Shiverpeak Mountains

Icy slopes where the Norn dwell and the path to the Great Destroyer begins.

The Shiverpeak Mountains are defined in Guild Wars: Eye of the North as the icy slopes located far to the north, serving as the homeland for the Norn. This region acts as a critical narrative bridge from the original Guild Wars campaigns toward the events of Guild Wars 2. While earlier games featured only a small number of dungeons, this expansion focuses heavily on underground exploration within these northern territories. The mountains are central to the story's progression, introducing players to the Norn and their culture before they reach the final confrontation against the Great Destroyer.

Quick Facts

Major inhabitants: Norn

Lore & Background

The narrative of Eye of the North places the Shiverpeak Mountains as a primary destination after players traverse tunnels revealed by great earthquakes tearing across Tyria, Cantha, and Elona. Within these northern peaks lies the far end where the Norn reside. The story follows characters entering this region to meet Jora, a Norn who informs them of humans living in the Far Shiverpeaks. The journey culminates in the Heart of the Shiverpeaks, where King Jalis Ironhammer and allied dwarves summon the Great Dwarf to face the Great Destroyer. This location is also home to the Asura, who inhabit the southern part of the Maguuma Jungle but are introduced here alongside the Norn as key races for the sequel.

Reader's Guide

Travel to the Shiverpeak Mountains begins by descending crevasses created by earthquakes across three continents: Tyria, Cantha, or Elona. Players must navigate through the homelands of the Charr to the north and the Asura to the west before reaching the far end of the Shiver Peaks where the Norn dwell. The gameplay in this region relies heavily on 18 new multi-level dungeons that delve deep underground. Each dungeon contains one to five levels, requiring players to find keys, use switches, or defeat bosses to progress. The final level of every dungeon features a boss fight; defeating them causes a loot chest to appear for each party member. Area maps near entrances help locate key items and bosses without revealing the full layout.

Did You Know?

The Shiverpeak Mountains are explicitly described as the icy slopes of the Norn's homeland to the north.
The expansion features 18 new multi-level dungeons located within these northern regions, replacing the small number found in earlier campaigns.

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