Chapter Summaries

Tyrande rejected Malfurion’s effort to negotiate peace with the Horde and rallied the Night Elf leaders to continue the war over Ashenvale. Malfurion was left facing the question of how he could secure peace without surrendering their ancestral lands.

• Thrall repeatedly sent envoys to negotiate, but Tyrande refused and ordered more Night Elves to the front.
• Malfurion arrived in Ashenvale with Druids seeking peace and convened a meeting with Tyrande and the faction leaders.
• Malfurion argued that the Horde had earned a chance to negotiate after helping defeat the Qiraji, but Tyrande denounced peace with the Orcs.
• Verina declared that the High Elves would keep fighting, and Malfurion tried to expel her from the meeting.
• Tyrande vowed to fight rather than accept peace, and Illidan, Maiev, Shandris, and other leaders supported her.
• Tyrande challenged Malfurion to explain whether he would give Ashenvale to the Horde or persuade them to withdraw.

Malfurion argued for peace talks with the Orcs over Ashenvale, while Tyrande insisted the Night Elves would only grow more vulnerable by negotiating. After a heated dispute, Tyrande left for Darkshore with Illidan and most of the war-minded elves, leaving Malfurion to pursue talks.

• Malfurion urged the Night Elf leaders to negotiate with the Orcs, arguing that their people could not sustain the war, while Tyrande rejected the idea of surrendering Ashenvale.
• Tyrande slapped Malfurion and warned that peace would also let the Orcs grow stronger, but Malfurion defended the Orcs and appealed to the exhausted elves’ desire for respite.
• Azshara arrived at the meeting and mocked the Night Elves for considering peace, while Verina questioned why outsiders were telling them what to do.
• Tyrande threatened to leave, and Illidan and roughly sixty to seventy percent of the elves chose to follow her.
• Tyrande departed for Darkshore with her followers, while Malfurion reassured the remaining elves that negotiations with Thrall and the Orcs could restore their lives.

Tyrande left Ashenvale with most of the Night Elf troops and supplies after rejecting Malfurion’s push for peace. Malfurion stayed behind with the Druids, who cheered his promise to seek peace with the Orcs, and ordered them to remain alert while negotiations were pending.

• Tyrande accused Malfurion of fearing change and ignoring the Orcs’ threat, then reminded him that his choices had led to Cenarius’s death.
• Tyrande said she would not bear the consequences of the Druids’ choices and rode away with the retreating troops.
• Illidan approached Malfurion and claimed he would care for Tyrande, but Maiev seized him and dragged him away.
• Malfurion returned to the camp and told the Druids he would send envoys to seek peace with the Orcs.
• Malfurion ordered the Druids to hold their positions and stay alert until peace was reached, and they agreed.

Tyrande prepared to sail to Suramar with Azshara and Deren’s reinforcements, leaving Shandris in command of the Night Elf forces on Darkshore. The group gathered at Auberdine Harbor and planned to demand that Suramar open up and reform, with Tyrande confident they could overcome the Nightborne’s resistance.

• Tyrande told Shandris to guard the Night Elf camp and supply lines, and not to surrender command even if Malfurion arrived.
• Tyrande agreed to bring Azshara to Suramar, where the queen hoped to confront the damage she had caused and reclaim legitimacy among the elves.
• Deren, Onyxia, Aegwynn, and Elaseth arrived at Auberdine Harbor with Tyrande, Azshara, Illidan, and Maiev.
• Tyrande reported that Malfurion had taken control of the front lines and that Shandris was leading her troops on Darkshore.
• Deren proposed following the Zandalar precedent by taking the godslaying squad to Suramar to demand openness and reform, and Tyrande agreed to guide them.

Deren's group reached Suramar, where Aegwynn prepared to deal with the city's ancient Magic Barrier and its Mana Addiction. The chapter ended with Azshara eager to confront the Nightborne, while Deren insisted they begin with courtesy.

• Tyrande offered to guide the ship to Suramar, but Aegwynn teleported the vessel from Darkshore to the island and then to Suramar.
• Deren told Aegwynn that Suramar's Magic Barrier was likely sustained by the Eye of Aman'Thul and discussed using Anveena's Sunwell water to help the Mana-addicted elves.
• Aegwynn teleported Deren, Azshara, and the others to shore near the barrier after the ship anchored.
• Azshara posed as Suramar's returning Queen, then asked Deren whether they should teach the Nightborne a lesson.
• Deren told Azshara to show courtesy before force, and she quickly agreed.

Deren and his companions reached Suramar and tried to gain entry by asking to visit Arcane Master Taliyah. The Nightborne refused them and attacked, but Aegwynn stopped their Arcane Master from casting spells.

• The group arrived at Suramar and saw its Magic Barrier, the city beyond it, and the Withered outside.
• Azshara and Tyrande reacted to seeing Suramar, while Illidan reminisced and Maiev reminded him that she was his queen.
• Tyrande asked the Nightborne to let the group visit Taliyah, but their captain refused entry.
• Deren insulted the Nightborne after they mocked him, prompting the captain to sound an alarm and summon reinforcements.
• A Nightborne Arcane Master attacked Deren with an Ice Lance, but Tyrande deflected it.
• The Arcane Master began casting another spell, but Aegwynn approached the barrier and prevented her from casting.

Deren’s group confronted Alysande outside Suramar, where Azshara revealed herself and faced accusations from her former subjects. After the group set up camp, Deren and Aegwynn secretly planned to infiltrate the city and obtain a treasure, leaving Aegwynn ready for the nighttime operation.

• Aegwynn stopped the Arcane Master from casting spells, and the alarm she fired brought Alysande and her forces to the group.
• Alysande recognized Tyrande, refused to admit the visitors to Suramar, and warned them to leave.
• Deren announced that the group would camp outside the city, then called Azshara forward to greet her former subjects.
• Azshara and Alysande argued over Azshara’s past, while Tyrande explained why she had allied with her again.
• Deren and Aegwynn quietly planned to infiltrate Suramar and take a treasure, while Aegwynn later waited in her tent for the operation to begin.

Aegwynn secretly left Deren’s camp, and Suramar’s Magic Barrier weakened and vanished at dawn. As the city descended into chaos, Deren’s group gave Sunwell Water to three Withered and arranged for Azshara and Tyrande to share them.

• Aegwynn slipped through the Magic Barrier and disappeared into the night.
• Several Withered entered Deren’s camp, where Onyxia gave them Sunwell Water and one regained the ability to speak briefly.
• Deren explained the Withered’s condition, and Azshara and Tyrande agreed to split the three between them.
• Suramar’s Magic Barrier vanished, revealing the city and sending the Nightborne into panic.
• Deren said the Withered might gradually recover as Suramar fell into chaos.

The Eye of Aman'Thul vanished, causing Suramar's Magic Barrier and mana supply to fail and plunging the Nightborne into panic. Alysande and Thalyssra went to confront the outsiders they suspected, while Deren and his companions watched the city from their camp.

• The Magic Barrier disappeared, and Suramar's residents panicked as their mana dwindled and Mana Addiction took hold.
• Thalyssra tried to calm the crowd, while Alysande sealed off the Nightwell after discovering its energy and the Eye of Aman'Thul were gone.
• Alysande told Thalyssra that outsiders including Tyrande, Illidan, Maiev, and Azshara had arrived before the crisis and might be responsible.
• Deren explained that the Nightborne's dependence on the artifact had made them unable to cope without it, as his companions observed the Withered recovering.
• Alysande brought Thalyssra to Deren's camp to seek answers.

Thalyssra and Alysande questioned Deren’s group about the missing Eye of Aman’Thul, while Tyrande and Azshara explained why they had come to Suramar. The questioning remained unresolved as Alysande seized Onyxia’s Sunwell Water and drank it.

• Thalyssra recognized Tyrande and asked whether she was responsible for the Nightwell’s depleted energy and Suramar’s upheaval.
• Alysande questioned her sentries and then tried to use Arcane Energy to compel Deren, but Onyxia blocked her and threatened the two Arcane Masters.
• Thalyssra asked Tyrande why she had come, and Tyrande described the Night Elves’ losses and her hope of uniting the elves.
• Azshara told Thalyssra that Elune had restored her ancient form and urged the isolated Nightborne to unite with other elves.
• After learning that Onyxia carried water that could heal the withered, Alysande snatched her bottle of Sunwell Water and drank it.

Deren’s group entered Suramar after Thalyssra invited them in, while the Nightborne continued to suspect them of taking the Eye of Aman'Thul. Thalyssra tried to gain their help for the city’s magical crisis, but Deren refused to take the hint.

• Thalyssra asked Alysande to consider Azshara’s proposal, and Alysande suspected it was a plot to restore Azshara to power.
• Thalyssra invited Deren’s group into Suramar, and Deren agreed after the Nightborne offered to pack up their camp.
• Onyxia gave Thalyssra several bottles of Sunwell Water, and the Nightborne agreed to care for the three recovering Withered.
• Thalyssra led the group into Suramar, where she explained that the city’s Magic Barrier had vanished and caused panic.
• Thalyssra learned Deren’s name and appealed to him for help with the Nightborne’s magical hunger, but he claimed outsiders could do nothing.

Deren and his companions defeated the Duskwatch force that Alysande sent to seize the Eye of Aman'Thul, leaving Suramar's leaders unable to challenge them. Thalyssra stripped Alysande of her authority and escorted the group through the city, hoping to persuade them to return the artifact.

• Alysande surrounded Deren and his companions with Duskwatch soldiers and demanded that they surrender the Eye of Aman'Thul.
• Aegwynn, Illidan, Maiev, and Elaseth overwhelmed the Duskwatch without killing anyone, and Elaseth sent Alysande flying.
• Deren decided to leave Suramar, but Thalyssra apologized and ordered Alysande stripped of her authority and imprisoned.
• Thalyssra placed the Duskwatch under her command and ordered them to protect Deren and his companions.
• Azshara accepted Thalyssra's apology on Deren's behalf and led him on a tour of Suramar, while Onyxia linked arms with him on his other side.

Deren and his companions toured Suramar as Thalyssra tried to win their help for the Nightborne’s failing city. Azshara proposed an Elf Council in exchange for aid, and Thalyssra agreed, leaving the negotiations over Suramar’s magical crisis to begin.

• Deren toured Suramar with Azshara and Onyxia while Thalyssra guided them past the city’s wonders and hidden, frightened residents.
• Tyrande, Maiev, Illidan, and Aegwynn reacted to Suramar’s beauty and decline, while Deren remarked that the city seemed close to its end.
• At a plaza, Azshara explained that a dried fountain had once been a key node in Suramar’s magical network.
• Deren asked Azshara whether Suramar should be saved, and she said her help depended on whether the Nightborne had learned from their past.
• Azshara proposed uniting the elven races through an Elf Council, and Thalyssra agreed while asking for help with Suramar’s urgent magic shortage.
• Deren left the matter to Azshara and told her to arrange a solution after reaching an agreement with Thalyssra.

Deren’s group settled into Alysande’s residence while Suramar’s leaders debated Azshara’s proposal to unite the elven races and end the city’s mana crisis. Alysande resigned and entrusted Suramar’s future to Thalyssra, who prepared to meet Azshara the next day.

• Thalyssra arranged for Deren and his group to stay at Alysande’s residence, and Deren’s party held a barbecue with their own supplies.
• Thalyssra told Suramar’s leaders about the outsiders’ strength and Azshara’s proposal to form an Elf Council in exchange for a possible solution to their mana shortage.
• Suramar’s officials argued over isolation, cooperation, and a plan to drug the visitors, which Thalyssra rejected.
• Alysande admitted that her isolationist approach had failed, resigned as Grand Arcane Master, and transferred authority to Thalyssra.
• Thalyssra ended the meeting and announced that she would meet Azshara on Suramar’s behalf the next day.

Thalyssra agreed to join Azshara's Elf Council on the condition that Suramar's mana crisis be addressed first. Azshara restored the Nightwell with a drop of Eternal Well Water, and Thalyssra pledged the Nightborne would honor their agreement.

• Thalyssra visited Deren and Azshara after drinking Mana Wine to prepare for negotiations.
• Thalyssra formally accepted Suramar's invitation to join the Elf Council, provided the Nightwell was restored.
• Azshara revealed a vial of Eternal Well Water and took the group to the Nightwell.
• Azshara poured a tiny drop of the water into the Nightwell, reviving its flow of mana and easing the Nightborne's hunger.
• Thalyssra thanked Azshara and promised the Nightborne would keep their word about joining the Elf Council.

Malfurion and Thrall negotiated a ceasefire and agreed that the Horde would remain in eastern Ashenvale, but repeated Orc incursions strained the peace. After hearing that Night Elf forces seemed diminished, Thrall sent Saurfang to investigate their camp and ordered the clans to pause further border crossings.

• Malfurion and Thrall met in Ashenvale and agreed to an immediate ceasefire, with the Horde restricted to operating east of the line between their forces.
• Horde members, especially from the Warsong Clan, repeatedly crossed into Night Elf territory to cut trees, hunt, and scout, prompting Malfurion to protest to Thrall.
• Thrall apologized to Malfurion and said he had sent Frostwolf patrols to restrain the violations.
• Thrall summoned the clan leaders and warned them to stop crossing the border while the Horde assessed the situation.
• After the Warsong leader claimed that fewer Night Elves remained in the area, Thrall ordered Saurfang to visit their camp under the pretext of bringing apology gifts and investigate their strength.

Saurfang confirmed that the Night Elf forces in Ashenvale were diminished, and Thrall and Saurfang devised a way to exploit the apparent weakness while preserving Thrall’s reputation. As Orc clans escalated their raids and logging, Malfurion ordered the elves not to retaliate, while Thrall avoided his protests and returned to Orgrimmar.

• Saurfang apologized to Malfurion for the border violations and learned that Shandris was absent from the camp.
• Saurfang reported the reduced Night Elf presence to Thrall, and they planned to let Orc clans provoke the elves and seize territory if they did not resist.
• Orcs crossed the ceasefire line to cut down ancient trees and steal supplies, prompting Malfurion to forbid retaliation.
• Thrall refused to meet Malfurion, gave increasingly evasive replies to his protests, and eventually returned to Orgrimmar to recuperate.
• Malfurion wondered whether Thrall was exploiting Tyrande’s absence and his reluctance to restart the war.

Malfurion ordered Ashenvale’s forces to retreat and avoid provoking the Horde, then traveled to Darkshore to seek Tyrande’s help. He learned Tyrande was away in Suramar, and Shandris refused to move her army without Tyrande’s command, leaving him unable to secure reinforcements.

• Malfurion ordered the sentinels and Druids to fall back, record Horde incursions, and avoid retaliation while he sought Tyrande’s help.
• Malfurion flew to Darkshore and asked Shandris to take him to Tyrande, but she told him Tyrande had gone to Suramar to contact the Nightborne.
• Malfurion explained that the Horde was violating the peace agreement and asked Shandris to send troops to the front.
• Shandris refused to mobilize Tyrande’s army without Tyrande’s authorization, even after Malfurion threatened her with treason.
• Malfurion asked how he could contact Tyrande, but Shandris said she had no way to reach her.

Deren proposed using the Orcs’ escalating provocations in Ashenvale to unite the elven races under Azshara’s Elf Council. Tyrande agreed, and Thalyssra committed Suramar’s forces to the campaign as Alysande prepared to lead the Duskwatch to Ashenvale.

• Tyrande brought Azshara a report that Malfurion had yielded to the Horde and ordered Night Elf forces not to resist in Ashenvale.
• Deren advised Tyrande not to intervene with her main force and proposed giving the Cenarion Circle a seat on the Elf Council.
• Deren argued that the Ashenvale conflict should become a war between the Orcs and all elves, with Azshara’s Elf Council directing the response.
• Tyrande agreed to the plan after Deren explained that the Night Elves would hold the council’s majority based on their population and territory.
• Deren proposed releasing Alysande and sending her to lead the Duskwatch to Ashenvale, and Thalyssra pledged Suramar’s support.
• Tyrande agreed and planned to ask Shandris to stabilize the front until Suramar’s reinforcements arrived.

Deren and the elven leaders established the Elf Council and divided its seats among the elven groups. Alysande then reported that the Duskwatch was assembled and ready to deploy to the battlefield.

• Thalyssra brought Alysande to the meeting, where Alysande pledged to prove the Nightborne's loyalty as she prepared to lead the Duskwatch to Kalimdor.
• Deren proposed seats for the Sindra Elves, Quel'dorei, Nightborne, and Night Elves, while Tyrande and Azshara negotiated additional seats for their factions and the Zandalar.
• The leaders agreed on the Elf Council's representation, and Deren led them in applauding its founding.
• Tyrande worried that Malfurion would oppose the council, and Deren explained how refusing to join would cost him his influence and seat.
• Tyrande realized Deren had played a major role in ambushing Deathwing, but Deren avoided explaining the details.
• Alysande returned with Duskwatch officers and told Azshara that the force was assembled and ready for the battlefield.