The Definitive Guide to The Eye Attunement: Obtaining the Tempest Key

In Phase 2 of The Burning Crusade Classic, the stakes are raised. No longer are we simply fighting for survival in the Outland; we are taking the fight to the heart of the Blood Elven betrayal. The Eye, the central wing of the naaru fortress Tempest Keep, houses Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider.

However, the doors to his sanctuary are sealed to the unworthy. To enter, you must complete the arduous Trial of the Naaru, earning the Tempest Key and the right to call yourself a Hand of A'dal.

Illustration: Panoramic shot of Tempest Keep floating in Netherstorm

Preparation and Prerequisites

Before you set foot in Shadowmoon Valley to begin this journey, you must meet several steep requirements. This is not a questline for a fresh level 70.

Level 70: Mandatory.
Expert Flying (225) or Artisan Flying (300): You cannot reach the Arcatraz or Tempest Keep without a flying mount.
Heroic Keys: You will eventually need to enter several Heroic dungeons. This requires reaching Honored (or Revered, depending on your current server phase) with the following factions:
- Honor Hold / Thrallmar (Shattered Halls)
- Cenarion Expedition (Steamvault)
- Lower City (Shadow Labyrinth)
- The Sha'tar (The Arcatraz)

Phase 1: The Cipher of Damnation

The journey begins in the scorched fields of Shadowmoon Valley. You aren't looking for a Naaru yet; you are looking for an Orc hermit named Oronok Torn-heart.

Step 1: Locating Oronok

Find Oronok at (54, 23), just north of the Hand of Gul'dan. He will give you the quest "I Was A Lot of Things..." which requires you to kill some local Boars. Follow this small chain until he tells you the story of the Cipher of Damnation.

Step 2: The Three Fragments

Oronok’s three sons have scattered across the valley, each holding a fragment of the Cipher. You must assist each of them.

Part A: Grom'tor and the First Fragment

Location: Find Grom'tor at Coilskar Point (44, 23).
Key Quests: You will fight Naga and retrieve keys.
The Climax: In "The Coilskaar Cistern," you must retrieve the first fragment from a chest. It is guarded by an elite Naga.

Illustration: Map of Shadowmoon Valley highlighting Coilskar Point, Altar of Damnation, and Eclipse Point

Part B: Ar'tor and the Second Fragment

Location: Find Ar'tor's spirit near the Altar of Damnation (47, 45).
Key Quests: This is a combat-heavy chain. You will eventually have to kill Veneratus the Multiple, a demon that splits into several copies.
The Climax: Recover the second fragment from the demons at the Altar.

Part C: Borak and the Third Fragment

Location: Find Borak near Eclipse Point (48, 71).
Key Quests: This is the "stealth" leg of the journey. You'll use a Blood Elf Disguise to infiltrate the camp and intercept a message from Grand Magister Rommath.
The Climax: Assassinate an elite messenger to secure the third fragment.

Step 3: The Summoning of Cyrukh

Return all fragments to Oronok. He will give you the quest "The Cipher of Damnation." * The Boss: Head to the Altar of Damnation. Use the Cipher to summon Cyrukh the Firelord.

Party Recommendation: This is a 5-man encounter. He has high HP and deals heavy fire damage.

Phase 2: The Trials of the Naaru

With the Cipher of Damnation averted, word of your deeds reaches Shattrath.

Step 1: The Call to Shattrath

Check your mail for a letter from Khadgar, or simply fly to the center of Shattrath. Speak to A'dal. He will acknowledge your heroics and offer you three grueling trials within Heroic Dungeons.

Step 2: Trial of the Naaru: Mercy (Shattered Halls)

Dungeon: The Shattered Halls (Heroic).
The Condition: This is a timed run. You must reach the Executioner at the end of the dungeon before he kills the prisoners.
Strategy: Your tank needs to pull fast, and your DPS needs to be optimized for AOE. If the executioner's emote pops up saying he’s starting the executions, you have very little time left.

Illustration: Screenshots of the Shattered Halls gauntlet and the Executioner boss

Step 3: Trial of the Naaru: Strength (Steamvault & Shadow Lab)

Dungeon 1: The Steamvault (Heroic). You must defeat Warlord Kalithresh. Ensure your group handles the Naga Distillers to prevent him from buffing.
Dungeon 2: Shadow Labyrinth (Heroic). You must defeat Murmur. This requires careful positioning to avoid his Sonic Boom (which is almost always a one-shot in Heroic).

Step 4: Trial of the Naaru: Tenacity (The Arcatraz)

Dungeon: The Arcatraz (Heroic).
The Condition: You must defeat Harbinger Skyriss, but there is a catch—the gnome Millhouse Manastorm must survive the fight.
Strategy: Millhouse is squishy. Healers must treat him like a second tank. Skyriss will split into multiple copies; focus the clones down immediately to reduce damage on Millhouse.

Phase 3: The Final Obstacle (Magtheridon)

Once you return to A'dal after completing the three trials, he has one final task. This is the "raid check."

The Quest: Trial of the Naaru: Magtheridon

Location: Hellfire Citadel, Magtheridon's Lair (25-man Raid).
The Objective: Slay the Pit Lord Magtheridon.
The Mechanics: This fight is all about the Manticore Bolts. Your raid must have 5 groups of "cube clickers" who perfectly rotate clicking the Manticore Cubes to interrupt his Blast Nova. One missed click often means a wipe.

Illustration: A 25-man raid group standing before a captured Magtheridon

The Reward: The Tempest Key

After Magtheridon falls, return to A'dal in Shattrath for the final time.

Item Received: [The Tempest Key].
The Title: If you have also completed the Vials of Eternity (Serpentshrine Cavern attunement), you will be granted the title Hand of A'dal, one of the most prestigious titles in TBC.
Access Granted: You can now enter the portal to The Eye in Netherstorm.

Why It Matters

Beyond just entering the raid, completing this chain is a badge of honor. It proves you have mastered Heroic dungeon coordination and 25-man raid mechanics. You are now ready to face Al'ar, Void Reaver, High Astromancer Solarian, and eventually, Prince Kael'thas himself.

Illustration: The player character holding the Tempest Key in front of A'dal

Good luck, Champion. The Eye of the Storm is waiting.