Chapter Summaries

As Kezan’s volcano neared eruption, Trade Prince Gazlowe exploited the Goblins’ desperate evacuation by charging exorbitant fares and forcing those unable to pay into indentured contracts. His overcrowded fleet set sail for Kalimdor, where it encountered Alliance ships posing as pirates and faced another chase.

• After the Earth Ring warned that Kezan’s volcano was about to erupt, Goblins rushed to the ports as Gazlowe secretly turned the Horde’s free evacuation into a paid service.
• As ticket prices soared, bank robberies spread across Kezan, while Gazlowe protected his fortune and waited for the fleeing Goblins to pay.
• When the volcano began spewing smoke and lava, Gazlowe made Goblins who could not afford passage sign indenture contracts before boarding his ships.
• Five overcrowded ships carrying the Goblins sailed toward Kalimdor, with most passengers packed into prison-like lower cabins.
• When the fleet encountered the Iron Tide Gang and Water Rat Gang, Gazlowe raised the Horde banner to deter an attack.
• The supposed pirates raised Kul Tiras and Alliance flags instead, and the Goblins began fleeing across the high seas.

Pandaria Continent emerged from its mists and the Shaohao Dynasty declared its rule, leaving outside powers waiting to learn Emperor Shaohao’s intentions. On Misty Isle, Pandaren Monks helped Alliance and Horde survivors fight the Lizardmen and began considering whether to travel beyond their home.

• The mists around Pandaria Continent vanished, and Emperor Shaohao’s dynasty publicly claimed legitimate rule over the continent and warned against hostile entry.
• Alliance and Horde factions studied Pandaria’s powers but held back, waiting to see whether Emperor Shaohao would align with either side or remain neutral.
• Ji Firepaw led Windwalker and Brewmaster Monks into battle against the Lizardmen while Aysa Cloudsinger’s Mistweaver Monks helped treat wounded survivors on Misty Isle.
• Air Force General Rogers and Nazgrel thanked the Pandaren and invited them to visit Stormwind City and Orgrimmar after the fighting ended.
• Aysa Cloudsinger explained that Shenzhenzi was unique in size, and the Pandaren Monks listened eagerly as Alliance and Horde soldiers described the outside world.
• The Pandaren Monks began considering leaving Misty Isle to see the world.

Boss Hu and Xuen arranged aid for the injured Shenzhenzi and planned to establish contact with the Pandaria Continent as the sha threat spread. At a Murloc celebration, Argus found a new purpose in defending weak races against the powerful.

• Boss Hu and Xuen discussed the return of the Pandaria Continent, the spreading sha, and plans to connect it to the outside world through portals.
• A Firstborn of the Gods reported that the Skybreaker had crashed onto Shenzhenzi and that Pandaren were fighting savage Lizardmen over the wreckage.
• Boss Hu ordered Xuen to return to Pandaria and summon Chi-Ji to heal Shenzhenzi, while promising Stormwind City that the Night Empire would send reinforcements.
• The Murlocs welcomed Argus at a feast in Mo'aki Harbor, where he reflected on their peaceful lives and the neglect of weak races.
• Argus decided he needed to speak out for the weak, believing neither Sarodar nor Azeroth would do so.

After defeating N'Zoth and absorbing his alternate self, Deathwing returned to Wyrmrest Temple to taunt the Dragon Aspects and declare that Onyxia was unfit to lead the Black Dragonflight. He then found a pure Black Dragon Egg, named the hatchling Wrathion, and left him to grow while challenging his descendants to prove who deserved command.

• The allied Dragons destroyed the Twilight Dragon Legion, and the stronger Deathwing returned after apparently devouring his alternate self.
• Deathwing mocked the Dragon Aspects at Wyrmrest Temple, where Malygos, Sindragosa, and Alexstrasza confronted him.
• Deathwing told Onyxia that she was unfit to lead the Black Dragonflight and insulted Mdozno and the Dragon Aspects before flying away.
• Deathwing found a pure Black Dragon Egg guarded by a dead Red Dragon in a concealed cave in the Wasted Lands.
• Deathwing named the hatchling Wrathion, concealed the cave, and urged his descendants to slaughter one another to prove who deserved to command the Black Dragonflight.

Garrosh consolidated his rule by welcoming the Dragonmaw Clan, pressuring the Draenei, and maintaining friendly ties with the Night Empire. Though the Horde appeared united and prosperous, the Alliance grew suspicious and began investigating the factions whose positions remained unclear.

• Zaela led the Dragonmaw Clan from the Eastern Kingdoms to Kalimdor, where they swore allegiance to Garrosh and joined the Horde.
• Garrosh pressured the Draenei in Azshara while avoiding conflict with the Night Empire and secretly seeking cooperation with its representatives.
• The Horde expanded its mining operations and trade, pursued post-disaster reconstruction, and appeared more stable under Garrosh's leadership.
• The Alliance questioned whether the Horde's apparent unity concealed internal divisions and intensified its investigation into the dovish Orcs, trolls, and Tauren.

After Garrosh took power, Vol'jin and the united troll tribes feared his orc-supremacist policies would divide the Horde, even as they remained loyal to it. While building New Zul'Aman, they resolved to wait and see how Garrosh ruled and to strengthen the city's defenses.

• Vol'jin recognized Garrosh's aggressive politics and growing racial division as a danger, but he felt unable to openly oppose Thrall's chosen successor.
• Zul'jin and the Zul'Aman tribe accepted Vol'jin's amnesty and joined the Horde, and the six united troll tribes chose Vol'jin to represent them.
• The troll tribes began building New Zul'Aman on the Echo Isles, including a large port for Zandalar's Golden Fleet.
• Zul'jin condemned Garrosh's orc-supremacist ideology, while Princess Talanji warned the tribes to beware of racial extremism.
• Vol'jin told Zul'jin to let time judge Garrosh and focus on settling their people, and Zul'jin insisted that New Zul'Aman's defenses be strengthened.

Garrosh welcomed the Bilgewater Cartel into the Horde and ordered Orgrimmar rebuilt as a fortress city of steel, while the Blackrock Syndicate financed the Night Elf Great Wall and wielded growing influence across the Night Empire. The chapter leaves the Alliance and Horde changing the world through force while goblins shaped it through wealth.

• Garrosh recruited Bilgewater Cartel engineers and integrated the goblins' commerce into the Horde, despite holding their race in contempt.
• Garrosh ordered Orgrimmar's walls, roads, and important buildings rebuilt with steel, and Gazlowe funded the project to gain influence for the Bilgewater Cartel.
• Blackso and the Blackrock Syndicate offered to cover the Night Elf Great Wall's reconstruction costs, easing the burden on the imperial treasury.
• The Blackrock Syndicate's wealth and connections made even hostile Night Empire factions treat Blackso and his goblins cautiously and respectfully.
• Azshara invited the Blackrock Syndicate into her towns, and the goblins' economic power continued to reshape life across Kalimdor.

Lordaeron strengthened its position in the north as its legions prepared to aid Stromgarde, while Kul Tiras’s renewed trade brought prosperity to the Northern Alliance. The chapter left Lordaeron and Kul Tiras growing through military cooperation and commerce.

• Undead nobles left the Forsaken and pledged loyalty to Queen Cariath, helping reclaim land and develop Lordaeron.
• Grand Marshal Garithos’s First Legion defended Silverpine Forest against Worgen attacks, while the Second Legion advanced toward Arathi to support Stromgarde.
• Prince Thoras requested Lordaeron’s help restoring Stromgarde, and Queen Cariath’s rule reassured the Thoras family that Lordaeron would not threaten its neighbors.
• Kul Tiras and Theramore supported Stromgarde, while Aegwynn maintained close ties between Kul Tiras and the Northern Alliance.
• Kul Tiras’s trade fleets resumed global commerce, challenging Goblin shipping monopolies and helping revive the kingdom’s economy under Jaina.

Dalaran and the Southern Alliance settled into a more cautious political order while disaster repairs and Gilneas’s isolationist legacy shaped events across the Eastern Kingdoms. Gilneas’s envoys returned empty-handed as the Night Empire’s fleet approached, intent on finding the Moon God’s Scythe.

• Dalaran returned to the Eastern Kingdoms under Rhonin and maintained formal neutrality while drawing close to Lordaeron.
• The Southern Alliance abandoned its ambitions for continental hegemony and focused on disaster relief and internal problems.
• Earthquakes collapsed much of the Stone Dikes again, and the dwarf brothers blamed Deathwing while ignoring other major news.
• Lordaeron’s nobles rebuffed envoys from both sides of the Gilneas Civil War, and Queen Calia refused to meet them or offer aid without payment.
• Gilneas’s envoys returned home in disgrace as King Genn and Lord Godfrey faced the consequences of isolationism.
• The Night Empire’s fleet neared Gilneas, carrying orders to kill hostile targets and recover the Moon God’s Scythe for Divine Lord Elune.

Thrall learned from Stone Mother Sserath that N'Zoth was secretly corrupting the elements, then agreed to ask Titan Sarodar to protect her from the Old God's influence. The chapter left Thrall prepared to help Sserath and the Elemental Lords seek an alliance with Sarodar.

• Thrall visited Stone Mother Sserath beneath the Maelstrom and learned that a dark whisper was driving powerful elements toward madness.
• Stone Mother Sserath suspected N'Zoth had resumed covertly corrupting the elements and asked Thrall to secure her protection from Titan Sarodar.
• Sserath sought to abandon the Elemental Lords' old fence-sitting and demonstrate loyalty to Sarodar.
• Thrall agreed to plead Sserath's case, believing the Elemental Lords could help him maintain the world's stability and preserve Shamans' access to elemental power.

Boss Hu and Thrall investigated N'Zoth's corruption of the elemental legions and arranged support for Thrall as Earth-Warder. With the Water Elementals and Fire Elementals becoming threats, Boss Hu assigned the Night Empire to deal with Mount Hyjal and ordered Cenarius to awaken two Wild Demigods and secure their allegiance.

• Boss Hu asked Ertan whether the Wind Elementals had been affected by N'Zoth, and Ertan reported that his legion remained normal and loyal.
• Thrall asked Boss Hu to grant divine protection to Stone Mother Sserath's elemental legions, and Boss Hu agreed on condition that they support Thrall, treat all Shamans equally, and help stabilize Azeroth.
• Thrall reported that N'Zoth had driven Neptulon and most Water Elementals mad, while Fire Elementals were growing restless at Mount Hyjal.
• Boss Hu told Thrall to focus on the Water Elementals and said the Night Empire would handle the Fire Elementals at Mount Hyjal.
• Boss Hu asked Cenarius to have the Druids deal with Ragnaros and awaken Goldrinn and Aviana, warning that Xuen could attack them if they refused to choose a side.

The Alliance, Horde, Pandaren Monks, and Chi-Ji fought to rescue Shenzhenzi and clear the Skybreaker wreckage on Misty Isle. With Shenzhenzi recovering and the battle turning in their favor, the Monks began considering whether to join the Alliance or the Horde and explore the wider world.

• Pandaren Monks rescued the wounded from the Skybreaker wreckage while the Alliance and Horde prepared to treat Shenzhenzi, whose condition was stabilized by a Divine Crystal.
• Ji Firepalm prepared to blow up the wreckage despite Aisha Cloudsinger's objections, but Chi-Ji arrived and offered to help heal Shenzhenzi.
• Ji detonated the explosives, and Chi-Ji purified Shenzhenzi's wound with scarlet flames as Pandaren, Alliance, and Horde healers began treating him.
• Night Empire Crusaders and Pandaren Windwalker Monks fought the Lizardmen while Alliance and Horde survivors protected the healers.
• With Shenzhenzi expected to recover soon, the Pandaren Monks considered joining the Alliance or Horde to venture beyond Misty Isle and share their ideals.

The Shaohao Dynasty established White Tiger Temple as its neutral embassy and began exchanging knowledge with the peoples of Azeroth. The Night Empire made its first unofficial contact with Emperor Shaohao, while Pandaria remained closed to the outside world.

• The Shaohao Dynasty opened White Tiger Temple with a portal to Mogu'shan Palace and declared that Pandaria would remain neutral between the Alliance and the Horde.
• The dynasty stationed Monks at White Tiger Temple to teach their techniques and sent envoys to study other peoples' magic and spiritual traditions.
• Pandaren envoys failed to gain instruction from Garona or Sylvanas, but Tirion Fording welcomed them to study the Holy Light; they instead discovered a way to improve their Monk techniques.
• Xuen the White Tiger remained in Kun-Lai Summit to address sha corruption, leaving White Tiger Temple unready for formal diplomacy with major factions.
• The Night Empire presented Emperor Shaohao with a Heart of Azeroth and advised him to search Pandaria for Azerite, and the Shaohao Dynasty returned an antique Mogu spear for Boss Hu's collection.

The Druids prepared to contain the Fire Elemental Legion at Mount Hyjal while awakening the region’s Wild Demigods. Cenarius asked Xuen the White Tiger to give the ancient demigods time to accept the Empire’s authority, but Xuen warned that his patience was limited.

• The Druids established outposts across Mount Hyjal under Cenarius’s command and prepared to stop any Fire Elementals from escaping the region.
• Cenarius worried that the awakened Wild Demigods might refuse to obey the Empire and cause conflict with Eternal Night God-Emperor’s allies.
• Xuen the White Tiger traveled from Pandaria to Mount Hyjal and met Cenarius at the command post beneath Nordrassil.
• Cenarius asked Xuen to guide any defiant Wild Demigods rather than attack them immediately.
• Xuen promised to give them time but warned that he would deal with those who refused to accept the current rules.

Gilneas descended further into civil war as King Genn Greymane negotiated with the Southern Alliance and the Night Empire landed to search for the Moon God's Scythe. With the wild Worgen driven back into the forests, Genn's royal army gained the upper hand over Lord Godfrey's rebels at Seacliff.

• Lord Godfrey sought Northern Alliance support while King Genn Greymane negotiated with envoys from the Southern Alliance, who offered aid in return for Gilneas joining their alliance.
• The Night Empire landed a Night Elf Border Guard legion and announced a joint search with Tauren Druids for the Moon God's Scythe.
• Night Elf Border Guard officers killed Lord Godfrey's envoys after they accused the Night Elves of invading Gilneas.
• The Night Elves encircled the wild Worgen in the forests, where guerrilla tactics slowed the search and assault.
• With the wild Worgen no longer disrupting the kingdom, King Genn intensified his attacks and surrounded Lord Godfrey's rebels in the Seacliff region.

Onyxia left Stormwind after Sarodar ordered her to Blackrock Mountain to kill Nefarian and plunder the Blackwing Cult. She joined Malygos and the dragon forces at the hidden lair entrance, where Malygos destroyed the steel gate and began the assault.

• Onyxia received Sarodar’s order during her argument with Bolvar and departed Stormwind to confront Nefarian.
• Onyxia flew to Blackrock Mountain, intending to kill her brother and seize the Blackwing Cult’s research, equipment, and specimens.
• Malygos led the Blue Dragonflight to join Onyxia’s Black Dragonflight above the hidden Blackwing Cult entrance.
• Onyxia greeted Malygos respectfully, and he blasted the cult’s steel gate apart so the dragons could begin their raid.

The Pandaren of Misty Isle chose between the Alliance and Horde and prepared to leave their home, while the Shaohao Dynasty established the White Tiger Temple as a neutral center on Kalimdor. As interest in Pandaria grew, the dynasty weighed how to handle outsiders and the danger of letting faction armies enter.

• The Pandaren of Misty Isle registered to join the Alliance or Horde, and Ji Firepaw and Aisha Cloudsong prepared to depart with their respective groups.
• Ji Firepaw and Aisha Cloudsong exchanged a reluctant look as they faced parting and the prospect of becoming enemies.
• Admiral Rogers and Warlord Nazgrel traded insults while bidding farewell at the docks.
• The Shaohao Dynasty established the White Tiger Temple as a neutral place for trade, visitors, and Monk training, while treating Misty Isle arrivals as free citizens.
• Goblin merchants and adventurers flocked to Pandaria, and Shaohao and his ministers debated whether to allow Alliance and Horde armies to enter.

Stone Mother Sserath joined the Earth Ring’s war against N’Zoth, while the White Tiger forced the awakened Wild Demigods to serve Sarodar’s empire. The chapter ended with Cenarius preparing to awaken the remaining demigods under the God-Emperor’s orders.

• Stone Mother Sserath pledged her support to the Earth Ring and sent an Elemental Legion to attack Neptulon’s forces at the Throne of the Tides.
• Stone Mother Sserath accepted the new rule that Elemental Lords must treat Shamans from every race equally.
• Wolf God Goldrinn objected to joining Sarodar’s Night Empire, so the White Tiger beat him into submission and ordered him to serve.
• Cenarius told Goldrinn that the new era required every available force to unite against the Void Lords.
• Goldrinn asked whether the other Wild Demigods still had to awaken, and Cenarius confirmed that the God-Emperor had ordered it.

Boss Hu complained about losing one million gold coins to Argus, who planned to build a city for vulnerable races in Northrend. After Queen Azshara offered to treat him to food and drinks, Boss Hu immediately agreed to go with her.

• Boss Hu repeated his complaints about making Wild Demigods work to Argus in the Eternal Night Palace.
• Argus asked Boss Hu for one million gold coins to build a city for peaceful, vulnerable races in the Howling Fjord region of Northrend.
• Boss Hu protested but handed Argus the money, and Argus left for Northrend to pursue his plans.
• Boss Hu sat outside the palace mourning his lost fortune, and Queen Azshara came to see him.
• Queen Azshara invited Boss Hu out for drinks and food and offered to pay, so Boss Hu agreed to go.

Nefarian’s Blackwing Cult came under attack from Malygos and Onyxia’s forces, while the siblings fought for control of the Black Dragonflight. Onyxia empowered by her master pressed Nefarian hard, and their battle continued as the assault closed in.

• Nefarian’s defenses at the Blackwing Cult fell to the combined Blue Dragonflight and Onyxia’s Black Dragons, while the attackers began taking its creatures and golems.
• Onyxia told Nefarian that he could not defeat the power her master had given her, and accused him and Deathwing of serving the Old Gods.
• Onyxia struck Nefarian with a point-blank Deep Breath, badly burning his chest.
• Nefarian vowed to kill Onyxia and turn her into a mindless experimental creation, then traded Shadow Flame with her as their fight continued.