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IGN has posted a short preview of Wrath of the Lich King, the upcoming second expansion for the ever popular World of Warcraft. WotLK will add a host of epic content to the existing game world. Players will be able to take their characters to level 80, explore a vast new continent, and battle other high-level heroes to determine the fate of Azeroth

First, we got a little more background on the land of the Lich King, Northrend. This frigid continent was created during the War of Ancients and the geography reflects its origins. We'd already heard about the Furbolg and Viking-esque Vraikul who make the land their home but they're not the only ones who are there.

Northrend is also home to the Nerubians, a race of underground spiders, and the walrus-men creatively named the Tuskar. Though you can guess how hostile the race of underground spiders are, the Tuskar are, by contrast, very pleasantly neutral, befriending characters of all races, creeds and orientations. We also learned that The Venture Company will be making an appearance in Northrend as they work to deforest the Furbolg home of Grizzly Hills.

After hearing about the new zone, we were anxious to give it a try so we logged in and jumped a ship to Daggercap Bay in the Howling Fjord. Boat travel to Northrend is exactly the same as anywhere else in Azeroth, but the view is definitely different. Rather than simply pulling up a relatively smooth coastline, the trip to Daggercap Bay sees your ship negotiating a narrow canyon that leads from the open sea to the large and relatively tranquil bay within.

IGN: Wrath of the Lich King Preview

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

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