Chapter Summaries

The Night Empire established wild Worgen as forest patrols and discussed the Moon God's Scythe’s independent role among the Druids. In Gilneas, the Night Elves departed without aiding the local Worgen or humans, leaving Gilneas to handle its disaster and pushing its Worgen toward the pro-Stormwind Alliance faction.

• The Night Empire issued notices explaining that wild Worgen patrolled its forests, protected friendly races, and defended against illegal invaders.
• Velinde Starsong, controlled by the Moon God's Scythe, went to Moonglade, where he agreed to join the Druids independently and teach Worgen transformation.
• The Night Elf Border Guard and Druid delegation sailed away from Gilneas, while Gilneans celebrated their departure after the elves’ forest fires.
• Queen Azshara persuaded the Chancellor's Council and Elisande to preserve Darnassus and Teldrassil as an elven region closed to foreign settlement and culture.
• The Gilneans continued flood relief and disaster recovery rather than leaving en masse, and the elves pushed the Worgen toward the pro-Stormwind Kingdom Alliance faction.

Pandaren cuisine and drinking customs drew adventurers into local life, while Prophet Zul sent the Golden Fleet to awaken Lei Shen as an ally against King Rastakhan. The expedition sailed for Kun-Lai Summit, unaware that Lei Shen’s ambitions would make him an unreliable partner.

• A Pandaren chef served two adventurers stir-fried tentacles made from a Draenei corpse, and the dead adventurer’s brother arrived and mourned him.
• The Pandaren and adventurers welcomed the grieving Draenei, shared drinks, and listened as he recounted his brother’s adventures.
• Adventurers adapted to Pandaren customs and followed the rules of civilized society.
• Prophet Zul sent Zandalar’s Golden Fleet toward Kun-Lai Summit to reach Mogu’shan Palace and awaken Lei Shen as an ally against King Rastakhan.
• Zul’s plan overlooked Lei Shen’s own intentions and the danger of trusting his promises.

The Alliance fleet sailed from Stormwind Harbor to support the Shaohao Dynasty in Pandaria, with General Taylor leading the expedition and Prince Anduin Wrynn serving as a diplomatic representative. Meanwhile, Gilneas joined the Alliance as King Genn Greymane reclaimed the kingdom and Lord Godfrey’s rebellion collapsed.

• General Taylor led the Alliance fleet toward Pandaria, while Prince Anduin Wrynn traveled as a military observer and diplomatic representative.
• Thrall lifted the tsunami warning after the Earth Ring drove Neptulon’s Water Elemental Legion from the Maelstrom region.
• King Genn Greymane announced that Gilneas had joined the Alliance as his forces recaptured Gilneas City and surrounding lands.
• The Alliance sent supplies to Gilneas, and Genn pardoned civilians who had supported Lord Godfrey’s rebellion.
• Gilneas civilians deserted Godfrey as the royal army reclaimed territory, leaving his rebels isolated at Seacliff.

Garrosh sent a Horde expedition to Pandaria under Nazgrim, with Saurfang as his deputy, to win resources and prove his leadership while keeping Horde factions united. The Alliance and Horde prepared to land in the Krasarang Wilds under the Shaohao Dynasty’s terms, with Sarodar forbidding them from seizing Pandaren lands as war approached.

• Garrosh dispatched the Horde expeditionary force under High Overlord Nazgrim and appointed Junior Overlord Saurfang as his deputy.
• King Saurfang publicly defended Nazgrim’s right to command regardless of political disagreements, and Garrosh thanked him.
• The Horde planned to land in the Krasarang Wilds near the Alliance, following negotiations with the Shaohao Dynasty.
• Sarodar’s Night Empire backed the Pandaren and declared that the Alliance and Horde could not occupy their lawful lands.
• The Alliance and Horde prepared for a major war across Pandaria.

The Night Empire and the Shaohao Dynasty strengthened ties through military protection, cultural exchange, and trade as Sarodar visited Pandaria. The chapter ended with a Pandaren delegation touring the Night Empire’s arsenal and reacting with alarm to its war machines.

• Sarodar planned to oversee the Pandaria expedition from the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, accompanied by Vivianka and the elite Eternal Chosen Legion.
• Vivianka’s Crusaders continued hunting exploitative nobles, while Grand Duke Bolvar used her as a means to punish nobles who defied the Royal Court.
• Xuen sent elite Monk instructors to Suramar City, and Pandaren masters arrived in the Night Empire to exchange knowledge with Night Elf scholars.
• The Shaohao Dynasty’s jade and carving traditions gained popularity in the Night Empire, while the Night Empire offered the Pandaren military equipment for sale.
• The Pandaren delegation toured the Night Empire’s arsenal and was stunned by its spider Walking Tanks and flamethrowers.

The Shaohao Dynasty bought a vast arsenal from the Night Empire, while its lofty diplomatic letter irritated Queen Azshara until Boss Hu dismissed it as harmless tradition. Azshara secured permission to build up the Naga clans under her authority, but Boss Hu refused to take her on his planned visit to Pandaria.

• The Shaohao Dynasty placed a massive arms order with the Night Empire, and Blackrock set out for Pandaria to promote the Blackrock Syndicate.
• Queen Azshara criticized the Pandaren Dynasty’s diplomatic letter, but Boss Hu explained its proud language as a long-standing tradition and told the council not to take offense.
• Azshara asked to take charge of the Naga clans and promised to have Vashj maintain their strength; Boss Hu agreed and offered to modify Vashj so she could switch between elf and Naga forms.
• Azshara asked to accompany Boss Hu to Pandaria, but he refused and sent her away.

Queen Calia launched the Battle of Stromgarde as Lordaeron and the Stromgarde Restoration Army advanced to reclaim the city before the Horde could seize the Arathi Highlands. After the allied army bombarded Stromgarde, the Horde shifted to building a defensive line around Hammerfall Town, setting the stage for a larger war.

• Grand Marshal Garithos led Lordaeron's First Legion into the Arathi Highlands and joined Prince Thoras's Stromgarde Restoration Army at Refuge Pointe.
• The allied forces reached Stromgarde City and bombarded its ruins with cannons and mage spells.
• The city's Scourge undead, kobolds, and free undead factions fought among themselves as the bombardment spread chaos.
• The Horde realized it had missed its chance to take Stromgarde and changed its strategy.
• Hammerfall Town's forces and the Withered Trolls began building a joint defensive line in the northeastern Arathi Highlands.

As Pandaria faced Mantid attacks, rampant Sha, and Mogu rebellions, Cao Fei prepared to restore the Cao Dynasty by leading his forces against the Mantid in the Valley of the Mantid. The Shaohao Dynasty had agreed to recognize his new realm beyond the Great Wall and establish peaceful relations with it.

• The Mantid launched a major offensive as seven powerful Sha spread across Pandaria, while Mogu warlords began raising rebellions.
• Cao Fei gathered the last Cao Mogu forces and allied Pandaren Monks near the Valley of the Mantid, intent on restoring his dynasty.
• Cao Fei rejected the idea that personal martial strength alone could restore his nation and focused on his role as a ruler and leader.
• Cao Fei planned to fight through the Great Wall, seize land from the Mantid, and expand his territory in the Valley of the Mantid.
• The Shaohao Dynasty agreed to recognize the Cao Dynasty beyond the Great Wall, make peace with it, and allow Mogu to join it freely.

General Commander Taylor led the Alliance fleet to Krasarang Wilds to establish Lion's Landing, while the Horde expeditionary force arrived nearby. As sha energy spread confusion through the jungle, both armies prepared to support the battle at the Temple of the Red Crane.

• A Pandaren fisherman watched the Alliance fleet pass, and General Commander Taylor ordered his troops to prepare to land.
• The Alliance established Lion's Landing as its staging fortress, while the Horde arrived to build a forward base west of it.
• Nat Pagle noted that sha energy had corrupted the fish and worsened the water in Krasarang Wilds.
• Pandaren locals and adventurers watched the armies arrive, and the soldiers began to feel the Confusion of Sha's influence.
• The Alliance and Horde learned that the Confusion of Sha was at the Temple of the Red Crane, where the Red Crane and Shaohao Dynasty Monks were fighting sha demons.
• The expeditionary forces set their first mission: support the battle at the temple, purge the sha demons, and help the Red Crane destroy the Confusion of Sha.

Boss Hu arrived in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms with Emperor Shaohao for a welcoming ceremony, while Alani disrupted the procession by returning to his home territory. At Mogu'shan Palace, Boss Hu learned that the Heart of Y'Shaarj was sealed underground and suggested that its defenses be loosened.

• Boss Hu and Shaohao rode through the Mogu Gate toward Mogu'shan Palace, escorted by the Eternal Chosen Legion and Cloud Serpent Riders.
• Shaohao explained that the Golden Lotus handled internal affairs and that he planned to support a Mogu claimant in the Valley of the Mantid.
• Alani returned to the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, and Cloud Serpent Riders chased him as Shaohao waved guards to drive him away.
• Boss Hu sensed the Heart of Y'Shaarj beneath Mogu'shan Palace and asked Shaohao about it.
• Shaohao said the underground palace was sealed and guarded, but Boss Hu said he would explain why he wanted some negligence later.

Boss Hu persuaded Emperor Shaohao to cooperate with Garrosh’s eventual fall, arguing that it would let Azeroth claim a parallel Draenor. Shaohao agreed to help stage events when the time came.

• Boss Hu explained that Garrosh would seek the Heart of Y'Shaarj to strengthen his position but would resist its corruption through his devotion to the Horde.
• Boss Hu described how Garrosh would eventually fail, face judgment, escape prison, and open a path to a parallel Draenor.
• Boss Hu argued that sacrificing Garrosh and risking damage to the Vale of Eternal Blossoms was worthwhile if Azeroth gained a new world.
• Emperor Shaohao agreed that the Shaohao Dynasty would cooperate and stage a grand show for Garrosh when the time came.

Alliance and Horde forces launched separate campaigns across Pandaria while the Shaohao Dynasty faced Sha outbreaks, Mogu rebellions, and other threats. The Rage of Sha was driven back from the Vale of Eternal Blossoms by Alani, while the Pride of Sha remained hidden beneath the continent, influencing its people.

• General Turalyon led Alliance forces to the Temple of the Red Crane, while Prince Anduin headed to the Jade Forest to meet Yu'lon.
• The Horde marched into the Valley of the Four Winds to fight Salles's Legion and its giant Mushan mount, Cannon Ship, while Saurfang secretly went to recruit the Hozen.
• Mogu remnants rebelled across Pandaria, prompting the Shaohao Dynasty and the Crusaders of the Eternal Chosen Legion to organize forces against them, especially in Kun-Lai Summit.
• The Rage of Sha rampaged through Kun-Lai Summit and tried to cross into the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, but Alani struck him with lightning and forced him back.
• The Pride of Sha remained hidden in the underground palace sealing the Heart of Y'Shaarj while continuing to influence intelligent beings across Pandaria.

Cao Fei’s Mogu and Pandaren forces seized territory beneath the Great Wall as the Mantid gathered for a counterattack. Meanwhile, Zul’s Zandalari secretly prepared to revive Lei Shen and recruit giant dinosaurs for war.

• Cao Fei’s army routed the Mantid and occupied the region from Osul Fire Camp to Phantom Outpost.
• Cao Fei halted his advance and ordered defensive works while Shadow-Pan forces provided support and scouts reported the Mantid’s gathering counterattack.
• Zandalari prophets opened the Mogu’shan tomb and escorted Lei Shen’s coffin toward the Isle of Thunder to revive him.
• Zul’s secret fleet landed on the Isle of Giants, where the Zandalari planned to turn its giant dinosaurs into weapons of war.

Emperor Shaohao investigated the unexplained Zandalari presence in Pandaria while preparing to host the Blackrock Syndicate’s Arms Exhibition in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. After firearms from the Night Empire transformed the Great Wall’s defenses, the Pandaren crushed a Mantid assault and welcomed the exhibition.

• Emperor Shaohao ordered an investigation into the Zandalari fleet and Troll tracks in Kun-Lai Snow Mountain, and asked the Horde for an explanation.
• Emperor Shaohao allowed the Blackrock Syndicate to hold its Arms Exhibition in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, provided it did not damage the surroundings.
• The Shadow-Pan Garrison equipped the Great Wall with energy rifles, heavy machine guns, and Tiger-Squat Cannons bought from the Night Empire.
• The Mantid attacked the Great Wall with flying troops and Amber Scorpion beasts, but Pandaren soldiers cut them down with firearms and artillery.
• The Pandaren used incendiary shells to devastate the Mantid ground forces and won a decisive victory, after which they agreed to the arms exhibition.

After the Great Wall campaign demonstrated the power of firearms, the Shaohao Dynasty approved expanded weapons procurement and the Blackrock Syndicate opened a vast arms exhibition in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. Pandaren officials and civilians bought weapons, vehicles, and consumer goods in droves, leaving the region bustling with customers.

• The Shaohao Dynasty's leaders reconsidered firearms after the Great Wall campaign showed how effectively ordinary soldiers could use them, and they approved official weapons procurement.
• The Blackrock Syndicate rented the Mogu Gate and surrounding grounds for an exhibition of civilian goods and military technology.
• Blackrock staff demonstrated rapid-fire energy guns and artillery to Pandaren procurement officers and promoted weapons packages against the Mantid.
• Pandaren civilians bought Void Rockets, motorcycles, televisions, and other goods, with many riding their unfamiliar new vehicles home.
• More Pandaren traveled to the Vale of Eternal Blossoms to shop, postponing concern about the Mantid, Mogu, and sha demons.

After the Blackrock Syndicate exhibition, the Shaohao Dynasty rapidly armed its troops with modern weapons and resumed its campaigns against the Sha. As technology spread across Pandaria, Emperor Shaohao saw the dynasty entering a period of rising national fortune.

• The Shaohao Dynasty bought weapons in bulk, and Emperor Shaohao ordered modern firearms and artillery for the Great Wall Guards while inland troops began using Spider Walking Tanks.
• Monks and Cloud Serpent Riders adapted to their new weapons, and the dynasty's armies resumed their offensives across Pandaria.
• Goblin vendors followed the fighting as the Shao demons suffered heavy losses, while the main legion and the Crusaders' Eternal Chosen Legion advanced toward the Kun-Lai Summit to destroy the Rage of Sha.
• Goblin televisions and news broadcasts spread across Pandaria, letting civilians watch events such as the army's approach to the Rage of Sha.
• Emperor Shaohao told his officials that technology would strengthen the Pandaren and described the Shaohao Dynasty's national fortune as rising.

Madam Goya faced a takeover of her black market by Baron Hekso, but Wrathion arranged a meeting that turned her threatened business into a partnership with the Blackrock Syndicate. Wrathion then asked Hekso to take him to Stormwind City as a prisoner so he could meet his elder sister Onyxia.

• The Blackrock Syndicate undermined Madam Goya's Misty Tavern black market through violence and damaging reports.
• Wrathion offered Madam Goya a way out and invited Hekso to the tavern for negotiations.
• Hekso's Crusader Chosen Zealots defeated Wrathion's disguised Black Dragon guards, and Hekso demanded a majority stake in Madam Goya's black market.
• Madam Goya secured control of the Blackrock Syndicate's black market operations and a share of profits from other regions in exchange for promising to increase profits.
• Wrathion asked Hekso to take him to Stormwind City as a prisoner and gift so he could meet Onyxia.

The Blackrock Syndicate aggressively advertised its products across Pandaria, where a huge new market had opened under strict trade restrictions. Meanwhile, Hekso City turned an unused super bomb into a gaudy monument that became a pilgrimage site for Goblins.

• The Blackrock Syndicate saturated Pandaria's television channels with Goblin product advertising to secure customers before rival conglomerates arrived.
• Hekso had the Syndicate transport the unused super bomb Little Chubby from The Blasted Lands to Hekso City on Floating Island Number Three.
• The Goblins mounted Little Chubby on a steel pedestal in the central square and made it a monument despite widespread alarm about its danger.
• The Goblins decorated the bomb with gold plating, bright lights, and elaborate carvings commissioned from elven artists.
• Goblin visitors from across the world gathered at Bomb Square to admire the monument, mutter before it, and kiss it.

As Neptulon and his Water Elemental Legion attacked the Maelstrom, Thrall’s Earth Ring resisted with support from Sserath and the Deeprock elementals. The chapter then described how the elements favored some Shamanic races while dismissing or ignoring others.

• Neptulon led the Water Elemental Legion in repeated attacks on the Maelstrom, but Thrall’s Earth Ring held them back.
• Sserath sent Earth and Stone Elementals from the Deeprock Continent to aid Thrall against the Water Elemental Legion.
• Sserath’s support improved Shamans’ ability to communicate with the elements, while Bearman Shamans continued to struggle.
• Draenei Shamans joined the Earth Ring after Nobundo led his people back to Prophet Velen, and Thrall welcomed their help.
• The elements largely favored orcs, Tauren, and Draenei, while the chapter described their poor relations with Dwarves, Goblins, Trolls, and Pandaren.

Fel Energy gave the Bearmen of Felwood and Winterspring a new source of power, splitting their tribes into factions that went to war. Meanwhile, the Night Empire’s leaders debated whether to admit the Satyr demons of Felwood as citizens.

• Immol'thar saved a dying Bearman Shaman and infused him with Fel Energy, which healed him and granted him powerful new abilities.
• The Bearman Shaman returned to his tribe to spread Fel Energy, and the Bearmen split between those who embraced it and those who remained loyal to the Elements.
• The two Bearman factions fought over Mouth of the Maw Fortress as the Fel Energy clans tried to enter Winterspring Valley.
• The Eternal Night God-Emperor allowed the conflict to continue, prepared to support whichever side prevailed and keep the Bearmen as a vassal race.
• Satyr demons in Felwood renewed their demands for citizenship after Queen Azshara returned, prompting fierce debate in the Night Empire’s Prime Minister Council.