Chapter Summaries

The Alliance and Horde fleets crossed paths on the Endless Sea and traded insults before turning their boredom into a mock cannon battle. They parted on their separate routes to Northrend, offering one another rough-edged wishes of luck for the coming war.

• Alliance sailors mistook smoke from Horde ships for a fire, then both fleets began shouting insults across the water.
• Goblin merchants and profiteers followed the armies, planning to sell supplies and establish airship routes to Northrend.
• Grand Duke Bolvar ordered Alliance soldiers to stop provoking the Horde, while Garrosh joined the taunting and ordered his gunners to fire solid shot into the sea.
• Alliance and Horde gunners exchanged harmless cannon fire, splashing water around the opposing fleets as their soldiers jeered.
• Hours later, the fleets separated and continued toward their landing sites, with soldiers on both sides exchanging mocking words that served as encouragement for the coming battles.

The Alliance and Horde fleets began landing in the Borean Tundra while fighting undead forces, and the Horde’s assault gained unexpected help from the Iron Horde’s dragon riders. As the War Floating Island continued toward Cendragon, Boss Hu turned the campaign into a live broadcast and pushed Grom into an impromptu food performance.

• Admiral Rogers ordered the gnome gyrocopter squadrons to defend the Alliance fleet from Gargoyles and undead flying spider demons as it advanced toward shore.
• Garrosh leapt from the Horde flagship and led the charge against the undead, supported by steam tanks and energy cannons.
• Grom and Kargath arrived on armored black dragons with the Iron Horde, bombing the undead and provoking Garrosh before flying back to the War Floating Island.
• Boss Hu examined an Arcane Spectral Dragon while hosting a live campaign broadcast and solicited donations from viewers.
• Boss Hu handed the dead Arcane Spectral Dragon to Grom and urged him to eat it for the audience.

The Alliance and Horde established beachheads in Borean Tundra and began building Fort Dread and Warsong Fortress as Scourge forces regrouped nearby. The Nathrezim Hunting Party’s poaching brought it into conflict with the Circle of the Benevolent and adventurers, while the Druids turned their attention to a Broken hunter who had captured a Tauren Druid.

• The Alliance Expeditionary Force drove back the undead nerubians, landed in Borean Tundra, and began building Fort Dread with arcane golems helping raise its walls.
• The Horde Expeditionary Force landed nearby and began constructing Warsong Fortress, a massive iron stronghold built in a basin.
• The local Murloc and Tauren watched the Alliance and Horde cautiously after seeing them repel the Scourge.
• The Circle of the Benevolent attacked Nathrezim poachers for killing young animals, and adventurers took the Circle’s bounties and inflicted heavy losses on them.
• Nathrezim struggled to supply demanding merchants as his Northrend hunters died or fled and hunting in Nagrand required costly taxes.
• The Druids left Northrend’s conflict aside to investigate a Broken hunter who had captured a Tauren Druid near Coilfang Reservoir and kept him as a pet.

The Argent Crusade, Scarlet Vanguard, Lordaeron Restoration Army, and Forsaken established footholds in the Howling Fjord and began advancing toward their objectives in Northrend. The first phase of the campaign ended with the factions consolidating their bases, while preparations for an assault on The Lich King's Gate remained ahead.

• The Argent Crusade, Scarlet Vanguard, and Lordaeron Restoration Army defeated the Vrykul attackers and established Westguard Fortress on the Howling Fjord coast, with Princess Cariath's army staying to garrison it.
• The Argent Crusade advanced toward Icecrown Glacier, while the Scarlet Vanguard prepared to build a fortress in Dragonblight near Kel'Thuzad's forces and the besieged Wyrmrest Temple.
• The Forsaken arrived aboard Naxxramas, established Vengeance Landing and New Acherus, and attacked nearby Vrykul settlements with plague weapons.
• The Argent Crusade's allied forces clashed with the Forsaken over their reckless use of plague, becoming the first Crusade forces to fight among themselves.
• The factions consolidated their bases after achieving the campaign's first-phase objectives, while the assault on The Lich King's Gate awaited further rest and preparation.

Boss Hu met with Malygos on Cendragon, promised to return Sindragosa, and asked the Blue Dragons to look after Onyxia’s delegation. Meanwhile, Loken feared the approaching Titan, unaware that Odyn had summoned Observer Algalon, who was also nearing Azeroth.

• The Blue Dragonflight built a lavish guesthouse and hosted Boss Hu on Cendragon to honor him for saving their Dragon Eggs.
• Malygos told Boss Hu that the Lich King had resurrected Sindragosa as a Frost Dragon, and Boss Hu promised to return her.
• Boss Hu asked Malygos to look after Onyxia’s delegation at Wyrmrest Temple, and Malygos agreed.
• Loken worried that a mysterious Titan would expose the fallen Keepers of Ulduar and Yogg-Saron’s escape.
• Odyn’s emergency signal brought Observer Algalon toward Azeroth, though Algalon did not know the Pantheon had been destroyed.

The Scourge attacked the Scarlet Vanguard and Scarlet Crusade in Dragonblight as the Alliance and Horde established footholds across Northrend. Adventurers cleared threats around Borean Tundra and helped both factions contest Wintergrasp, where the Vault of Archavon’s guardians endured alternating invasions.

• Kel'Thuzad learned that the Scarlet Vanguard had fortified a valley near Wyrmrest Temple and sent the Scourge to attack them and the Scarlet Crusade in New Hearthglen.
• The Alliance established Fort Dread and contacted the neutral Murlocs, while the Horde built Warsong Fortress and secured aid and cooperation from the Tauren.
• The Alliance turned toward Wintergrasp to claim its Titan facility before the Horde, setting up a conflict between the factions.
• Adventurers swept through Borean Tundra, killing Kvaldir, a sea monster, and undead near both faction fortresses before joining the Wintergrasp fighting.
• The Alliance withdrew from the Vault of Archavon for the Horde’s turn to attack, leaving the facility’s guardians frustrated by the factions’ repeated raids.

Dawnlight Draenei Soulbinder Priests arrived at Fort Dread and Warsong Fortress to uncover Cult of the Damned infiltrators, then treated wounded Horde soldiers and earned their respect. After the purges, the Horde escorted the priestesses to the coast, where Blue Dragons carried them back to Cendragon Island.

• Bolvar and Garrosh began searches for hidden Curse Cultists after a cultist nearly released the Scourge plague at Fort Dread.
• Dawnlight Draenei Soulbinder Priests used their spiritual power to find more than thirty traitors at Fort Dread and a dozen at Warsong Fortress.
• Bolvar ordered the human traitors hanged, while the Horde soldiers killed their captured cultists on the spot.
• The Draenei priestesses helped Horde Shamans heal wounded soldiers, and Garrosh and the Horde welcomed them at a farewell banquet.
• The Horde gave the priestesses temporary quarters and escorted them to the eastern coast, where Blue Dragons took them to Cendragon Island.

The Druids established Amberpine Camp in Grizzly Hills, allied with the Bearman and ancient Wild Demigods, and invited hunters to compete for Great Horn’s companionship. Meanwhile, Fandral Staghelm pursued a Broken hunter across Outland, while Deathwing burned much of Shattrath City and escaped Adal.

• The Druids founded Amberpine Camp, allied with the Bearman of Grizzlymaul Hold, and agreed to fight nearby enemies.
• The Druids delivered Cenarius’s letter to Ursol and Urson, joined their battle against the Scourge, and defeated an elite undead force.
• The Druids befriended the spirit bear Great Horn and announced trials for hunters seeking to become his companion.
• Fandral Staghelm led Druids in pursuit of the Broken hunter who had captured a Tauren, while the public followed their chase.
• Deathwing attacked Shattrath City with dragonfire, destroyed half the city, and fled back to Netherstorm as Adal pursued him.

Deathwing continued ravaging Outland while Azeroth’s leaders ignored its pleas as they focused on the Northern Expedition. In Northrend, Little Saurfang’s Horde captured En'kilah before the Alliance arrived, and the Night Empire’s forces headed for Ulduar to confront Yogg-Saron.

• Deathwing tore open Netherstorm’s eco-dome and scorched its creatures, while Titan Divine Lord Sarodar and Wyrmrest Temple delayed or blocked Outland’s requests for help.
• Little Saurfang led the Horde army from Warsong Fortress to attack En'kilah, bombarding its walls and battling the Scourge’s floating fortress.
• Little Saurfang learned that the Alliance was still hours away, then led the Horde charge into En'kilah after its gates collapsed.
• Grand Duke Bolvar arrived after the Horde had captured the fortress and congratulated Little Saurfang, while saying the Alliance would lead the final assault on the Lich King's Gate.
• Bolvar and Little Saurfang saluted as the Night Empire’s War Floating Island and its dragon forces flew toward Ulduar to confront Yogg-Saron.
• Little Saurfang urged the Horde to hurry toward the Lich King's Gate while the Argent Crusade and Scarlet Vanguard fought Kel'Thuzad’s main force.

As the Scourge and the Northern Crusade coalition fought in Dragonblight, Sylvanas led an assault on Kel'Thuzad's flagship while learning that Varimathras and Putress were conspiring in Undercity. She ordered her forces to ignore Undercity for now and capture Kel'Thuzad alive, while vowing not to let Putress escape.

• A damaged Scourge fortress crashed into the Scarlet Vanguard's defenses, opening a gap and exposing its unfinished military fortress.
• Tirion Fording allowed a Forsaken undead army to enter the battlefield, easing pressure on the Scarlet Vanguard as it regrouped.
• Sylvanas's elite force attacked the Scourge floating fortresses, and Sylvanas personally landed on Kel'Thuzad's flagship.
• A Dark Ranger told Sylvanas that Varimathras had moved against Undercity and gave her a list of traitors that included Putress.
• Sylvanas said she no longer needed Undercity, ordered the assault to continue, and demanded that Kel'Thuzad be captured alive.
• Sylvanas dismissed a suggestion to warn the coalition about Putress's plans and vowed that Putress would not escape.

Cthulhu trapped Kel'Thuzad in a horrific mental illusion and forced him to pledge allegiance to Sylvanas Windrunner as the new Lich King. Kel'Thuzad agreed, and Cthulhu released him after warning that betrayal would send him back to the nightmare forever.

• Kel'Thuzad waited for Sylvanas aboard the flagship fortress while Cthulhu's Twilight energy sealed it off.
• Cthulhu pulled Kel'Thuzad's consciousness into a strange space, where the Lich King's mental dominion over him shattered.
• Cthulhu sent Kel'Thuzad into a foggy forest illusion, stripped him of mana, and tormented him with distorted memories.
• Kel'Thuzad broke down as Cthulhu repeatedly drove him through horrifying scenes and taunted him with the illusion's unreachable exit.
• Cthulhu demanded that Kel'Thuzad serve Sylvanas Windrunner as the new Lich King, and Kel'Thuzad agreed.
• Cthulhu warned Kel'Thuzad that betrayal would return him to the nightmare forever.

After Cthulhu freed Kel'Thuzad from the Lich King's domination, the grand lich surrendered to Sylvanas and agreed to help her claim Frostmourne and the Frozen Crown. Sylvanas accepted his service, while discovering that his greatest devotion was to his pampered cat, Mr. Bigglesworth.

• Cthulhu withdrew his power, and Kel'Thuzad ordered the Scourge to stop fighting and surrender to Sylvanas.
• Sylvanas met Kel'Thuzad in the fortress hall, where he pledged his legion and knowledge to her.
• Sylvanas told Kel'Thuzad to help her defeat the Lich King and obtain Frostmourne and the Frozen Crown, which she planned to cleanse with the Titans' divine flames.
• Kel'Thuzad asked Sylvanas to let him maintain Mr. Bigglesworth's luxurious lifestyle, and she told him to serve her loyally and do as he pleased.
• Mr. Bigglesworth emerged from a hidden corner, where Sylvanas discovered a one-way magic array prepared to send the cat to a home in Goldshire if Kel'Thuzad died.
• Kel'Thuzad explained how he had arranged for Mr. Bigglesworth's adoption, and Sylvanas repeatedly cut off his rambling about cat care.

The Forsaken absorbed Kel'Thuzad's Scourge Legion and attacked New Hearthglen while the Argent Crusade and Scarlet Vanguard prepared to support the assault on The Lich King's Gate. At Ulduar, Loken panicked over an approaching Titan and the Pantheon Observer, while Yogg-Saron diligently repaired his prison, unaware that he was about to pay for his corruption.

• The Forsaken sent envoys to the Argent Crusade and Scarlet Vanguard to end hostilities, then joined forces around Naxxramas and four smaller floating strongholds.
• Sylvanas sent the Forsaken fleet to attack New Hearthglen, where Balnazzar was among her targets, and the undead assault pushed the Scarlet Crusade stronghold toward collapse.
• Loken panicked when the Hall of the Observer sealed itself, signaling that a Pantheon Observer might descend while a mysterious Titan approached Ulduar.
• Loken decided to pose as a devoted servant of the Pantheon and present himself as a model youth to the incoming Titan.
• Yogg-Saron repaired his prison and reconnected its broken energy chains, convinced that he was becoming a model prisoner just before facing the consequences of his corruption.

Queen Azshara joined the Eternal Night Prime Minister Council and assessed the dangerous Silver Fleet factional conflict, while Boss Hu considered his growing spiritual bond with Elune. Elune asked whether she could trust him, and Sarodar promised they would grow stronger together.

• Queen Azshara became a councilor, learned about the Eternal Night's experiments and technology, and began competing politically with Elisande.
• Queen Azshara recognized the danger in the Silver Fleet factional conflict and kept her Court Elves out of it, while Cenarius restrained his followers.
• Boss Hu told Elisande to keep Sylvanas's harsh lesson under control as the factional conflict continued.
• Boss Hu recalled Sargeras's warning that his bond with Azeroth could slow his growth, but he accepted the burden of supporting her.
• Elune asked Sarodar whether she could trust him, and he reassured her that they would grow stronger together and rebuild the Pantheon.

Gamon, a timid Tauren laborer in Orgrimmar, was offered power by a Firstborn of the Gods in exchange for worshipping the Dawn Divine Lord Sarodar. He accepted the idea so long as he could remain loyal to the Horde, and resolved to become someone who could save everyone.

• Gamon left the Dragon's Tail Inn and endured insults from two Human soldiers before heading toward the docks.
• Gamon watched Queen Alleria's convoy arrive in Orgrimmar and saw Warchief Thrall welcome her and the Firstborn of the Gods.
• Gamon worked a tiring day at the docks unloading supplies and goods connected to the Northrend campaign.
• That night, the Firstborn of the Gods asked Gamon if he wanted power, and Gamon admitted he wanted to grow stronger.
• The Firstborn of the Gods told Gamon he could worship Sarodar without betraying the Horde, and Gamon was tempted by the offer.

Boss Hu’s forces captured a rare Lost Proto-Dragon in the Storm Peaks and continued north toward Ulduar. He read reports of Varimathras and Balnazzar’s rebellion in Undercity, unaware that the Burning Legion had no intention of officially invading Azeroth.

• Malygos identified the circling creature as a rare Lost Proto-Dragon and ordered the Blue Dragons to capture it for Boss Hu.
• The Blue Dragons overwhelmed the Lost Proto-Dragon, bound it in Arcane chains, and sent it through a portal to the Eternal Night Palace.
• The War Floating Island continued north through the Storm Peaks toward Ulduar, while Boss Hu retreated to his Throne Room and reviewed reports.
• Sylvanas had taken most of the Forsaken loyal to her aboard Naxxramas before the expedition, leaving Varimathras an opportunity to rebel.
• Varimathras allied with Balnazzar and planned to summon the Burning Legion in Undercity, but the Legion had removed Azeroth from its official targets.

The Forsaken destroyed the Scarlet Crusade at New Hearthglen after an imperial ruling forced them to abandon their large-scale plague bombs. With the Scarlet Crusade gone, the Forsaken marched toward The Lich King's Gate.

• After plague clouds harmed allied forces, Tirion Fording complained to the Night Empire, and Sarodar ruled that the Forsaken had to destroy their large-scale plague bombs and restrict future use.
• Sylvanas confronted Boss Hu over the ruling, then secured his promise that she could claim Storm Peaks and Zul'Drak as well as Icecrown Glacier.
• The Forsaken overwhelmed New Hearthglen and captured the Scarlet Cathedral, killing every Scarlet Crusader except Grand Lord Dathrohan, whose whereabouts were unknown.
• The Forsaken left the ruined city and turned their forces toward The Lich King's Gate.

Varimathras realized the Burning Legion would not send its main forces to Azeroth, so he betrayed Balnazzar and fled through a Fel Portal to Argus. In Northrend, Putress prepared to unleash his plague, unaware that Varimathras had abandoned him.

• Varimathras learned that Sargeras had agreed to a ten-year ceasefire with Sarodar, leaving him without the Legion's promised support.
• Balnazzar arrived in Undercity and asked when the Legion's main forces and Divine Lord would come, so Varimathras falsely promised they would arrive soon.
• As the Night Empire's Crusaders attacked Undercity, Varimathras stabbed Balnazzar, bound him with Fel Energy, and devoured his soul essence.
• Varimathras fled through a Fel Portal to Argus, abandoning Undercity and his Forsaken followers to the Crusaders.
• Near The Lich King's Gate, Putress prepared the Royal Alchemists to unleash their plague, unaware that Varimathras had deserted them.

After the Night Empire’s Crusaders liberated Tirisfal Glades, they sealed it off and waited for the Lordaeron Restoration Army to negotiate its return. Princess Cariath set out to lead those negotiations as other factions weighed what a restored Lordaeron would mean.

• The Night Empire’s Crusaders defeated the Undercity rebels and demons, while Varimathras escaped and Sylvanas led her Forsaken loyalists north to Northrend.
• The Crusaders sealed Tirisfal Glades after taking Undercity, prompting the Lordaeron Restoration Army to realize the Night Empire expected payment for the territory.
• Princess Cariath left Northrend for Kalimdor with a royal delegation to negotiate the return of Lordaeron’s core capital region.
• The Stormwind Alliance opposed Lordaeron’s restoration, while Grand Lord Tirion Fording supported it but hesitated to bind the Argent Dawn to the restored nation.
• Brigitte Abdis said the Scarlet Vanguard could accept a nominal feudal title while remaining independent, and Warchief Thrall’s Old Horde stayed neutral.

As the coalition prepared to assault The Lich King's Gate, Titan Sarodar offered Bolvar and Young Saurfang ways to avoid their grim fates in exchange for supporting Sylvanas as the next Lich King. The Horde also received a proposal to become the Night Empire's vassal if it could eventually lead the fight against the Burning Legion, leaving its leaders to consider the terms.

• Princess Cariath returned to Northrend after agreeing on the main direction of negotiations with Elisande, while the coalition gathered around The Lich King's Gate.
• Bolvar received a vision of his dark fate, then agreed that the Alliance would support Sylvanas's ascension if she remained under the Titan's control.
• Young Saurfang rejected his predetermined death and agreed that the Horde would support Sylvanas, provided the new Lich King kept the Scourge out of the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor.
• Saurfang offered to take his son's place, but Titan Sarodar said the offer was insufficient to reverse Young Saurfang's fate.
• Thrall proposed that the Horde submit to the Night Empire as autonomous vassals in ten years if the Empire could fight the Burning Legion across the universe, and the Horde's leaders considered the offer.