I find more interesting. It’s a wine cellar, with gigantic bottle and huge kegs (and tons more ghosts). It’s got some clever little hiding places as well.

Nearby and above ground is a gated instance portal that I haven’t been able to get into by surreptitious means.

If you should happen to get overrun by the mobs, there is a reward in death. Opposite the graveyard, there’s a crypt and in death, one can run through the gate at the bottom.

Officially, I cannot recommend this as it is a violation of the TOS and I will deny that I’ve ever done, but…damn, it’s cool down there. How does this sound? A hole in the floor called the Well of the Forgotten, step in and you’re in for a long drop that lands you on a 15ft tall pile of skeletons in The Pit of Criminals (don’t rez in there, just deadrun looking around, it’s easier and safer). There’s also some underwater accessible areas and lots of tunnels not unlike the underground of Paris.

The mobs around this areas don’t seem to drop anything more interesting that a maximum of 9 or 10 silver and a couple of runecloth, so it’s not really worth farming. If you’re looking to fight stuff for weapon leveling, then it’s a good spot. Hardly anyone ever goes there, so there’s plenty of stuff to hit.

If you’re into base jumping, it’s lot of fun jumping off the tower into the shallow river, or with some kind of feather-fall ability, you can make it into the town on a good jump.

Near the town are some ogre encampments. Again, nothing really there except a supply of killable ogres.

If you got some time to kill waiting for guildies to get their shit together or for a BG to open up, it’s an excellent time for a little…archaeology, before it gets built over.