Unlike the scenic Hillsbrad Foothills, the Arathi Highlands stood at such a high elevation that even prolonged rainfall would not create vast swamps and wetlands. The sky was never blue, only an unchanging gray, day after day, for all eternity.
The Arathi Highlands lay on the southwestern fringe of Lordaeron, facing the Wetlands of northern Khaz Modan across a valley, south of both the Hinterlands and Hillsbrad. Thoradin's Wall, an enormous fortification stretching across its northern border, had once symbolized humanity's power and defenses. Now, it had long since fallen into ruin amid the ravages of war.
The climate of the Arathi Highlands was much like that of the Wetlands to the south, perhaps because the Wetlands lay directly below Arathi.
By the time Rex entered the Arathi Highlands, the summer heat had already receded, giving way to an early autumn. Time had passed quickly. The turbulent year 20 after the opening of the Dark Portal was already over. First came the outbreaks of plague in northern Lordaeron, followed by Lordaeron's upheaval and one battle after another in the war for Gilneas. All of it ensured that year 20 would be remembered by future historians. Too much had happened that year.
The destruction of the Kingdom of Lordaeron and the rise of Gilneas had both taken place within a single year.
It was now year 21 after the opening of the Dark Portal. The Burning Legion's invasion, which should have erupted by now, was still brewing. According to Rex's calculations, it should occur in the latter half of the year.
Netherwing beat his gleaming wings and swiftly flew over Thoradin's Wall. Looking down at the ruined wall beneath him, Rex sighed. Though it fell short of the Greymane Wall, Thoradin's Wall was still an imposing fortification. King Genn had used