Chapter Summaries

Thrall used a divine vision attributed to Elune to turn the adventurers against Kael'thas, but Sylvanas trapped most of them in Moonscar Valley and raised them as Forsaken. Back at the Shattered Sun Offensive base, Thrall punished Lor'themar after Eitrigg persuaded him that Sylvanas had profited from the disaster.

• Kasrakel nearly killed Thrall, but a vision of Elune surrounded Thrall with light and led the adventurers to worship him and attack Kael'thas.
• Kael'thas escaped with his companions as adventurers climbed the cliffs, while Thrall and Lor'themar disappeared and the divine radiance faded.
• Sylvanas ordered the Forsaken to bombard Moonscar Valley with plague, killing most of the adventurers and raising them as Forsaken.
• Alleria lamented Sylvanas's actions, while fewer than 50,000 of the 650,000 adventurers escaped and sought refuge at Magisters' Terrace.
• Brutallus repeatedly battered Thrall at the base, and Thrall later whipped Lor'themar until Eitrigg blamed him for Sylvanas's gains.
• Thrall asked Lor'themar if he had anything to say before he died.

Thrall and Eitrigg planned to capture Nathanos Blightcaller and use him to control Sylvanas, while Lor'themar revealed that the Blightcaller was a puppet controlled by a living Nathanos. Nathanos secretly lived beneath Marris Stead and went to Uther's Tomb, hoping to turn Uther's soul into a puppet.

• Thrall spared Lor'themar and discussed the threats posed by Illidan and the Black Temple with Eitrigg.
• Lor'themar proposed capturing Nathanos to force Sylvanas to obey, then claimed the Blightcaller was controlled by a living person within five hundred yards.
• Eitrigg confirmed that the Blightcaller had survived repeated attempts to kill him, and Lor'themar explained how dark magic could bind and control an undead body.
• Thrall assigned Eitrigg to capture Nathanos, rejected involving Tirion Fordring, and agreed with Eitrigg to use Uther the Lightbringer.
• Nathanos woke from a dream of Sylvanas, hid in a cellar beneath Marris Stead, and noticed that his fingertips were turning black from exposure to the undead.
• Nathanos went to Uther's Tomb, intending to make Uther's restless soul his puppet despite the protection of the Holy Light.

Nathanos learned that Tichondrius had placed Uther under his control and that Eitrigg planned to use Uther against him. With Demetria’s advice, Nathanos arranged a trap at Marris Stead, but Tirion Fordring intervened before the Blightcaller could kill Eitrigg.

• Nathanos watched Eitrigg command Uther and learned from Tichondrius that the Dreadlord already controlled Uther.
• Nathanos summoned Demetria, who warned him that Uther feared Orcs and advised him to hire Orc guards.
• Uther attacked Marris Stead, but an undead Orc controlled by Nathanos frightened him into fleeing.
• Nathanos used the Blightcaller and plague hounds to defeat Eitrigg’s guards and corner Eitrigg.
• The Blightcaller stabbed Eitrigg, but Tirion Fordring arrived and ordered him to stop.

Nathanos drove Eitrigg and Fordring from Marris Stead, but Eitrigg later sought Tichondrius’s help to take control of Uther’s soul. After learning that Sylvanas wanted to challenge Uther’s curse through the Shadowlands, Varimathras agreed to teach her how to contact it.

• Nathanos used a rotting Orc to frighten Fordring, who escaped with Eitrigg by crushing a Teleportation Rune.
• Eitrigg beat Fordring and tortured him and Uther’s soul, then asked Tichondrius how to overcome Uther’s fear of Orcs.
• Tichondrius advised Eitrigg to merge with Uther’s soul after sealing away more of Uther’s memories, and Eitrigg accepted.
• Sylvanas learned that Eitrigg had attacked Marris Stead and praised Nathanos for driving him back.
• Sylvanas asked Varimathras how to lift Uther’s curse, and he explained that Tichondrius had violated the Shadowlands’ rules by keeping Uther in the living world.
• Sylvanas decided to contact the Shadowlands despite the risk of being dragged into the Maw, and Varimathras offered to teach her the Nathrezim method.

Sylvanas and Varimathras obtained a Shadowlands-blessed banana peel, which Nathanos used to disrupt Uther's Holy Light and send his soul toward the Maw. Uther instead sided with Eitrigg and the Orcs, but Nathanos's last peel finally dragged him into a black vortex.

• Sylvanas and Varimathras summoned Soul Warden Ta'nawal by tearing apart a general's helmet, and Ta'nawal gave them a banana peel blessed by the Shadowlands.
• Nathanos received the peel at Marris Stead as Uther, empowered by Eitrigg, attacked him in the form of a Golden Armored Giant.
• The golden peel extinguished Uther's Holy Light and freed his soul from Tichondrius's curse, restoring his memories of being killed by the Orcs.
• Uther surprised Nathanos by swearing loyalty to Eitrigg and the Orcs, then shattered the Blightcaller's Undead Body with Earthshaker.
• Uther searched Marris Stead and entered Nathanos's basement, where Nathanos used his final banana peel to bind Uther's soul and pull it into a black vortex.

Uther sacrificed his soul to drag Nathanos into the Shadowlands, leaving Sylvanas seeking a way to retrieve him. Illidan ordered Akama to infiltrate Shattrath and disrupt a Blood Elf ceremony, while Maiev quietly encouraged Akama to consider Thrall as an ally against Illidan.

• Eitrigg tried to flee as Uther was pulled toward a black vortex, but Uther split his soul and dragged Nathanos and himself into the Shadowlands.
• Sylvanas demanded that Varimathras find a way to recover Nathanos, and he told her that Illidan Stormrage was a close friend of the Jailer.
• Illidan told Akama to send the Broken into Shattrath as refugees and disrupt the Blood Elves' ceremony, with Vashj's Naga forces providing assistance.
• Illidan privately told Vandel to watch Akama and use the mission to draw out anyone acting against him.
• Maiev told Akama that Thrall might be the only one capable of defeating Illidan, planting doubt in Akama despite his promise not to cooperate with Thrall.

Thrall ordered Eitrigg to obtain the Skull of Gul'dan so Mannoroth could contact the Jailer and retrieve Nathanos's soul. Eitrigg approached Akama in Shattrath with an offer to help him seize Hellfire Citadel, hoping to secure Akama's cooperation in taking the Skull.

• Mannoroth spared Eitrigg and explained that the Skull of Gul'dan could be used to contact the Jailer of the Maw.
• Thrall sent the healed Eitrigg to the Black Temple to obtain the Skull of Gul'dan.
• Akama's Broken took control of Shattrath's united Lower City force while the city prepared to celebrate the Blood Elves joining the Holy Light.
• Eitrigg met Akama and argued that the Broken needed greater power to stand against Illidan's forces.
• Eitrigg offered to help Akama take Hellfire Citadel from Kargath Bladefist and become its master.

Kargath tried to force the Dark Scar Clans to recognize him as the true Warchief by controlling their access to water. Nazgrel faced a choice between betraying Thrall and risking his people’s destruction, but Eitrigg arrived just as he decided to submit to Kargath.

• Kargath learned that the Horde had entered Hellfire Citadel under Nazgrel and ordered his forces to prepare, while offering the Dark Scar Clans a chance to join him.
• Nazgrel’s people struggled to find water at Thrallmar, so he sought help from Agonar, who demanded that they attack the Mag’har Post.
• Netherkurse warned Nazgrel that Kargath would provide water only if the clan recognized him as Warchief, and revealed that Agonar had set both Orc groups against each other.
• After scouts reported that the Mag’har vastly outnumbered the Dark Scar Clans, Nazgrel decided to submit to Kargath to protect his people.
• Eitrigg arrived at Thrallmar just as Nazgrel had made his decision.

Eitrigg turned Thrallmar’s shortages into a scheme to attract Azeroth’s adventurers, using a staged victory at Hellfire Citadel to promote an expedition to Hellfire Peninsula. As adventurers and supplies poured into the region, the Alliance reinforced Honor Hold and Kargath Bladefist realized a major battle was near.

• Eitrigg told Nazgrel to advertise Hellfire Peninsula’s treasures and opportunities, then stage a victory by disguising sacrificed Orcs as Fel Orcs.
• Nazgrel’s supposed triumph at Hellfire Citadel made him a celebrated hero after Thrall praised him and urged Azeroth’s people to join an expedition.
• Nazgrel promoted Hellfire Peninsula across Azeroth, while adventurers flocked to Orgrimmar and Eitrigg screened them with a combat trial.
• Half the adventurers died in the trial, and their flesh was made into Tough Jerky to supply Thrallmar’s troops.
• Goblin merchants sent war supplies to Thrallmar, while the Alliance dispatched reinforcements and adventurers to Honor Hold.
• Kargath Bladefist saw that the situation on Hellfire Peninsula had become dangerous and that a great battle was inevitable.

Nazgrel used Agonar’s Pool to trade adventurers’ lives for magic crystals and a staged victory that raised his standing, then negotiated with Kargath Bladefist to sacrifice 35,000 adventurers in exchange for taking three outposts. As Thrallmar’s forces moved toward the outposts, General Danath Trollbane weighed whether the Alliance could intervene, and a guard reported that visitors had arrived.

• Anachronos, Imperator Mar'gok, Durotan, and Velen observed Thrallmar’s growth and discussed the Titan relic held by Kargath Bladefist.
• Nazgrel arranged for Agonar to slaughter adventurers at Agonar’s Pool in exchange for their souls, then led a staged battle in which he claimed to defeat the Pit Lord.
• Kargath Bladefist agreed to help Nazgrel take three western outposts after Nazgrel offered the lives of 35,000 adventurers in exchange for the victory.
• General Danath Trollbane considered whether Honor Hold should send troops to stop nearly 40,000 Horde adventurers approaching the outposts, then learned that visitors had arrived.

Robbie and Krasus warned Danath Trollbane that Nazgrel planned to sacrifice thirty-five thousand adventurers, then proposed exploiting divisions among the Fel Orcs to seize the Fountain of Living Water. As the adventurers marched along the Path of Glory, Draenei ghosts tried to warn them, but the column cleared the ghosts’ mist and continued toward the slaughter awaiting it.

• Robbie told Danath Trollbane that Nazgrel planned to trade thirty-five thousand adventurers’ souls for three outposts, and he offered to help stop him in exchange for the Titan relic in Hellfire Citadel.
• Robbie proposed a surprise attack on Zeth'Gor, claiming its capture would give the Alliance access to the Fountain of Living Water.
• Kargath agreed to let the Broken protect the Fountain of Living Water after Akama supported his plan to ally with the Horde’s Wyverns against the Alliance’s Gryphons.
• Nazgrel rallied thirty-five thousand adventurers in Thrallmar and led them along the Path of Glory to attack three Fel Orc watchtowers.
• Draenei ghosts warned the adventurers that Thrall had deceived them and tried to stop them with a thick mist, but the adventurers refused to believe the warning.
• Undead Priests and other holy practitioners used water infused with the Holy Light to disperse the mist, and the adventurers trampled the bleached bones and rushed onward.

Nazgrel lured thirty-five thousand adventurers to the altar and trapped them with green mist as Fel Orcs closed in. At Magtheridon's lair, Akama realized the Illidari Council sent to guard the Fountain of Living Water were impostors, but as they tried to take the relic, a hooded figure appeared.

• Nazgrel gathered the adventurers at the altar after they captured the three watchtowers, then revealed his plan to make them food for Orcs.
• Green mist weakened the adventurers as Fel Orcs surrounded them, and Kargath ordered his forces to kill them all.
• Akama assessed the defenses around the Fountain of Living Water and learned that reinforcements from the Black Temple had arrived.
• Akama recognized flaws in the supposed Illidari Council and concluded that the four Blood Elves were impostors.
• After an Alliance attack on the Infernal Ramparts, the impostors used forged orders to retrieve the Fountain of Living Water.
• Akama prepared to expose the impostors, but a hooded figure appeared and challenged their attempt to take the relic.

Jaina and the fake Illidari Council fought for the Fountain of Living Water in Hellfire Citadel while Akama tried to interfere. The fountain vanished through the Void, and its guardian revealed himself as Magtheridon, who vowed to find it again.

• Jaina froze Akama, the Broken, the fake Illidari Council, and the Dreadguards, then pulled the Fountain of Living Water from its pool.
• The Dreadguards attacked Jaina, Akama freed himself and the Broken, and the fake Illidari Council joined forces with Jaina against them.
• A powerful green-skinned Orc emerged from the pool, forced Akama aside, and attacked Jaina and the fake Illidari Council with Fel.
• Jaina and the fake Illidari Council escaped through a Portal as the Fountain of Living Water disappeared through the Void.
• The Orc identified himself as the Pit Lord Magtheridon, revealed that Illidan had sealed his body, and promised to track down the fountain.

Robbie and Krasus led an Alliance assault on Zeth'Gor and captured Grillok Darkeye, recovering the Fountain of Living Water. After Kargath learned the fountain was gone, Magtheridon urged him to keep cooperating with the Horde and use adventurers to free him and reclaim the Black Temple.

• Robbie gave General Trollbane the signal, and the Alliance attacked Zeth'Gor while Dwarf Gryphon Riders set its buildings ablaze.
• Robbie and Krasus cornered Grillok in his cave, where Grillok surrendered the Fountain of Living Water after his Void escape was blocked.
• The Alliance withdrew from Zeth'Gor, and Kargath and Nazgrel celebrated their joint slaughter of thirty-five thousand adventurers and their gains.
• A scout told Kargath that the Fountain of Living Water had been stolen, so he rushed to Hellfire Citadel and questioned Magtheridon.
• Magtheridon said he could no longer track the fountain and told Kargath to continue working with the Horde and use adventurers to free him and reclaim the Black Temple.

After Nazgrel and Kargath arranged a staged assault on the Infernal Ramparts and a supposed killing of Magtheridon, Magtheridon warned Kargath that Nazgrel’s plan was a plot involving the Army of the Light. He gave Kargath the Eye of Magtheridon to watch Akama without alerting him.

• Nazgrel led the Horde to victory over five million Fel Orcs, and Thrall used the triumph to recruit more adventurers for the war in Outland.
• Kargath agreed to let a five-person adventurer team take the Infernal Ramparts and Blood Furnace in exchange for ten thousand souls, then offered Nazgrel a staged chance to slay Magtheridon for one hundred thousand adventurers.
• After Nazgrel left, Kargath grew suspicious that their negotiations had gone too smoothly and sought Magtheridon’s advice.
• Magtheridon told Kargath that Nazgrel’s plan was a plot that could let the Army of the Light and the Orcs force Magtheridon’s soul into the Void.
• Magtheridon gave Kargath the Eye of Magtheridon and instructed him to use it on Akama to watch his actions without warning him.

Akama planned to awaken the Magnaron beneath Shattrath City during the Holy Light Celebration, but Khadgar intercepted him and forced him to cooperate with A'dal. At the celebration, Thrall and A'dal proclaimed the Blood Elves’ submission to being eaten by Orcs, until a voice claiming to be Prince Kael'thas exposed the gathering as a trap for him.

• After failing to obtain the Fountain of Living Water, Akama left Hellfire Citadel and returned to Shattrath City to carry out his plan.
• Akama entered the sewers and opened a hidden passage to the Magnaron burial place, but Khadgar, disguised as Atani, confronted him.
• Khadgar stopped Akama from disrupting the celebration and said A'dal needed him to obtain something to use against Magtheridon.
• At the Holy Light Celebration, Countess Liadrin presented Kael'thas's head, and Thrall declared that the Blood Elves would become food for the Orcs; the Blood Elves accepted.
• The ground shook, and a voice identifying itself as Prince Kael'thas called out Lor'themar and challenged the Blood Elves’ willingness to be eaten.
• Liadrin drew her sword, while Lor'themar admitted that he knew the gathering was a trap and said he would gladly watch the Orcs eat the Blood Elves.

Lor'themar's sacrifices summoned Murmur, whose voice devastated Shattrath while Thrall revealed his pact with A'dal. As Kael'thas's forces struggled, Kael'thas began casting a mysterious spell to bring his warriors back from death.

• Kael'thas sealed A'dal and attacked the ceremony, but Lor'themar ordered forty-nine Blood Elf Paladins to sacrifice themselves to summon a powerful being.
• Liadrin killed Lor'themar's prospective queen, completing the sacrifices, and Murmur, the Essence of Sound, emerged in Shattrath.
• Murmur's voice killed many people and overwhelmed Lor'themar, Liadrin, Khadgar, Akama, and the city’s other defenders.
• Thrall revealed that he and A'dal had arranged the massacre so Shattrath would return to the Orcs.
• Kael'thas took out a black staff and began a spell to summon his warriors back from the realm of death.

Kael'thas summoned Grond to fight Murmur while Shattrath suffered heavy losses, then attacked Thrall before A'dal intervened and forced Kael'thas to retreat. The chapter ended with Magtheridon planning to turn A'dal and Akama's scheme to his advantage and escape Illidan.

• Kael'thas summoned Grond, who challenged Murmur and drew him into the Void World for a fight.
• Kael'thas used Gravity Control and Hellish Death Rays against Thrall, while Lor'themar threatened him and Liadrin questioned his allegiance to the Shadowlands.
• A'dal broke free of Kael'thas's seal and shielded Thrall, prompting Kael'thas and the Tempest Keep Generals to leave Shattrath.
• A'dal declared Shattrath saved, and its surviving people praised him and Thrall despite Thrall's earlier scheme against the city.
• Magtheridon told Kargath he had foreseen A'dal's plan and intended to exploit it to gain his freedom from Illidan.

After the Horde captured two strongholds in Hellfire Citadel, Nazgrel prepared a mass assault on Magtheridon's Lair under Eitrigg's orders. Habudash warned Kargath that Magtheridon was about to be abandoned by Mannoroth, leaving Kargath in danger.

• Thrall and A'dal defeated the attackers at Shattrath City, while Nazgrel's forces captured the Infernal Ramparts and the Blood Furnace and seized seven Titan relics.
• Thousands of adventurers joined Thrallmar after surviving Eitrigg's deadly selection tournament and paying a hefty deposit.
• Eitrigg whipped Nazgrel and ordered him to create a rift between Kargath and Magtheridon so Kargath would die.
• Nazgrel brought Habudash to meet Kargath, and the old comrades reunited in Hellfire Citadel.
• Habudash showed Kargath sludge from Mannoroth that could block Magtheridon's perception of fate, then explained that Magtheridon was Mannoroth's intended scapegoat.

Kargath learned that the Burning Legion might abandon Magtheridon and brought the warning to him, then confessed the situation to Illidan. Illidan planned to free Magtheridon, fake Kargath’s death, and accept the Horde’s hundred thousand adventurers, who marched toward Hellfire Citadel unaware of their fate.

• Habudash warned Kargath that the Burning Legion and Illidan might abandon Magtheridon, and Kargath revealed he had obtained the Eye of Magtheridon.
• Kargath told Magtheridon about the warning, and Magtheridon decided to seek an equal partnership with Illidan.
• Kargath confessed everything to Illidan, who ordered him to fake his death and said Magtheridon would be freed to oppose the Army of the Light.
• Illidan offered to transform Kargath into a higher life-form, and Kargath accepted.
• Thrallmar’s hundred thousand adventurers marched toward Hellfire Citadel along the Path of Glory, unaware they were heading to their deaths.