Chapter Summaries

Oscar gave Tirion Fording the painting Love and Family and warned him that Taelan was in danger from Balnazzar, prompting Tirion to ride for Fireside Valley. Meanwhile, the Alliance, aided by Agamemnon’s Dark Iron forces and Onyxia’s black dragons, fought the Orthodox Horde near Blackrock Mountain.

• Oscar gave Tirion Fording Taelan’s painting and warned him that Balnazzar threatened his son in Fireside Valley.
• Tirion believed Oscar’s warning, thanked him, and rode off to help Taelan.
• Agamemnon brought his Dark Iron army over to the Alliance after encountering its forces and the Orthodox Horde near Blackrock Mountain.
• Rend Blackhand ordered the Orthodox Horde to attack, and Varian called in the Alliance’s airships and gnomish gyrocopters.
• Onyxia’s black dragons joined the Alliance air force against Nefarian’s Black Dragonflight as Varian led the ground assault.
• Rend lost confidence when the Alliance’s air and ground forces countered the Horde’s advantages.

The Alliance, reinforced by Dark Iron Dwarves and aided by the New Horde and Burning Steppes ogres, overwhelmed the Orthodox Horde in the Burning Steppes. Varian defeated Rend Blackhand, and the chapter ended with the New Horde evacuating surrendering Blackrock Orcs as Varian shouted after their departing airships.

• Thaurissan sent Dark Iron reinforcements, while ogres allied with the New Horde attacked the Orthodox Horde from behind.
• The New Horde's airship Doomhammer arrived, and Nazgrel ordered its crew to fire on the Blackrock Orcs as Wyvern Riders attacked their dragon riders.
• Varian charged into the enemy ranks and shattered Rend Blackhand's warhammer in their duel, leaving Rend unable to rise.
• With their Warchief down and enemies pressing from both sides, the Orthodox Horde collapsed, and many Blackrock Orcs fled to surrender to the New Horde.
• The New Horde loaded the surrendering orcs onto its airships and withdrew toward Kalimdor, while Varian shouted threats after them.

As the Alliance advanced on Blackrock Mountain, Taelan Fording learned that Dathrohan was possessed and Illiyasen had been corrupted. Garona delivered a secret letter and Taelan’s childhood belongings into Fireside Valley, leaving him ready to escape.

• The Alliance continued toward Blackrock Spire after the Blackrock Orcs were routed and the Orthodox Horde collapsed.
• Taelan Fording’s visions and doubts led him to suspect that Grand Lord Dathrohan was a Dreadlord and that Illiyasen had been corrupted.
• Tirion Fording met Brigitte Abdis and confirmed that Dathrohan was possessed and Illiyasen had been tempted by demons.
• Tirion and Brigitte enlisted the Dawn Brotherhood’s help to deliver a secret letter and Taelan’s childhood belongings into Fireside Valley.
• Garona infiltrated Fireside Valley and delivered the items to Taelan, who resolved to escape.

Garona let Illiyasen kill Taelan Fording while Abdis's forces attacked Fireside Valley, then Tirion killed Illiyasen and resolved to return to lead the Scarlet Crusade and the Argent Dawn. At the Eternal Night Palace, Boss Hu and Elisande confirmed that Taelan's death had served the plan to restore Tirion's power.

• Garona triggered the plan, and Abdis's Scarlet Crusade and the Dawn Knights attacked Fireside Valley as Taelan fled with Garona.
• Illiyasen accused Taelan of falling to demons and shot him with an arrow of Holy Light, killing him while Garona watched.
• Garona stealthily killed Illiyasen's warhorse, and Abdis's army defeated the Scarlet Crusade guarding the passage gate.
• Tirion charged Illiyasen and killed him, then resolved to end his seclusion and guide the Scarlet Crusade and the Argent Dawn back onto the right path.
• At the Eternal Night Palace, Boss Hu and Elisande reviewed the report of Taelan's death and agreed that Tirion would soon reclaim power.

After Tirion buried his son, Brigitte accepted Alliance aid to strengthen Tyr's Hand Fortress and fight the undead Scourge. The Alliance chose to leave Balnazzar in Fireside Valley, while Balnazzar and Varimathras turned the Western Plaguelands into a battlefield.

• Tirion mourned Taelan, vowed to rebuild the Silver Hand Knights, and rode away to bury his son.
• Brigitte told the Dawn Knight captain that her forces lacked supplies and accepted the Dawn Brotherhood's offer of assistance.
• Bolvar approved Alliance support for Brigitte's Scarlet Crusade and arranged for supplies to reach Tyr's Hand Fortress through the Lordaeron Restoration Army.
• The Alliance decided not to attack Fireside Valley, keeping Balnazzar's force in place to tie down Forsaken and New Horde troops.
• Balnazzar led the Scarlet Crusade against Varimathras's Defiler Legion, turning the Western Plaguelands around Andorhal into a battlefield.

The Alliance prepared to invade Blackrock Spire and Blackwing Lair after defeating Rend Blackhand, while dragon meat sales enriched Onyxia and the Alliance pressured the Dark Iron Dwarves to join them. The chapter ended with Emperor Thaurissan facing an ultimatum and an assassination threat if he refused to cooperate.

• Alliance troops cleared the battlefield, salvaged dragon remains, and established a vanguard camp inside Blackrock Mountain.
• Onyxia profited from selling dragon meat at the Gilded Rose, while Varian's government issued papers protecting her faction's Black Dragons and counterfeit meat spread through the market.
• Varian prepared the next assault on Blackrock Spire and Blackwing Lair and opened the campaign to adventurers and mercenaries.
• Varian warned Agmar that the Dark Iron Dwarves must not support Ragnaros, while the Bronzebeard general threatened them over Moira's safety.
• Varian and the Dwarf general discussed a plan for Garona to assassinate Thaurissan if he failed to accept the Alliance's ultimatum.

In Silverpine Forest, the Night Empire’s forces captured Arugal and decided to send him to the Crusaders for interrogation. Across the sea, Thrall strengthened the New Horde by accepting the Stormreaver clan and continuing negotiations to bring back the Firebrand clan.

• Forsaken Death Knights and Druids defeated the worgen in Shadowfang Keep and found Arugal in the hall.
• Arugal surrendered to the Night Empire’s forces, who planned to take him to a Crusader outpost in Stormwind City.
• Thrall welcomed the Blackrock clan into the New Horde and negotiated with the Night Empire for the Firebrand clan’s return.
• The Stormreaver clan asked Thrall to let its warlocks return to the Horde.
• After consulting Cairne Bloodhoof and Shadow Hunter Vol'jin, Thrall approved the Stormreaver clan’s return and planned a district for mages and warlocks in Orgrimmar.
• The Stormreaver clan left the ruins of Stromgarde, sailed to Durotar, and swore loyalty to the New Horde.

Emperor Thaurissan hesitated over joining the Alliance, while adventurers flocked to the Alliance’s Blackrock Mountain campaign for plentiful bounties. Their departure left Suramar’s streets quiet, prompting Boss Hu to consider ways to bring them back.

• Emperor Thaurissan delayed deciding whether the Dark Iron Dwarves would join the Alliance until the Alliance defeated the remaining Blackrock Orcs and Prince Nefarian’s Black Dragonflight.
• Adventurers rushed to Eastern Kingdoms bounty missions, filling portals and turning the Alliance’s Blackrock Mountain camp into a crowded marketplace.
• A rogue tried to steal a mage’s Dragonflame Crown, and the mage retaliated with Frost Nova and Pyroblast before the guards arrived.
• Suramar lost many adventurers to the Eastern Kingdoms, leaving its food street much quieter and its remaining teams mostly focused on established missions.
• Boss Hu complained to Sylvanas about the lack of adventurers and considered using promotions and advertisements to lure them back.

Arugal confessed that the Moon God's Scythe had been calling worgen from Duskwood and breaking his control over them, so the Druids continued their search there. Meanwhile, Marcus left Northshire Abbey to seek adventures and beautiful girls for the romance novel he hoped to write.

• Arugal broke under the Crusaders' interrogation and told the Druids what he knew about the worgen and the Moon God's Scythe.
• The Druids learned that Arugal had discovered the scythe's call from Duskwood, but the Forsaken army captured him before he could investigate it.
• The Druids headed for Duskwood to search for Velinde Starsong and recover the corrupted scythe.
• Marcus said farewell to the Northshire marshal, mounted his paladin warhorse, and rode away to pursue adventures and romance.

Pamela completed her slaughter training at the Scarlet Monastery while Saurfang offered Sylvanas temporary allegiance and warned her about the Scourge’s hidden fortress, Acherus. In Stormwind, Onyxia warned Anduin about Archbishop Benedictus and reluctantly agreed to find him a priestly tutor.

• Pamela shifted between an innocent appearance and a sinister form to evade the Scarlet priests’ Holy Light and kill them, then left for Undercity to report to Sylvanas.
• Saurfang told Sylvanas he would serve her against the Lich King while waiting for the Alliance to accept him again.
• Saurfang revealed that the Scourge was building Acherus as a Death Knight training base and asked Sylvanas to help rescue Koltira the Deathweaver.
• Onyxia warned Anduin to avoid the cathedral because Archbishop Benedictus seemed suspicious, but Anduin insisted he wanted to study the Holy Light.
• Onyxia agreed to find Anduin a trustworthy priest to teach him, while Anduin eagerly asked to learn Mind Control and Summon Lightspawn.

Garithos stood trial in Stormwind and was acquitted under a negotiated verdict before returning to lead attacks in Hillsbrad Foothills. In Duskwood, the Druids found Velinde StarSong’s grave, but learned the Moon God’s Scythe had taken control of her transformed body and vanished.

• Garithos agreed to face a public trial in Stormwind after Princess Cariath accepted the kingdom’s demand.
• The Stormwind Royal Court acquitted Garithos, calling his crimes patriotic misconduct and ordering his future salary confiscated to compensate victims.
• Garithos returned north and led his legion in renewed attacks on the Hillsbrad Foothills.
• The joint Druid team reached the depths of Roland's Tomb and found Velinde StarSong’s grave and ghost.
• After the Druids restored Velinde’s clarity, she revealed that the Scythe had controlled her worgen-transformed body and left the tomb.
• Velinde’s ghost peacefully dissipated, leaving the Druids without a trail to the Moon God’s Scythe.

Illidan and his allies attacked Magtheridon at the Black Temple while Akama confronted Socrethar, whose alternate-timeline past stunned him. Akama learned that Socrethar had killed Velen in his world, though the Draenei there were safe under Soulbinder Tu’ranni.

• Illidan led the Illidari, Socrethar’s Fel legions, and Akama’s Broken in an assault on Magtheridon’s Black Temple.
• Akama learned from Maiev that Socrethar came from another timeline and was distinct from the Socrethar he remembered.
• Socrethar mocked Akama, then blasted him into a broken wall when Akama attacked with his sickles.
• Socrethar revealed that he had killed Archimonde and planned to destroy the Burning Legion’s Eredar in service to his master.
• Akama asked about the Draenei in Socrethar’s world and learned that they lived on Azeroth under Soulbinder Tu’ranni, while Socrethar had killed Prophet Velen.

Illidan defeated Magtheridon and took control of the Black Temple while his allies consolidated forces across Outland. Meanwhile, the naaru watched Illidan’s arrival, and Kil'jaeden sent a fleet to prepare an invasion of Outland.

• Highmother Shahraz and her followers defected to Illidan as Maiev Shadow Song and Illidan fought Magtheridon and gathered the surrendered demons.
• Akama's Broken and Archbishop Socrethar's Fel legions cleared the lower Black Temple, while Vashj secured Coilfang Reservoir for Illidan's army.
• Khadgar learned that Illidan had arrived in Outland, and Naaru Adal identified him as a possible Child of Light and Shadow but ordered Khadgar to wait.
• Kil'jaeden launched a Burning Legion fleet from Argus to invade Outland and destroy the Dark Portal.

The Alliance joined the Horde in fighting the Gurubashi after Bloodlord Mandokir attacked Alliance outposts, shifting the battle in Stranglethorn Vale. Meanwhile, Theramore expanded toward the Horde in Dustwallow Marsh as its leaders and the Lordaeron Restoration Army drew closer, leaving relations among the major factions tangled.

• Bloodlord Mandokir led Gurubashi forces through Stranglethorn Vale, attacking Horde forces and burning Alliance outposts along the way.
• King Varian sent orders to Grand Duke Bolvar, and Grand Marshal Windsock led the Seventh Legion and the Skybreaker fleet into Stranglethorn Vale to hunt trolls and rebuild Alliance outposts.
• The New Horde warned the Alliance how to distinguish Horde-aligned troll clans, while the Alliance and Horde cooperated against the Gurubashi.
• Aegwynn expanded Theramore's control in Dustwallow Marsh by building watchtowers near the Horde fortress, while refusing to negotiate with Thrall.
• Theramore and the Lordaeron Restoration Army began negotiating a mutual assistance treaty as their leaders' views on the Horde diverged.

Blackrock turned the reopened Gurubashi Arena into a lucrative deathmatch venue and lawless neutral town, using the Night Empire’s flag to deter interference. The black market attracted buyers and shady sellers from across Azeroth, including Scourge agents, as Goblin business continued to flourish.

• Blackrock reopened the Gurubashi Arena with the Blackrock Syndicate, Venture Company, and The Ratchet Consortium as shareholders, and launched deadly contests with surrender signal pistols and armed Ogre guards.
• Blackrock displayed the Night Empire’s flag at the entrance, discouraging rivals and troublemakers despite the arena having no official connection to the Night Empire government.
• A neutral settlement grew around the arena, where Blackrock’s Syndicate tolerated underground trade and bought off nearby Defias Pirates.
• The Gurubashi black market sold rare and prohibited goods, drawing secretive customers such as a princess, a Troll Bloodlord, a Titan Divine Lord, and a Grand Lich.
• Scourge Curse Cultists openly broadcast Kel'Thuzad’s complaints about counterfeit cat food and unapproved anti-plague potions while advertising potions and Kel'Thuzad inflatable dolls.

Goblins discovered Azerite beneath an oil field near Booty Bay and the Gurubashi Black Market, then sold the scarce ore to the Alliance and Horde. As both factions prepared powerful weapons with it, Boss Hu kept Azeroth’s vast inner reserves secret and warned against relying on a resource that could only be replenished by drawing her blood.

• Goblins found a thorium vein, an offshore oil field, and a small Azerite deposit, then sealed the area and named it Rich-Get-Richer Mining Zone.
• Booty Bay and the Gurubashi Black Market built mining and oil facilities and presold the Azerite at enormous prices, prompting the Alliance and Horde to compete for the supply.
• The Alliance planned an aircraft-carrier airship while the Horde planned a heavy terror tank, and the Night Empire announced that using Azerite was acceptable.
• The first Azerite reached the factions, who used it to make Heart of Azeroth necklaces for their senior leaders.
• Boss Hu kept secret that Azeroth held much more Azerite beneath her surface and judged it suitable only for limited elite weapons, not widespread technological use.

Hekso used his privileged standing with the Crusaders to secure their help against the Bilgewater Cartel. He expected the Crusaders to drive the Cartel out and leave him in control of the Rich-Get-Richer Mining Zone.

• Hekso showed off his divine cape and welcomed a Nightborne mage who had come to collect the God-Emperor’s monthly share.
• Hekso gave the mage seven chests of gold, including personal gifts for the Divine Queens and a donation for the Crusaders.
• Hekso accused Goblins in Booty Bay of disrespecting the God-Emperor and Azerite Ore, asking the Crusaders to intervene against them.
• The Nightborne mage agreed to purge the faithless Goblins, warning Hekso that this assistance would be granted only once.
• Hekso celebrated the Crusaders’ agreement and invited his secretary to ride with him in his new Wild Motorcycle.

The Blackrock Syndicate used the Crusaders to drive the Bilgewater Cartel out of Booty Bay and secure the Rich-Get-Richer Mining Zone. Blackrock then withdrew from Grom'gol and sold its assets to the Bilgewater Cartel, averting a wider commercial war.

• The Crusaders teleported into Booty Bay and arrested Bilgewater Cartel Goblins while the Goblin guards stood aside.
• Trade Prince Gallywix protested to the Crusaders, who handed their prisoners over to the Bilgewater Cartel in Orgrimmar.
• The Blackrock Syndicate took control of Booty Bay and shared the Rich-Get-Richer Mining Zone with the Ratchet Consortium and the Venture Company.
• Blackrock withdrew completely from Grom'gol and sold its fixed assets cheaply to the Bilgewater Cartel.
• Trade Prince Gallywix accepted the arrangement, and the two Goblin powers avoided a commercial war.

Blackrock consolidated his control of Booty Bay and expanded the Blackrock Syndicate into banking, lending, slave trading, and mercenary services. After financing the Lordaeron Restoration Army and losing a chance to lend to the New Horde, he faced hostility from Queen Azshara, who barred Goblins from her territory.

• Blackrock took control of Booty Bay, unified its banks as Blackrock Bank, and offered deposits and loans backed by collateral or personal ownership.
• Blackrock expanded the Syndicate's legal and illegal businesses, including slave trading and rentals of coin-operated Steel Strikers.
• Blackrock gained favor with the Divine Queens and rumors spread that his contribution record could earn him a viscount promotion.
• Blackrock lent the Lordaeron Restoration Army one million gold, accepting Princess Cariath's childhood cloth doll as symbolic collateral.
• Trade Prince Gallywix persuaded Warchief Thrall to take a low-interest loan from the Bilgewater Cartel instead of Blackrock.
• Queen Azshara rejected the Blackrock Syndicate and declared that Goblins would never be welcome in her territory.

After the Alliance was routed from Blackwing Lair by Chromaggus, Hu Feng decided to go to Blackrock Mountain himself. On a leisurely ride through Elwynn Forest, a little girl’s praise reassured him that his efforts to protect Azeroth were worthwhile.

• Chromaggus led the black dragonkin in defeating the Alliance army, forcing King Varian and his troops to retreat from Blackwing Lair and Blackrock Spire.
• Hu Feng decided to travel to Blackrock Mountain and left Stormwind Keep on a Mechanical Roadhog.
• Hu Feng rode through Stormwind City and Elwynn Forest, stopping in Goldshire for ale and wolf steak before visiting Lake Stone.
• A little girl recognized Hu Feng and told him she was not afraid of him and believed he was a good god who protected the world.
• Hu Feng told the girl that Horde soldiers had also sacrificed for Azeroth, then rode onward in a reassured mood.