Recaps

At an Alliance council meeting, the kingdoms promised aid to Kul Tiras while privately hoping to use the Scourge invasion to curb its growing power. Rowan avoided a dangerous blockade and brought his fleet to Freehold, where the people welcomed him and he prepared to rally Kul Tiras and demand aid from Lordaeron.

• Archmage Delandon called on the Alliance kingdoms to send aid to Kul Tiras, and Liam proposed that their forces travel together for safety.
• Terenas pledged to gather supplies in Southshore and later ordered Bridget to supervise the Barov and Agamand families as they prepared them.
• Rowan saw Naxxramas and the Scourge defenses blocking Guard Territory, judged a direct assault too risky, and ordered the fleet to sail for Freehold.
• Anub'arak watched Rowan's ships withdraw and wondered why Kul Tiras's navy would not attack the Scourge.
• Rowan arrived at Freehold, where sailors and dockworkers cheered and asked whether they could win the war.
• Rowan assured the people that victory was possible and resolved to show the Alliance Kul Tiras's resilience and make Lordaeron provide the aid it owed.

Rowan arranged for the Ashvane industrial district to resume production and persuaded the Family Council to consolidate its fleets under collective command while leaving their leaders in place. The chapter ended with Zul warning Talanji that the Scourge threatened all of Azeroth and urging her to speak with Rowan, though she doubted he would let her leave.

• Rowan ordered Moss to restart Ashvane production and promised to arrange funding and new warship orders.
• Rowan asked Moss about consolidating the family fleets, and Moss agreed to support the Family Council if fleet commanders remained in place.
• At a military meeting, Valentin reported the Scourge’s forces and attacks, and Rowan proposed fighting through defensive counterattacks, decapitation operations, and firearms.
• The Family Council unanimously approved collective supply and operational command of the fleets while keeping the family lords as their leaders.
• Zul infiltrated Daelin Fortress and told Talanji that the Scourge threatened Zandalar and the world, then urged her to speak with Rowan.

Rowan oversaw the near-completion of Kul Tiras's Flying Carrier as the Scourge darkened the skies, while Leonard, Byron, and Risen fought a massive ghoul assault at Guardpoint Ridge. The first defensive line held after destroying the Scourge siege machines, but the defenders withdrew toward the second line as the undead kept advancing.

• Rowan learned from Archmage Ansirem that the Flying Carrier's core still needed charging, then saw the completed silver vessel and credited Kul Tiras's workers with bringing it to life.
• Byron and Leonard lamented the Royal Fleet's refusal to aid Kul Tiras before a force of nearly ten thousand ghouls attacked Guardpoint Ridge.
• Leonard recorded that wounded crawling fiends healed by consuming their companions, while the defenders used cannons and a shield wall to repel the first ghouls.
• Risen fired a Mage Hunter shell that destroyed two Scourge siege Meat Wagons, then fired another into a dense ghoul formation, killing more than a thousand but knocking down friendly soldiers with the blast wave.
• Leonard's troops fell back under artillery cover as goblin bombs destroyed another mass of ghouls, and he ordered the defenders to abandon their cannons and retreat to the second defensive line.

Byron and Leonard’s defenders faced Anub'Rekhan’s assault until Rhonin and Medivh arrived and drove the scarabs away. Rowan then met Medivh at dinner, where Jaina questioned how the supposedly dead Guardian had returned.

• Byron and Leonard recognized that the Scourge was escalating its attack, and Anub'Rekhan emerged from underground with swarms of scarabs.
• Risen fired a Mage Hunter at Anub'Rekhan, but the Scourge beast burrowed away and charged the artillery position as the ghouls resumed their assault.
• Rhonin and Medivh protected the soldiers with an Arcane Shield, and Medivh destroyed the scarabs by stripping away their necrotic energy.
• Anub'Rekhan fled underground after losing his scarabs, while Byron and Leonard continued defending the line.
• At dinner, Rowan told Jaina, Clark, and Sataia that the Charging Platform would be completed the next day and that they would help activate it.
• Rhonin brought Medivh to meet Rowan, and Jaina asked the Guardian how he could be alive when she thought he was dead.

Rowan explained his political ideals to Medivh, who admired the philosophy and wished to meet Rowan’s teacher. Meanwhile, Arthas followed a captured Cult of the Damned mage to a hidden palace beneath Lordamere Lake, where he uncovered Frostmourne and heard the sword call to him.

• Rowan invited Medivh to help build the future, and Medivh questioned whether Azeroth needed to unite against threats from beyond.
• Rowan taught Medivh about communism and urged him to test ideas against reality, leaving Medivh eager to meet Rowan’s teacher.
• Arthas captured Kallen and forced him to reveal how to open a magical passage beneath Lordamere Lake.
• Arthas entered the frozen palace with Faria and Kallen, fought its guardian, and convinced it to open the barrier around Frostmourne.
• Arthas shattered Frostmourne’s icy prison as Kallen fled, and the sword called on Arthas to claim it.

Rowan and the archmages charged Morris Industries’ Flying Aircraft Carrier and watched it take off to cheers across Morris Town. At King’s Bay, Marshal Valentin’s defenders withdrew into the dam’s towers, but the Scourge breached their defenses and threatened to overwhelm the garrison.

• Medivh and Ansirem directed the arcane torrents into the carrier’s Lift Core while Rhonin and Jaina contained the energy around the Military Foundry.
• Rowan and Xal'atath watched as the fully charged Flying Aircraft Carrier rose above Back Mountain, prompting cheers from Morris Town’s residents.
• At King’s Bay, Marshal Valentin ordered his troops to abandon the upper walls and defend the dam’s corridors while civilians continued evacuating.
• The Scourge sent ghouls, abominations, and armored knights into the Defense Towers, where Valentin’s soldiers fought them in the passages.
• Undead siege weapons breached the southern wall, and Gargoyles swept into the towers, leaving Valentin’s more than three thousand defenders close to collapse.

As King's Bay fell, Jett and Marshal Valentin tried to hold back the gargoyles until an aircraft carrier appeared and rescued the surviving First Fleet soldiers. Rowan's forces unleashed a massive bombardment, then Ansirem's arcane storm destroyed Arakalam's Flying Citadel, while Ner'zhul watched through the Crypt Lord's body.

• Valentin ordered the troops to retreat to the fourth level, where Jett planted goblin bombs in the corridor's support pillars while Valentin and the rear guard held off the gargoyles.
• The pillars collapsed, and Jett saved Valentin from falling before both men were left wounded among the rubble as King's Bay fell.
• Archbishop Joseph's arrival interrupted Valentin's attempt to die by suicide, and Medivh and Jaina teleported more than two thousand First Fleet soldiers onto the aircraft carrier.
• David directed the carrier's cannons against the Scourge, sinking troops and engineering Meat Wagons before Rowan ordered the bombardment to destroy the walls above the dam.
• Rowan had Ansirem channel the carrier's arcane core into a storm as Arakalam advanced; Ner'zhul seized control of the Crypt Lord, but the storm engulfed and destroyed the undead Flying Citadel.

After reuniting with Lilith, Maxwell discovered that Prince Arthas’s newly acquired artifact might be connected to a hidden plot, but he chose to investigate before reporting his suspicions. In Icecrown Citadel, Ner’zhul learned that the artifact’s origins had drawn suspicion and sent a Destroyer toward the human continent.

• Uther led the Stratholme refugees south to Light's Hope Chapel, where the Argent Dawn arranged shelter.
• Maxwell visited Lilith at the Holy Light Sanctum, waited three hours as she had instructed, and reunited with her in her office.
• Maxwell and Lilith examined the ash urn Prince Arthas had placed in the Sanctum’s sealing chamber, and Maxwell warned her that the prince’s artifact might be a trap.
• Maxwell explained that his ancestor Idir had been a member of the Tirisfal Council and said he would investigate before informing Lord Uther or Archbishop Alonsus.
• Ner’zhul realized that Maxwell suspected the artifact’s origins and dispatched a gigantic Destroyer toward the human continent.

Jaina and Rowan discussed the Scourge, the Burning Legion, and whether to release Talanji in hopes of gaining Zandalari support. Rowan then consulted Medivh about advanced enchanting materials for developing stronger industrial components, but the most powerful options proved far beyond their reach, and Medivh hinted at another possibility.

• After weeks of exhausting factory work, Jaina found Rowan in his office and urged him to rest before they discussed business.
• Rowan told Jaina he was considering releasing Talanji and betting that she would help Kul Tiras fight the Scourge and the coming Burning Legion.
• Jaina questioned whether Talanji would put Kul Tiras ahead of her own people, but Rowan said he trusted her.
• Rowan met with Medivh to discuss high-level enchanting and materials for the turbofan engine's internal furnace.
• Medivh described Black Dragon Blood and Elemental Lord heart cores as powerful materials, then hinted that another possibility surpassed them.

Rowan learned that azerite could be obtained from the Chamber of Heart and agreed to assemble a team, while Medivh said Saurfang would need enhanced gear made with black dragon blood. As Rowan arranged to contact Katrana, Tichondrius set plans in motion, and Illucia waited in Southshore for a fleet to carry her supplies to Kul Tiras.

• Medivh revealed that azerite was the Blood of the World Soul and that the Chamber of Heart was the place to obtain it, but Old God minions had infiltrated the chamber.
• Rowan agreed to recruit Saurfang as a warrior for the mission, and Medivh said he needed enhanced equipment made with black dragon blood.
• Rowan promised to find black dragon blood and ordered Number Seven to have Number Zero summon Katrana to Boralus to discuss Blackrock Spire.
• Tichondrius received intelligence from Naeo Zu, assigned Mal'Ganis to capture Lilith alive, and told Detheroc to signal Balnazzar to mobilize the nobles.
• Illucia waited in Southshore with two warehouses of supplies after failing to find a fleet to take them to Kul Tiras, while Weldon and Alex managed the Barov Merchants' Guild.
• Prince Liam arrived, and Myron told Alex to come out and welcome him.

Arthas confronted Illucia over the Barov Merchants' Guild's stockpiled supplies in Southshore, demanding them for Lordaeron while she intended to send them to Kul Tiras. Illucia resisted his pressure and demanded cash, and Arthas threatened her with Frostmourne.

• Alex bribed Captain Myron for information, then learned Arthas wanted to meet Illucia about Southshore's supplies.
• Alex told Illucia and Weldon that Arthas was seeking the guild's stockpiles, while Illucia ordered her brothers not to act impulsively.
• Illucia met Arthas at the harbor and challenged him over the Alliance's failure to aid Kul Tiras.
• Arthas accused Illucia of hoarding wartime supplies and invoked Lordaeron's interests; Illucia explained that she meant to help Rowan and Kul Tiras.
• Illucia offered to sell the goods in Warehouse One at a discount, but Arthas demanded supplies from both warehouses and warned her to be loyal to Lordaeron.
• Illucia demanded cash and refused to yield, so Arthas gripped Frostmourne and threatened her.

Arthas forced Illucia to cooperate with him by threatening her brothers, while Illucia agreed to keep Barov factories producing and supply goods to the kingdom. In Stormwind, Katrana left Benedictus and was intercepted by Number Seven and Number Zero, who said Rowan wanted to see her.

• Arthas confronted Illucia in Southshore and accused the Barov Merchants' Guild of helping destabilize Lordaeron's markets.
• Arthas brought Weldon and Alex into the frost barrier and threatened Weldon with Frostmourne, prompting Illucia to agree to cooperate if her brothers were released.
• Illucia secured her brothers' release and agreed to keep the Barov factories running and sell their goods under a tax-offset agreement.
• Katrana spoke with Benedictus at the Cathedral of Light, but they disagreed about sending aid to Kul Tiras.
• Number Seven approached Katrana in Stormwind, and Number Zero stopped her fireball and told her that Young Master Rowan requested her presence.

Number Zero invited Katrana to meet Rowan in Kul Tiras, alarming her by revealing Rowan knew about her affairs in Blackrock Spire. Rowan taught Talanji that a leader’s true power came from both the leader and the people, while Lilith discovered that a demon had taken Maxwell’s place and prepared to fight it.

• Number Zero told Katrana that Rowan wanted to discuss her affairs in Blackrock Spire, and Katrana agreed to visit Kul Tiras despite suspecting Rowan was blackmailing her.
• Rowan questioned Talanji about leadership and helped her realize that a ruler’s strength came from the people who chose to follow them.
• Rowan sent Talanji and Zul away, and Talanji thanked him for teaching her before insisting they remained enemies.
• Lilith returned home and recognized that the person speaking to her as Maxwell was an impostor.
• The demon revealed its wings after Lilith attacked it with Holy Fire, and Lilith prepared to fight with Holy Light.

Mal'Ganis captured Lilith, while Rowan recruited Saurfang to help clear the Chamber of Heart. At the front, Byron and Leonard lured two Obsidian Destroyers toward the Second Fleet, but one drained Byron's Holy Light and chased him.

• Mal'Ganis's disguise burned away when Lilith wounded his shoulder with Holy Light, and he transformed into bats that broke her shield and captured her.
• Rowan visited Saurfang in prison and enlisted him to help clear the Chamber of Heart in exchange for power and a promise to set aside his hatred of the Orcs against a stronger enemy.
• Rowan and Saurfang agreed to leave for the mission the day after tomorrow.
• Byron and Leonard prepared to withdraw toward the Second Fleet as the Scourge advanced, hoping to bring down two flying Undead creatures for study.
• The two Obsidian Destroyers targeted Byron after he used his Holy Hammer as bait, and one unleashed a spell that extinguished his Holy Light.
• Byron ran from the Destroyer and called for Leonard's help.

Byron and Leonard lured the Obsidian Destroyers toward the Kul Tiras fleet, killing one with a Goblin Bomb and surviving the fleet’s cannon barrage. As the remaining Destroyer carried them toward the Scourge army, Captain David fired a Mage Hunter at it, leaving Byron hoping the gunner had been Leonard rather than him.

• Leonard stunned an Obsidian Destroyer with a Storm Hammer, while Byron discovered that the other Destroyer absorbed his holy light and resisted spells.
• Byron and Leonard retreated to the edge of cannon range, then used Goblin Bombs to lure the Destroyers into attacking them.
• Byron stuck a bomb to one Destroyer, activated Divine Shield during the explosion, and was pinned beneath the creature when it crashed.
• Leonard signaled Earl Terry to fire the fleet’s cannons, then rescued Byron and helped him salvage the dead Destroyer before nearby blasts threw them into the sea.
• Faerlina’s remaining Destroyer caught Leonard and Byron in the water and carried them toward the undead army after dodging Leonard’s second Goblin Bomb.
• Captain David ordered a Mage Hunter fired at the Destroyer carrying the two men, and Byron feared the shot would hit him.

Maxwell discovered that Lilith had been abducted by someone using an illusion of him and sought Uther's help, while Arthas argued with Frostmourne as Ner'zhul advanced the Scourge through Kul Tiras. Katrana flew over the Red Forest toward Boralus and encountered creatures she recognized as Obsidian Destroyers.

• Maxwell found signs of a struggle in Lilith's home and learned from Auntie Mila that someone posing as him had visited before Lilith disappeared.
• Maxwell inferred that an illusionist had planned Lilith's abduction and rode to the Chapel to seek Uther.
• Arthas accused Frostmourne of stirring his bloodlust, but Ner'zhul denied corrupting him and urged him to embrace the sword's power.
• Ner'zhul continued the Scourge's measured invasion of Kul Tiras, while undead forces entered the Red Forest and encountered a black dragon.
• Katrana flew west through the Red Forest after her ship went off course, then spotted creatures near the mountains and identified them as Obsidian Destroyers.

Uther investigated Priest Lilith’s disappearance and learned that Maxwell had told her about the divine artifact Prince Arthas found in Lordamere Lake, prompting Uther to investigate Frostmourne’s origins. Elsewhere, Katrana battled Scourge Obsidian Destroyers before approaching a flying Kul Tiran platform, whose Mage Hunter Cannons turned toward her.

• Uther reviewed Lilith’s file and her relationship with Maxwell, then questioned Maxwell about recent events.
• Maxwell revealed that he and Lilith knew about the divine artifact Arthas had found beneath Lordamere Lake.
• Uther took the lead seriously and decided to investigate Frostmourne’s origins to protect Arthas from going astray.
• Katrana recalled her father Neltharion’s decline and how she and Nefarian had pursued separate plans to build strength.
• Katrana destroyed several Scourge Obsidian Destroyers with her World-Ender Fire and Dragon’s Breath.
• Katrana entered Tiragarde Sound, spotted a flying Kul Tiran platform, and turned away when its Mage Hunter Cannons aimed at her.

Rowan shot down Katrana with a Mage Hunter, found her disguised as an injured young woman, and revealed that he knew her identity before asking her for some black dragon blood. Meanwhile, Arthas consolidated his power in Lordaeron and turned his attention toward unifying the Alliance, until Uther arrived unexpectedly.

• Risen fired two Mage Hunters at Katrana, and the second blast knocked her unconscious as she fell into the Drustvar mountains.
• Rowan and Rhonin searched for Katrana, then Rowan recognized her disguised as an injured girl and called her Countess Katrana.
• Katrana tried to attack Rowan, but he pushed her hand aside and offered to keep her identity secret if she handled small tasks for him.
• Rowan clarified that he only wanted Katrana to provide blood for Medivh's enchanting research as the Aircraft Carrier prepared to fight the Scourge.
• Terence sought peace with Arthas, splitting the Noble Group, and Arthas arrested nobles and replaced them with supporters.
• Arthas studied the Alliance map in his office until Faria announced that Uther had come to see him.

Rowan brought Katrana aboard the Aircraft Carrier, where Medivh restrained her to draw a blood sample and Rowan assigned her a job and a meal card. Elsewhere, Uther and Arthas argued over Frostmourne’s origins, with Arthas agreeing to report any evidence of corruption.

• Katrana recognized Rhonin as the man who had wounded her father, but Rowan told her Rhonin was not responsible for her father’s worsening condition.
• Katrana tried to capture Rowan in the corridor, but Rowan warned her that Medivh could stop her, and she backed down.
• Rowan and Medivh discussed the Lift Core’s energy reserves and its emergency attack capabilities while Katrana overheard them.
• Medivh restrained Katrana and drew a vial of her blood, after which Rowan gave her an employee meal card and named her an enchanting material collector.
• Katrana ate a large meal in the dining hall and complained that Rowan was watching her.
• Uther told Arthas that he could find no evil intent in Frostmourne, and Arthas promised to report any evidence that the artifact was dangerous.

Uther received Number Zero’s warning that Nathrezim demons had infiltrated Lordaeron and began weighing it against the evidence surrounding Arthas and Frostmourne. Meanwhile, Rowan’s forces challenged the Scourge across the Inland Sea, prompting Anub'arak to prepare a million troops for an assault on Kul Tiras’s industrial towns and fleet.

• Arthas agreed to let Uther invite the Kirin Tor to examine Frostmourne, and Number Zero sought an audience with Uther.
• Number Zero gave Uther a guide to Nathrezim demons and warned that demons had replaced nobles in the Royal City.
• Uther questioned whether Baron Maxwell’s report about Lilith and Arthas’s Frostmourne was genuine, and Number Zero vouched for Maxwell’s human feelings.
• Byron and David watched Rowan’s aerial stronghold approach the Scourge coast as Kul Tiras prepared to counterattack with its industrial output and fleet.
• Ner'zhul authorized Anub'arak to lead a million troops in a lightning assault on the Inland Sea’s industrial towns within a week.
• Anub'arak assembled elite undead forces, venomous spiders, and ancient saronite cannons, then ordered his mages to prepare the fortress for battle.

Rowan adapted the Combined Fleet’s defense after Naxxramas froze the Inland Sea, then used Katrana and Mage Hunters to repel the Scourge’s aerial assault. The chapter ended with Talanji returning to Zandalar and reassuring the worried Dak'uru that she had been away on a mission.

• Naxxramas froze the Inland Sea and immobilized the Combined Fleet, so Rowan ordered the vanguard crews to abandon their ships and use them as cover while the fleet bombarded the Scourge.
• The Scourge sent waves of undead across the ice and Dreadbat Forces against the fleet, while Rowan’s crews used the empty forward ships to delay the ghouls.
• Rowan persuaded Katrana to transform into a black dragon and draw the gargoyles together, allowing Risen and the artillery crews to destroy many of them with Mage Hunters.
• Earl Terry and Marshal Valentin redeployed troops to retake the vanguard ships, and the Scourge’s second offensive ended as its gargoyles withdrew.
• Anub'arak decided to join the battle personally, while Dak'uru learned that Talanji and Oracle Zul had returned to Zandalar.
• Talanji greeted Dak'uru at the harbor and told him that her two-month absence had been a mission.

Xal'atath returned to the Underground World with Medivh, Saurfang, Archbishop Joseph, and Meryl Winterstorm to reach the Chamber of Heart, while the Old Gods taunted her through their shared minds. Vezax blocked their way as Medivh prepared a powerful attack, leaving the party fighting to protect him and stop Yogg-Saron's plan to corrupt Azeroth's world-soul.

• Xal'atath arrived in the Underground World and told N'Zoth, Yogg-Saron, and C'Thun she would soon kill them.
• Medivh led the party through the dark passage toward the Chamber of Heart, where they encountered Vezax and his shadows separated Saurfang and Archbishop Joseph from the others.
• Saurfang killed a Faceless One with his Black Dragon Axe, while Archbishop Joseph resisted the Dark Trial Officials' Void Ritual.
• Medivh opened Astral Realm Gates to flood the Underground World with arcane power, and the restored light revealed the Chamber of Heart hovering above the flesh-covered land.
• Vezax activated Yogg-Saron's Saronite Crystal to protect the corruption of the Chamber of Heart, and Medivh aimed Singularity Impact at it.
• Meryl Winterstorm and Saurfang attacked Vezax while Medivh continued casting.

After returning to Zuldazar, Talanji planned reforms to win the people’s support and prepare to challenge the empire’s powerful lords. Meanwhile, Anub'arak attacked the Combined Fleet, survived Mage Hunter fire, and faced Rhonin and Eileen as the battle continued.

• Talanji reflected on the people’s unity in Kul Tiras and decided that Zandalar’s people needed to choose their ruler for her to be powerful.
• Talanji refused to see Dak'uru, making clear in her thoughts that she wanted a governing partner rather than a husband.
• Talanji resolved to improve ordinary Zandalari lives by opening land and trade to the people and building factories, even if the changes brought her into conflict with the council and great troll lords.
• Anub'arak charged through the vanguard fleet, endured nine Mage Hunters with an emerald-green crystal defense, and attacked the flagship from beneath the ice.
• David signaled for the flagship to be protected, and Rhonin teleported it away just as Anub'arak forced it out of the ice.
• Eileen restrained Anub'arak with Frost Nova while Rhonin summoned a frost elemental giant; Anub'arak’s scarabs drained the elemental and began to evolve.

Uther learned that demons might be behind the Scourge and resolved to unite forces, using Arthas and his artifact to draw the Nathrezim toward Kul Tiras. Meanwhile, Jaina and Lucille reached their assignment at sea as Rowan’s forces fought an undead Flying Citadel, whose surviving attack unleashed venomous spiders aboard the carrier.

• Uther reported intelligence about demons to Alonsus, who showed him Kel'Thuzad's soul still resisting holy light within the Ash Urn.
• Uther and Alonsus considered whether the Scourge served a demonic invasion, and Uther decided to send Arthas with reinforcements to Kul Tiras to divert the Nathrezim.
• Jaina told Lucille she had volunteered for the Outer Sea mission, and Ellen announced that their ships had reached the designated coordinates.
• Rowan's forces struck the undead Flying Citadel with Mage Hunter rounds, bringing it down after it launched seventeen giant cocoons onto the carrier.
• Faerlina arrived on the carrier and split the cocoons, releasing Venomous Spiders, and Rowan ordered William to evacuate the soldiers and artillery to the control hall.

Rowan and Katrana fought Faerlina aboard the Aircraft Carrier, while Rhonin and Eileen struggled against Anub'arak and his scarabs. Rowan summoned the Sea Fog as the spiders closed in, and Rhonin drew the scarabs toward a Phantasmal Crystal before asking Eileen to attack it.

• Faerlina taunted Rowan, but he refused to confront her until Katrana challenged her with black dragon flames and wiped out many Venomous Spiders.
• The surviving spiders poisoned Katrana's wings, forcing Rowan to leave the control room and help her as Faerlina continued attacking.
• Rowan revealed that no Archmage enforcers were aboard the deck, and Katrana crashed down after the neurotoxin weakened her flight.
• Faerlina sent the remaining spiders toward Rowan, who stood by Katrana and summoned the Sea Fog at the last moment.
• Anub'arak's scarabs absorbed arcane energy and grew stronger as Rhonin and Eileen tried to hold them off.
• Rhonin formed a Phantasmal Crystal to lure the scarabs away, then told Eileen to bombard it.