Yak's Bend

Description
''So called because of the numerous yak herds that rove throughout the area, Yak's Bend is the last refuge for travelers who are about to undertake the rough passage through the Shiverpeaks. Because of its lower altitude, the weather here is somewhat less harsh, providing a place to rest, regroup, and re-equip.''

Getting there

 * Complete the Nolani Academy mission.
 * Travel northwest from Grendich Courthouse through Diessa Lowlands, Ascalon Foothills, and Traveler's Vale.

NPCs

 * Captain Osric
 * Grand Mason Stonecleaver
 * Howland the Elementalist
 * Necromancer Morgan
 * Sebedoh the Mesmer
 * Tabor Woolridge
 * Van the Warrior
 * Bromgar (Arena Guard)
 * Xunlai Agent (Storage)
 * Collectors:
 * Sadira Powell (Collector)
 * Merchants and Traders:
 * Sanura (Merchant)
 * Breyshaw (Armor Crafter)
 * Hylas (Weaponsmith)
 * Henchmen (level 8):
 * Little Thom
 * Stefan
 * Reyna
 * Alesia
 * Claude
 * Dunham
 * Orion

Quests
The following quests start in :

(Note: Icons indicate profession specific quests, skill rewards or repeatable quests.)

Exits

 * Traveler's Vale to the south.

Other
Yak's Bend is reached after the fourth mission (post-searing). It can also be reached with more difficulty by traversing the mountains (via The Breach, Diessa Lowlands, Ascalon Foothills, etc).

It is the first location where the number of Henchmen permitted in a party is six. It has a skill quest for all six professions, and is the last point where different professions get different skill quests.

Yak's Bend is also very, very cold, as evidenced by the NPC's clothes. Be sure to make fire damage a part of your strategy, since many of the monsters here take double damage from it.