Chapter Summaries

Rhode warned the Council of Six that the Lich King’s necromancy could be part of a Burning Legion plan to invade Azeroth. His hints led the council to suspect that the Book of Medivh, kept in Dalaran, could enable the invasion, and they turned to Antonidas.

• Kael'thas reviewed the evidence Rhode recovered from Scholomance and asked whether he had learned anything else.
• Rhode told Kael'thas and the Council of Six that Kel'Thuzad’s necromancy could bring the dead back to life, and Antonidas asked about the Lich King mentioned in the pamphlets.
• Rhode suggested that the Lich King was connected to the Burning Legion and might be preparing to summon its forces to Azeroth.
• Antonidas doubted demons could enter Azeroth freely, while Krasus explained that interdimensional summoning would require a powerful mage and a powerful magical artifact.
• Rhode hinted that Kel'Thuzad and an artifact in Dalaran could provide what the summoning required, leading the Council of Six to consider the Book of Medivh and look to Antonidas.

Antonidas and the Council of Six planned an investigation into Kel'Thuzad and the Cult of the Damned while Rhode explored Dalaran's magic hall. Rhode unexpectedly learned the Comprehend Languages spell from a book and tested it just as a young female mage appeared in the doorway.

• Antonidas and the Council of Six agreed to investigate Kel'Thuzad, contain the Cult of the Damned, and keep the threat secret from most nations while deploying mages across several regions.
• While the council discussed assignments, Rhode wandered through the magic hall and entered an empty mage's room.
• Rhode found a copy of Practical Manual of Comprehend Languages and discovered that he could understand each page as soon as he read it.
• Rhode finished the manual, cast Comprehend Languages on himself, and realized he could not tell whether it had worked because he already knew the languages.
• Rhode looked around for someone else to test the spell on and saw a young female mage staring at him from the doorway.

Rhode met Jaina and demonstrated that he had learned the Comprehend Languages spell by quickly reading her book. He began teaching her his spell-model method, but their lesson was interrupted when Kael'thas and Antonidas entered.

• Jaina tested whether Rhode understood Elvish, and Rhode explained that he already knew the language.
• Rhode cast Comprehend Languages on Jaina and spoke to her in Ogrish, proving that he had learned the spell.
• Rhode tried another magic book and realized his language talent had helped him understand Comprehend Languages so quickly.
• Jaina asked Rhode to teach her the spell, and he explained it with spell-model diagrams.
• Kael'thas and Antonidas entered and found Rhode and Jaina studying closely together.

Rhode was chosen to establish a new mage academy in the Hillsbrad Foothills, recruiting apprentices regardless of wealth or status. Antonidas then prepared to take Rhode, Kael'thas, and Jaina to Lordaeron City to seek royal support and attend Princess Calia Menethil's birthday banquet.

• Antonidas examined Rhode's detailed spell diagrams and praised his understanding of magic as comparable to an Archmage's.
• Antonidas proposed that Rhode lead a new mage academy to train recruits as the Cult of the Damned expanded its ranks.
• Rhode agreed, insisting that the academy accept apprentices regardless of background, and Antonidas endorsed the policy despite Kael'thas's objections.
• Antonidas told Rhode, Kael'thas, and Jaina that they would travel to Lordaeron City to seek royal aid and attend Princess Calia Menethil's birthday banquet.

Rhode learned that King Terenas had invited him to Lordaeron City after hearing about his role in stopping Blackmoore's rebellion. He attended Princess Calia Menethil's birthday banquet and arrived in the throne hall as Terenas welcomed the guests.

• Antonidas told Rhode that King Terenas had asked him to bring Rhode to Lordaeron City after learning about the trouble in Durnholde and Caer Darrow.
• Antonidas set out with Rhode and the others for the capital.
• Rhode and the other guests followed the ceremonial route through Lordaeron City to the throne hall.
• Rhode admired the city and recalled that Arthas would one day return along the Road of Victory after falling to the Scourge.
• King Terenas welcomed the assembled guests to Calia Menethil's birthday banquet.

Rhode attended Calia’s birthday banquet in Lordaeron and watched King Terenas arrive with his family. After suspecting the gathering was also meant to find Calia a husband, he learned the banquet had officially begun and the guests could present her with birthday gifts.

• Rhode followed Antonidas into the banquet hall and noticed that King Terenas had given him a searching look.
• Rhode saw Antonidas, Kael'thas, and Jaina surrounded by admirers while he stood alone.
• King Terenas entered with Queen Lianne, Arthas, and Calia, and Rhode admired Calia while recalling her past with Deathwing.
• Rhode guessed that Terenas might be using Calia’s birthday to arrange a match and realized the king had looked closely at other young men too.
• Terenas welcomed the guests, declared the banquet open, and invited them to present Calia with birthday gifts.

At Calia's birthday banquet, guests presented her with gifts, including offerings from Bolvar Fordragon, Jaina, and Kael'thas. Rhode watched the gifts arrive and reconsidered his plans for Arthas, while Kael'thas's impractical bow gift left him unimpressed.

• Rhode realized he had forgotten to prepare a birthday gift as guests began presenting offerings to Calia.
• Representatives from Gilneas, Gnomeregan, and Ironforge gave Calia a magic top hat, a music box, and a barrel that dispensed different drinks.
• Duke Bolvar Fordragon presented Calia with a jewelry box, and Rhode recognized him as the future regent and a renowned Paladin.
• Jaina gave Calia a giant pearl, and she and Arthas exchanged affectionate looks while Calia welcomed Jaina warmly.
• Prince Kael'thas presented Calia with an ornate Quel'Thalas Golden Bow, which Rhode considered useless to a princess who was not an archer.

Rhode was unexpectedly called on to present a gift to Princess Calia, but Duke Bolvar suggested that he perform a magic trick instead. Rhode amazed the guests with dancing arcane golems and an elaborate flower made from mage hands and ice.

• Kael'thas loudly called on Rhode to present his gift to Calia, leaving Rhode with nothing suitable to offer.
• Bolvar suggested that Rhode perform a magic trick, and Jaina encouraged him to entertain Calia.
• Rhode summoned five arcane golems and made them dance to the gnome's Music Box.
• Rhode shaped mage hands into a blooming flower, then formed a large, crystal-clear ice flower at its center.

Rhode's magical gift captivated Princess Calia, and King Terenas publicly honored him for thwarting Blackmoore's rebellion by granting him the title of earl. The chapter left Rhode stunned as the banquet crowd reacted to his sudden rise in rank.

• Rhode combined Mage Hand and Ice Armor to present Calia with a dazzling bouquet and a flawless Ice Rose.
• Calia was enchanted by Rhode's gift, and the banquet guests applauded while Prince Kael'thas looked displeased.
• Antonidas introduced Rhode to King Terenas as the mage who had thwarted Blackmoore's plot and become headmaster of Dalaran's mage academy in the Hillsbrad Foothills.
• King Terenas publicly praised Rhode for stopping Blackmoore's rebellion and declared that he would grant Rhode the title of earl.
• Terenas asked Rhode to kneel, leaving Rhode baffled as the nobles and foreign representatives watched.

Rhode became the Earl of Darrow Hill, receiving a vast fief that included Durnholde Keep, Southshore, Tarren Mill, and the occupied Alterac Ruins. At the banquet, Antonidas told him the king would fund the Mage Academy and entrusted him with building a new Mage Corps.

• Terenas knighted Rhode as the Earl of Darrow Hill and granted him lands including Durnholde Keep, Southshore, Tarren Mill, and the Alterac Ruins, whose reclamation Rhode was expected to pursue.
• Rhode accepted the title and promised to serve Lordaeron and govern his territory well.
• The banquet’s attention shifted to Rhode, and nobles and young noblewomen crowded around him to talk and flirt.
• Rhode escaped the crowd when Antonidas beckoned him and learned that Terenas would donate funds to the Mage Academy.
• Antonidas tasked Rhode with returning quickly to establish a new Mage Corps to fight the darkness.

Rhode chose a central site near Southshore for the mage academy and returned to the bustling harbor. He asked Hackett to take him to Mayor Marebu to discuss his plans.

• Rhode returned to Durnholde Keep with Antonidas, where Lilia greeted him with playful punches and Sally watched.
• Rhode studied a map and selected the flat land between Southshore and Tarren Mill near Eastpoint Tower for the mage academy.
• Rhode told Lilia they were heading back to Southshore, and she was excited to see Bumpelba and the Murlocs.
• At Southshore's harbor, Rhode saw Hackett leading a patrol and learned the harbor was thriving with help from the Murlocs and Mayor Marebu.
• Rhode asked Hackett to take him to Marebu so he could discuss something with the mayor.

Rhode planned a school of magic near Westpoint Tower while Southshore expanded its residential district. The town leaders agreed to pursue both projects, and Rhode named the new school the Westpoint School of Magic.

• Mayor Marebu reported that the harbor was nearly complete and that Southshore needed more housing for arriving settlers.
• Rhode announced that he would build a school of magic to train local spellcasters and prepare against future threats.
• Rhode said his mages, artisans, and Musket Corps would lead construction while the town continued its residential project and recruited more workers.
• Magistrate Redpath warned that the school site was near dangerous Darrow Hill, and Rhode promised to clear the area himself.
• Rhode explained that he wanted the inland settlement to protect Southshore's residents from future disasters.
• Rhode named the school the Westpoint School of Magic.

Rhode returned to the camp at Westpoint Tower and led his forces toward Darrow Hill to deal with an infestation of giant mountain lions. When a huge stampede charged at them, he ordered the mages and Musket Corps to prepare to fight despite Lieutenant Orinel's warning.

• Lilia and Sally prepared to duel, but Lilia abandoned the fight when Bumpelba arrived, and Rhode used Understand Language so they could talk.
• Rhode returned with Lieutenant Orinel and soldiers, then ordered Katel to gather everyone except the artisans and march to Darrow Hill.
• Lieutenant Orinel explained that giant mountain lions had migrated from the Alterac Mountains and multiplied after the yetis were driven from Darrow Hill.
• The party reached the familiar area near the yeti cave, where a vast herd of giant mountain lions suddenly charged toward them.
• Rhode ordered the mages forward and the Musket Corps into position while Lieutenant Orinel warned that their small force could not withstand the stampede.

Rhode’s forces annihilated the mountain lion pack with arcane golems, muskets, and magic, then began clearing the battlefield. At the cave entrance, Lilia prepared to attack a gray leopard until Rhode recognized its Crescent Moon Mark and heard it plead in Darnassian that it was a night elf.

• The mages summoned arcane golems to hold back the mountain lions while Katel ordered the musketeers to fire and Rhode led the mages’ barrage.
• Rhode’s forces killed the entire pack in about ten minutes without suffering any casualties, impressing Lieutenant Orinel with Rhode’s command.
• Targ sent the ogres to collect the carcasses, and Katel ordered everyone to help clear the battlefield.
• A musketeer spotted a gray leopard by the cave, and Lilia rushed over, eager to fight it.
• Rhode stopped Lilia after recognizing the Crescent Moon Mark and understanding the leopard’s Darnassian plea that it was a night elf.

Rhode met Kienlo, a young Night Elf Druid who wanted to become a Moonkin but lacked the feather her transformation ritual required. He invited her to return with his party and help search for one, and they headed back together.

• Rhode spoke with Kienlo and learned she had entered the cave looking for a Moonlight Moonkin feather.
• Kienlo explained that she could only use Cheetah Form and could not easily return to her humanoid form.
• Lilia asked permission to pet Kienlo, then stroked her as Kienlo purred.
• Rhode invited Kienlo to join his party and offered to help find the feather; Kienlo and Lilia both agreed.
• After dealing with the Mountain Lion carcasses, Rhode's party headed back while Lilia chatted with Kienlo.

Rhode brought Lilia, Kienlo, and Bumpelba to Southshore to recruit workers and mages for his new school. Kienlo revealed her night elf form, and the chapter ended with her affectionately promising to look after Lilia.

• Rhode left Katel in charge of the construction site and took Lilia, Kienlo, and Bumpelba to Southshore to recruit workers and mages.
• Lilia led Kienlo, still in leopard form, into town, frightening the townsfolk into blocking the entrance with tools.
• Lilia explained that Kienlo was a night elf druid, and Kienlo transformed from a leopard into a tall night elf woman.
• Sheriff Redpath recognized Rhode as the Earl, and the townsfolk gathered around him to welcome him back.
• Rhode recognized Kienlo as the druid NPC from the Arathi Highlands, while Lilia struggled to adjust to her new appearance.
• Kienlo stroked Lilia's head and told her that her big sister would take care of her.

Rhode recruited Baturo and Gixil to help build a magic school and develop Southshore’s infrastructure and businesses. The chapter ended with Gixil eager to sign a contract after Rhode promised him a leading role and support for his Goblin Jumper Cables research.

• Rhode learned that Stalvan and Nat Pagle had left Southshore, then met with Baturo and Gixil to discuss his plans.
• Rhode offered Baturo payment for recruiting workers and mages to the magic school, using Spell Models to attract mages.
• Rhode asked Gixil to recruit goblin engineers and bring construction machinery to Southshore.
• Rhode promised Gixil a major role in future businesses and backing for his Goblin Jumper Cables research, persuading him to ask about signing a contract.

Earl Rhode finalized a cooperation agreement with Gixil and watched Baturo recruit workers for the Westpoint School of Magic. He met the pandaren Chen Stormstout and invited him upstairs for a drink, where Chen confirmed his identity and eagerly eyed the liquor.

• Rhode and Gixil signed an agreement to cooperate on building and expanding the Westpoint School of Magic.
• Baturo began recruiting tavern patrons for the school project, drawing a crowd of eager laborers.
• Chen Stormstout challenged Baturo’s praise of mages and suggested opening a kung fu school instead.
• Rhode invited the pandaren upstairs for a drink and asked whether he was Chen Stormstout.
• Chen confirmed that he had met Audric and asked Rhode to start serving the liquor.

Rhode and Chen Stormstout bonded over drinks, and Rhode persuaded the Pandaren brewer to help develop a brewery in Southshore. He then asked Chen to teach martial arts to local students, including a skilled High Elf swordsman.

• Rhode and Chen Stormstout sampled the tavern's drinks until Chen became fascinated by its Black Lager.
• Monica explained that Black Lager was difficult to produce in quantity, and Chen considered how to refine its recipe.
• Rhode invited Chen to advise a future Southshore brewery, and Chen agreed because he wanted locals to enjoy better drinks.
• Rhode asked Chen to take on students, including a skilled High Elf swordsman.

Rhode tried to recruit Chen Stormstout as a Monk instructor and teacher for Lilia, but Chen initially refused. After meeting Lilia and taking a liking to her, Chen agreed to teach her and join Rhode's school.

• Rhode proposed that Chen Stormstout teach Lilia and establish a Monk department at his school, but Chen refused because he disliked teaching unruly apprentices.
• Lilia and Kienlo entered, and Lilia mistook Chen's dark circles for signs that he had not slept.
• Lilia asked whether Chen would go bald and then asked to touch his head; Chen happily let her stroke the back of his neck.
• Chen said he would not mind teaching apprentices as adorable as Lilia, and Rhode revealed that she was the High Elf he had asked Chen to teach.
• Chen changed his mind and agreed to Rhode's proposals.