Chapter Summaries

Aegwynn settled into semi-retirement as Jaina took charge of Theramore, while Dalaran returned as a floating city and pledged to join the Northern Expedition. The chapter left the world’s powers preparing for Northrend as magical cities, diplomacy, and the newspaper trade developed.

• Aegwynn relinquished much of her authority in Theramore after deciding Jaina could rule the city and Kul Tiras, and she began spending time with Medivh in Karazhan.
• Meryl continued monitoring Karazhan’s temporal rifts and spatial stability while developing the tower’s opera house and studying Mirror Karazhan and the Upside Down Abyss.
• Dalaran reappeared after years of reconstruction, and the Kirin Tor Council lifted the city into the sky under Rhonin’s leadership.
• Rhonin announced that Dalaran would join the Northern Expedition and help eradicate the Scourge, while establishing friendly ties with the Lordaeron and Stromgarde Restoration Armies and reopening mage training.
• Elisande declared that Dalaran’s return posed no threat to Suramar, as newspapers and paparazzi began spreading across Azeroth.

Great Lich Antonidas accepted Rhonin’s invitation to return to Dalaran, where he joined the Kirin Tor Council as an ordinary member while Dalaran’s new alliances shaped its leadership. As the Council considered whether Jaina should return, her fleet prepared to sail from Theramore toward Stormwind after completing one more task.

• Antonidas received Rhonin’s invitation, then asked Sylvanas to let him leave Undercity and return to Dalaran with loyal undead mages and liches.
• Sylvanas permitted Antonidas to leave and asked him to help Dalaran establish diplomatic relations with the Forsaken.
• Rhonin welcomed Antonidas back and offered to surrender his position, but Antonidas chose to serve as an ordinary Council member.
• The Council of Six discussed a proposal from Quel'Thalas’s High Elf mages to let Jaina return to Dalaran as a Council member.
• Jaina’s Theramore fleet set sail for Stormwind, with one more matter to attend to first.

Jaina led Theramore’s fleet in destroying Freehold, the Kul Tiras pirate stronghold, before sailing toward the war in Northrend. As the fleet departed, she embraced her identity as the Daughter of the Sea and declared that Arthas would be her first target.

• Jaina ordered Theramore’s fleet to bombard Freehold and kill its pirates, weakening the Ashvane family’s influence and supporting her mother’s rule.
• Jaina’s fleet encountered a Zandalari Troll fleet bound for Orgrimmar, but both fleets passed without fighting.
• Theramore’s Griffin Riders routed Freehold’s parrot riders as the fleet surrounded and attacked the pirate settlement.
• After a day of battle, Theramore’s fleet departed from Freehold’s ruins, having destroyed most of Kul Tiras’s pirate forces.
• Jaina listened to the sea shanty and resolved to become like her father, naming Arthas as her first target.

An aging adventurer recalled his rise from a novice in Elwynn Forest to the leader of a celebrated guild, and the battles and losses his comrades endured. After disbanding the guild in Outland, he settled alone in Nagrand, unable to return to the life and youth he had lost.

• The adventurer left his peaceful home near Northshire Abbey, completed early bounty work, and built his skills and wealth with a party of ordinary adventurers.
• His companions pooled their contribution points to obtain his first legendary breastplate, and he led them through Suramar and the Scourge's invasion of the Eastern Kingdoms.
• The party founded a guild and fought in major battles across Azeroth, losing companions to death and injury along the way.
• After crossing the Dark Portal, the aging adventurer disbanded the guild, and his comrades returned home to begin new lives.
• He settled in a small wooden house on a floating stone above the Nagrand Plains, stored away his armor and weapons, and mourned the past and his inability to fight alongside his companions again.

The Knights of the Ebon Blade launched a surprise attack on Scarlet Vanguard County, prompting the Scarlet Vanguard and Argent Dawn to fight back. The Lich King revealed that the assault was a feint meant to draw Argent Dawn forces away from Light’s Hope Chapel so the Scourge could seize the buried Paladin remains.

• Acherus descended into view, and the Knights of the Ebon Blade attacked Scarlet Vanguard County, overrunning much of the town and surrounding its docks.
• Brigitte Abdis organized a counterattack with Argent Dawn reinforcements to break through the undead blockade and save the ships and workers at the docks.
• The Alliance and Horde offered support, but Brigitte Abdis declined, believing the battle remained manageable.
• At Acherus, the Lich King ordered Alexandros Mograine to make the Scarlet Vanguard believe it was winning and to draw more Argent Dawn troops into the fighting.
• The Lich King revealed that Light’s Hope Chapel was his true target, hoping to capture the Paladin remains beneath it and then abandon the Eastern Kingdoms.

At Light's Hope Chapel, Oscar warned Tirion Fording that the Lich King was preparing to attack while the Argent Dawn's main forces were away. Oscar supplied a crystal that could awaken the buried paladin spirits, leaving Tirion ready to defend the chapel and seize the chance to purify Ashbringer.

• Oscar told Tirion that the Lich King planned to attack Light's Hope Chapel and that his reinforcements would arrive if the chapel held for half an hour.
• Tirion worried that the forces at the chapel could not withstand the Lich King's elite army without endangering Brigitte's forces by recalling the Argent Dawn.
• Oscar gave Tirion a one-use crystal from Titan Divine Lord Sarodar that would awaken the paladin spirits beneath the chapel and release their Holy Light against the Scourge.
• After Oscar assured Tirion that the spirits would suffer no lasting harm, Tirion accepted the crystal and gained confidence that he could repel the Lich King.
• Oscar suggested that Tirion use the spirits' power to take the fallen Ashbringer from Mograine and purify it, and Tirion agreed that he would keep the weapon if Mograine appeared.

The Scarlet Vanguard and its allies pushed the Scourge out of Scarlet Vanguard County, while the Ebon Blade’s Death Knights began to question their obedience to the Lich King. After the siege of Scarlet Docks ended, Brigitte Abdis agreed to help the Forsaken free Death Knights still under the Lich King’s control.

• Ebon Blade Death Knights hesitated before killing prisoners of their own races, and their faith in the Lich King wavered.
• Saurfang and Koltira led Forsaken reinforcements into the battle, while Quel'Thalas sent a small group of Twilight Mages.
• The Scarlet Vanguard advanced through the city but faced Frost Dragons, prompting its soldiers to bring up ballistae and cannons.
• Brigitte Abdis inspected the relieved Scarlet Docks, confirmed the ships and engineers were safe, and thanked Koltira for the Forsaken’s help.
• Brigitte Abdis and the Argent Dawn commander agreed to cooperate with Koltira in freeing Death Knights from the Lich King’s control.
• Falbanx left Oscar’s Scarlet Undead Legion and returned to Tyr's Hand Fortress with undead Scarlet Crusaders, who earned acceptance by fighting alongside the living.

The Scourge Army attacked Light's Hope Chapel, where Tirion Fording and the Argent Dawn fought back with help from Oscar Flashdrill's reinforcements and a crystal that unleashed the power of the chapel's heroic spirits. The Holy Light broke the Lich King's domination over the Death Knights, Darian Mograine gave Tirion the Ashbringer, and Tirion purified it before confronting the Lich King's projection.

• Dark Lord Mograine led the Scourge Army in an assault on Light's Hope Chapel while Tirion Fording and the Argent Dawn prepared to defend it.
• Tirion and Mograine clashed as the Argent Dawn's commanders fought Acherus's Death Knights, and Mograine discovered that Ashbringer was resisting him.
• Oscar Flashdrill led the Scarlet Undead Legion into battle, forcing Mograine to send troops to meet the reinforcements.
• Tirion activated the chapel's crystal, unleashing the heroic spirits' Holy Light and weakening the Lich King's control over the Death Knights.
• Darian Mograine regained his will, took Ashbringer from his father, and threw it to Tirion.
• Tirion caught Ashbringer as it returned to its purified form, then challenged the Lich King's projection.

Tirion and the freed Death Knights drove back the Lich King’s projection and declared war on the Scourge. After the battle, the Argent Crusade formed, the Ebon Blade prepared for the coming campaign, and Saurfang left to reunite with his sister in Stormwind.

• Tirion struck at the Lich King with Ashbringer, but Arthas blocked the blow and withdrew his projection to Northrend.
• Tirion declared that the Argent Crusade would march on Northrend and destroy the Frozen Throne.
• The Argent Dawn formed the Argent Crusade, while Mograine’s freed Death Knights joined the fight against the Lich King and were allowed to choose Alliance or Horde allegiance.
• Sylvanas absorbed the freed Death Knights in Scarlet Vanguard territory, and Mograine chose not to challenge her.
• Saurfang told Koltira that he was leaving to find his sister in Stormwind, and the friends parted while accepting they might meet again as enemies.

After the battle at Light's Hope Chapel, Mograine reconciled with Oscar Flashgem and brought the Scarlet Undead Legion into an alliance with the Knights of the Ebon Blade. Mograine also accepted Whitemane and her troops, then sent Death Knights out with letters of recommendation to seek a return to their homelands and factions.

• Mograine apologized to Oscar for his behavior at Naxxramas and proposed an alliance between their forces.
• Oscar agreed to rejoin the Knights of the Ebon Blade as one of the Four Horsemen while keeping control of Stratholme.
• The Sindorei Alliance resented the new alliance, which strengthened the forces on its doorstep.
• Whitemane fled Sylvanas's service with her Scarlet Undead troops and begged Mograine to forgive and accept her.
• Mograine forgave Whitemane and gave new-generation Death Knights letters of recommendation to seek audiences with their factions.

As the Northern Expedition to Northrend approached, the Horde and Alliance prepared their fleets and managed their diplomatic relationships. Meryl Winterstorm invited faction leaders and Alexstrasza to Karazhan to finalize the offensive plan and division of territory.

• Princess Talanji left Orgrimmar for Zandalar, intending to secure her people’s entry into the Horde, while Thrall, Vol'jin, and King Saurfang voiced suspicions about Zul.
• Jaina’s Theramore fleet joined the Alliance in Stormwind after destroying Freehold, as Alliance figures pressured Kul Tiras and tried to provoke it into giving them an excuse to intervene.
• Prycia Ashvane stayed silent despite the attacks, while Lord Admiral Katherine began to doubt her trusted deputy.
• Meryl Winterstorm invited leaders from the factions and Alexstrasza to Karazhan to discuss the Northern Expedition’s final plan and territorial divisions.
• Moroes directed Karazhan’s ghostly servants to clean and renovate the tower before the diplomatic summit.

Boss Hu waited at Karazhan Tower while invited leaders and allies arrived for Meryl Winterwind’s gathering, checking on his wives and teasing Meryl and Medivh. The chapter ended with Boss Hu sending his guard captain Yuna to the banquet hall and promising to speak with her after they returned.

• Boss Hu arrived early and chatted with Meryl Winterwind and Medivh on Karazhan’s terrace while the other guests explored the tower.
• Elisande studied in the library, Alleria and Vereesa beat Sylvanas at chess, and Tu'ranni spoke with the Chaste Maiden, who monitored Karazhan’s stability.
• Elune raced around the tower for excitement and praise instead of paying attention to the Northrend war plans.
• Boss Hu teased Meryl about the Chaste Maiden and Meryl countered by accusing Medivh of keeping a mistress; Medivh claimed he had gone out to buy wine.
• Boss Hu joked about Meryl’s love life and Yuna, then told Yuna to get food and said they would talk after they returned.

Boss Hu gathered the faction leaders and allied representatives at Karazhan to discuss the Northern Expedition against the Lich King. He proposed mixed operations in Northrend and left the factions to negotiate how they would divide forces and resources.

• Varian greeted Boss Hu and discussed the artifact greatsword, while Garrosh provoked him and King Saurfang rebuked Garrosh.
• Tirion Fording, princess Cariath, and Brigitte Abdis arrived, and Tirion said the Argent Crusade was ready for the expedition.
• Mograine arrived with Darian and Oscar, and Oscar asked Boss Hu to restrain Sylvanas's hostile attention toward him.
• Boss Hu called the assembled leaders together and proposed landing in the Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord, then using mixed forces to prevent factional conflict over Northrend's resources.

With the Alliance’s elite forces preparing to sail for Northrend, VanCleef secured royal approval to lead the Defias Brotherhood to Westfall and fight the Syndicate in exchange for exclusive construction work. He gathered his former subordinates and asked them to join his risky bid to build a powerful business.

• The Alliance assembled its expeditionary force in Stormwind Harbor while VanCleef and his subordinates watched from the docks.
• VanCleef recalled deciding to use the Alliance’s deployment north as an opportunity to strengthen his position in Westfall.
• VanCleef persuaded King Varian and Grand Duke Bolvar to grant the Defias Artisan’s Guild exclusive construction work across Westfall in return for fighting the Syndicate.
• VanCleef told his subordinates that they would form the Defias Brotherhood and go to Westfall, while some could stay behind to manage their Stormwind business.
• Most of VanCleef’s former subordinates agreed to join him, while others chose to remain in Stormwind City.

The Defias Brotherhood moved into Westfall and fought the Syndicate, winning support from local farmers and Druids. In Stormwind City, Garona agreed to train VanCleef’s daughter Vanessa, who hoped to surpass her father and help his cause.

• The Defias Brotherhood arrived in Westfall and launched attacks that devastated the Syndicate’s scattered gangs.
• VanCleef killed a captured Syndicate member and ordered the prisoners mutilated and sent back to the Deadmines as a warning.
• VanCleef spread the Defias among Westfall’s farms, where farmers helped them ambush Syndicate extortionists, while the Brotherhood’s rough methods caused accidental deaths and apologies.
• The Druids of Golden Sand Beach joined the Defias Brotherhood and used their panther forms to scout against the Syndicate.
• Garona agreed to personally train Vanessa, who vowed to surpass VanCleef and help the people of Westfall.

The Alliance and neutral forces launched their expeditions to Northrend, each setting out to establish positions and prepare for the campaign against the Lich King. The Night Empire instead headed for Cendragon and planned to investigate Ulduar, leaving the northern coalition to fight Arthas without its help.

• King Varian saluted as the Alliance fleet departed Stormwind, and Bolvar endorsed the expedition’s confidence in victory.
• The Argent Crusade, Scarlet Vanguard, and Lordaeron Restoration Army sailed for Howling Fjord, while Death Knights joined the armies of their respective peoples and Acherus headed north.
• Dalaran moved toward Northrend to serve as a neutral hub, and Jaina rejoined its Council of Six with real authority.
• The Night Empire’s War Floating Island set out for Cendragon, where Malygos and the Blue Dragonflight awaited the Titan army.
• The Night Empire prepared to investigate Ulduar, while the northern coalition proceeded without it in the war against the Lich King.

Garrosh led the Warsong Expeditionary Force out of Orgrimmar Harbor to begin the Horde’s Northern Expedition against the Lich King. The fleet set course for Borean Tundra, with Nazgrel and young Saurfang appointed to help keep Garrosh’s command in check.

• Garrosh rallied the Horde troops at Orgrimmar Harbor while General Nazgrel and young Saurfang stood as his deputies with authority to assume command.
• Garrosh declared that the Horde would strike Northrend and destroy the Lich King, then ordered the troops to board their ships.
• The Horde’s ironclad ships and Bilgewater Cartel airships departed Orgrimmar alongside the Warsong Expeditionary Force.
• Garrosh stood at the flagship’s bow, eager to lead his first army into battle after saying farewell to Grandmother Geya'an.

Vashj persuaded Queen Azshara to seek a place in the Eternal Night Prime Minister Council instead of remaining isolated in Azshara. The council debated her request, and Sarodar approved her admission, effective immediately.

• Vashj urged Azshara to leave her remote exile and use her political abilities to gain influence in the empire.
• Azshara considered becoming a powerful Grand Vizier or Divine Queen under Sarodar rather than reclaiming her former throne.
• Elisande presented Azshara's application to the council, where Fandral objected and Malfurion argued that Azshara could serve the empire under Sarodar's rule.
• Turalyon supported Azshara's admission, and Elisande warned the council not to obstruct it.
• Elisande announced that Sarodar had approved Azshara's immediate admission to the council.

Queen Azshara returned to the Night Empire and used a public speech to present herself as a repentant, capable leader as she prepared to join the Chancellor's Council. Llane, Elisande, and Hekso recognized her as a dangerous political rival, while Hekso made clear that he would side with Elisande if Azshara sought greater power.

• Queen Azshara arrived at the Eternal Night Palace and decided to seek authority on the Chancellor's Council.
• Queen Azshara addressed reporters, promised to improve citizens' lives, and asked forgiveness for her role in the disaster ten thousand years earlier.
• Llane told Lothar that Queen Azshara's political skill could make her a formidable opponent for Elisande and the Chancellor's Council.
• Elisande questioned Hekso about Queen Azshara, and he said he would cooperate with her if she served the Empire.
• When Elisande asked what would happen if Queen Azshara pursued the title of Eternal Night Goddess-Queen, Hekso said the God-Emperor and the Chancellor's Council would stop her.

Sylvanas led the Forsaken and High Elf forces aboard Naxxramas for the northern campaign against the Lich King. The floating fortress set course for Northrend, where Sylvanas planned to target the Scarlet Crusade before joining the assault on the Lich King.

• Naxxramas appeared above Undercity, and Sarodar gave Sylvanas control of the fortress while warning her to flee if she could not win.
• Sylvanas ordered the Forsaken and High Elf forces to board Naxxramas and arranged them throughout its sections.
• Sylvanas inspected her luxurious quarters and discovered the fortress's projection table and its unusual buttons.
• Sylvanas broadcast orders to sail for Northrend and bombard Night Empire forces with plague barrels, though the Forsaken planned to spare the Night Elves.
• Naxxramas departed for the Howling Fjord, and Sylvanas planned to destroy the Scarlet Crusade forces at Fireside Valley before attacking the Lich King.