Chapter Summaries

Blackhand learned that Hannibal had deceived the Blackrock Orcs and discovered that Destroyer Dov controlled their mines and wealth. He submitted to Dov, restoring the clan’s brutal labor, while Grimak and Garrosh turned their attention to Frostfire Ridge and the Frostwolf Clan.

• The Iguana Person told Blackhand and Orgrimmar that Hannibal had drawn power from Destroyer Dov and might return to reclaim leadership, prompting them to question the former chieftain’s lies.
• Blackhand and Orgrimmar ate roast meat and realized Hannibal had deceived them about food and female Orcs.
• Blackhand and Orgrimmar visited Destroyer Dov, who revealed his Ogre disguise and showed them the vast store of gems taken from the Blackrock Orcs’ labor.
• Orgrimmar submitted to Destroyer Dov, and Blackhand restored the clan’s work regime with overseers who drove Orcs to labor even harder.
• Grimak told Garrosh that Destroyer Dov served their side and that Gul’dan could force Blackhand to submit to the Iron Horde.
• Grimak worried about confronting the Frostwolf Clan in Frostfire Ridge, surprising Garrosh, who believed Durotan was one of the least formidable of Draenor’s Seven Heroes.

Maraad warned Khadgar and Varian that Fenris could become an unstoppable leader if Garrosh changed the past, while Garrosh chose to kill Fenris rather than make him leader of the Iron Horde. Garrosh and Grimak headed toward Somval to find Durotan.

• Maraad revealed that Gromgal was a powerful Void Creature whose remains protected the Thunderlord Clan and that Fenris had once gained its favor.
• Maraad explained that Fenris had joined the Thunderlord Clan, taken the name Iron Wolf, and been defeated by his brother Durotan.
• Maraad feared Garrosh would warn Fenris, allowing him to survive and lead the Iron Horde, while Khadgar doubted Medivh would abandon his plans even after learning of Gromgal.
• Garrosh decided to kill Fenris instead of making him leader of the Iron Horde.
• Grimak told Garrosh that Durotan frequented Somval, and they set out for the coastal city.

Garrosh traveled to Somval expecting a place to spend his gold, but Durotan lured him into a trap for the Bladespire Ogres. Garrosh awoke chained among tortured Orc corpses, facing the Ogre Gorsog.

• Garrosh arrived in Somval and asked the fisherman Joey where to find Durotan.
• Joey praised Durotan, and a guard admitted Garrosh after he declared his hatred of Ogres.
• Durotan welcomed Garrosh, shared food and wine with him, and took him to meet the female Orcs at a hot spring.
• Garrosh chose Agatha, but Durotan had a servant lead him to a room where he was drugged and lost consciousness.
• Garrosh heard Durotan present him to Gorsog, Lord of the Bladespire, then woke bound in chains beside the mutilated bodies of Orcs.

Garrosh discovered that Durotan had betrayed his people, then was rescued from an Ogre feast by Agatha during a Thunderlord attack. He met Fenris Ironwolf, who warned that Garrosh’s choices could determine Draenor’s fate, but Garrosh decided to stay close and kill him.

• Garrosh learned that Durotan had secretly sold Orcs to the Ogres and was about to be eaten alive alongside six other captives.
• Grimak and Gorsog discussed using Durotan to stir conflict between the Frostwolf and Thunderlord Clans.
• The Thunderlord Clan attacked Gorsog’s fortress, and Agatha freed Garrosh amid the chaos.
• Garrosh saw Fenris Ironwolf command a powerful spirit force and learned that Fenris had received a prophecy about him.
• Fenris told Garrosh that his choices could save the Orcs or lead them to ruin, and Garrosh asked whether he wanted to become Warlord of Draenor.
• Garrosh decided to stay near Fenris, earn his trust, and kill him when the opportunity arose.

Garrosh and Fenris clashed over whether the Orcs should pursue endless conquest or build a peaceful, prosperous society, while Fenris introduced Garrosh to the Thunderlord Clan’s advances. After Agatha showed Garrosh Fenris’s magically gifted children, Garrosh feared that magic would make him obsolete and resolved to act.

• Fenris showed Garrosh how the Thunderlord Clan lived inside Gromgal’s skeleton and explained how blood infused into the bones provided warmth, light, and strength.
• Garrosh and Fenris argued over what qualified someone to be a Warlord of Draenor, with Garrosh advocating the destruction of other races and Fenris advocating peace and prosperity.
• Garrosh stayed with the Thunderlord Clan as Fenris taught him about cultivation, hardy seeds, forging, herbs, and magic.
• Fenris told Garrosh that he hoped to transform the Thunderlord Clan and spread knowledge across Draenor, widening the divide between their ideals.
• Agatha showed Garrosh Fenris’s three children, who had begun learning magic through Fenris’s experiments and Gromgal’s teachings.
• Garrosh realized that a magical Orc generation might leave him behind, hid his unease from Agatha, and said he knew what to do.

Garrosh and Grimak arranged to undermine Fenris, while Ogre lords recruited Durotan to help seize power in the Frostwolf Clan. Garad was killed in an ambush, and Jarnal blamed Fenris and went to war against the Thunderlord Clan.

• Garrosh told Grimak that Fenris was secretly training Orcs in magic, and Grimak urged him to cultivate Durotan rather than kill Fenris.
• Gorsog and Boggar Doomfist offered Durotan their backing if he helped them take control of the Frostwolf Clan, and Durotan agreed to pay any price to win Draka.
• Garad received Durotan's letter about partnering with a male Warsong Orc and set out for Somval to confront him.
• Gronn attacked Garad in Blade's Throat Canyon, killing him, while Fenris watched from the cliffs.
• Jarnal heard that Fenris had been seen at the ambush and declared vengeance before launching a war against the Thunderlord Clan.

The Frostwolf Clan marched on Gromgal after Jarnal accused Fenris of killing their father, Garad. Fenris struggled to choose between family ties and defending his rule, then received a mysterious orb from Gromgal that he believed could clear up the misunderstanding.

• More than ten thousand Frostwolf Orcs and an equal number of frostwolves surrounded Gromgal while the Thunderlord Clan stayed behind its walls.
• Fenris told Garrosh he could not bear to fight Jarnal and asked him to go as an envoy, though Garrosh warned that Jarnal might be testing Fenris's resolve.
• Fenris ordered Agatha to take his children, including Fetilis, through a secret passage because he feared both the Frostwolf army and threats within the Thunderlord Clan.
• Fenris entered Gromgal's hidden chamber and asked the black sphere for guidance about Jarnal's accusation.
• Gromgal gave Fenris a transparent orb of light and told him to present evidence to Jarnal before resorting to defeating him.

Garrosh manipulated Jarnal into believing Fenris planned to destroy the Frostwolf Clan, prompting Jarnal to kill Fenris's children and Agatha. After Garrosh fled, Fenris confronted Jarnal and said he regretted saving Garrosh at Bladespire Hold.

• Garrosh told Jarnal that Fenris was plotting against the Frostwolf Clan and that his three nephews were hidden at the Bonechewer Furnace.
• Jarnal insisted on going to the mine with Garrosh, where they found Agatha and the three children.
• Jarnal killed Agatha and all three children, then celebrated the slaughter and vowed to make Fenris pay.
• Garrosh was freed and honored at the Frostwolf camp, then left under cover of night to avoid the coming war.
• Fenris confronted the drunken Jarnal and told him that his greatest regret was saving Garrosh at Bladespire Hold.

Fenris exposed Jarnal’s role in their father’s death, punished him, and vanished with him as the Frostwolf and Thunderlord Clans ended their fighting. Durotan took power with Ogre support, but Gorsog and Pogar killed him, while Varian, Khadgar, and Maraad resigned themselves to Medivh’s plan to open the Dark Portal.

• Fenris showed Jarnal proof that Gorsog and Pogar had plotted Garad’s murder with Durotan, and Jarnal admitted he was wrong.
• Fenris declared that Jarnal would have no descendants; that night Jarnal’s twelve illegitimate children were killed, and Jarnal and Fenris disappeared.
• The Frostwolf and Thunderlord Clans stopped fighting, and the Frostwolf elders planned to bring Durotan back as chieftain.
• Durotan pledged to make Frostfire Ridge’s Orcs slaves to the Ogres, but Gorsog and Pogar drowned him in a boiling hot pot and discarded his bones.
• Durotan awoke as a soul atop a seaside garbage heap and wept over his life.
• In Stormwind Keep, Varian, Khadgar, and Maraad discussed Medivh’s wishes and accepted that they would open the Dark Portal despite expecting to die.

Fenris took Durotan’s identity and became chieftain of the Frostwolf Clan, while the Orc clans prepared for war and the Burning Legion arrived on Draenor. Grimak’s work with Garrosh ended as the Army of the Light turned its attention toward Azeroth.

• Fenris captured Durotan’s soul in a frostwolf pelt, took his appearance, and married Draka as Durotan.
• Grimak warned Garrosh that the Holy Light would soon threaten Draenor, then left after Garrosh guessed that he was Kairoz.
• Grom Hellscream, Kargath Bladefist, Ner'zhul, Gul'dan, Kilrogg Deadeye, and Blackhand consolidated power and prepared their clans for conflict.
• Fenris and Draka held their wedding in Frostfire Ridge, while the frostwolf pelt trembled throughout the night.
• Grimak collapsed after stepping through the Portal, and Murozond, Robbie, and Vanessa revealed that they had cooperated to alter history.
• The Burning Legion arrived on Draenor, Kil'jaeden contacted Ner'zhul, and Gul'dan was tempted by Fel as the Army of the Light prepared to target Azeroth.

Garrosh and Grom considered how to unite the Orc Clans and challenge Mannoroth while the Army of the Light stayed hidden. At a gathering meant to distribute the Blood of Mannoroth, Gul'dan's attempt to control the chieftains collapsed into a brawl until Mannoroth arrived.

• Garrosh and Grom surveyed Mannoroth and the Dark Portal, while a Naaru Shard explained that Grom could not defeat the Pit Lord alone.
• Grom warned Garrosh that the Clans would splinter after Mannoroth's death and said he might return to farming if the Army of the Light offered him nothing.
• Garrosh considered how to unite the Orc Clans as Gul'dan prepared the Blood of Mannoroth for distribution among the chieftains.
• Gul'dan tried to impose order at the gathering, but Blackhand challenged his authority and traded insults with him and Kargath Bladefist.
• Orgrimmar, Grom Hellscream, and Kilrogg joined the fighting, and the chieftains stopped when Mannoroth arrived.

Grom Hellscream refused the Blood of Mannoroth, then fled when Mannoroth attacked; Garrosh and the Orcs Death Squad killed the Pit Lord with a bombing assault. Gul'dan recognized Garrosh and threatened to make him his food.

• Mannoroth recalled what Garrosh had told him about the Orcs’ future and warned Gul’dan to find a way out of their situation.
• Gul’dan offered the chieftains the Blood of Mannoroth, but Grom asked about its cost and poured the cup onto the ground after Garrosh nodded.
• Mannoroth confronted Grom, and the chieftains scattered as Grom dropped Gorehowl and ran.
• Garrosh marked Mannoroth for artillery fire, while the Orcs Death Squad struck him with chained crossbow bolts and bomb carts; Mannoroth self-destructed in a huge explosion.
• Garrosh gave Gorehowl back to Grom and claimed that history would remember him for killing Mannoroth.
• Gul’dan recognized Garrosh, surrounded him with the Shadow Council Warlocks, and said Garrosh was his food.

Garrosh seized control of the Orc clans on Draenor, forcing their chiefs to submit while Grom declared the Orcs free of the Burning Legion. Meanwhile, Khadgar prepared to cross the Dark Portal and received intelligence about Garrosh’s rule, though he remained confident the Iron Horde would eventually fail.

• Garrosh turned the Shadow Council's Warlocks against Gul'dan and captured him for his usefulness in completing the Dark Portal.
• Garrosh forced the Orc chiefs to kneel, killing one chief to make them shout their submission louder.
• Grom declared that the Orcs of Draenor were free from the Burning Legion and led them in shouting, "Orcs will never be slaves!"
• Garrosh established the Iron Horde in Draenor while Khadgar assembled a party to cross the Dark Portal, despite Varian and Vol'jin refusing to join him.
• Cordana Felsong told Khadgar that Garrosh had allied with Grom and enslaved the Orc chiefs, and Khadgar dismissed the report as no reason to fear the Iron Horde.

After returning to Draenor, Robbie and Vanessa learned that Yrel had turned against the Alliance and was forcing its commanders to leave. They realized her sudden rise in power might be connected to the Army of the Light and decided to meet with her.

• Murozond told Robbie and Vanessa that the Army of the Light might be an opportunity rather than an enemy, then sent them back to their Timeline.
• Robbie and Vanessa arrived at Lunarfall and found the fortress deserted, where Hogger greeted them.
• Vanessa learned that Yrel had ordered the Alliance to leave Draenor within half a month and had defeated its commanders.
• Hogger described Yrel's extraordinary new powers, including Holy Light and several kinds of magic.
• Vanessa decided that she and Robbie needed to see Yrel.

Robbie and Vanessa visited Tempest Keep, where Maraad explained that the Draenei had been freed from Velen’s control and were preparing to face an imminent Burning Legion invasion of Draenor alone. As news of the invasion sent Lunarfall’s commanders fleeing for Azeroth, Vanessa told her Followers she intended to stay.

• Robbie and Vanessa went to Tempest Keep after Lunarfall’s commanders refused to confront the Draenei, and Maraad received them in Yrel’s place.
• Maraad explained that he and other Draenei souls had escaped the Naaru, returned after Velen’s death, and helped repair Tempest Keep.
• Maraad said the Draenei had detected unstable coordinates pointing to Argus and believed the Burning Legion was locating Draenor.
• Maraad said the Draenei intended to face the Legion without Azeroth’s help, while Vanessa warned that the Legion’s Eredar mages were formidable.
• After news of the invasion spread, commanders and adventurers fled toward Stormshield’s portal, and Vanessa told her Followers she planned to stay.

Vanessa bought up Lunarfall’s strongholds before a Portal opened on Nagrand and brought Velen, Khadgar, and the Lightforging Orcs back to Draenor. Velen began converting the Draenei and Orcs to the Holy Light, while a Lightforging Orc watched with cunning.

• Vanessa ordered her Followers to buy every stronghold in Lunarfall, and Robbie explained to Hogger that the Portal to Azeroth made the purchases profitable.
• Grom Hellscream led the Lightforging Orcs through a Portal on Nagrand, followed by Kilrogg Deadeye, Blackhand, Velen, and Archmage Khadgar.
• Kilrogg blamed Blackhand for criticizing the Army of the Light, and Velen punished Blackhand with Holy Light.
• Velen ordered Grom Hellscream to take the group to the Warsong Clan’s territory so they could build a cathedral.
• Grom Hellscream rallied the Orcs of Warsong Hold to praise the Holy Light, while Velen envisioned uniting the Orcs and Draenei under his leadership.

Velen searched his visions for a path to power and decided to build a following among the Draenei, while Yrel withdrew aboard Tempest Keep. The chapter left Velen’s new Lightforging Draenei vulnerable to betrayal as Yrel chose to leave him in Draenor to buy time.

• Velen saw a vision of himself worshipped as a god and ordered the Orcs to keep searching for the Draenei.
• Khadgar reported finding Akama and the Light’s Deathsworn at Karabor Temple, and Velen summoned Akama.
• Akama told Velen that Yrel had abolished Holy Light worship, repaired Tempest Keep, and departed with most of the Draenei.
• Velen claimed a prophecy foretold Tempest Keep’s destruction and invited Akama and his followers to join him, then made them Lightforging Draenei.
• A Lightforging Orc recalled Akama’s past betrayal and began considering how to turn him against Velen.
• Yrel learned Velen led the Lightforging Orcs and refused Maraad’s plan to attack, deciding to let Velen remain in Draenor as a distraction.

Robbie investigated Prophet Velen’s vast construction project near Oshu'gun, where Aman'Thul infiltrated the Lightforging Orcs and impersonated Amado to frame Akama. Zexia presented Akama’s stolen totem at a public hearing, leaving Akama exposed before Velen and the gathered crowd.

• Robbie learned that Velen had spread the Holy Light across Draenor and begun a massive construction project near Oshu'gun, so he went to investigate.
• Aman'Thul killed the overseer Amado, absorbed his memories, and took his appearance to infiltrate the construction site.
• Aman'Thul found Akama with Zexia, knocked her unconscious, and planted Akama’s totem in her arms.
• Kilrogg found the unconscious Zexia in his tent, and the Lightforging Orcs accused him of kidnapping her.
• At the hearing, Akama denied knowing Zexia, but she produced his totem as evidence, leaving him pale with shock.

After Velen replaced Akama with Amado, Aman'Thul persuaded him to create rapidly grown, tireless New Lightforged Orcs, whose growing numbers and obedience alarmed the old Orcs. As Grommash Hellscream, Kilrogg, and Blackhand debated resistance, Zexia and Akama appeared with a plan that targeted the newcomers’ devout faith.

• Velen postponed judgment on Akama, sent him home, and appointed Amado to lead the Lightforging Draenei.
• Aman'Thul convinced Velen to use the Holy Light to produce adult Orcs rapidly, and ten thousand New Lightforged Orcs arrived each day.
• The old Lightforged Orcs grew resentful as the tireless, obedient newcomers outnumbered them.
• Grommash Hellscream, Kilrogg, and Blackhand discussed resisting the New Lightforged Orcs but could not find a solution.
• Zexia and Akama arrived after reconciling and coordinating their stories, and Akama pointed to the newcomers’ devout faith as their weakness.

Akama helped Grommash Hellscream, Kilrogg, and Blackhand turn against Velen by exploiting the New Lightforged Orcs’ obedience, while Aman'Thul’s plan intensified the conflict. The Orcs stormed Velen’s palace, where Durotan arrived and called Velen out of his prayer room.

• Akama told the three chieftains that Velen feared Orcs and revealed that Durotan would help them oppose him if they cooperated.
• Robbie watched a vast pyramid take shape at Oshu'gun as New Lightforged Orcs joined the work and the Frostwolf Clan secretly entered Nagrand.
• Aman'Thul reduced the Old Lightforging Orcs’ food and used an enforcement unit to suppress their resistance, causing some to starve.
• Akama led Grommash Hellscream, Kilrogg, and Blackhand in capturing Aman'Thul, while the New Lightforged Orcs remained idle without orders.
• The three chieftains led the Old Lightforging Orcs in an assault on Velen’s palace, where Blackhand discovered Velen ate Lightforged Orc meat.
• Durotan arrived with the Frostwolf Clan at Velen’s prayer room and demanded that Velen come out.