Chapter Summaries

Elune intervened in Tyrande and Maiev’s rivalry, sending Maiev to stop Illidan’s attack on the Nexus and offering Tyrande a chance to compete for the title of high priestess. Tyrande accepted the challenge and agreed to ally with Stormwind in exchange for access to prisoners.

• Elune traced the attack on Aetrit's Nexus to Illidan in Dalaran and decided she had to stop him.
• Illidan modified his magic array to concentrate his power and strike the Frozen Throne’s foundation in one blow.
• Tyrande learned that Maiev had gathered Watchers and prisoners and gone to Dalaran after claiming Elune’s favor.
• Tyrande investigated Dalaran’s reports, concluded Maiev was headed for trouble, and offered to serve Elune again to protect her position.
• Elune declared that whichever of them stopped Illidan would become the high priestess, and Tyrande agreed to an alliance with Stormwind in exchange for prisoners from the Stockade.

Tyrande acquired five thousand Orcs from Duke Bolvar and forced half of them into submission through displays of lethal magic. Meanwhile, Maiev arrived in Dalaran and discovered the city was floating beyond her reach.

• Duke Bolvar agreed to hand Tyrande the Orcs he had kept in Stormwind's Underground Fortress in exchange for a Portal to Dalaran.
• Tyrande used magic to kill nearly half the Orcs, terrifying the survivors into accepting her as their master.
• Duke Bolvar returned with the Court Mages and found the surviving Orcs gathering the remains of the dead for food.
• Maiev Shadowsong arrived in Dalaran before dawn and was stunned to find the city floating in the sky.
• Maiev wondered how she could reach the Floating City.

Maiev failed to reach Illidan in floating Dalaran, while Tyrande arrived with Malfurion and Kael'thas to stop Illidan's spell. Tyrande then used the Orcs' approach to make Dalaran's mages flee, leaving the city vulnerable.

• Maiev and the Watchers shouted at Dalaran, but Illidan hid in the sewers and the mages won a verbal battle with the Night Elves.
• Tyrande's Orc scouts found Kael'thas and Vashj; Kael'thas agreed to help stop Illidan after Malfurion explained the danger to the Frozen Throne.
• Tyrande met Maiev at her camp, claimed Elune had sent her, and promised she could conquer Dalaran; Maiev withdrew her troops to watch.
• Tyrande led the Orc army toward Dalaran, and the frightened mages began fleeing through Portals.
• Rhonin escaped first, while Jaina teleported to Karazhan to report to Medivh.

Tyrande and Malfurion used poisoned Orcs to test the monster posing as Illidan, who expelled them from Dalaran with a spell. Maiev captured him after his affection for Tyrande prevented him from resisting, and Kael'thas visited, admiring his devotion and beginning to share his romantic experience.

• Tyrande explained to Maiev that Dalaran's mages had fled because they feared Guardian Medivh, while Malfurion discovered the Orcs had been poisoned by Duke Bolvar.
• The monster emerged from the sewers, teleported the 2,500 Orcs out of Dalaran, and noticed Tyrande and Malfurion hiding nearby.
• Tyrande and Malfurion confronted the monster, but his strange affection for Tyrande kept him from using his abilities.
• Maiev had the Vault of the Wardens' jailers bind the monster with sealing chains, and he went with them without resisting.
• Kael'thas visited the captured monster, praised his devotion to Tyrande, and began telling him about his own past romances.

The monster planned to leave Azeroth for Outland after Kael'thas suggested distance might free him from his love for Tyrande. Meanwhile, the Moon Goddess Elune empowered Sylvanas and ordered her Forsaken to attack the Night Elves, promising they would soon be free.

• The monster persuaded Kael'thas to advise him about his unrequited love for Tyrande, and Kael'thas suggested leaving Azeroth might make the feelings fade.
• The monster decided to find a way to escape to Outland and considered taking Kael'thas with him.
• Kael'thas returned a necklace from Alleria to Sylvanas, who did not remember receiving it from her sister.
• The Moon Goddess Elune told Sylvanas she could regain her former beauty only by understanding death, then taught her to wield its power.
• Elune ordered Sylvanas to gather the Forsaken and attack the Night Elves, promising that they would soon be free.

Sylvanas prepared to break free from the Scourge by ambushing the Night Elves, but Arthas's warning let Tyrande's party anticipate the attack and defeat the Forsaken at the Deepwater River. After the Night Elves crossed the bridge, Tyrande volunteered to face Sylvanas, who saw an opportunity.

• Sylvanas awakened Antonidas and planned an ambush at the Deepwater River bridge, hoping to destroy the Night Elves and build her freedom from the Scourge.
• Antonidas warned Sylvanas not to underestimate Illidan Stormrage, then used a Portal to help the Forsaken prepare their ambush.
• Undead Gryphons scattered leaflets signed by Arthas Menethil, alerting Tyrande, Malfurion, Maiev, and Kael'thas to Sylvanas's plan.
• The Night Elves discovered the Forsaken ambush and defeated its forces at the bridge, with Malfurion and Kael'thas destroying the Abominations.
• After the Night Elves crossed the bridge, Tyrande volunteered to bring up the rear, and Sylvanas spotted a chance to act.

Tyrande survived her apparent death and captured Sylvanas and Antonidas, then used a magic array to hide their conversation from Elune. She convinced Sylvanas that Elune had manipulated both sides and revealed that she had supposedly come to kill her on Elune’s orders.

• Tyrande called down Starfall and devastated the Forsaken army, while Maiev prepared to protect her.
• Antonidas shattered the bridge with Greater Disintegration, and Tyrande fell into the Deepwater River after a piece of wood pierced her chest.
• Tyrande survived and ambushed Sylvanas and Antonidas in the camp, interrupting Antonidas’s spells and forcing them to follow her into a cave.
• Tyrande carved a magic array that obscured them from Elune and persuaded Sylvanas that Elune had warned the Night Elves about the ambush.
• Tyrande told Sylvanas that she had come to the camp on Elune’s orders to kill her.

Sylvanas accepted Tyrande's proposal for a secret understanding between the Forsaken and the Night Elves, while Maiev mistook the deception surrounding Tyrande's supposed death and sent Illidan after Sylvanas. Malfurion's attempt to expose Maiev was disrupted when she revealed Illidan was already on his way, threatening Tyrande's plans.

• Tyrande persuaded Sylvanas to form a secret agreement, and they sealed it with an oath.
• Maiev returned to the Night Elves and claimed Tyrande had died, prompting Malfurion and the Sentinels to grieve.
• Maiev suspected Malfurion's ritual was part of a scheme and sent Illidan to avenge Tyrande by killing Sylvanas.
• Malfurion learned the truth during his ritual and prepared to accuse Maiev, but she revealed that Illidan was already pursuing Sylvanas.
• Malfurion urgently ordered Maiev to bring Illidan back before he could ruin Tyrande's plans.

Malfurion concealed the Forsaken alliance by telling the Night Elves that Tyrande had faked her death to hunt Sylvanas. After sparing Sylvanas and Antonidas in exchange for news about Arthas, the being posing as Illidan escaped, and Kael'thas considered following him to Outland with Vashj.

• Malfurion told the Night Elves that Tyrande was alive and hunting Sylvanas at the Moon Goddess's command.
• The being posing as Illidan cornered Sylvanas and Antonidas, who tried to persuade him to spare them.
• Sylvanas told Illidan that Arthas might know how to break his Soul Magic, and Illidan agreed to let them live in exchange for the information.
• A signal flare rose from the Night Elf camp, and Illidan flew away instead of returning to Maiev.
• Maiev learned that Illidan had escaped and vowed to hunt him, while Kael'thas told Vashj he wanted to follow him to Outland.
• Vashj urged Kael'thas to go with her to Outland and follow Illidan.

Kael'thas and Vashj followed Illidan through the Dark Portal, where they began adapting to their unleashed power and set their sights on Hellfire Citadel. In Stormwind, Varian confronted Bolvar over his policies and threatened him, while Bolvar demonstrated that the king lacked real authority.

• Kael'thas and Vashj explained that they hoped Outland would reveal the truth behind the voices tormenting them and agreed to help Illidan in exchange for his help conquering Outland.
• Illidan offered Kael'thas and Vashj a way to defeat the Watchers without killing them, and the groups passed through the Dark Portal.
• Kael'thas and Vashj felt their power rise in Outland, so they ordered their troops to rest while they adjusted to the change.
• Illidan interrogated Orc scouts, learned about Hellfire Citadel, and declared that he would enslave the Orcs there.
• Varian confronted Bolvar aboard the Stormwind Soar, accusing him of making alliances and giving Orcs to Tyrande, while Bolvar defended his decisions as necessary for Stormwind's safety.
• Varian drew his sword against Bolvar, but Bolvar shattered it and warned Varian that he would die for negotiating with Arthas and the Scourge.

Duke Bolvar sailed from Stormwind with Robbie, who assured him the Scourge would secretly protect the Alliance while preparing to withdraw from Azeroth. After showing Bolvar the Scourge’s laboratory, Robbie told Arthas he planned to travel to Outland to stop Illidan from claiming its greatest treasure.

• Bolvar departed Stormwind aboard the Stormwind Soar despite Varian’s threats, and Jaina’s magic shielded the ship from a storm.
• Robbie told Bolvar that the Scourge would protect the Alliance in secret while it built strength and prepared to withdraw from Azeroth.
• The Stormwind Soar reached Northrend, where Bolvar visited Professor Putricide’s laboratory and saw the Scourge’s creations, including the failed bodies named Rotface and Festergut.
• Robbie found Arthas and announced that he would travel to Outland because Illidan was trying to become its king without knowing what its greatest treasure was.

The monster conquered Hellfire Citadel, turned many Orcs into Fel Orcs, and marched toward Shadowmoon Valley while leaving Kael'thas and Vashj behind. As they worried that Illidan was using them, a familiar voice arrived.

• The monster defeated the Orcs at Hellfire Citadel, accepted Kargath Bladefist's surrender, and asked Kael'thas for a plan to conquer Outland.
• The monster rejected Kael'thas's cautious strategy, opened a rift to the Void, and infused the Orcs with Fel, killing some and transforming many into powerful Fel Orcs.
• Vashj and Kael'thas worried that the Fel infusion had cost the Orcs their reason and lifespans, while the monster criticized the Naga as incomplete.
• The monster assigned Kargath Bladefist to guard Hellfire Citadel, taught Kael'thas and Vashj a spell to hinder the Watchers, and took the Fel Orc army toward Shadowmoon Valley.
• Vashj and Kael'thas worried that Illidan was using them, but a familiar voice interrupted them, and Kael'thas welcomed the arrival.

Robbie offered Kael'thas and Vashj Scourge supplies in exchange for wreckage from crashed Legion and Naaru ships, while promising to protect the Blood Elves. Meanwhile, Illidan’s Fel Orc army expanded, Akama accepted Fel and swore allegiance to Illidan, and Kil'jaeden ordered Magtheridon to surrender the Black Temple after fighting Illidan.

• Robbie met with Kael'thas and Vashj after Illidan had led his army away and explained that Illidan was working with Kil'jaeden to attack Northrend.
• Robbie offered the Blood Elves Scourge supplies and possible military support in exchange for collecting the wreckage of a Legion starship in Zangarmarsh and Naaru ships in Netherstorm.
• Robbie promised to arrange a way out for the Blood Elves and keep them safe if Illidan called them to fight in Northrend.
• Illidan's Fel Orc army ravaged Orc villages, and Illidan recruited Akama by infusing him with Fel after Akama swore to follow him.
• Kil'jaeden ordered Magtheridon to hand the Black Temple over to Illidan and allowed Magtheridon to fight him first.

The monster used the Fel Orcs to seize the Black Temple and establish himself as king of Outland, while secretly cooperating with Kil'jaeden and building an army. As Maiev was captured by Kael'thas and Vashj, Duke Bolvar returned from Northrend considering Arthas's warning that a new Lich King would be needed.

• Akama urged "Illidan" to enter the Black Temple through a secret sewer passage, but the monster chose a frontal assault.
• The monster fought Magtheridon, bound him with Arcane chains, and took the Black Temple after the Legion's commanders submitted.
• The monster welcomed new followers into Outland and formed the Illidari from Night Elves and Blood Elves infused with Fel.
• The monster and Kil'jaeden began preparing a large expedition against Arthas and the Scourge.
• Kael'thas and Vashj ambushed Maiev after she crossed the Dark Portal, then told her Elune had suppressed her power and urged her to remain in Outland.
• Duke Bolvar sailed back from Northrend, reflected on Arthas's need for a reliable new Lich King, and realized he trusted no one but himself.

Duke Bolvar welcomed Sylvanas’s proposal for the Forsaken to join the Alliance, while worrying that the Burning Legion might be involved. At the Black Temple, the monster planned an expedition against Arthas and considered using Undercity as a base, prompting Kil'jaeden to send three Dreadlords to recruit the Forsaken for the Legion.

• Sylvanas visited Duke Bolvar aboard the Stormwind Soar and asked him to accept the Forsaken into the Alliance.
• Bolvar agreed to welcome the Forsaken, and an adviser warned him that Sylvanas sought the strongest backer and might be tied to the Burning Legion.
• At the Black Temple, the monster called Kael'thas and Vashj to plan an attack on Arthas after learning that the Frozen Throne had collapsed and the Scourge had suffered heavy losses.
• Akama proposed making Undercity a logistics base for the expedition, and the monster considered winning Sylvanas over while fearing she might betray them.
• Kil'jaeden ordered Varimathras, Balnazzar, and Detheroc to go to Undercity and persuade the Forsaken to serve the Legion.

Sylvanas confronted the Dreadlords and used a claim of serving Elune to escape Varimathras’s control. She agreed to discuss cooperation with the Burning Legion, which promised to help the Forsaken grow stronger and destroy the Scourge.

• Sylvanas summoned playwright Big Candle Gagg, who complained that Thrall had never paid him for poems praising the orc’s heroism.
• Sylvanas woke Gagg to witness her claim that she had defeated Arthas, then ordered him to write ballads praising her and the Forsaken without payment.
• Varimathras disarmed and restrained Sylvanas, but released her after she claimed Elune protected her.
• Sylvanas refused to negotiate with the Dreadlords at first, then agreed to meet them in the Undercity.
• Sylvanas demanded a flawless Fel Body, while the Dreadlords argued that she should first develop her powers of death and promised soul vessels to strengthen the Forsaken.
• Sylvanas asked how the Forsaken could compete with Arthas for souls, and Varimathras declared that their cooperation would destroy the Scourge.

Sylvanas accepted the Burning Legion’s offer to join an expedition against the weakened Scourge after Elune showed her a false vision of Arthas’s defeat. The allied army reached Icecrown Glacier after plundering Northrend, but a supernatural blizzard and unexplained disappearances left it lost and exhausted.

• Varimathras told Sylvanas that Illidan had destroyed the Frozen Throne and urged her to join the campaign against the Scourge.
• Sylvanas prayed to Elune, received a vision depicting Arthas and the Scourge near defeat, and agreed to cooperate with the Burning Legion.
• The monster assembled the Legion, Fel Orcs, Kael'thas's Blood Elves, and Vashj's Naga, promised Sylvanas Frostmourne and control of the remaining Scourge, and led the expedition through a portal to Undercity.
• The allied army sailed to Northrend, slaughtered Tuskarr for supplies, and plundered territories around the Nexus and Wyrmrest Temple before entering Icecrown Glacier.
• The Naga withdrew because of the extreme cold, while soldiers disappeared nightly and the army wandered through a blizzard for dozens of days.
• Kael'thas recognized a mountain hollow as the site of their first Icecrown camp and warned Illidan that the army was lost, but the monster pressed onward.

The monster led the dwindling expedition to the Frozen Throne, where Robbie met him and traded knowledge about their destinies. The monster learned that he would fall in the Black Temple, though Robbie hinted that his fate would continue beyond that defeat.

• Kael'thas withdrew from the expedition with the surviving Blood Elves after losing Lana'thel and many of his people.
• The monster let the Legion troops retreat to Dragonblight, then flew alone through the storm to the Frozen Throne.
• Robbie appeared before the monster, who revealed he knew Robbie was a time traveler and had guessed that the Blood Elves were under Robbie's protection.
• The monster proposed exchanging knowledge of their destinies, and Robbie warned that someone would betray him and that he would fall in the Black Temple.
• The monster told Robbie that the Scourge would be destroyed on the eve of the Orcs' extinction, and Robbie said the monster's fall would not be the end of his destiny.

Thrall escaped Saurfang’s search in Durotar and headed toward Theramore to seek Aegwynn’s help in reclaiming his position as Warchief. At Northwatch Hold, his disguise was threatened when Orc soldiers recognized him, just as two Half-breeds entered the tavern.

• Big Candle Gagg retold the battle at the Frozen Throne using rumors after the monster left Icecrown Glacier.
• Thrall hid in a cesspit to escape pursuers and learned that Saurfang had branded him an impostor and offered a reward for his capture.
• Thrall decided to seek Aegwynn’s help in Theramore, since he could not trust the Burning Legion or the leaders of the other factions.
• Thrall washed and traveled along the coast, evading search parties before entering Northwatch Hold in disguise.
• Thrall saw his wanted portraits at the tavern, ate while watching Orc soldiers and Alliance captives, and noticed soldiers closing in on him.
• Two Half-breeds entered the tavern as Thrall prepared for a fight.

Thrall escaped Northwatch Hold with the help of Rexxar and Renekton, who pledged to serve him and escorted him toward Theramore with their beasts. The brothers disagreed over whether to stay loyal or kill him for a reward, while King Mogmorlok learned that the fugitive was Thrall.

• Rexxar killed an Orc officer and led Thrall out of Northwatch Hold with Renekton, then the brothers pledged their loyalty to him.
• Thrall claimed his identity and recruited Rexxar and Renekton to guide him toward Theramore.
• Renekton summoned the brothers’ beasts, and they escorted Thrall across Dustwallow Marsh.
• Renekton suggested killing Thrall for the reward, but Rexxar argued that helping him could earn them wealth and status.
• King Mogmorlok received a letter offering Northwatch Hold for killing the fugitive and realized that the fugitive was Thrall.